Discover how Radius Subterra’s precision engineering revitalises a historic London waterway with cutting-edge pipeline solutions, installing a bespoke branch saddle onto a live water main in Finsbury Park. This job required the specialist team from Subterra to work in a small area, on a swagged PE pipe that had been inserted into an old metallic Victorian pipeline.
Discover how Radius Subterra's precision engineering revitalises a historic London waterway with cutting-edge pipeline solutions, installing a bespoke branch saddle onto a live water main in Finsbury Park. This job required the specialist team from Subterra to work in a small area, on a swagged PE pipe that had been inserted into an old metallic Victorian pipeline.
Categories Pipe Lining . Water
Discover how Radius Subterra's precision engineering revitalises a historic London waterway with cutting-edge pipeline solutions, installing a bespoke branch saddle onto a live water main in Finsbury Park. This job required the specialist team from Subterra to work in a small area, on a swagged PE pipe that had been inserted into an old metallic Victorian pipeline.
Project Challenges
- Limited Access and Environmental Constraints
The 10” PVC pipeline was located in mature woodland in East Anglia, with restricted access due to trees and badger sets, making traditional excavation methods impractical. - Inadequate Traditional Solutions
Conventional slip-lining was not feasible because the reduced bore size of a 225mm PE pipe could not maintain the necessary water flow rate.
The Radius Subterra Solution
- Innovative Rolldown Method
Radius Subterra used the Rolldown technique, which involved temporarily reducing the diameter of a 250mm PE100 pipe by 10% to fit into the existing PVC pipeline, then reverting it to its original size as a close-fit liner. This approach maximised the bore, required minimal excavation, and maintained optimal water flow. - Custom Pipe Design
Radius Systems manufactured bespoke 13.5m sections of 250mm SDR21 PE100 pipe, tailored to the project requirements, reducing on-site welding and enhancing installation efficiency.
Key Benefits
- Specialist Expertise
Unique knowledge and experience in advanced pipeline rehabilitation techniques like Rolldown, ensuring precise and effective installations. - Minimised Disruption
Reduced excavation requirements preserve natural landscapes and lower project costs, carbon footprint, and reinstatement needs. - Enhanced Flow and Longevity
Maximised bore size maintains optimal flow rates and pipeline health over time, addressing both immediate and long-term infrastructure needs. - Reliable Quality Assurance
Adherence to ISO standards and robust quality controls ensure high standards in installation, welding, and testing procedures.
Conclusion
Radius Subterra successfully overcame challenging terrain and operational constraints, providing a robust and efficient pipeline rehabilitation solution that minimised environmental impact and maintained critical water flow. The project’s scope expanded from 1200m to 1500m, demonstrating the adaptability of the Rolldown method, even when unexpected obstacles, such as a gas main, were encountered.
Categories Pipe Lining . Water