In this thesis we have described the microtunneling technology with all the technical details. The history of the implementation of microtunneling method in Slovenia and the begging off microtunneling use on the global scale is presented. The hardware components and the mode of operation with some the theoretical background are described in detail in the first part off the thesis. Besides that, some other trenchless technologies which were used in in Slovenia are briefly mentioned.
In the second part off the thesis, the microtunneling technology and open cut method of construction for the installation of buried infrastructure are compared. In the analysis we have to exclude all the projects that are in favor of microtunneling system (crossing railways and highways). The technical comparison and detailed cost analysis between open cut construction method and microtuneling technology was made for two different projects. The first project is hypothetical one and is based on some assumptions, because we did not succeed to obtain the data of an executed project for buried infrastructure exceeding 250 m in length, with the diameter of pipe at least 800 mm and with minimum depth of 6 m. In the first analysis, we have shown that microtunneling is better and more economical solution than the open cut method. The second analysis was based on real project that was finished in 2015. Do to the nature off the project and its technical characteristics, we have concluded, that microtunneling system is not an economical and better solution than open trench system.
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