The Trenchless technologies -microtunneling, HDD, Direct Pipe and closed shield variants - generate a direct impact on the CAPEX (initial investment) and the OPEX (operating cost) as opposed to open pit excavation. Their main advantage is that they allow the installation of pipelines and tunnels. without continuous trenching, reducing earthworks, repositioning and impact on the environment.
Eurohinca, with more than 120 km executed since 1996, observes that savings and efficiency come not only from the construction method, but also from how it minimizes risks, deadlines and indirect costs.
Impact on CAPEX
CAPEX is optimized thanks to:
● Minor surface civil works
Traditional excavation requires removal of pavement, deep trenching, traffic diversion, replacement of existing utilities, backfilling and compaction.
Trenchless technologies limit the performance to two wells and a mechanized subway trace, reducing civil works in urban or industrial environments.
An overview of the value of these city solutions is provided at trenchless urban sewer systems.
● Reduction of conditions and replacements
It avoids the replacement of complex pavements, urbanization, special pavements or industrial accesses. It also reduces the cost associated with temporary easements and expropriations.
● Increased certainty in difficult terrain
In the presence of rock, high water table, unstable soils or interference, the open trench can become drastically more expensive.
Microtunneling or hydro-shielding allows for control the pressure from the front and stabilize the progress without unexpected cost overruns, as explained in pressure management under high groundwater.
● Fewer traffic and service constraints.
Detours, cuttings and special authorizations entail logistical and administrative costs that are almost completely eliminated with trenchless mechanized methods.
Impact on OPEX
Operational benefits are realized throughout the life of the infrastructure:
● Improved hydraulic performance
The precision of the microtunnel allows for optimal layouts and exact slopes, which reduces load losses, avoids bottlenecks and minimizes energy consumption in pumping.
● Reduced maintenance and fewer incidents
By reducing settlements, infiltrations and ruptures due to poor trench compaction, the need for repairs is reduced.
This is especially relevant in sewerage and drainage networks, as discussed in the guide. how to construct trenchless sewer mains.
● Longer useful life of the asset
Pipes installed by microtunneling tend to have less ovalization, better joint control and less mechanical damage, which extends the durability of the system.
3. Indirect economic benefits
In addition to CAPEX/OPEX, trenchless technologies provide savings from:
Less impact on residents, businesses and industries.
Reduction of emissions and material transport.
Less interference in critical operations (plants, ports, airports).
Better social acceptance and faster permitting.
Many of these benefits are evidenced in complex works collected in Eurohinca projects, where mechanized methods avoided prolonged cuts or sensitive conditions.
4. When open-pit excavation is still competitive
Very short tracks in stable soils.
Areas with no urbanization or services affected.
Small diameters with reduced depths.
In these cases, the two solutions should be compared in a study of alternatives, as described in how to choose between microtunneling, HDD and Direct Pipe.
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