WEBINAR - Lessons learned from design and construction of Nant-de-Drance Powerhouse
2023-09-27 18:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar – Online only
WEBINAR Registration Link
Date: 27 September 2023
Time: 6:00 pm — 7.00 pm AEST
Location: Online only
Overview
The Nant-de-Drance pumped hydropower scheme (900 MW), awarded “International Major Tunneling Project of the Year” ITA-NCE prize in 2014, connects the two existing artificial reservoirs at Emosson and Vieux Emosson in Switzerland.
Except for raising the upper dam, all works were undertaken underground. They include 16 km of tunnels, two vertical shafts of height 440m and 6 large caverns. The exceptional size of the powerhouse cavern (194m x 32m x 52m), located at 600m depth in a metamorphic rock formation of sedimentary origin, required the definition of an appropriate excavation, support and lining concept.
An advanced rock behaviour model, based on an important investigation campaign, 3D finite element modeling, and analysis of unstable blocks allowed the optimization of the support and the lining.
Monitoring during construction and back-analysis allowed the successive reduction of support measures and the streamlining of the excavation phasing. The resulting savings largely exceeded the incurred expenses for additional investigation and calculations.
The cavern excavation schedule was accelerated by reorganizing the phasing of the different stages, creating a margin to make up delays elsewhere.
Structural design was also particularly challenging due to the unusual load cases to which the structure is subjected during construction and operation, as well as the large volumes of concrete being poured.
After 14 years of work, Nant de Drance was officially commissioned on 9 September 2022. At the height of construction, up to 650 labourers were present on site without any serious accidents. By its ability to absorb or inject up to 900 MW of power, Nant de Drance is going to be a key instrument for stabilisation and regulation on the Swiss and European grid.
Speakers

Patrick Heck, CEng MICE graduated with a degree in civil, structural and environmental engineering in 2007 from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Patrick started his career in geotechnical engineering, first with Buro Happold in the UK, and from 2010 with WSP-BG in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has been involved in the design and construction of several hydroelectric schemes in Switzerland. He was the BG project manager for the civil & structural engineering of the powerhouse and switchgear caverns at Nant de Drance.

Etienne Garin, Civil Engineer, M.Sc.: graduated in Civil Engineering from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne in 1996. He benefits from vast experience in the field of underground construction and hydroelectric scheme. Since he joined WSP-BG he has actively participated in the design and construction of major tunnels in Switzerland and abroad, as well as hydroelectric power schemes. During his career, he has carried out calculations at detailed and final design stage, been responsible for site supervision, and has managed projects from preliminary design to client delivery. He was in charge of the design of the caverns for the Nant-de-Drance project. Since 2023, Etienne Garin is animator of the ITA WG 19 “Conventionnal Tunnelling”

Gérard Seingre, Civil Engineer, M.Sc.: graduated in Civil Engineering from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Gérard is an expert in deep tunnelling and site survey for construction of energy infrastructures. He has planned and played a leading role in the construction of over 40 km of deep tunnels, 3 vertical shafts over 400 m high, more than 10 big caverns and 2 descending access galleries (main projects Loetschberg-base Tunnel and Pump storage power plant Nant de Drance). He was for 12 years animator of the working 17 “Long tunnels at great depth” for the ITA. He is currently the treasurer of ITA. Gérard is also lecturer for tunnelling construction at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne.

Tunnel systems: planning assets today for the future
2023-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Online and in person at: Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
In this session, we will explore examples of tunnels that have undergone significant refurbishment, upgrade, or change to their systems, both locally and internationally.
We will examine some of the lessons learned and challenges overcome. Our objective is to look at how these lessons might be applied to tunnel systems today to better support our changing needs. Additionally, we will examine the trends that might inform how we best plan for the future state, including human factors, developments in technology, and how we can better shape the reliability and serviceability of these systems as they go through these changes.
Further information
Australia has experienced a revolution in underground transport infrastructure over the past three decades as the population of our cities has grown. Some of our major transport tunnels are now approaching lifecycle milestones, and in particular, some tunnel systems are approaching the end of their economic life. Many tunnels have already undergone retrofits of new system technologies and repurposing to different transport functions, such as the conversion of rail to metro. These changes require significant modifications to the existing tunnel systems, which might not have been foreseen at the time of construction. The need to make significant changes to tunnel systems for upgrades or repurposing is not a new concept.
In countries with more established underground infrastructure, this reality has been experienced multiple times. There are also notable examples of tunnels for more specialized purposes that have undergone radical changes to support new functions. Looking back, we can see that there are needs for these tunnel systems today that would have been hard to imagine at the time of their construction. Changes to the climate, resources, the way we work and how we use and transmit information are all factors that have contributed to this. Considering the current rate of change, it may be even more difficult to imagine what we will expect of these systems in 30 years’ time.
Event program
In person:

5:30 pm AEST: Registration and arrival
6:00 pm AEST: Event commences
7:00 pm AEST: Presentation concludes and Networking
8:00 pm AEST: Event concludes

Online:

6:00 pm AEST: Event commences
8:00 pm AEST: Event concludes

About the speaker

Tom Starling
Principal Mechanical Engineer, Worley
Tom is a mechanical engineer with 17 years’ of experience, half of that in major transport infrastructure projects, working in a variety of roles, from technical advice in financing and partnerships, through to testing and commissioning. Being involved at the earliest and latest stages of tunnel system design and construction, Tom has experience in blue sky planning for possible future usage scenarios, and has also developed solutions to enable and execute the upgrade, retrofit and repurpose of existing tunnel systems. The balance of his experience is in a range of sectors; buildings, water, defence and resources, both surface and underground, which face similar and different challenges to transport tunnel infrastructure.

MC

Teresa Sandum
Senior Fire Safety Engineer
Teresa is a Senior Fire Safety Engineer with 7 years of experience on a range of infrastructure and building projects in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. Teresa is currently part of the Tunnel System Fire and Life Safety team at WSP and currently working Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project, North-East Link (NEL) and Southern Program Alliance (SPA) for Level Crossing Removal.
Teresa have extensive experiences in CFD simulations using Fire Dynamics Simulation for station building, airports, and shopping centres. She also specialises in dynamic egress modelling using advanced crowd-based simulation software, MassMotion for Melbourne Metro and the new Adelaide Street Tunnel for Brisbane Metro. She also provided fire and life safety strategy and evacuation strategy on the existing MURL works as part of the breakthrough interface between the new State Library Station (Melbourne Metro) and Melbourne Central Station (MURL).

