Excavation
Underground utility infrastructures are becoming more and more congested and complicated as they compete for limited space to accommodate ever-increasing demands. Safety, as well as financial concerns, have also increased as exact vertical and horizontal locations of utilities are more in need of design and construction.
Vacuum Technology
- Using non-destructive water or air vacuum technology, Subtronic can excavate in areas inaccessible to conventional digging equipment – even in sensitive areas such as around high-pressure gas, high voltage electric and petroleum refineries
- A vacuum excavator works by using either high-pressure air or water to break up the soil. A powerful vacuum removes the loosened dirt and transports it to a holding tank where it is stored until it is used for backfill or hauled away for disposal
- The excavator creates small holes (8″-10″) in diameter to positively identify the location of existing utilities or dig “slot trenches” to whatever length is necessary for heavily congested areas
- Most services are located within 4-5 feet of ground surface and can be safely exposed within 10-15 minutes, depending on soil conditions. Subtronic’s vacuum excavation rigs can dig holes to over 20 ‘deep to find even the hardest to find services
Advantages
- Even with hand tools, it’s all too easy to damage a buried utility, and, of course, backhoes are notorious for causing utility accidents
- If the utility is under a street surface, the 1ft x 1ft pothole created by a vacuum excavator is much faster and easier to patch than the much larger hole left by hand digging or a backhoe
Applications of Vacuum Excavation
- Exposing underground utilities
- Excavation in sites too small for excavators or backhoes
- “Slot trenching” in areas with a multitude of utilities
- Environmental monitoring Well installations
- Installing cathodic protection
- Street sign installations
- Footing excavations
- Fence or barricade installations
