Excavation Protection System

DigBarrier™
Protection Plates

HDPE modular mechanical protection. Reference impact testing exists for a 32-ton excavator scenario; confirmatory testing for the current product is pending. Passive — no power, sensors, or activation required.

Definition

What is DigBarrier™?

DigBarrier™ is a passive mechanical protection barrier installed above buried assets to intercept excavation forces before direct contact with the facility occurs.

Manufactured from High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), it is designed to either survive impact events or sacrificially fail while preserving asset integrity. Both outcomes are acceptable — provided the asset remains protected.

DigBarrier™ does not rely on power, sensors, monitoring, or human activation. Its protective function is inherent to its physical presence.

DigBarrier PG1 plate
HDPE
High-Density Polyethylene
32T ref.
Reference Impact Test Scenario
3
Modular Plate Sizes
M/F
Interlocking System
Product Line

PG1 / PG2 / PG3

One engineered plate family — three sizes covering every trench geometry.

DigBarrier PG1 plate, top view
PG1
40 × 48 in
Standard Module Main trench coverage — square geometry. Primary protection module for most applications. Connect multiple PG1 plates to cover any trench length.
DigBarrier PG2 plate
PG2
20 × 48 in
Half Module Transition coverage and edge applications. Used at trench ends, utility crossings, and where full PG1 width would extend beyond the asset zone.
DigBarrier PG3 plate, top view
PG3
10 × 48 in
Quarter Module Tight spaces, angular runs, and congested corridors. Also used to complete coverage at trench transitions where fractional width is needed.

PG1, PG2, and PG3 share the same engineered plate design and interlocking system.

Technical Specifications

Product Datasheet

Full technical specification for the DigBarrier™ system.

MaterialHigh-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Impact ResistanceReference testing exists for a 32-metric-ton excavator bucket scenario on the underlying plate design; confirmatory testing for the current commercial product should be completed before treating this as a certified product rating.
PG1 Dimensions40 × 48 in
PG2 Dimensions20 × 48 in
PG3 Dimensions10 × 48 in
Connection SystemInterlocking male / female modular tabs — 3 per side
Tab ConfigurationMales: TOP and RIGHT sides  |  Females: BOTTOM and LEFT sides
Color (standard)Yellow — gas utility standard
Color (custom)Orange (telecom), Blue (water), other per utility specification
Installation PositionAbove first backfill layer — below remaining soil
Tools RequiredNone — hand placement, no fasteners
Power / SensorsNone — passive mechanical protection only
ApplicationGas pipelines, water mains, telecom fiber, electric conduit
✓ Recommended Scenarios

Where DigBarrier™ adds value

→ Urban and peri-urban utility corridors with frequent excavation activity
→ Shallow or variable depth-of-cover installations
→ HDD entry/exit transition zones
→ Utility crossings and congested corridors
→ Post-repair backfill — minimal cost addition at point of exposure
→ Rights-of-way subject to repeated disturbance
— Not Required

Where it is not warranted

— Deep transmission corridors with controlled access
— Rural or low-activity zones with minimal third-party excavation
— Greenfield projects with strictly controlled depth coverage
— Locations with existing equivalent mechanical protection

"Risk-based deployment — not blanket installation. Selectivity preserves credibility and ensures resources are directed where residual risk is genuinely unacceptable."

Ready to evaluate DigBarrier™?

Download the technical documents or contact us to discuss your specific risk scenario.

Technical Documents Contact Us