Geotechnical Considerations for Successful Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Projects

  • Author: Technical Toolboxes
  • Level: Advanced
  • Study time: 1.5 hours
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Subsurface conditions along the pipeline alignment determine the HDD's feasibility and operating parameters.

This self-paced course introduces the geotechnical considerations that impact HDD design and construction.

It will cover the general guidelines of geotechnical investigations for HDD projects and review subsurface information for design engineers and contractors, finalizing with an overview of some examples of geotechnical reports.
  • Video time: 1.25 hour
  • Exams: 1

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  • Chapters:

    Introduction and agenda
    General guidelines for geotechnical investigations for HDD projects
    • Test hole
    • Geophysical investigations
    Subsurface information for design engineers and contractors 
    • Soil grain size
    • Soil grain shape
    • Soil plasticity 
    • Soil density/consistency 
    • Rock properties 

    Examples of geotechnical reports
    • How to interpret
    • Practical uses for HDD projects

David Willoughby

Content SME for Horizontal Directional Drilling
ABOUT David
Mr. Willoughby has 40 years of experience in engineering, pipeline design, corrosion control, and management in the petroleum and utilities pipeline industry. His experience includes gas transmission and distribution systems, petroleum facilities, and water/sewer pipelines from conception through design, construction and testing, economic evaluation, and project field supervision.
Mr. Willoughby has been responsible for the design, permitting, inspection, and construction administration of numerous horizontal directional drills (HDD) on pipeline projects.
He is the author of several articles and two books published by McGraw-Hill, The Plastic Piping Handbook (2002) and Horizontal Directional Drilling (2005).
Mr. Willoughby provides HDD training to the pipeline and utility industries. He has presented at the engineering workshop at N.C. Utilities Commission Office of the Pipeline Safety Conference and the Southern Gas Association Annual Conference.
Mr. Willoughby’s HDD training is used to provide Professional Development Hours (PDU) for professional engineers in many states, including Texas.