Revolutionising Australia’s infrastructure though centralised geological and geotechnical data management
2023-10-19 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Hybrid and in person at WSP Sydney, Level 27, 680 George Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Join us for this exciting and informative National ATS Event!
Summary
Australia’s increasing infrastructure development demands a comprehensive grasp of its intricate underground landscape. This understanding is pivotal as space competition heightens for future expansion. Despite substantial annual investments in ground investigations, often involving intrusive testing, geotechnical data is primarily stored in outdated formats, resulting in data loss or duplication. While some preservation efforts exist, public access to the information remains limited.
This Churchill Fellowship-based study underscores the feasibility of a more sustainable approach. Successful models from the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, and New Zealand showcase effective central repositories for geological data. The lack of a comparable requirement in Australia hinders efficient data utilisation, leading to extended project timelines and increased costs for both the government and taxpayers. The study offers valuable guidance for Australian government bodies to establish centralised geological and geotechnical databases. The accessibility and cost-efficiency of these systems can stimulate cooperation across sectors, contributing to the sustainable development of future cities.
This event is generously sponsored by: WSP Australia

Timings
In person – 5.30 for a 6pm start –WSP Australia, Level 27 680 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Webinar – 5.45 for a 6pm start – The hybrid meeting link is via Zoom: https://wsp.zoom.us/j/83396276103
PLEASE NOTE: There is no requirement to register in advance so make sure you make a note in your diary now! If you are joining online, please click on the above link and remember to give yourself plenty of time to sign in via zoom or the zoom app. If you are joining in person, please enter the building and go straight up to Level 27.

Presenter bio
Dr David Och
David has a PhD in geology on the study of a complex structural, tectonic and metamorphic terrane at Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia. He is the Technical Director – Geology (Tunnels) for WSP in Australia and leads the NSW Tunnels Group. His expertise in tunnelling and engineering geology has led to key lead and advisory roles on major transportation projects. David’s recent roles have included Geotechnical Lead for Sydney Metro City & Southwest and Sydney Metro West Projects, and Geological Lead on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link project.
David, a Churchill Fellow, has just completed a study on geotechnical databases at geological surveys including the BGS, TNO (Netherlands), Swisstopo and GEUS (Denmark). This work was published as a report through Winston Churchill Trust and a recent paper in Springer. David is also an Associate Professor at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UNSW Sydney. He supervises students in Honours degrees at Sydney University and Adelaide University, and lectures in Landscape design at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Geologist David Och shows rock core samples to North West Rail Link project director Rod Staples, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance and NSW Premier Mike Baird.

Annual Special Meeting - ATS Victoria
2023-11-01 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | WSP Australia office, Level 11, 567 Collins Street, Melbourne
ATS Victoria invites all Victorian-based members to their Annual Special Meeting (ASM) to hear how the Chapter performed over the last year and what is planned for the following year.
Timings
5:30 – 6:00 – Networking
6:00 – 6:15 – Annual Special Meeting
6:15 – 7:00 – Technical Presentation
7:00 onwards – Networking
Agenda

Apologies
Minutes of 2022 ASM
Matters Arising
Chairman’s Report
Financial Report
Election of Committee for 2024
Other Business

Following the ASM, Martin Rauer from CREG will make a presentation on sustainable TBM tunnelling, as per the details below. CREG have kindly offered to sponsor the catering for the event.
Presentation Outline
Pathway to sustainable TBM tunnelling using intelligent electrical equipment
Sustainability in tunnel construction is becoming an increasingly important topic especially as global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, at a time when they need to be rapidly falling.
To effectively reduce emissions, we need to know where they are coming from – which sectors contribute the most. How can we use this understanding to develop effective solutions and mitigation strategies. Reducing the carbon emission footprint by using electrical equipment is just one step and topic of many.
This presentation will discuss the development and use of intelligent electrical equipment designed to transport people and materials with a payload of up to 180 tonnes from the surface to a TBM.
The specially developed tunnel multi-purpose vehicle was originally supposed to be operational when drilling of the first tunnel. Testing showed that more time was needed before the vehicle could actually get into action. Therefore, diesel vehicles had to be used for the first tunnel drive.
However, for the boring of the second parallel tunnel all electric vehicles were ready to go with some interesting results when compared to the first tunnel.
Speaker bio
Martin Rauer, Mechanical Engineer, CREG

After Martin Rauer completed his apprenticeship as a mechanic specializing in production and manufacturing technology, he decided to study mechanical engineering in Darmstadt, Germany. In 1999, Martin successfully completed his master’s degree based on research into the development of new methods for extending and connecting offshore piles for one of Germany’s largest civil engineering and tunnelling companies, Bilfinger Berger. He continued his journey at Bilfinger Berger in the years to come, spending most of his time on major projects worldwide in a senior management position. Martin is currently working for CREG Australia.

Shotcrete seminar
2023-11-05 | Aotea Centre, Auckland, NZ
This one-day seminar is being organised by representatives of the Australian Shotcrete Society (AuSS), Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) and New Zealand Tunnelling Society (NZTS).
NOTE: To register for the Shotcrete Seminar, please tick the option in your conference registration. If you only plan on attending the Shotcrete Seminar, please select this option under any of the conference registrations selections.
Event summary
Shotcrete enables complex underground structures to be built more effectively and efficiently and has opened greater opportunities to develop innovative structures, whether they are underground or on the surface. Because of its flexibility in construction, Shotcrete is of critical importance in enabling complex geometrical structures to be constructed.
This seminar is going to discuss the basics of shotcrete, recent innovations, sustainability, design developments, waterproofing in shotcrete, as well as legal issues associated with shotcrete. This is a great opportunity to earn valuable professional development hours as well as acquire new skills from leading regional experts representing clients, suppliers, and consultants in a relaxed environment.
We welcome any attendee of the ATC 2023 conference who would like to gain deeper insight into the somewhat mysterious product called shotcrete or anyone interested in shotcrete, whether it is used in tunnelling or as means to place concrete more efficiently.
Why you should join
This seminar and follow up networking event is a great opportunity for all levels of the industry to interact, whether they are:

Students looking to understand shotcrete
Site engineers wanting to better understand shotcrete
Consultants wanting to keep up with best practice
Industry leaders also needing to understand current industry challenges.

Seminar program

Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2023
2023-11-05 - 2023-11-08 | QLD
With a theme of Trends and Transitions in Tunnelling – the 18th Australasian Tunnelling Conference in New Zealand is already shaping up to be the most anticipated event on the 2023 calendar.
The New Zealand Tunnelling Society (NZTS) has now released the details of the 18th Australasian Tunnelling Conference (ATC). The ATC will be hosted by the NZTS in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand between the 5th and 8th November 2023.
With an overarching focus on Trends and Transitions in Tunnelling, the main themes of the conference (in English and Māori – a huge part of New Zealand’s national identity), include:

Resilience: Manawaroa; wellbeing, infrastructure, economics.
Relationships: Hononga; industry, stakeholders and future generations.
Guardianship: Tiaki; sustainability and legacy. Re-purposing and enhancing existing infrastructure, decarbonisation.
Future (s): Anamata; what kind of infrastructure is needed.

