Abstract
Horizontal auger boring (HAB) is a widely used trenchless technology for the high-accuracy installation of gravity or pressure pipelines on line and grade. Differing from other pipeline installations, HAB requires a more precise and automated guidance system for use in a practical project. This paper proposes an economic and enhanced automated optical guidance system, based on optimization research of light-emitting diode (LED) light target and five automated image processing bore-path deviation algorithms. An LED target was optimized for many qualities, including light color, filter plate color, luminous intensity, and LED layout. The image preprocessing algorithm, feature extraction algorithm, angle measurement algorithm, deflection detection algorithm, and auto-focus algorithm, compiled in MATLAB, are used to automate image processing for deflection computing and judging. After multiple indoor experiments, this guidance system is applied in a project of hot water pipeline installation, with accuracy controlled within 2 mm in 48-m distance, providing accurate line and grade controls and verifying the feasibility and reliability of the guidance system.
Highlights
Horizontal auger boring (HAB) is a common trenchless construction method for installing gravity or pressure pipes, including sewer and hot water pipelines
A drilling rig is installed inside the jacking pit
An enhanced automated guidance system, based on image processing for HAB, used in the installation of gravity or pressure pipelines, was proposed in this paper. This system consisted of a lighted target, theodolite, a camera with stand, and a personal computer, which acquired images of the lighted target, via a camera, and automatically calculated the deflection using image processing technology
Summary
Horizontal auger boring (HAB) is a common trenchless construction method for installing gravity or pressure pipes, including sewer and hot water pipelines. It has advantages of low disruptions to the environment, low footprint, small earthwork quantity, and less external interference [1,2,3,4]. Two pits, a “jacking pit” and a “reception pit”, are excavated. A drilling rig is installed inside the jacking pit. The rig pushes the pipelines towards the reception pit in the designated direction. The spoil is removed with helical screw conveyors [5]. Owing to differing soil conditions and the influence of gravity, the drilling track often skews. A guidance system is required to monitor the line and grade in real time for taking corresponding control measures
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