Louisiana Tech University
Trenchless Technology Center (TTC)

The UCTA has been a supporter of the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University since its inception in 1992. The center is a university/industry cooperative research center within the College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech University www.ttc.latech.edu. It was initially established as the Trenchless Excavation Center in September 1989 and was reorganized in 1992 to expand its mission and to accommodate the strong interest of the trenchless industry in supporting and being involved in an academic institution that was dedicated to the support of trenchless technology development. More information on the Industry Advisory Board can be found at www.latech.edu/tech/engr/ttc/sponsors/index.htm.

The purpose of the center is to assist in the development of trenchless technologies through basic research, applied research and technology development activities coupled with educational, outreach and technology transfer programs. The center has a small core staff consisting of the Director, an administrative assistant and a research engineer. The research activities are conducted by an interdisciplinary group of approximately 25 faculty affiliated with the center together with graduate students, university technical support staff and the other industry and/or government partners in the research programs www.latech.edu/tech/engr/ttc/people/index.htm

The center has a strong collection of research and informational materials related to trenchless technology and a broad range of issues relating to the design, construction and use of other types of underground facilities. The center's research utilizes several research facilities on and off campus including long-term buckling test facilities for pipe liners, material test facilities, and a Field Test Facility located on the Louisiana Tech Farm. Two new research and education facilities are currently under construction - an educational facility for hands on training in installation and rehabilitation technologies and a new building to house a National Science Foundation funded soil-structure interaction test facility and a structural-materials testing laboratory. The center has several guidelines for trenchless technology available for free download at its website as well as other publications available for purchase. www.latech.edu/tech/engr/ttc/publications/index.htm

Further contact information:
Dr. Rob McKim, TTC Administrative Director
Trenchless Technology Center
Louisiana Tech University
P.O. Box 10348
Engineering Annex, 600 W. Arizona Ave.
Ruston LA 71272-0046
USA
Phone: +1 (318) 257-2407
Fax: +1 (318) 257-2777
Email: mckim@latech.edu
TTC Website: www.ttc.latech.edu