The conference committee are specifically looking for abstracts on the following topics, but all abstracts relevant to tunnelling are welcomed:

Transition engineering, sustainability and economic growth
Metros and mass transit
Digital engineering, instrumentation and monitoring
Hydropower and utility tunnels
Mechanised tunnelling
Conventional tunnelling/SEM/caverns
Tunnel operations, asset anagement, repurposing and rehabilitation
Tunnel systems, ventilation and fire life safety
Human factors: users, resourcing, training, competency education and diversity
Safety and occupational safety
Underground architecture and space development
Grouting, ground modifications and hydrogeology
Sprayed concrete and tunnel linings
Automation and technological advances
Shafts
Tunnels and tunnelling for mines
Geotechnical characterisation, seismicity and difficult ground
Risk management, collaboration and contracting

Timelines

Abstracts Due – 31st March 2023
Acceptance of Abstract and Notifications – 31st May 2023
Papers Due – 31 August 2023
Paper Moderations and final papers – 30 September 2023

For more information, please visit the event website: atc2023.com

Conventional tunnelling in highly deformable rocks - ITA webinar
2023-11-14 13:00 - 14:30 (Europe/Rome) | Webinar, Register via the link to join!
This instalment of the ITA lecture series will focus on ‘Conventional
tunnelling in highly deformable rocks.’
It will begin at 13:00 CET time.
The episode will feature three lectures and will finish with a Q&A with
all speakers.
1. Conventional tunnelling in highly deformable rocks – design
considerations – Dr. Angelos Gakis, Head of Geotechnics,
Dr. Sauer & Partners
2. Support elements for conventional tunnelling in highly
deformable rocks – Wolfgang Dolsak, Global Product Manager
Forepoling, DSI Underground
3. Tunnel construction with HS-EPS yielding elements in
overstressed weak rocks – Manuel Entfellner, Construction
Site Manager, IMPLENIA

2023 Charity Golf Day
2023-11-23 10:30 - 18:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Ryde Parramatta Golf Club, 1156 Victoria Road, West Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
2023 Charity Golf Day
Date: Thursday 23 November 2023
Time: 11.30 am for 12.30 shotgun start
Venue: Ryde Parramatta Golf Club
1156 Victoria Road, West Ryde
Format: Four Ball Ambrose 18 Holes
Registration: $190 per individual player, or
$795 per team of 4
Funds raised through sponsorship packages will help fund medical research
and life-saving discoveries at the Garvan Research Foundation.
Playing for the PETER WATSON shield which is our perpetual trophy in honour of Peter
for his dedication to the ATS and the Garvan Research Foundation

Sponsorship Package Information:
1. Hole Sponsorship $1,300 (18 packages)
Includes golf registration for 4 players, plus the opportunity to
promote your business at one of 18 holes.
2. Pre-match Sponsorship $2,000 (1 package)
Includes golf registration for 4 players, plus the opportunity to showcase your business and its
services during player registration and the pre-match lunch.
3. Refreshment Cart Sponsorship $2,600 (2 Package)
Includes golf registration for 4 players, plus the opportunity to place your company banner
on the refreshment golf cart.
4. Prize Sponsorship $1,300 (3 Packages)
Prize sponsorship includes golf registration for 4 players plus acknowledgement at post match
presentation

Registration and Payment
There are currently no restrictions once on the golf course. Therefore, carts can be used, with two people per cart as per normal conditions.
If the event needs to be changed or cancelled in the event of Government changes or lock down, a full refund would be provided, if requested. Alternatively, sponsorship money will be held in Garvan trust until the event can be re-scheduled and held at a later time.
All sponsorship and teams can now be registered in the link below. Simply go to the site, register your name, click on your preferred option, and make your payment. You can either register each of your team members, or alternatively you can just register a team and advise the names of the individual team members closer to the day
To complete registration, please scan the QR code or visit https://events.humanitix.com/2023-ats-charity-golf-day

For any questions about registration, please contact Kirsten Griffiths community@garvan.org.au or 9295 8115.
For any general enquires in relation to the day please contact
Brad Boardman brad.boardman@bekaert.com or mob 0405 393 995.

ATS Young Members Site Visit to Brisbane Metro Adelaide Street Tunnel
2023-11-29 08:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Brisbane Metro Adelaide Street Tunnel
The ATS young members invites students and young engineers on a site visit to the Brisbane Metro Adelaide Street Tunnel, Wednesday November 29th. The Adelaide Street tunnel is a critical piece of the Brisbane Metro project that provides additional capacity to Brisbane’s public transport system but requires the construction of a new road only 3.5m below the existing roadway.
The Adelaide Street Tunnel has many interesting aspects such as complex geology, buried services, traffic loading, adjacent heritage structures, and a demanding construction program with very little support site area. On the site visit you will get to see how these challenging constraints have been met, including the design and construction of a relatively large span soft ground tunnel, which involves over 20km of canopy tubes and 19kms of fiberglass face nails installed in a complex construction sequence to minimise surface movements and provide sufficient space for the final bidirectional tunnel.
The site visit will include a tour of the Brisbane Metro Information Centre, overview of the project and a guided tour of the tunnel.
Please note that this is a registration to enter the draw for the site visit due to the limited number of attendees permitted, it does not guarantee a place on the site visit itself. Once registered for the draw you will receive a calendar invitation for the site visit, this is a Teams default and should be treated as pending until the draw has taken place. A separate confirmation email will be sent to successful applicants after the draw has taken place.
This event is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council and Acciona.
Minimum requirements for site visit:

Attendees must be 35 years old and under
Pants, long sleeve shirts and safety boots
Hard hats and safety glasses if you have them, otherwise these will be provided.
Clean shaven. Dust masks must be worn underground and everyone will need to be clean shaven to enter the tunnel (non-negotiable).

ATS QLD - St Barbara's Day dinner - 1 December
2023-12-01 18:00 - 22:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | The Charming Squire, 3/133 Grey Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
Overview
Join the Queensland Chapter of the ATS for our annual end-of-year celebration and get together.
This informal networking-focused event will provide the opportunity for tunnelling professionals and friends to celebrate St Barbara’s Day.
We are also delighted to announce that we will also be presenting the award to the winner of the David Sugden Young Members Writing competition.
The event is one of the most highly regarded events in the tunnelling calendar.
The night will involve welcome drinks, followed by a meal, speeches by the committee and sponsors, and the lucky door prize draw.
The QLD committee looks forward to catching up with you on the night.
Event program

6.00 pm AEST: Registrations open and event commences
6:30 pm AEST: QLD Chair 2023 Address and sponsor acknowledgement
6:45 pm AEST: Dinner is served
8.00 pm AEST: Drinks and networking
10.00 pm AEST: Event concludes

