{"id":4912,"date":"2025-12-10T08:39:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurohinca.com\/?p=4912"},"modified":"2025-12-10T08:40:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T08:40:41","slug":"in-which-cases-is-microtunneling-more-advisable-than-tunneling-with-a-tunnel-boring-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eurohinca.com\/en\/en-que-casos-es-mas-recomendable-el-microtunel-frente-a-un-tune-de-dovelas-ejecutando-con-tuneladora\/","title":{"rendered":"In which cases is a microtunnel more advisable than a tunnel bored with a tunnel boring machine (TBM)?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The microtunnel<\/strong> is the most advisable solution in the face of a segment tunnel excavated with TBM tunnel boring machine (TBM)<\/strong> when the project requires small or medium diameters<\/strong>, This method is used for the excavation of the soil, with high geometric precision and minimal surface disturbance. This method executes the excavation by means of a remote-controlled tunnel boring machine (MTBM)<\/strong> which simultaneously drives the final pipe, guaranteeing tight tolerances even in the most demanding applications. heterogeneous soils or low water table<\/strong>.<\/p>

The microtunnel provides decisive advantages in the following areas urban environments<\/strong>, where it is critical to avoid settlements, traffic diversions, disruption of services or interference with existing structures. It is also preferable in crossings under roads, rivers, railway lines, industrial plants or port areas, where it is not feasible to open trenches or have intermediate accesses. Its capacity to control the front by means of balanced pressure<\/strong>, The ability to use a geotechnical risk assessment system, as well as to correct the trajectory in real time, makes it a superior option when the geotechnical risk is high.<\/p>

On the other hand, a segment tunnel with TBM<\/strong> is justified in projects of large diameter, long lengths or the need for a visitable section<\/strong>, where a continuous structural lining of reinforced concrete segments is required. This type of solution is typical of large collectors, service tunnels, railway or hydraulic tunnels of large capacity, where the excavated volume and the structural loads make a larger shield essential.<\/p>

According to Eurohinca, with more than 120 km executed in trenchless technologies since 1996, the choice between one method and the other depends mainly on three criteria<\/strong>:<\/p>

  1. Diameter and type of infrastructure<\/strong>:<\/p>