Rising to new heights with new depths
Functioning utility infrastructures foster human development and prosperity

A better standard of living allows increased urbanization, with populations living closely together.

Working toward clean water and sanitation for all

The rapid expansion of water infrastructures, as well as the construction of modern sewage systems, remain important challenges for the future well-being of the world’s population.

Top-notch
technology and
expertise worldwide
boost progress

Utility tunnelling equipment made by Herrenknecht has been helping to build new, efficient supply and disposal infrastructures in more than 80 countries worldwide.

Around 1,000 Herrenknecht tunnelling machines are in operation around the world, installing water and sewage systems and conduits for power, internet and telephone lines. Building upon this unique expertise and experience, we work closely with our customers and develop tailor-made technical solutions to overcome all challenges and create robust, sustainable tunnel structures – to budget and on schedule, while maximizing safety for the people and the environment.

We keep our waters clean

Road, railway, metro, utility, pipeline, hydropower, mining, and exploration: Herrenknecht’s references include more than 6,200 completed projects around the world. Our tunnelling technology helps to build tunnels, pipelines, shafts, and production wells in all types of ground with diameters ranging from 0.10 to 19 meters. Pioneering technology from Herrenknecht is creating the infrastructure to take people forward, paving the way for progress.
As the world’s leading provider, Herrenknecht stands for:

  • vast experience and expertise
  • top technology of the highest quality
  • fully-customized, innovative solutions
  • smooth progress and expert troubleshooting
  • comprehensive service on and off site
  • close teamwork with all project partners
  • maximum reliability from start to finish

In short: we make every effort to ensure that your project runs as smoothly as possible, while staying on budget and on schedule.

Working toward
clean water and
sanitation for all

The availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for the world’s population was one of the most important development goals defined by the United Nations in 2015. Clear progress has been made since then, but in 2020 there were still billions lacking access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. So, to reach the goal of 100 % by 2030, current rates of progress will need to be sped up considerably. The rapid expansion of water infrastructures, as well as the construction of modern sewage systems, remain important challenges for the future well-being of the world’s population.

According to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, safely
managed drinking water is located on the premises, available
when needed, and free of faecal and priority
chemical contamination.

Advanced water and
sewage infrastructures
improve human health
and foster development

The world is changing from mixed sewers and CSO’s (combined sewer outfalls) to separated drainage and sewer systems. This is because during heavy rainfall events, mixed sewers can result in untreated overflows into rivers and other water bodies, which causes pollution and health repercussions to the food chain and humanity. In extreme cases, water bodies may lose all life in them. Therefore, major efforts are undertaken to separate untreated sewage from rainwater into independent systems to send all sewage to a wastewater treatment plant and rainwater to outfalls directly.

In the case of gravity sewers, tunnelling allows for
deeper sewers at lower costs at greater depth.

Paul Nicholas, VP Tunneling Trenchless
Technology AECOM (Seattle WA, U.S.A.)

“Large water treatment plants will
increasingly go underground.”

Example jobsite
overview

Construction methods for supply and disposal tunnels must be adapted to the urban topography while observing high safety standards. Herrenknecht tunnelling technology can be installed under extremely tight space constraints. The machines excavate the tunnels and shafts underground following a precise course exactly where they are needed.

1
Target shaft

The VSM is sinking a target shaft – safely, quickly, and precisely. Thanks to its modular structure, the machine technology can also be used for inner-city projects with space constraints, e. g. launch shafts or vertical underground parking shafts.


More information

2
Sewage pipeline

The remote-controlled AVN Machine is drilling a tunnel for a new sewage pipeline beneath existing buildings. An AVND Machine provides controlled face support pressure and can be used if overburden is shallow or ­diameters are large.


More information

3
Sewage system

An EPB Shield is being used to extend the sewage system in soft ground with low permeability. The excavated soil supports the tunnel face. Tunnel lining takes place immediately using watertight precast concrete segments.


More information

1
2
3

The VSM is sinking a target shaft – safely, quickly, and precisely. Thanks to its modular structure, the machine technology can also be used for inner-city projects with space constraints, e. g. launch shafts or vertical underground parking shafts.


More information

The remote-controlled AVN Machine is drilling a tunnel for a new sewage pipeline beneath existing buildings. An AVND Machine provides controlled face support pressure and can be used if overburden is shallow or ­diameters are large.


More information

An EPB Shield is being used to extend the sewage system in soft ground with low permeability. The excavated soil supports the tunnel face. Tunnel lining takes place immediately using watertight precast concrete segments.


More information

The number of sea outfall projects is increasing worldwide. This means that underground pipelines must be driven out from the coastline beneath the sea. The installed pipelines serve as intakes and outfalls for desalination or sewage treatment plants, for example. As part of these projects, tried-and-tested tunnelling technologies and methods by Herrenknecht are used to efficiently and safely drill beneath the seabed, ensuring optimum protection of sensitive ecosystems.

1
Launch pit

The Pipe Thruster transfers the necessary thrust force to the microtunnelling machine via the pipeline, installing intake and outfall pipelines safely and quickly deep beneath the sea using the Direct Pipe® method.


More information

2
Slurry circuit

Efficient and sequential processes separate and remove the excavated soil from the bentonite suspension – a mixture of water and thixotropic clay. The cleaned suspension is then transferred back to the slurry circuit.

3
Protection pipeline

The remote-controlled AVN Machine installs protection pipes for drinking water pipelines using trenchless methods, providing drinking water directly to the population.


More information

4
Intake pipeline

The AVN Microtunnelling Machine welded to the end of the pipeline excavates the soil and installs the seawater intake pipeline in a single step. Subsequently, the machine is recovered from the sea.

1
2
3
4

The Pipe Thruster transfers the necessary thrust force to the microtunnelling machine via the pipeline, installing intake and outfall pipelines safely and quickly deep beneath the sea using the Direct Pipe® method.


More information

Efficient and sequential processes separate and remove the excavated soil from the bentonite suspension – a mixture of water and thixotropic clay. The cleaned suspension is then transferred back to the slurry circuit.

The remote-controlled AVN Machine installs protection pipes for drinking water pipelines using trenchless methods, providing drinking water directly to the population.


More information

The AVN Microtunnelling Machine welded to the end of the pipeline excavates the soil and installs the seawater intake pipeline in a single step. Subsequently, the machine is recovered from the sea.

Tunnelling technology for utility tunnelling

Learn more about our full range of tunnelling technology for your upcoming tunnel project.

AVN Machine
0.4–4.8m
Soft ground Heterogeneous ground Rock
More
HDD Rig
0.2–2m (8–80")
Soft ground Rock
More
Direct Pipe®
0.8–1.5m (30–60“)
Soft ground Heterogeneous ground Rock
More
Vertical Shaft Sinking Machine (VSM)
4.5–18m
Soft ground Heterogeneous ground Rock
More
Auger Boring Machine
0.1–1.4m
Soft ground Heterogeneous ground Rock
More
View all products

Still got questions?

We are ready!

Steffen Dubé President and General Manager Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA Inc.
Gerhard Goisser Commercial Manager Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA, Inc.

Your contact person Contact us

Steffen Dubé President and General Manager Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA Inc.
Gerhard Goisser Commercial Manager Herrenknecht Tunnelling Systems USA, Inc.