ATS NSW's annual St Barbara's Day celebration and social event
2023-12-04 17:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Greens, 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Bare foot bowls – Monday 4 December – places are limited so register today!
For this year’s St Barbara’s Day celebration, the NSW Chapter is hosting a Bare Foot Bowls event at the Greens, North Sydney. This is a fun networking event for our local tunnelling community and places are limited so book now.
Date: Monday 4 December
Time: Arrival 5pm
Format:
• Food 5:45pm
• Bowls 7pm – 9pm
Venue: The Greens, 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney
Price: $45
Registration Deadline: Sunday, 26 November 2023 9.00 pm AEDT
Registration: Click here to register
Questions? Contact David Clague: David.Clague@bekaert.com
This event is generously sponsored by:

Why do tunnellers celebrate St Barbara’s Day?
St Barbara’s Day Events are a regular fixture on the ATS annual calendar, but what are we celebrating and why exactly is St Barbara the Patron Saint of Tunnellers?
St Barbara is thought to have been born in the mid-third century close to present-day Lebanon. Legend has it that when her father learned she had converted to Christianity, he had her tortured and eventually beheaded. Her martyrdom took place on the 4 December and as punishment for her murder, her father was struck by lightning and killed. It is this legendary association with lightning that gives Saint Barbara her contemporary connection to explosives and the tunnelling and mining professions. Today, the legend still inspires tunnellers to stay connected to colleagues and stay safe!

Join the Feast of St. Barbara in Melbourne - 7 Dec
2023-12-07 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | John Holland Offices, Level 9, 180 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
St Barbara’s Day Celebration – 7 December
The Victorian Chapter of the ATS invites members to attend an in-person celebration for the Feast Day of St. Barbara, the patron saint of tunnellers and miners, at an end of year social gathering on Thursday, 7th December.
This networking-focused event is being held in the wonderful event space of the Melbourne offices of the John Holland Group with its indoor area and panoramic balcony overlooking the river and city.
The event will recognise and celebrate the past year’s achievements on tunnelling projects within Victoria and nationally, their engineers and workforce, and to provide an opportunity to look forward to future tunnelling opportunities.
The informal celebration will be a stand-up affair with quality finger food and a range of drinks included in the ticket price ($40 per head). This price remains unchanged from last year’s event thanks to generous sponsorship from industry organisations. You will see delegates from the sponsors, whom you often cross paths with, at the event.

Considerations for designers and constructors to deliver practical operation and maintenance outcomes
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Online and in person at: Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
Gain insight into tunnel maintenance as the presentation contrasts key considerations for designers/constructors with maintenance regimes over tunnel operational service life.
Focusing on the interface between tunnel systems is key to meeting design life requirements and ensuring a maintainable fit-for-service underground space.
The presentation will look at case studies both locally and internationally, as well as provide insight into what systems are in place for tunnel maintenance after a project is handed over to the operator.
Learning outcomes
You will gain insights on the general complexities with writing O&M manuals for civil aspects. This includes consideration for durability, access, frequency, interpretation of design intent, defining what is reasonable for maintenance and determining whether it can be reasonably completed.

Tunnel linings, seepage and anchors.
Cable trays and infrastructure.
Vent stations.
Cut and cover areas.
Drainage systems (groundwater and stormwater).

About the speaker
Kaylah MacIntosh, Technical Services Manager, John Holland

Based in Brisbane, Kayla Macintosh is a Mechanical Engineer with a Masters in Geophysics working for John Holland as a Technical Services Manager. Kaylah is an experienced underground space engineer with design, construction and maintenance experience in tunnelling & infrastructure spanning over 10 years. Kaylah has previously held roles in operational road tunnel capital works delivery, which she leverages to drive improved Operation and Maintenance outcomes through smart tunnel system design solutions on in-flight projects.

Tunnels and Underground Works for Pumped Storage Hydropower Projects: Challenges and Opportunities Panel Discussion
2023-12-13 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Online and in-person at Aurecon Sydney, Level 11/73 Miller St, Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Summary
The NSW ATS invites all members, non-members and students to participate in this captivating hybrid (in person and webinar) panel discussion centred on the challenges and opportunities for tunnels and underground works to assist Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH) projects in harnessing sustainable and renewable energy sources.
During this event, you will have the unique opportunity to hear from a panel of experts who will share their experiences and insights working in Australia’s burgeoning PSH industry.
The panel discussion will be followed by the ATS NSW Chapter Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Timing
In-person – please arrive 5.30pm for a 6pm start
Online – please arrive 5.55pm for a 6pm start
About the panelists
Sabrina Kost – Underground Expert

Sabrina obtained a Master of Civil Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) Lausanne in 2006. Sabrina has 17 years of experience in the planning, design, management, construction and certification of complex major underground civil infrastructure and hydropower projects in Australia and overseas. Her expertise covers support systems in challenging ground conditions and encompasses all construction techniques and lining systems.
Sabrina’s specific experience encompasses the entire lifecycle of a project, from its inception (Feasibility Studies, Reference Design) to Detailed Design and Construction Phase Services. Sabrina has also gained extended experience as Client-Side Owner’s Engineer and has a strong track record in undertaking proof engineering, risk management, due diligence, design review and compliance verification and certification roles.
Sabrina is the Managing Director of Pini Australia and member of the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS), NSW Chapter, and the Diversity in Tunnelling Sub-Committee of the ATS.
Hamid Alaedini – Associate Civil/Structure Engineer

Hamid is an Associate civil/structure engineer at Aurecon with over 22 years of experience in design, design management and delivery of projects. Over his career, Hamid has worked on a number of major hydropower, dam and transport projects in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South America. He has worked on detailed design of the tunnels and caverns, intake, outlet and other dam appurtenant structures to construction methodologies for underground works, feasibility assessments, option review and construction services. Some of the key projects that Hamid has worked on are Snowy 2.0 and Borumba Pumped Hydro in Australia, SiahBishe Pumped Storage, Shahriar Dam and Bakhtiari Dam in Iran, Malea Hydroelectric project in Indonesia and Quijos-Baeza Hydroelectric project in Ecuador.
Helen Barbour-Bourne – Hydropower Sector Market Lead

As the Hydropower Market Leader at GHD within the hybridized Australian energy landscape, Helen Barbour Bourne has cultivated a reputation for strategic project leadership from inception through to construction.
Helen’s published work on collaborative strategies in major infrastructure projects underscores her understanding of the complex interplay between risks and opportunities, focusing on the efficient allocation of risks. Recognized for her thought leadership, she actively bridges dialogues across government and private sectors, advocating for policies and frameworks that support sustainable investment in Future Energy, aligning with the evolving dynamics of energy investment in Australia.
Jeremy Kent-Johnston – Managing Director

Jeremy Kent-Johnston is a hydropower engineer and managing director of AusHydro, a specialist hydropower consultancy based in Sydney, NSW. In the past decade, Jeremy has been heavily involved in Australia’s pumped hydro development, with key design roles on projects like Borumba, Pioneer-Burdekin, Oven Mountain, Bells Mountain, and Snowy.
AusHydro specializes in front-end hydropower design, project optimization, and economic assessment, in addition to providing owners’ advice for hydropower projects. This work requires AusHydro to bridge the gap between the operational and technical aspects of pumped hydro projects, and the ever-evolving government policy landscape.
Prior to focusing on pumped hydro in Australia, Jeremy contributed to significant global projects such as Grande Inga in the Congo, boasting a capacity of 40 – 70 GW, and the Purari/Wabo project in Papua New Guinea, with a capacity of 5 – 7 GW.
Beyond large-scale projects, Jeremy is passionate about environmentally conscientious, low-impact high-head hydro projects. He has several active development interests in British Columbia and New Zealand, aiming to balance energy generation with ecological preservation.
Moderator

Register now:

Sponsors

Contact
For any queries regarding this event, please contact Julius Lumsden (Julius.Lumsden@aurecongroup.com).

