Pavement Restoration on Pavement Restoration on Main Replacement ProjectsMain Replacement ProjectsPipe Splitting and Keyhole Pipe Splitting and Keyhole

TechnologyTechnologyAtAt

Southwest Gas CorporationSouthwest Gas Corporation

Kenny PollockKenny PollockManager Gas OperationsManager Gas Operations

Support StaffSupport Staff

What is Keyhole? What is Keyhole?

• 12”/18”/24” diameter core precision cut through pavement

• Core set aside for reinstatement after repairs • Underground facilities exposed by vacuum excavation• Repairs made from the surface using long-handled tools• Hole is then backfilled to base of pavement• Utilibond Grout is then mixed with water and poured into

hole• Core is reinserted back into the hole and bonded to the

pavement for a permanent restoration• Road is re-opened to traffic within 30 minutes to an hour

– Weather conditions dictate curing time

Chronological Order of Keyhole EventsChronological Order of Keyhole EventsAt At

Southwest GasSouthwest Gas• 1999

– Research began on keyhole processes

• Spring of 2001– First live demo of

coring equipment

Completed core

Chronological Order of Events Chronological Order of Events

cont.’cont.’• Summer of 2002

– Live demo, including vendors of various tools and products used for “Keyhole Processes.”

• Winter of 2002– Presentation to the City of Phoenix on

“Keyhole” processes.

Chronological Order of Events Chronological Order of Events

cont.’cont.’ • Spring 2003

– Field demo for the City of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Gilbert, as well as several other utilities in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

• Demo included one 18” core, vacuum excavation, Trenton patch, backfill utilizing the “Soil Compaction Supervisor”, and the reinstallation of the original core.

• Spring 2005 – Demo for Pima County and City of Tucson

Keyhole Processes and EquipmentKeyhole Processes and Equipment

Post Wrapping

Anode Installation using the

Thermo weld process

Keyhole Processes and EquipmentKeyhole Processes and Equipment

cont’.cont’.

Valve Box Replacement

Electro fusion Service Tee

Keyhole Processes and EquipmentKeyhole Processes and Equipment

cont’.cont’.

Service to main mechanical connection

Flow Control

Keyhole Processes and EquipmentKeyhole Processes and Equipment

cont’.cont’.

Snake Eyes II Camera

Utilized for down hole inspection

Soil Compaction Supervisor Soil Compaction

Supervisor w/data logging capabilities

Coring UnitsCoring Units

Truck Mounted

Skid Steer

Division SuccessDivision Success

• Northern Nevada Division– Currently performing service replacement and

service to main connections• Utilizing the Split and Pull method

– Anode installations for isolated steel project– Bond wire installations– Sub-surface utility engineering (SUE)

What’s in the Future?What’s in the Future?

• Processes continue to be improved and refined– Service replacement, stop offs, both emergency and planned.

• New Tools and Technology improvements– As existing processes are mastered, new ones are evolving re.,

different types of electro fusion, welding through a keyhole, launching cameras for inspection, etc.

• New Vendors and Equipment – Manufacturers continue to bring down the cost of tooling and

equipment– Ideas and techniques for new processes are being shared by

tooling manufacturers

Northern NevadaNorthern NevadaReplacement ProjectReplacement Project

Byron Elkins

Manager Operations Planning and Analysis

Average Pavement Restoration Required per Linear Foot of Pipe Replacement

3.8

1.8

1.2

0.50

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Sq

ua

re F

oo

tag

e o

f P

av

em

en

t

Open Trench

Directional Bore

Split & Pull

Split & Pull w/Keyhole

Example:

Open Trench: 500’ of PVC Main w/10 Services 500 x 3.8 = 1,900 Square Feet of Pavement Restoration Required

Split & Pull w/Keyhole: 500’ of PVC Main w/10 Services500 x .5 = 250 Square Feet of Pavement Restoration Required

BenefitsBenefits• Reduced Labor

• Improved relations with governmental agencies

• Enables excavations on “No Cut Streets”• One-stop Shop

• Improved customer satisfaction• Visually Aesthetic• No Maintenance

Questions?