Innovative Vertiliner trenchless technology

How can manholes be rehabilitated in areas where digging is not an option? BMH s.r.o. uses modern Vertiliner trenchless technology suitable for busy road intersections, historic town centres, and industrial zones. Its innovativeness has been confirmed not only by winning the Gold VOD-KA 2019 award for the best exhibit, but also by its practical use.

Brněnské vodárny a kanalizace, a.s. is an investor that appreciates the smooth and rapid process of manhole rehabilitation using the Vertiliner method.

The specific benefits were illustrated when the Vertiliner process was used to rehabilitate severely damaged manholes, six to nine metres deep, in Brno’s Uzbecká street. The manholes are situated within a pavement above a steep-sloped tram track cutting formation close to multiple-level buildings with difficult access for heavy vehicles.

Stanislav Absolon of Brněnské vodárny a kanalizace, a.s. describes his experience of the process: ‘BMH spol. s r.o. did the rehabilitation job, and in a very professional manner to tell the truth. Everything worked perfectly; the actual field work always took just a few hours at a time.

This method has expanded the range of trenchless technologies we use, and I have to admit that we would have a hard time finding an adequate alternative solution for certain specific projects.’

The Vertiliner method guarantees seamless work, placing minimal restrictions on citizens and preserving all the greenery. Any other method would cause a number of problems.

Vertiliner – a versatile solution to multiple diverse problems

The trenchless Vertiliner method involves fitting a resin-impregnated liner inside a damaged manhole and curing it with UV rays.

Before the liner can be installed, it is necessary to clean the manhole thoroughly, remove the footsteps, re-profile the damaged walls and divert the water flow. Once the self-supporting liner is fitted, the top and bottom of the manhole are opened, the sleeve is trimmed, any service pipe connections are re-opened, a ladder is fitted and the shaft bottom is cleaned.

BMH Sales Director Jiří Vinkler explains the use of the Vertiliner method as follows:

‘Vertiliner is a trenchless sleeve method. The seamless liner is made of glass fibre with a grid structure, manufactured in a sleeve shape for the specific pipe size based on the calculated thickness (circumference, DN, and depth). The thickness of the liner wall is determined by means of a structural calculation taking into consideration the profile, degree of damage, groundwater level, and depth of the manhole. What was initially an overlooked technology has found its place on the European market within a brief span of existence and proven its utility in many different applications. This is demonstrated by the fact that it has been used in various towns and cities across the Czech Republic: Litomyšl, Opava, Brno, Svitavy, and more.’

The merits of the Vertiliner methods are demonstrated by the Golden VOD-KA 2019 Award.

Vertiliner trenchless repairs can tackle manholes of up to 11 metres deep with a maximum diameter of 1.7 metres. The shafts do not have to be of a circular profile. The technology is also suitable for rectangular shafts. Wall thickness is adapted to the specific site and ranges between 7 and 20 mm.

Spanning 80 to 120 years, its long service life is also a considerable benefit.

This is why the method scored points at the Vodovody-kanalizace 2019 trade fair, winning the Golden VOD-KA 2019 award for the best exhibit.

Jan Štefanek, Managing Director, BMH, explained that: ‘For example, fitting a DN 1000 concrete shaft that is 3.5 metres deep takes about three hours including the accessories (ladders/footsteps). There is no need for protection from flooding (water retention) in the main pipe.’

If you want to see the Vertiliner method in action, watch the videos on our website.