Sprayed concrete use
2024-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘Sprayed concrete use.’
The episode will feature four lectures and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers.

Introduction – Karl Gunnar Holter
An overview of sprayed concrete methodology – Catherine Larive
Sustainability & Application – Ross Dimmock
Material properties and design – Karl Gunnar Holter

Suburban rail loop east - project update
2024-02-28 17:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online and in person at Arup Melbourne, Sky Park 1, Melbourne Quarter, 699 Collins Street, Victoria, 3008
The first section of the Suburban Rail Loop, known as SRL East, is a fully underground 26-kilometre metro line in Victoria stretching from Cheltenham in the south to Box Hill in the north. This segment will feature six stations.
New connections will be established with current heavy rail stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley, and Box Hill, and new stations will be constructed at Monash and Burwood. Particularly, the Clayton interchange is designed to be a major transport hub, linking regional travellers to the Suburban Rail Loop.
These six underground stations will be constructed 17 to 23 meters beneath the surface using a ‘bottom-up’ approach. The entrances to these stations will be conveniently located near existing train stations and key local facilities.
This joint presentation with the Suburban Connect consortium, which was awarded the Work Package C (WPC) and the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) will cover progress updates on WPC, project complexities and hazard/risk mitigations to date, TBM launch proposal, and cross passage ground treatment methods.
Learning outcomes
In this presentation you will learn:

The scope and features of SRL work package C.
TBM tunnel construction planning against complexities.
Hazard/risk mitigation strategies.
Ground treatment concepts.

Event program – in person

5.30 pm AEDT: Networking and light refreshments
6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences with Q&A
7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes

Event program – online

6.00 pm AEDT: Presentation commences with Q&A (see Teams Workshop link in your registration email)
7.00 pm AEDT: Presentation concludes

About the speakers

Chris Lyons
Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Tunnel and Civil, Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Biography
Chris has 25 years’ experience as a geotechnical engineer working across a range of major infrastructure projects in Melbourne and globally. He has provided specialist geotechnical advice across the full project life cycle including business cases, geotechnical investigations, design, construction and maintenance. Chris has strong experience on large, complex infrastructure projects including Crossrail in London, and the Level Crossing Removal Project, Melbourne Metro and Suburban Rail Loop in Melbourne.

Hugh Rutledge
Senior Project Manager, Tunnel and Civil, Suburban Rail Loop Authority
Biography
Hugh is a technically minded Project Manager with a genuine enthusiasm for problem solving and has spent more than 10 years developing knowledge in the design and construction of geotechnical systems, retaining walls, piled foundations and civil structures. His experience spans a diverse range of technical, development and delivery roles on commercial buildings and major infrastructure projects. Notable Melbourne projects include Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossings, Metro Tunnel Early Works and West Gate Tunnel. On SRL East, Hugh leads the Delivery stream for the Tunnels and Heavy Civils package of works between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.

Olga Mikhaylova
Design and Engineering Manager, Suburban Connect
Biography
Olga has over years’ experience in delivering technical solutions for complex infrastructure projects. She has expertise in leading engineering and design teams on major transport projects across Australia, Asia, and Europe. She ensures on-time delivery of optimised tunnel, geotechnical and structural solutions that meet demanding technical specifications and budgets. Her recent experience includes Melbourne Metro Tunnel and various packages on Sydney Metro West. Olga is a strong advocate for collaborative problem-solving and fostering inclusive team environments. She is driven by a deep commitment to exceeding expectations and achieving project excellence.

Isolde Piet
Construction Manager Tunnel, Suburban Connect
Biography
Isolde is Civil Project Manager with board experience across major infrastructure projects. Isolde has a Master of Science in underground construction combined with 21 years’ experience in various disciplines of the civil engineering industry in Australia, The Netherlands and Turkey, both contractor and client’s side. Her experience is enhanced by a background in D&C projects of complex multi-disciplinary nature in challenging environments and an ability to provide strong technical and build-ability support to the team. She has demonstrated capability to add great value to a Project Team and Project in terms of meeting program, cost, safety, quality and environmental objectives.

Celebrating International Women's Day - Unveiling the Stories of Senior Professionals in Tunnelling
2024-03-06 17:30 - 19:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Arup Offices – Sky Park, 1 Melbourne Quarter, 699 Collins Street, Docklands, Victoria, 3008, Australia
Wednesday 6th of March, 2023

Come join us in real life (if you are in Melbourne) or online for a dynamic hybrid event that celebrates the journeys and experiences of senior professionals within the tunnelling industry!!
Three distinguished speakers will share their personal stories, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A on industry trends, diversity, and resilience.
All genders, ages, and abilities are warmly invited!!!
Delve Underground and Arup sponsor the event.

Learning outcomes for this event include:
By joining this event, you will :
1) Gain understanding on Diverse Career Journeys
2) Be inspired on resilience and leadership principles
3) Promote Gender Equality and Inclusion.
Event Program
5.30 arrival and refreshments
6:00 event start
7:00 finish and networking
7.30 event concludes
*Times listed are AEDT
About the presenters:
Isolde Shepherd-Piet, MSc

Construction Lead – Tunnels at Suburban Connect – CPB
Isolde Shepherd-Piet, a seasoned Civil Project Manager, brings 21 years of diverse experience in the civil engineering industry across Australia, The Netherlands, and Turkey. With a Master of Science in underground construction, Isolde has worked on complex multi-disciplinary D&C projects in challenging environments. Her expertise extends to both the contractor and client’s side, where she provides strong technical and build-ability support. Isolde’s track record includes meeting program, cost, safety, quality, and environmental objectives. Her unwavering motivation and leadership drive contribute to successful outcomes in Tender Stage as well as Preparation and Construction Stage.
Kate Wingad

