Canopy tubes
Overview
Control deformation, limit water ingress, and provide a secure working environment for excavation.
Canopy tubes deliver time-saving ground and roof pre-support in advance of tunnelling. Critical to safety, stability, and efficiency, these self-drilling steel casing pipes create a reinforced arch above the tunnel face.
Combining technical precision with extensive tunnelling experience, Rix Ground Engineering delivers canopy tube solutions that meet project-specific geotechnical demands across Australia. Our expertise includes design, material specification, installation and monitoring. Ensure reliable ground reinforcement that keeps construction progressing safely and on schedule.
Reliable roof and ground stabilisation at any scale
We operate a versatile fleet of rigs and offer a comprehensive range of canopy tube diameters to accommodate projects of all sizes.
On confined worksites, our restricted-access rigs can operate in spaces as tight as 2m high.
For larger projects, our high-reach, long-stroke rigs are capable of installing canopy tubes up to 508mm in diameter and 40m in length, reaching heights well above platform level.
This flexibility allows us to install reliable canopy tubing across a wide range of tunnelling environments.
Canopy tubes for safer, faster tunnelling
Superior ground stability
By transferring and redistributing ground loads, canopy tubing creates a protective arch above the tunnel crown. This reduces the risk of subsidence, prevents collapse in weak soils, and provides a safer working environment for crews during excavation.
Stronger roof support
Canopy tubes strengthen the tunnel crown by evenly dispersing ground pressure. This reinforcement limits deformation, preserves tunnel shape, and reduces the likelihood of costly structural issues during and after excavation.
Suitable for confined spaces
Versatile solutions
Canopy tube installations with RGE
1. Rig and drill placement
2. Precision drilling
3. Grouting (when required)
Canopy tubing is grouted in place. Using packers and cement-based grout, the surrounding ground is consolidated to reduce water ingress, improve soil stability, and strengthen the support system. Grouting is tailored to the project design and may not be necessary in all conditions.
FAQs
What are canopy tubes or pipe umbrella systems?
Canopy tubes, also known as umbrella tubes, are self-drilling steel casing pipes used in tunnelling projects to provide advanced roof and ground support in weak or unstable soil.
These structures are installed in an overlapping arc above the tunnel crown, creating a protective “umbrella” that stabilises the ground before excavation continues.
Once grouted in place, canopy tubes reduce settlement, improve soil cohesion, and make tunnelling safer by enabling the use of temporary supports and shotcrete.
What are common canoby tube applications?
How much does canopy tubing cost?
Do you install canopy tubes nationwide?
Contact RIX Ground Engineering
Our excellent technical and operational knowledge allows us to tailor make solutions that give our clients the combination of cost, time and quality that best fits their requirements.
Improve ground conditions with RGE
RGE is part of The RIX Group offering specialist geotechnical services across Australia and New Zealand. Our resources include over 50 major items of plant and 400 employees.
We are unique in the comprehensive range of services we provide, including ground engineering, ground improvement, shotcrete, retaining walls, piling, slope stabilisation, rope access asset maintenance, mining, tunnelling, demolition, and earthworks.