Trenchless International
China Hong Kong Society for Trenchless Technology (CHKSTT) and Japan Society for Trenchless Technology (JSTT), together with the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPolyU) as a co-organizer and the Young Members Committee of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE-YMC) as a supporting organization, had jointly organized a Technical Forum on Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation / Installation Techniques in Japan on 17 April 2015 (Friday) at HKPolyU.
This is the first for CHKSTT and JSTT to collaborate on promoting the importance of trenchless technology to meet the needs of the ever-increasing global challenges of the underground infrastructure. The Japanese delegates include Mr. Sean Lim of Sekisui Asia Pipe Solutions, Ms. Kyoko Kondo of ISTT / JSTT (also on behalf of Mr. Fumihiko Matsumoto of Alpha Civil Engineering Inc.), Dr. Makoto Kaneuji of Toa Grout Co. Ltd, Mr. Hiroshi Ito of Ashimori Industry Co. Ltd. and Mr. Matsui, the past Chairman of JSTT.
The response was overwhelming and we had received over 100 applications. It became clear that there is a strong demand for training on pipe rehabilitation and installation techniques. Participants include engineers from various government departments, mainly Drainage Services Department and Water Supplies Department, contractors and consultants.
Before the Technical Forum, all participants were invited by Prof. Wallace Lai to visit the new underground utility surveying laboratory of The Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The laboratory contains a raised floor which embeds various types of underground utilities. With accurate records of utility alignment, orientations, flow directions, pipe materials, pipe sizes, it is made available for method validation of utility survey instrument, such as ground penetrating radar, pipe cable locator, robotic CCTV, etc, as well as scenario simulation like water leakage and subsurface void.
The Technical forum was kicked off by a welcoming address from Mr. K.K. Yan, the Chairman of CHKSTT, and a presentation on the updates on trenchless technology in Hong Kong by Mr. Wing Chan, the Vice Chairman of CHKSTT. Mr. Sean Lim, Ms. Kyoko Kondo, Dr. Makoto Kaneuji, Mr. Hiroshi Ito then presented materials on pipe renewal technologies, pipe jacking methods, light-curing methods and pipe rehabilitation respectively. Mr. K.K. Yan and Mr. Matsui concluded the Technical Forum on a happy note and by thanking everyone for their participation.
CHKSTT look forward to more collaboration opportunities with ISTT affiliated societies and other engineering partners in the future to come.