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When people think about construction, they generally think of cranes, excavators, and bulldozers that work with their humming sound to break the ground. However, beneath the surface, other equipment plays a substantial role in making construction projects successful. We are talking about directional boring machine or horizontal directional drill (HDD).

Construction companies that have to deal with installing underground utilities and infrastructure without disturbing the surface generally use this machine, and we are going to find out where these HDDs are used.

#1 The Basic Purpose

As we have said once, we will say it again: HDDs are most commonly used in construction for installing underground utilities like water, gas, and electrical lines. Traditional methods, like open trenching, can disrupt landscape, traffic, and even an entire neighbourhood. However, a directional boring machine makes the process less intrusive and allows workers to install utilities underground with minimal surface impact.

A horizontal directional drill can be used to install pipelines beneath roads, rivers, railways, and other obstacles without the need to dig up everything in sight. This can reduce environmental disruption and even cut down on the time and cost associated with restoring the surface.

#2 Telecommunication Infrastructure

We would be lying if we said we don’t live and breathe the internet. We live in an era of super-fast internet and 5G networks, and to provide us with this, telecommunication firms massively rely on HDDs to lay fibre optic cables. As cities grow and the demand for connectivity skyrockets, it becomes imperative to install these networks without tearing up entire roads and causing inconvenience to residents.

To do so, horizontal directional drills are used. They help to precisely place the cables over long distances, even in congested urban environments, without damaging any existing underground utilities.

#3 Emergency Repairs

What would happen if a major utility line gets damaged in the middle of a bustling city? Traditional excavation would mean chaos, with roads blocked, traffic disrupted, and residents frustrated. However, with HDD, this isn’t the case. They allow construction crews to access and repair underground utilities quickly without massive surface disruption. Whether it’s a water pipe, gas line, or fibre optic cable, HDDs help get things back on track before you even notice a problem.

#4 Renewable Energy Products

Have you ever wondered how those massive wind turbines and solar farms get connected to the grid? HDDs are a game-changer in renewable energy projects. When installing underground cables to transmit electricity from wind and solar farms, HDDs allow the work to be done efficiently without harming the landscape.

Especially when we are talking about critical areas with fragile ecosystems or challenging terrains, this equipment can work marvellously for everything from crossing under forests to wetlands while keeping nature intact.

The Bottom Line

The global HDD market was valued at 10.2bn USD in 2023, and it is forecasted to reach 16.4bn USD by 2030. So, it would be safe to say that the equipment is indeed in demand by the construction companies.

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/.

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