Group Manager – Engineering and Design (Rail) – John Holland
Kate Wingad, a strategic leader in civil engineering, boasts an impressive track record of designing and delivering Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects. With extensive experience, Kate has held both technical and leadership roles on multidisciplinary endeavors, including the Melbourne Airport Rail, Regional Rail Link, Melbourne Metro Early Works, Level Crossing Removals, the Adelaide Desalination Plant, and the West Gate Tunnel Project. Her expertise spans construction delivery, engineering management, instrumentation, monitoring, and geotechnical design.. Kate distills complex information into practical actions aligned with regulatory realities. She inspires the next generation of talented women to embrace this dynamic discipline, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Elena Gavazzi (Ceng MICE, NER)

Associate Principal at Arup
Elena, a Chartered Civil Engineer, boasts 15 years of professional experience in both the Australian and UK engineering and construction industries. She has left her mark on several high-profile projects, including Crossrail, High Speed 2, and Melbourne Metro (CYP). Currently, Elena holds the position of Delivery Director for the AAW JV, overseeing the design delivery for the Melbourne Metro works within CYP. Her journey includes roles such as Deputy Project Manager for the HS2 Design and Build Contract S1 & S2, and Assistant Project Manager for HS2 Phase 2a Contract 861 (West Midlands to Crewe route). She also managed the York Potash MTS tunnel project and played a pivotal role in Crossrail, focusing on asset protection for Liverpool Street and Whitechapel Stations. Elena excels in project delivery and contractor management, backed by her technical expertise and engineering knowledge. She’s a skilled communicator, a team player, and adept at stakeholder engagement.

Conventional tunnelling in an urban setting: design and construction considerations
2024-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris) | Online
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series will focus on ‘Conventional tunnelling in an urban setting : design and construction considerations’. It will begin at 13:00 CET.

The episode will feature three lectures and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers.

Challenges of tunnelling in urban Areas – Nasri Munfah
Conventional tunnelling in urban Areas – Vojtech Gall
The Gateway program – putting the pieces together for urban setting in New York – James Morrison

New developments in BIM
2024-04-09 13:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris) | Webinar, Register via the link to join!
ONLINE EVENT
This instalment of the lecture series will focus on ‘New developments in BIM.’ It will begin at 13:00 CET.
The episode will feature five lectures and will finish with a Q&A with all speakers.

Introduction – ITA-AITES WG22 activities – Florent Robert
Digital Engineering – applications and approaches – Alessandro Menozzi
Sustainable tunnelling projects using BIM – main concepts and opportunities – Rita Sanfilippo
IFC standard for underground infrastructure projects (IFCTunnel) – Michel Rives
BIM: Vision of the future – Galina Paskaleva

ATSym Industry Night - Welcome Future Tunnellers
2024-04-09 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Monash University Clayton Campus, Green Chemical Futures Building - Level 4 Auditorium, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
The ATSym invites all members, non-members, and students to join us for an engaging panel discussion
featuring firsthand experiences from three tunnelling professionals at different stages of their careers. They
will provide insights into working in Australia’s tunnelling industry.
This is your chance to hear from and gain valuable guidance on career paths, industry trends, and
challenges faced by tunnelling professionals from various sectors, including consultants and contractors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gather wisdom from diverse perspectives and discover the exciting possibilities that await you in the world of tunnelling.
This event is organized by ATSym and Monash BEST and will be held both online and in person.
Click here for the event flyer.
Registrations are essential.
A special thank you to our event sponsors Arcadis and Aurecon!
Agenda
5:30pm-6:00pm – Networking & Refreshments
6:00pm-6:45pm – Presentation
6:45pm-7:15pm – Panel Discussion
7:15pm-8:00pm – Networking
Speakers

BP KWOL Pipeline Relocation - Largest Brownfield Trenchless Relocation in Australia
2024-04-09 19:30 - 22:00 (Australia/Perth) | QLD
ATS/AGS/ICE/ASTT jointly presents this in person and online Hybrid Technical Event.
Overview
Thornlie Cockburn Link (TCL) project consists of a new railway line between the Armadale and Mandurah lines via the Thornlie and Cockburn Stations. The track extension from Thornlie to Cockburn is approximately 14.50 km.
To make way for the major construction works, a 12.6km of existing BP KWOL (Kewdale White Oil Line) required to be relocated which is situated within the narrow brownfield railway corridor. The works consists of 11.5km of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), two 50m microtunnelling/pipejacking crossing operational PTA passenger and Arc freight rail, 1km of open trench, 120m steel truss river crossing, 2 pigging stations and 12 valves and associated valve pits.
This presentation will dive into how the determined team have overcome several design and construction challenges and safely delivered the project; these includes:

Resolved design issues and obtained stakeholder approval on key design elements of the project including Design package submission in compliance to the railway requirement, narrow right of way within the active railway corridor, Canning River Pipeline Crossing, Cathodic Protection and Voltage Mitigation,
Completed 12 Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) drill shots up to length of 1.4km and depth of 25m within the railway corridor parallel to the operational rail, in many cases near residential properties, 12 months of drilling works included eight months of 24/7 works with two drill rigs,
Recovery of stuck drilling operation, using two drill rigs from either end,
Recovery of a Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) during the Easter break un-der the existing Thornlie Passenger Line and live Arc Infrastructure freight rail,
Installation of a truss bridge over the environmentally and culturally sensitive Canning River site during night-time PTA passenger rail possessions in October 2022, using a 750T crane and specially manufactured remote-controlled counter-weight,
Installation of 12 Main Line Valve (MLV) pits along the alignment with some of them as close as 500mm to the existing bp KWOL pipeline.
Successful completion of the works leading up to the pipeline cut over date com-mitted 6 months in advance and carried out the critical golden welds during the shut ensuring the successful commissioning of the new line and handover of the new asset.

Event schedule:
Networking and light refreshments: 17:30 – 18:00 (AWST).
Technical presentation: 18:00 – 19:00 (AWST).
Q&A and networking: 19:00 – 20:00 (AWST).

Speaker

(Aziz) Jiang Aizezi

Area Manager – Utilities and Tunnels

Jiang is a Chartered Professional Engineer with a wealth of technical knowledge, engineering expertise, and management skills in the construction industry. He has contributed to the successful delivery of construction projects involving a variety of civil, trenchless and tunnelling techniques, including road and rail tunnels, microtunnelling, pipe jacking, auger boring, horizontal directional drilling, Oil and gas pipeline construction, conventional pipeline construction (Drainage, Water, Sewer, Telcom, Power), piling, and heavy lifting operations. Jiang excels at managing stakeholders with competing interests and resolving complex issues. He creates an open forum for discussion to drive outcomes that benefit all parties. He has worked some a few iconic trenchless, tunnel and infrastructure projects in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. This includes: Legacy way tunnel, Maroochydore HDD sewer relocation, Caltex fuel line Brisbane River crossing, Sydney metro tender, Melbourne Metro, Epping main sewer, O’Shannassy Reservoir inlet tunnel, Denny Ave level crossing removal, Serpentine Trunk Main rail crossing, BP KWOL pipeline relocation and Thornlie Cockburn Link,.

