What is microtunneling?
Microtunneling is a process of using a microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) to drill small tunnels in the ground, usually to place the pipe in a hole. The tube is usually just behind MTBM and enters the hole at the same speed. Tunnels and MTBM are relatively small, about 2 feet to 4 feet (0.61 meters to 1.2 meters), there is no way to work directly in the machine. Instead, MTBM is controlled remotely from a different location and the machine is led by the laser. The microtunle process represents several advantages, such as more cost -effective than extensive drilling and safer for the urban environment. Here the same type of technology used with a large tunnel is used, but on a smaller scale. With the exception of its size, MTBM is just like a boring tunnel (TBM) because it can cut a rock, sand and many other difficult materials. There is no way a person could fit into MTBM so that must be controlled remotely from a computer in a place that allows the operator to cut the material, and MTBM has cameras,so that operators can see what's going on.
The average size of the microtune machine ranges from 2 feet to 4 feet (0.61 meters to 1.2 meters) in diameter and the pipes are just slightly thinner. When the hole is drilled, the tube is usually placed directly behind MTBM in a process called pipe. This means that the tube enters the ground at the same speed as the drilling machine.
To facilitate the pipeline of the pipeline, the microtunle operators will do a few things to reduce the friction of the inlet pipe. The tunnels are usually drilled to be slightly larger than the tube, about 0.5 inches to 4 inches wider (1.2 to 10 centimeters), giving it room for movement. The grease is pushed into this slot so that the pipe can easily insert. If friction does not reduce, the pipe can be difficult to move or could be damaged.
Two benefits of microtunneling are cost efficiency and safety. Starting MTBM is cheaper notThe operation of the TBM and the pipes used is not too wide, so large drilling is not necessary. MTBM parts are also cheaper because they are much smaller. Safety is the main advantage, especially in the urban environment. Drilling large tunnels under buildings and streets could cause unstable ground if it was done too often, which would endanger the integrity of the soil.