Microtunneling uses a small MTBM to drill tunnels for pipes, controlled remotely and laser-guided. It is cost-effective and safer than large-scale drilling, with smaller machines and pipes reducing the risk of soil instability in urban environments.
Microtunneling is the process of using a microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) to drill small tunnels into the Earth, usually for the purpose of placing a pipe into the hole. The pipe is usually just behind the MTBM and enters the hole at the same rate. The tunnels and MTBMs are relatively small, 2 feet to 4 feet (0.61 meters to 1.2 meters) in diameter, there is no way for someone to work directly into the machine. Instead, the MTM is controlled remotely from another location and the machine is laser-guided. The microtunnelling process has several advantages, such as being more cost-effective than large-scale drilling and safer for urban environments.
When a construction site, above ground or below the surface, needs to drill small holes into the Earth, microtunneling is employed. The same type of technology that is used with large-scale tunneling is used here, but on a smaller scale. Except for its size, an MTBM is exactly like a tunnel boring machine (TBM), because it can cut through rock, sand and many other difficult materials. There is no way a human could fit into an MTBM so it has to be controlled remotely by an on site computer which allows the operator to cut material and the MTM has cameras so operators can see what is going on. going on.
The average size of a microtunneling machine ranges from 2 feet to 4 feet (0.61 meters to 1.2 meters) in diameter and the pipes are only slightly thinner. When the hole is drilled, the pipe is usually placed just behind the MTBM in a process called pipe jacking. This means that the pipe will enter the earth at the same speed as the drill.
To make pipe uplift easier, microtunnel operators will do a few things to reduce the friction of the incoming pipe. The tunnels are usually drilled to be slightly larger than the pipe, about 0.5 inch to 4 inches wider (1.2 to 10 centimeters), to give it room to move. A lubricant is squeezed into this slot so that the tube can slide easily. If the friction is not reduced, the hose may be difficult to move or may be damaged.
Two advantages of microtunneling are cost-effectiveness and safety. Using a MTBM is cheaper than using a TBM and the pipes used are not very wide so large drilling is not required. Parts for an MTBM are also cheaper to replace, because they are much smaller. Safety is the main advantage, especially in urban environments. Drilling large tunnels under buildings and roads could make the ground unstable if done too often, which would compromise soil integrity.
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