An augar boring machine being put in place by an excavator

St. Louis MLS Stadium Auger Bore

Michels Trenchless, Inc. used auger boring to install 242 feet of 36-inch steel pipe through limestone bedrock during construction of soccer stadium in St. Louis. A 12-inch ductile carrier pipe was installed and grouted inside the casing.

The karst geological conditions posed challenges with steering and unanticipated voids. When one was encountered, crews retracted the casing, installed a brick-and-mortar bulkhead to seal off the hole, and filled the void with 4,000 psi sand grout before recutting the hole and installing casing.

Pumps were installed to eliminate flooding in the launch pit caused by active spring flowing and a record snowfall and melting over the next few days.

Related Projects