HydraTech Blog Posts

HydraTech Blog Posts

THREE-SIDED HYDRATITE SEAL

Infiltration In Semi-Elliptical Tunnel

Author Icon Caleb Rutledge, 8/9/2021

This large drainage system, underlying a major highway, was experiencing infiltration at the joints which caused concern for sinkholes and soil stability. The above roadway configuration would make excavation incredibly expensive and disrupt traffic patterns so a trenchless solution was decided upon.

The entrance to an irregularly-shaped tunnel
A line of lights used to illuminate an irregularly-shaped tunnel
Measuring a separated joint in a concrete pipe
Three technicians installing HydraTite over a joint in an irregularly-shaped tunnel

Initially, HydraTite was going to be installed as it has been in so many other projects before, wrapping around to cover the entire joint. However, the invert was not uniform from previous repair attempts. The project owners requested a three-sided seal that would not run along the bottom.

A technician kneeling inside a tunnel to install a HydraTite seal over three of the structure's sides
HydraTite installed over 3 sides of an irregularly-shaped tunnel

22 standard wide seals were installed in roughly a week. HydraTite will protect the above highway and was faster and more cost-effective than repairs requiring excavation.