Cost Comparison Between Subterrene and Current Tunneling Methods. Appendix B. Subterrene Cost Analyses.

摘要

A study was made to compare tunnel construction costs between the Subterrene tunneling system and methods currently in use. Three completed tunnels were selected for study cases to represent finished diameters ranging from 3.05meters (10feet) to 6.25meters (20.5feet). A conceptual nuclear powered Subterrene tunneling machine (NSTM) was designed. It was assumed that NSTM's were available for each of the three baseline tunnels. Costs were estimated (shown in Appendix B) for the baseline tunnels driven by NSTM. Savings of 12percent for the 4.73meter (15.5foot) tunnel and 6percent for the 6.25meter (20.5foot) tunnel were found to be possible using the NSTM as compared to current methods. A penalty of 30percent was found for the 3.05meter (10foot) tunnel using the NSTM. The cost advantage for the NSTM results from the combination of (a) a capital rather than labor intensive system,and (b) formation of both initial support and final lining in conjuction with the excavation process.