Tunnel Systems Education at the Victorian Tunnelling Centre - Online Presentation
2024-04-11 17:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Online
About the VTC
The Victorian Tunnelling Centre (VTC) at Holmesglen Institute’s Drummond Street campus trains and upskills thousands of workers in underground construction and tunnelling. Training up to 5,000 learners annually, the Australian-first tunnelling facility ensures that Victorians are leaders in underground construction, operations and workplace health and safety.
Who should attend this presentation?
Anyone with interest in tunnelling education, from students learning useful skills, to operators training their staff, to contractors that need a facility dedicated to tunnelling education. This presentation will give you many insights into what is available and the opportunities to explore.
Why should you attend?
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn what the VTC does and how it can extend your skills and career. You will also learn more about a workshop planned for later this year specifically designed for tunnel systems.
The VTC is in constant communication with industry. Working with construction companies on their training model well in advance, during the pre-tender phase, helping employers understand the REAL cost of skilling. VTC is building robust, mature, trusting relationships that help all stakeholders understand what’s happening in the industry.
Presenter
Ross Digby
Associate Director, Centre for Energy & Infrastructure, Holmesglen Institute,
Ross thinks that listening closely to industry unearths the pain points, and solutions can come with combinations of accredited and non-accredited programs that align with organisational practice. Anyone can pick and mix what they need. He is passionate about training and wants to ensure that workers are fit for the roles they’re doing.

Site visit - Transurban road tunnel control room - Melbourne
2024-04-15 11:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | 49 Balston St, Southbank
Join the ATS and Transurban in an immersive exploration into the nerve centre of tunnel systems with a site visit to a road tunnel control room in Melbourne.
Overview
Transurban control rooms are the pulsating brain behind the seamless operation of tunnels. These control rooms stand as the guardians of safety, efficiency, and operations in the bustling underground arteries of transportation networks. This visit to the Road Tunnel Control Room offers a unique opportunity for new engineers and experts alike to delve deep into the intricate workings of these vital facilities. Serving as the centre of monitoring, management, and response, control rooms play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and maintaining the utmost safety standards within tunnels.
Learning outcomes

Introduction to Control Room Operations: experienced operators will provide insights into the primary functions and responsibilities of control room teams.
Equipment Review: Witness firsthand the technology and equipment that empower control room operators to uphold efficiency and safety standards.
Insights from Industry Experts: Benefit from the expertise of professionals as they share insights from years of experience in tunnel management and control room operations.

Location
49 Balston St, Southbank.
Note: Please enter from Balston St. Come to the Citylink gate and press buzzer for entry. Parking will be limited in the area.

Timing
Arrive for 1pm
Note: PPE will not be required for this site visit.

Site visit – Transurban road tunnel control room – Brisbane
2024-04-30 10:00 - 12:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | APL Office and Control Room, 1 Clarence Road, Kedron, Brisbane
Join the ATS and Transurban in an immersive exploration into the nerve centre of tunnel systems with a site visit to a road tunnel control room in Brisbane.
Overview
Transurban control rooms are the pulsating brain behind the seamless operation of tunnels. These control rooms stand as the guardians of safety, efficiency, and operations in the bustling underground arteries of transportation networks. This visit to the Road Tunnel Control Room offers a unique opportunity for new engineers and experts alike to delve deep into the intricate workings of these vital facilities. Serving as the centre of monitoring, management, and response, control rooms play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and maintaining the utmost safety standards within tunnels.
Learning outcomes

Introduction to Control Room Operations: experienced operators will provide insights into the primary functions and responsibilities of control room teams.
Equipment Review: Witness firsthand the technology and equipment that empower control room operators to uphold efficiency and safety standards.
Insights from Industry Experts: Benefit from the expertise of professionals as they share insights from years of experience in tunnel management and control room operations.

Location
APL Office and Control Room
Note: Street parking is available near the office. Press intercom at gate at front for access to site.

Timing
Arrive for 10am
Note: PPE will not be required for this site visit.

Logistics in long and deep tunnels
2024-05-14 21:00 - 22:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Webinar
ITA Lecture Series #35
This episode will feature three lectures:

Logistical aspects of deep tunnelling – Magali Schivre, Animator of ITA WG17 – INCAS Partners – France

General presentation highlighting the main specificities and challenges relating to the logistics to be implemented in a long, deep tunnel, with a presentation of the latest guideline published by WG17.

Quiling mount water conveyance: Logistical challenges and solutions – Yang Jinjun, China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. (CRTG) – China

Illustration of the issue through a hydraulic project highlighting the logistical challenges and solutions based on a major hydraulic project in China, a finalist in the ITA Award 2023 (major project category).

Logistics issues specific to the Brennero project – Antonio Voza, Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) – Italy

For a major rail infrastructure project crossing the Alps, illustration of the project owner’s point of view on the logistical aspects and solutions implemented on this project.
Following the three presentations there will be time for Q&A with the presenters.
This lecture series remains free and open to all. For all those that cannot join ‘live’ online, please register and you will receive a link to stream the episode after the event – this link will be valid for 24 hours only. After these 24 hours, anyone wanting to watch the episode can do so by registering for the episode on the ITA website, but there will be a small fee to watch.
Register for the events here: https://www.itacet.org/sessions/forthcoming

Site visit – Transurban road tunnel control room – Sydney
2024-05-15 11:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Sydney) | St Peters Interchange Office, Westconnex MCC Control Room, Burrows Road, St Peters, Sydney
Join the ATS and Transurban in an immersive exploration into the nerve centre of tunnel systems with a site visit to a road tunnel control room in Sydney.
Overview
Transurban control rooms are the pulsating brain behind the seamless operation of tunnels. These control rooms stand as the guardians of safety, efficiency, and operations in the bustling underground arteries of transportation networks. This visit to the Road Tunnel Control Room offers a unique opportunity for new engineers and experts alike to delve deep into the intricate workings of these vital facilities. Serving as the centre of monitoring, management, and response, control rooms play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth flow of traffic and maintaining the utmost safety standards within tunnels.
Learning outcomes

Introduction to Control Room Operations: experienced operators will provide insights into the primary functions and responsibilities of control room teams.
Equipment Review: Witness firsthand the technology and equipment that empower control room operators to uphold efficiency and safety standards.
Insights from Industry Experts: Benefit from the expertise of professionals as they share insights from years of experience in tunnel management and control room operations.

Location
St Peters Interchange Office (SPI)
Westconnex MCC Control Room
Note: Parking is available on road and there is usually plenty. Come to gate and press intercom for entry.

Timing
Arrive for 11am
Note: PPE will not be required for this site visit.

