he China Society for Trenchless Technology (CSTT) was founded in 1998 and is one of the 27 Affiliated Societies of the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT).
CSTT is the only nationwide, not-for-profit organisation related to trenchless technology in China and previously supported the establishment of provincial Societies for Trenchless Technology in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong province. CSTT has continually focused on promoting the science and practice of trenchless technology; industry specifications and standards formulation and revision; and finally, enhancing international cooperation to promote industry continuous development.
By the end of 2016, CSTT could boast 115 members (including 5 individual members), made up of contactors, constructors, equipment manufacturers, consulting companies and research institutions.
CSTT’s annual activities includes its annual conference and awards, construction ability certification, technology promotion and international cooperation. Other key projects are detailed below.
Trenchless Technical Training
There are a number of training courses organised by China Society for Trenchless Technology and supported by some of the leading companies amongst CSTT members. The courses aim to help contractors in the trenchless industry, especially newcomers, to develop their professional and practical skills in three different aspects including horizontal directional drilling technology, pipe jacking construction technology and pipeline rehabilitation technology. All three of these courses have been up and running since 2013.
To ensure the professionalism of these courses, CSTT invites leaders from the society, experts from municipal units, scholars from universities and institutions and on-site construction technicians to teach. The organisation also invites senior technical supervisors from equipment manufactures to conduct lessons. The organiser will also set up visits to construction sites and practical lessons to make sure the participants can put into practice the theories learned on the course.
The training courses are only available to employees of CSTT members and overseas trenchless societies. All courses are free of charge to attend and the qualification test, accommodation and catering during the course are set at a reasonable rate and depend on the city hosting the training.
In the future, in order to adapt to the development and needs of pipeline rehabilitation technology, CSTT will be strengthening the training of this particular course.
Events and Recognition
The International Trenchless Technology Conference (ITCC) was held at China Red Island International Convention and Exhibition Center in Qingdao between 10 and 12 April 2020.
It was hosted by China Society for Trenchless Technology (CSTT) and supported by the International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Pipeline Division, the Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE), the China Association for Engineering Construction Standardisation, the China Municipal Engineering Association – Pipeline Inspection and Rehabilitation Committee, Zhengzhou University, the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Chengdu University of Technology, Tongji University, the College of Civil Engineer, Jilin University, the College of Construction Engineering and related organisations.
ITTC 2021 also incorporated the ITTC 25th Anniversary Celebration and CSTT Annual Awards Ceremony which was covered in detail in the May edition of Trenchless Works.
ITTC 2022 will be held at Suzhou International Expo Center, in Jiangsu Province between 15 and 17 April.
Certification & Competency
Since 2015 and with the aim of standardising market activities and ensuring the quality of project construction, CSTT has carried out certification of the construction capabilities of trenchless engineering contractors according to the scale
of the enterprise, equipment investment, engineering and technical personnel etc. So far, a total of 74 companies have passed the certification, of which 39 are Grade A, 23 are Grade B, and 12 are Grade C.
Promoting Technology
In recent years, the China has increased infrastructure construction and promoted water environment governance. Therefore, in order to promote trenchless technology to play a greater role in the various fields of economic and social development, CSTT will select some emerging city clusters
in the central and western regions to hold new technology meetings to accelerate the promotion and application of trenchless technology in the central and western regions.
International Cooperation
Depending on the pandemic situation, CSTT will be organising members to attend the International No-Dig Helsinki in Finland in 2022 as well as trenchless exhibitions taking place in several other countries.
