Simplot — Nix Construction

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, JUST ADD WATER

On the surface, it was just another tunnel project: 600’ of 54” bore for a phosphate plant expansion in the rugged Wyoming countryside outside of Rock Springs.

The bore consisted of twin tunnels crossing under a state highway. It seemed simple enough, but the variables started stacking up early. Soil samples indicated that a sandstone layer ran through the bore zone, so the team brought in a stone-cutter head to attack the rock layer. The plan worked well enough at first, but an unexpected layer of clay soon brought new issues. The dry clay stuck to the bore auger, causing excessive friction, heat and wear to the tooling. Eventually, the clay packed the auger so completely that it seized the tool in the casing. Progress on the bore came to a halt. Time for plan B. In response, the crew developed a watery solution for the sticky quandary. Installing a hydro-injection system on the bore rig allowed them to keep the clay in a manageable slurry state, and also cooled the auger tool and casing at the same time. Problem solved. Thanks to this “just add water” solution, the bores were completed on time, the customer was happy, and the CH Nix team had yet another tool to add to their ever-growing list of tunneling innovations. Problem solved, bore completed, customer happy.....just the way we like it. Because after all, every tunnel deserves a happy ending.