Increasing safety in small-diameter tunnelling: The role of automation and microtunnelling

Safety is a major concern of clients and contractors in the tunnelling industry, especially in small-diameter tunnelling for water and sewage, cable ducts or pipelines. Tightened safety regulations in terms of accessibility and escape routes increasingly limit the options in the planning and construction of small segment lining tunnels in the diameter range below ID 4000 mm. Technological solutions are being developed in order to increase the degree of automation in segment lining, and to expand the application range of microtunnelling to even longer and larger drives. The aim is to provide the tunnel construction industry with safe and efficient technologies and with highest flexibility for successful implementation of demanding projects. Even combined concepts of lining methods and/or machine types can be considered for specific project conditions. This paper will discuss the latest developments in automation, related opportunities and limitations, and future trends in microtunnelling.