Cables and pipes

Cables and pipelines are vital for providing basic services. The Dutch underground is full of them. How do we ensure proper incorporation and sustainable growth of this underground infrastructure?

Evaluation pilot casing tube well construction (2017)

A casing tube well construction is a facility for laying cables and pipes in a structured manner underground. This report contains the evaluation of a pilot casing tube well construction realised by the municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn in the city centre area.

Data sharing in the cable and pipeline industry (2017)

This report shows what data sharing means for the construction, management and maintenance of cable and pipeline infrastructure. It provides background data on data sharing in general and in the cable and pipeline industry in particular. In addition, the report discusses the benefits of and barriers to data sharing raised in interviews.

Working with stable soil (2013)

The calving, sliding and overturning of unstable slopes during excavations and embankments leads to many incidents. This guideline has been prepared to ensure earthworks of limited scope are carried out safely. The core of the publication is a step-by-step flow chart to determine the slope that can still be safely handled.

Accuracy of drilling techniques for cables and pipelines (2013)

Research by NSTT into the accuracy of drilling. How accurate are drilling techniques, which factors other than the drilling technique influence the position of a borehole and how can an indication of the current positioning accuracy be obtained.

National working agreements on cables and pipes (2013)

The Municipal Platform Cables and Pipelines (GPKL) has posted on its website all published working agreements around cables and pipelines in the public underground space. These are so-called good practices: various guidelines, manuals and working methods. These have come about through proper consultation between umbrella and sector organisations, as a result of which, according to the GPKL, the recommendations are supported nationwide. In this way, the GPKL hopes to provide clarity on how municipalities and network operators should handle their cables and pipelines.

Detecting without digging (2011)

The COB Platform Cables & Pipelines took the initiative to determine the quality of the use of innovative detection techniques - such as ground radar and radio detection - for locating cables and pipelines. The accompanying report reports on a field test, a follow-up to previous research in which existing methods were inventoried and analysed. That analysis revealed, among other things, that the expertise and experience of the person applying the technique are of great influence. The platform therefore conducted a field test to further investigate both innovative techniques and their use by detection companies.

Preventing excavation damage to cables and pipes (2010)

At the initiative and in cooperation with stakeholders, CROW publication 250 'Preventing excavation damage to cables and pipes' (2008) was created. The result is an industry-supported guideline that seamlessly links up with the 'Information Exchange on Underground Networks' Act. Clients, designers, soil excavators and operators use the guideline as a tool to shape a careful process. From the first initiative to 'plugging the trench'. For everyone who plays a role in the excavation process.

Trenchless techniques

Today, trenchless techniques such as 'microtunnelling' and 'horizontal directional drilling' are increasingly used. These techniques generally have less impact on the environment than open excavation. More information on trenchless techniques can be found on the CDE website.

NSTT

The Dutch Association for Trenchless Techniques and Applications aims to encourage the development and promotion of trenchless techniques, as well as to fund and propagate their social benefits. The association provides answers to your individual questions and tries to address larger issues together in the collectivity of the sector. The NSTT's website provides a good overview of recent developments.