Pipe positioning
The pipe is positioned against defined geometry and installation tolerances before foam support is applied.
What is HydroFoamer?
Controlled installation for restrained buried pipelines
HydroFoamer is a controlled installation method for restrained buried pipelines. It uses sprayed structural polyurethane foam, installation control and verification data to reduce dependency on imported aggregate, improve installation certainty and support auditable handover.
What HydroFoamer changes
HydroFoamer brings installation control, measured installation data and auditable as-built evidence into the construction sequence.
| Area | Conventional installation | Controlled installation |
|---|---|---|
| Materials and movement | Material-heavy bedding and embedment can drive high imported aggregate demand, haulage, spoil movement and backfill operations. | Engineered sprayed foam support reduces dependency on imported aggregate and gives the support geometry a defined installation sequence. |
| Installation control | Installation quality can depend heavily on site execution, compaction, access, plant movement and manual checks after the work is complete. | Pipe positioning, sprayed structural polyurethane foam application and restraint are managed through a controlled installation sequence. |
| Verification | As-built evidence may be fragmented across surveys, photographs and reports. | PGMS/as-built data, installation records and foam application records support technical review and handover. |
| Business case | Cost, programme and sustainability cases often hide the assumptions around aggregate, haulage, spoil, access and production rates. | PACE creates a project-specific comparison through explicit assumptions for cost, programme, material movement, logistics and sustainability. |
How it works
Foam application
A project-specific sprayed structural polyurethane foam design is applied to create engineered support and restraint around the pipe.
Continuous restraint
The installation sequence is managed to control pipe movement and restraint through the work.
Verification and as-built data
Measured installation data and as-built evidence support technical review, handover and future asset understanding.
Evaluate the project before the project starts
PACE turns installation assumptions into a business case
PACE is the HydroFoamer business case tool. It compares conventional pipeline installation with a HydroFoamer scenario using explicit assumptions for trench geometry, production rates, aggregate, foam, logistics, labour, access, spoil, schedule and sustainability.
- Compare conventional and HydroFoamer installation scenarios.
- Understand where cost savings come from.
- Quantify avoided aggregate and reduced material movement.
- Compare construction duration and programme impact.
- Test sensitivity around foam price, aggregate cost, productivity and logistics.
- Support technical and commercial discussions with transparent assumptions.
Start with a project scenario
Use PACE to test whether HydroFoamer merits deeper technical review for a specific pipeline installation context.
Open PACE Request help with a scenarioApplications
HydroFoamer is most relevant where installation control, access, productivity or evidence requirements materially affect the business case.
Hydropower penstocks
Penstock installations where terrain, restraint and verification are central to delivery risk.
Restrained buried pipelines
Buried pipeline projects where controlled support and movement management matter.
Difficult terrain
Routes where slopes, access and trench conditions place pressure on conventional methods.
Constrained access
Sites where plant movement, logistics and programme windows shape constructability.
Water infrastructure
Water transmission and related infrastructure where evidence and lifecycle confidence are important.
Evidence
Auditable records for technical review and handover
HydroFoamer evidence is built around measured installation data, installation records and engineering review. The evidence package can include PGMS/as-built data, foam application records, field validation, technical documentation and project-specific engineering review.
- PGMS / as-built data.
- Installation records and foam application records.
- Field validation and technical documentation.
- Project-specific engineering review.
- PGMS and installation records support technical review and handover. They do not replace project-specific engineering, geotechnical, contractual or regulatory validation.
Discuss a project-specific scenario
Project-specific results depend on trench geometry, access, ground conditions, pipe specification, foam design, productivity assumptions and commercial inputs.