Case Study - Removal of Circular Steel Pile within Sewer

Project –  Removal of a 600mm steel pile from a main sewer
Equipment Used – Prokasro 4.0 unit 
Pipe diameter – 600mm with cutter lowered vertically
This unprecedented use of our equipment prevented the eventual collapse of a main sewer 

The Problem

Steel Pile Cutting  - An ongoing problem for several years, a 600mm steel pile had pierced a main sewer by approximately 70%. Numerous suggestions had been made to remove the pile to no avail. The proximity of the pile to a railway line, along with low-hanging overhead cables, meant excavating was not an option.  

The Solution

Alongside our client, we concluded that the best option would be to lower our cutter vertically down the pile and cut around the circumference. This posed a number of challenges including how to secure the robot in place, what kind of cutting blades to use and how to remove the pile once cut. After extensive testing, we devised the best solution for our client and began works. Our 4th cutting axis meant we could angle the blade almost perpendicular to the walls of the pile.

The Outcome

With the pile being almost 30mm thick, it took a lot of persistence from our equipment and our operatives, but the works were a success! Once the pile had been cut and removed, we blunted the edges and assisted with the removal of the off cut. The main sewer was then relined by our client to prevent any further deterioration and restore full flow.