Manual Excavation

Pipe jacking (manual excavation) is a trenchless technology method for installing a prefabricated pipe (steel or pre-cast concrete) through the ground from a drive shaft to a reception shaft. In the pipe jacking operation, hydraulic jacks located in the drive shaft propel the pipe. The jacking force is transmitted through the pipe-to-pipe interaction, to the excavating face allowing the pipes to advance forward. When the excavation is accomplished, the spoil is transported through the jacking pipe to the drive shaft by manual or mechanical means.

Both excavation and spoil removal processes require workers to be inside the pipe during the jacking operation.
The alignment can be control using a laser guidance system combined with steering jacks in the lead pipe. The minimum recommended diameter for pipe installed by pipe jacking is 1200mm.