PIPE RAMMING

1
 Introduction

A method of choice for crossing railroad tracks

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 Introduction

Involves using the dynamic force and energy transmitted

by percussion hammer attached to end of the pipe
Enables installation of large steel casings in wide range of
soil conditions
Most valuable for installing large pipes over shorter
distances & shallow depths
Suitable for all ground conditions except solid rock
Safe where other trenchless technology methods can lead
to unacceptable surface settling

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Introduction

4
 Method Description

Closed face
Open face

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 Method description

Two major categories

Closed face
A cone shaped head is welded to leading end of first segment of
pipe to be rammed
Head penetrates and compresses surrounding soil as casing is
rammed forward
Wedge end can be used for pipe dia. up to 8 in.

Open face
Front of leading end of steel casing remains open

Forms a bore hole of size of casing

Allows soil particles to remain in place, with small amount of soil

compaction
Used for pipes larger than 8 in.

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 Method description

To facilitate pipe ramming process, leading edge of first

casing is reinforced with steel band
Steel bands of 12 to 24 in. are welded around exterior surface of
casing
Advantage of banding
Reinforces the leading edge
Decreases friction around casing
Band can also be provided on inside edge creating a clearance for
soil to move inside casing
Compressed air or water is applied from either ends of pipe
to remove soil(for small dia. casing)
Auger can be used for removing soil from large dia. casing

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 Method description

Pipe ramming procedure can be summarized as

Construct an adequate shaft
Install cone on leading edge of casing
Place casing in drive pit & adjust for desired line & grade
When the casing pipe is unguided, the line & grade accuracy is
determined by the initial setup as well as ground conditions
encountered
Where line & grade are critical, the pipe is supported by
adjustable bearing stands, launch cradles, I-beams etc.
Attach hammer device & connect to pneumatic or hydraulic power
source

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Method description

Start ramming & continue until the installation is complete

Remove the spoils & clean out the casing
Remove the equipment
Restore the area as required

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 Main features and application range

Diameter range
Casing pipe of dia 4 to 96 in. are used (open face pipe ramming)
Casing pipe of dia 4 to 8 in. are used(closed face pipe ramming)
Casings of 147 in. dia. are also installed in recent years
Drive length
Typical drive lengths are less than 200 ft
Although, some crossings have been rammed up to 400ft. long
Consider soil conditions to determine drive length
Type of casing
Casing is limited to steel pipe
Must endure repeated impact loads of percussive hammer
Pipes wall thickness is important design consideration

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 Main features and application range

Required workspace
Adequate site access & workspace necessary for successful
installation
The length of insertion pit can be calculated from length of pipe
sections to be installed
Adding approximately 15 ft. to the length

Soil conditions
Suitable for wide range of soil conditions
Affected by presence of ground water
Most suitable conditions are
Soft to very soft clays, silts, all sands(loose to dense) above
water table, soils with cobbles, boulders & other obstacles

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 Main features and application range
The only soil unsuitable is solid rock.
Table showing applicability of pipe ramming in different soil
conditions
Type of soil Applicability
Soft to very soft clays, silt, & organic deposits YES
Medium to very stiff clay and silts YES
Hard clays and highly weathered shales Marginal
Very loose to loose sands (above the water table) YES
Medium to dense sands(below the water table) Marginal
Medium to dense sands(above the water table) YES
Gravels & cobbles less than 50 to 100 mm dia YES
Soils with significant cobbles, boulders, and obstructions larger YES
than 100 to 150 mm dia
Weathered rocks, marls, chalks, & firmly cemented soils Marginal
Significantly weathered to unweathered rocks Marginal
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 Main features and application range

Productivity
A two to three person crew is needed for small applications
Typical rate of penetration ranges from 2 to 10 in./ min.
Accuracy
Depends on the initial setup
Limited amount of control in changing direction of bore once
ramming has begun
Major advantages
Effective method for installing large-small dia. pipes
Versatile pit sizes, varying lengths of pipe that can be installed
Economical for installation under roads & railway tracks
Single size of pipe ramming tool & air compressor can be used to
install wide variety of pipe lengths and sizes

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 Main features and application range

Major limitations
Minimal amount of control over line and grade
High noise levels
Sometimes significant soil disturbance
Effect of pipe ramming on surrounding environment
Ground vibrations associated with pipe ramming are not fully
understood
Impact of vibration is typically noticed in the area of the lead edge of
the ramming pipe
Impact is not harmful to nearby structure and utilities
Distance of nearby utilities and structures must be determined
based on the project and site conditions

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Main features and application range

Operation equipment works generally at 200 to 500 blows per min.

Heave or settlement associated with pipe ramming is rare
The type and extent of surface movement depend on
the soil conditions

Type of pipe ramming(open end vs. close end)

Depth of installation and degree of planning

Experience of the contractor

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Backhoe bucket helps to support rammer
and casting pipe

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Backhoe bucket helps to support rammer
and casting pipe

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