One such method of the said no-dig technology is the manshield method. This method involves the use of hydraulic jacks, which provides the necessary driving force for thrusting specially designed pipes and / or culverts directly into the ground while excavation of soil is taking place from within manually or mechanically depending on the type of machine used. This jacking method provides a structurally flexible and watertight finished conduit.

This technique requires the construction of just two pits – the thrust and reception pits. Dimensions of pit varies according to the type of machine, pipes length and sites conditions. In extreme cases, pipe jacking can be carried out from small shafts. The major element in the thrust pit is the construction of the thrust wall, which must be strong enough to provide the reaction against which to jack. The thrust wall will be constructed inside the pit by using suitable anchorage.

MCE has the technical expertise which allows pipe lengths of up to several hundred metres using pipe diameters ranging from 900mm to 3 metres to be installed.