Adaptability is fast becoming one of the defining requirements in trenchless construction.
Ground conditions can shift unexpectedly, with project criteria often evolving once work begins.
Yet many machines remain restricted to fixed pipe sizes, leaving contractors exposed to costly modifications, delays, or the need to mobilise additional equipment.
OptionX Group Founder, Stuart Harrison, recognised this gap early. While project demands remain constant, ground conditions and performance requirements can shift dramatically.
In response, he developed AdaptX, a modular drilling platform engineered to adapt in real time to changing conditions and evolving project needs.
“Geotechnical information is essential and we all rely on it,” said Harrison. “However, we also know it’s based on sampling, and it doesn’t always reflect what we actually encounter underground.”
AdaptX’s modular design extends beyond the core machine, allowing drilling tools and steering systems to be adjusted to suit changing ground conditions and operational demands.
This ensures consistent control and efficiency, even in unpredictable environments.
This is particularly important in gravity sewer applications, where installations often begin at depth and must be delivered with precision beneath existing infrastructure.
AdaptX enables operators to respond to changing conditions without compromising accuracy, reducing complexity and improving overall project outcomes.
“Traditional approaches often rely on large excavations, heavy equipment, and high volumes of material movement,” said Harrison.
“That increases disruption, introduces more variables, and elevates risk on site. Reducing that complexity is critical to improving both safety and project outcomes.”
AdaptX is designed to overcome these limitations. While many high-spec machines are restricted in application or come with significant cost and operational demands, AdaptX offers a more practical and scalable approach.
It delivers the capability needed for demanding projects without the same level of burden.
The system can be mobilised and operational within a day, offering a significant advantage over conventional setups that can take up to a week to commission.
“Traditional microtunnelling systems come with significant setup costs, which creates pressure to deliver long drives just to make them viable,” said Harrison.
“AdaptX changes that model. While it is fully capable of completing long drives, it also makes economic sense for shorter installations, often completed before traditional systems would even be set up. We can start at 350mm and scale up as needed, even up to 2000mm diameter, giving operators the flexibility to take on a much wider range of projects.”
AdaptX microtunnelling projects typically begin with a 350mm pilot bore, followed by a single back ream to achieve the required final diameter.
Using a powerful vacuum extraction system, material is continuously removed throughout both the pilot bore and reaming process, maintaining a clean, stable bore path and allowing operators to retain control as ground conditions change.
This approach not only establishes the bore path early, but also enables operators to confirm alignment, ground behaviour, and overall setup before committing to full-scale installation.
“Many pilot systems don’t remove ground efficiently, which can limit control and visibility,” said Harrison.
“With AdaptX, we’re actively extracting material throughout the process. That allows us to move through varying ground conditions while maintaining control of the system. By the time we reach the exit point, we’ve validated the alignment, confirmed ground behaviour, and can make informed decisions on how to proceed.”
This staged approach gives operators greater control over both design and execution.
By completing the pilot bore and validating conditions before pipe installation begins, it provides a clear understanding of the ground conditions along the full alignment, reducing uncertainty and allowing for a more controlled installation process.
The AdaptX reaming method, combined with lower jacking forces achieved through continuous vacuum extraction, further supports this approach.
With reduced resistance during installation, pipe selection is not dictated by the limitations of the machine, allowing projects to be delivered in line with design requirements and long-term performance expectations.
It also allows for adjustments to tooling to be made prior to reaming if required.
With conditions confirmed during the pilot stage, operators can optimise the setup before committing to full-scale installation, reducing risk and improving overall project outcomes.
“Once we’ve confirmed accuracy at the pilot stage, we can proceed with confidence,” said Harrison.
“The reaming and installation process delivers a precise fit, ensuring long-term stability. The pipe we install today is built to perform exactly as intended for decades.”
Edge Underground, the microtunnelling contractor division of OptionX Group, has exclusive use of the AdaptX system in Australia.
Its fleet of AXIS machines has been upgraded with AdaptX technology, enabling them to operate at the full capability of the system across a wide range of ground conditions and project requirements.
This capability is reflected in consistent delivery across multiple projects. Edge Underground’s upgraded fleet has completed thousands of metres of smaller diameter bores, typically up to 700mm, demonstrating reliable production across a broad range of applications.
More recent projects highlight the system’s scalability. Installations include a 1500mm reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) within an 1830mm bore through mixed clay, as well as a 1350mm RCP within a 1660mm bore through hard rock and clay in Craigieburn.
In nearby Donnybrook, AdaptX technology was deployed to install four 1350mm pipelines in hard rock, further demonstrating the ability to transition efficiently between projects without the need for multiple specialised machines.
Internationally, AdaptX technology has also been applied in New Zealand, where a series of 1500mm installations were successfully completed, reinforcing consistent performance across varying ground conditions and larger diameter requirements.
“By using vacuum extraction to remove material at the cutting face, we’re reducing resistance, which allows us to operate with lower jacking forces,” said Harrison.
“That has a direct impact on both performance and cost.”
Microtunnelling has traditionally been avoided in softer ground conditions due to the risk of over-boring.
AdaptX addresses this by enabling the system to be configured to create an earth pressure balance effect.
By adjusting the vacuum point relative to the cutting face, operators are able to maintain stability and control within the bore, ensuring that only freshly cut material is removed, rather than disturbing the surrounding ground.
This level of control and adaptability positions AdaptX as a leading solution for applications such as wastewater infrastructure, where demand continues to grow both in Australia and globally.
AdaptX is also supporting a broader shift in how gravity sewer projects are delivered.
By combining consistent performance, adaptability to site conditions, and high production rates, the system enables trenchless methods to compete directly with traditional deep trenching approaches, thus challenging the long-standing reliance on deep excavation.
When factoring in the inherent safety advantages of trenchless construction, this represents a fundamental change in how these projects can be delivered according to Harrison.
“There is increasing pressure to deliver more efficient and reliable wastewater solutions,” he said.
“We believe AdaptX has the capability to fundamentally change how gravity sewer installations are delivered worldwide.”
As safety expectations increase and the risks associated with deep trenching become harder to justify, the shift toward adaptable trenchless solutions is no longer a future consideration, but a present reality.
For more information, visit adaptx.com.au
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