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Geotechnical design allowing for safer delivery on Metro Tunnel

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EIC ActivitiesCPB Contractors

EIC Activities (L to R): Bennett Potter, Graduate Engineer – Geotechnical, Jawad Zeerak, Senior Engineer – Geotechnical, and Dr Michael Wei, Technical Principal – Geotechnical.

EIC Activities is supporting CPB Contractors, as part of the Rail Infrastructure Alliance (RIA), in its delivery of the Metro Tunnel Project in Melbourne, Victoria.

EIC Activities is providing expert insights into all geotechnical and civil engineering challenges, and providing solutions that will ensure a cost-effective construction program.

Safety at the forefront

To form the entrance of the future Metro Tunnel, a row of 18m long Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles had to be installed at the top of a 7.5m high existing rail cutting, with batter slopes steeper than 45 degrees.

Jawad Zeerak, EIC Activities Senior Engineer - Geotechnical and Joe Hardwick, Rail Infrastructure Alliance, Temporary Works Manager, along with their teams, worked collaboratively to develop a safety driven temporary works solution to enable installation of the decline structure piles.

“Metro Tunnel’s Eastern Portal is situated in a densely populated area in very close proximity to existing commercial and residential properties as well as live rail operations,” said Jawad.

“Safety was front of mind in the design development process and was upheld by adhering to the principles of our One HSE Culture.”

Wall infill panels reinforced by concrete panels, installed between steel posts and backfilled with Cement Stabilised Sand.

The adopted solution was a temporary post and panel retaining structure designed to support a 120-tonne piling rig for the installation of the 18m long CFA piles for the cut and cover tunnel structure.

The 7.5m high temporary structure, which supported the piling rig, allowed existing train lines to operate without disruption and prevented acquisition of the adjacent property.

“Extensive planning and coordination between engineering, design and delivery teams not only resulted in an efficient and cost-effective solution, but also confidence of delivery for the project team to complete the temporary and permanent structure within the set occupation period,” said Jawad.

Close collaboration

Joe Hardwick acknowledged the benefit of close collaboration in maximising results.

“Without EIC Activities’ technical expertise we would not have developed the solutions as quickly and smoothly, which is key to delivering major projects,” said Joe.

“EIC Activities’ support and technical advice allowed the construction team to develop concepts, challenge external design consultants and optimise the final solutions in multiple areas of the project.

“Additionally, the team’s solutions enabled the construction to be simpler and leaner making them quicker and safer to build,” said Joe.

To find out more about geotechnical and civil works on Metro Tunnel, please contact EIC Activities at contact@eicactiv.com.

Read more about the Metro Tunnel Project on the Group’s interactive Project Knowledge Library (iPKL).

Please note iPKL is only accessible inside your network.

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