25 March 2021; 09:00 - 10:00am US Eastern Standard Time (14:00 GMT)

Title: Considerations of Design and Construction for Horizontal Directional Drilling

Currently, 55% of the world’s population lives in urban cities. This figure is expected to increase to 68%-75% by the year 2050 as people look to urban centers for employment opportunities. The influx of people moving into urban centers, combined with rapidly aging underground infrastructure, has resulted in an increased need for the installation of new utility services. Furthermore, the growing trend towards telecommuting, distance learning, and increased online commercial activities has intensified the need for improved fiber optic networks to meet these demands. The use of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) has risen to these challenges on a global scale with adoption in all corners of the world. HDD is a versatile trenchless method that has a wide range of applications.

About Dr. Sam Ariaratnam

Dr. Samuel T. Ariaratnam is a Professor and Chair of Construction Engineering at Arizona State University with over 25 years of experience in trenchless engineering research and education. He has published over 300 technical papers and reports and is a co-holder of five patents. Dr. Ariaratnam served as Chairman of the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) from 2010-2013 and Chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Pipelines Division from 2017-2018. In 2012, he was named North American Trenchless Technology Person of the Year. He is a past recipient of the ASCE John O. Bickel Award, Arthur M. Wellington Prize, and the Pipeline Division Award of Excellence. He was elected as a Fellow of ASCE in 2015. Dr. Ariaratnam received the prestigious ISTT Gold Medal in 2019 and was elected Fellow of ISTT in 2021. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the U.S. National Academy of Construction.