CAD-integrated excavation and pipe laying

Excavation and, in particular, trenching using backhoes represents a hazardous working environment for workers. The hazards include trench walls that collapse, the accidental drop of heavy objects into the opening, excavators and other equipment that become unstable, and buried utilities that are damaged during the operation. The three main accident prevention efforts used today are the use of the trench box, inspection, and the training of the site personnel. The work discussed in this paper is the result of a search for a more revolutionary prevention method: one that does not require a worker to enter the open trench. This paper presents the development and testing of a computer-aided design (CAD) integrated trenching and pipe-laying system. The successful testing of the first prototype could lay the foundation for safer and more productive trenching operations in the future.