Everyone is more environmentally conscious, and construction companies are constantly looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Despite the success of microtunnels going back decades, environmental advantages have only come into play in recent years.
Trenchless construction, otherwise known as microtunneling, is when a borehole is excavated while pipes are laid simultaneously with remote guidance, pipe jacking, and continuous support.
Construction companies are not the only ones responsible for the environment. You can become environmentally sustainable by purchasing zero-waste products, not wasting water, and monitoring your household energy use.
Here are some of the environmental benefits of microtunneling.
Reduced Emissions
The construction industry is responsible for roughly one-third of global carbon emissions and energy consumption. Studies have shown a significant reduction in carbon emissions when trenchless technology is used.
The non-disruptive nature of this technology is the main reason for reducing carbon emissions. Microtunneling allows projects to be completed in less time using less construction machinery.
Safer Working Environment
Because microtunneling uses vacuum excavation methods and requires fewer trenches, it contributes to a safer working environment.
Working within or near excavation sites is considered dangerous due to the possibility of cave-ins, which can limit a worker’s ability to flee. The deeper the excavation, the greater the risk.
Microtunneling only requires the excavation of an entry and exit pit, drastically reducing the hazards as construction is restricted to a smaller area than open-cut installations.
Minimal Surface Disruption
Traditional open-cut systems necessitate extensive excavation since construction workers must build trenches throughout the total length of the pipeline path. This causes significant environmental disruption to flora and fauna and, depending on the location and route, can disturb the community.
With microtunneling, only an entry and exit pit must be excavated at each end of the pipeline. The ground between the entry and exit is left undisturbed, lessening the impact on the surrounding wildlife and plant life.
Noise Pollution Is Minimised
Heavy duty construction equipment is used to clear and excavate trenches for pipelines. Most, if not all, heavy-duty construction machinery creates a lot of noise in otherwise quiet environments. When trenchless technology is deployed, the use of loud, heavy-duty equipment is lessened.
Noise pollution has a substantial adverse effect on wildlife and the environment. In residential areas, residents might suffer from adverse health effects.
Residents might find that their sleep patterns are affected. Continuous exposure to loud noise sets off your body’s acute stress response, which plays a role in the onset of cardiovascular diseases and other health issues.
The health and well-being of wildlife are also impacted by noise pollution. According to research, loud noises lead caterpillars’ dorsal arteries (the insect equivalent of a heart) to beat quicker and bluebirds to produce fewer babies.
Animals use sound for several purposes, including navigation, food discovery, attracting mates, and avoiding predators. Noise pollution makes it problematic for them to achieve these daily activities, affecting their survival ability.
Other than the environmental benefits, construction companies can save costs. When using microtunneling, large construction crews are not needed to dig trenches.