EA Webinar - Construction engineering challenges in complex Fire and Life Safety system upgrades
2024-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 (Australia/Sydney) | QLD
Overview
This session will address the challenges of estimating, designing, and constructing a complex fire life safety upgrade project in the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop’s brownfield urban rail network environment.
We will discuss the knowns and unknowns in the fire engineering design phase, the access-constrained construction phase, and the unpredictable testing and commissioning phase.
Key competencies from the Construction Engineering Learning and Development guide to be discussed include developing project methods, controlling project quality, ensuring a safe working environment, and managing contract obligations.
This webinar forms part of the Construction series of CPD.
Who should attend?
This session is relevant to construction engineers, from site engineers to project managers, especially those working in brownfield environments or managing complex railway projects.
Learning outcomes

Key fire engineering and design principles for upgrading existing train stations
Appropriate risk management in a brownfield environment
Importance of planning and scope – access to live railways
Lessons learned from Testing and Commissioning – how to predict the unpredictable

About the speakers

Jan Nadarajah
Project Manager, ACCIONA Australia
.
Jan Nadarajah is a seasoned Engineering / Project Manager with over 15 years of experience designing and delivering complex and varied infrastructure projects in the transport, water and international development sectors. She is a keen problem solver and particularly loves challenging engineering projects. Jan also has an interest in social science and has a graduate degree in psychology. She believes in progressing towards equality both in and out of the workplace.

Daniel West
Senior Mechanical Engineer, WSP
.
Daniel West is currently serving as the engineering manager for the MURL Fire & Life Safety Upgrade project (AWP5), having previously worked as the design area manager for the same project since May 2021.

Daniel has over 12 years of experience in building services / infrastructure consulting in Australia and New Zealand. This has included a mix of rail, industrial and commercial projects. Throughout Daniel’s time at WSP, he has held project management roles, including at SPA as a package lead for successfully delivered works packages (IWP, AWP2 and AWP3) over the last five years.
Previously he provided leadership of the mechanical team at SPA for other SPA rail projects. Prior to commencing on SPA, Daniel lead multiple building projects as the WSP project lead including childcare centres, community hub, hospital upgrades and residential / aged care projects.”

Esteban Santacruz CPEng
Fire Safety Engineer, Transport Systems, WSP
.
Esteban is a Chartered Professional Engineer with expertise in engineering consultancy working in the field of fire safety in Australia and Europe in underground infrastructure and in designing fire safety strategies, including railways and road tunnels infrastructure.

Esteban specialises in the design of fire safety systems using local and international fire safety engineering principles in underground structures. Esteban is currently acting as Subject Matter Expert for three of the largest infrastructure projects in Victoria; the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Stage 2, the Metro Tunnel Project and North East Link Project.
He has provided advice for different public transport operators to address aging infrastructure and also led tender works for new infrastructure projects. His capabilities include bespoke smoke management strategies, mass underground evacuation analysis, structural fire analysis and risk analysis for underground rail stations and tunnels.

Site visit - Roma Street station fitout and commissioning
2024-06-11 14:30 - 16:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Roma Street Station, 171 Roma Street, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
The ATS invites all members, non-members, young engineers and students to join us for the site visit at the Cross River Rail Roma Street station.
You will have the opportunity to see all the mechanical and electrical equipment (electrical rooms, fan rooms, fire control centres, etc) that support operating the underground station and have to be accommodated in underground spaces at Roma Street station. The project is transitioning to the commissioning phase while construction goes into completion mode.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see all the ancillary equipment that is typically not visible to the public and learn from the people responsible for the day-to-day work.
This event will be held in person and capped to a maximum of 30 people.
PPE required for the site visit: high-vis long sleeve shirt, pants, safety boots, safety gloves and safety glasses. Hard hats and cap lamps will be provided.
Thank you to CBGU D&C JV and Cross River Rail Delivery Authority for facilitating this event.
Please note: This is a registration to enter the draw for the site visit. Due to the limited number of attendees permitted, registration does not guarantee a place on the site visit itself. Once registered for the draw you will receive a calendar invitation for the site visit, this is a Teams default and should be treated as pending until the draw has taken place. A separate confirmation email will be sent to successful applicants after the draw has taken place.
Speakers

Chris Baker
Design Manager, UGL Pty Limited

Brad Sandford
Delivery Manager for Tunnels at Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

High pressure water mist in tunnels - SHORT NOTICE EVENT - REGISTER NOW!
2024-06-13 17:00 - 18:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Online and in person at: Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
Gain insights from recent full-scale tunnel fire tests showcasing the performance of water mist systems in real-world scenarios. Explore case studies of successful installations of water mist systems in tunnels, such as the refurbishment project of the Hugh Carey Tunnel (formerly Brooklyn Battery Tunnel) in New York City and the deployment in the Ismailia Tunnel beneath the Suez Canal in Egypt. Uncover key findings from the SUVEREN research project, including comprehensive fire tests involving batteries. Learn about the project’s contributions to advancing tunnel safety through innovative technologies. Join us for a deep dive into the latest advancements in tunnel safety and the critical role of water mist systems.
Learning outcomes
By attending this event, you will:

Understand the criteria for determining when a water mist system is suitable for integration into both new and existing tunnel projects, considering factors such as tunnel design, location, and potential fire risks.
Identify circumstances where a water mist system may not be the optimal choice for a tunnel project, recognizing limitations and constraints that may impact its effectiveness or feasibility.
Evaluate the potential ofwater mist systems to compensate for existing deficits in tunnel safety measures, exploring their capacity to mitigate fire hazards and enhance overall safety standards.
Analyse the firefighting performance of water mist systems in tunnels through examination of testing results, gaining insights into their efficacy in controlling and suppressing tunnel fires.
Gain knowledge of the technical layout parameters of water mist systems, including design considerations, installation requirements, and operational functionalities, to facilitate informed decision-making and effective implementation in tunnel projects.

Event program
In-person:

5:00 pm AEST – Registration and refreshments
5:30 pm AEST – Event begins
6:30 pm AEST – Event concludes

Online:

5:30 pm AEST – Event begins
6:30 pm AEST – Event concludes

About the speaker

Armin Feltmann
Business Manager for Tunnel System, FOGTEC Fire Protection

Industry Update - The Snowy 2.0 project
2024-06-26 17:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | SMEC, Tower 4, 727 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria, 3008, Australia
For the online event join by clicking here at 5.55pm on 26 June
From the Owner’s Engineer perspective
The Snowy 2.0 project is a major pumped-storage expansion of the Snowy Mountains hydropower scheme, which forms a vital part of Australia’s energy transition towards a low-emissions future. The project will substantially increase the existing scheme’s capacity, adding 2200 MW of energy generation capacity and large-scale energy storage of 350,000 MW hours. At full capacity, Snowy 2.0 could operate for almost seven days without recharge pumping, providing deep energy storage necessary to underpin increasing wind and solar generation.
Not unlike the existing scheme, the Snowy 2.0 project involves substantial underground works, both in terms of scale and complexity. The key elements include 33km of TBM-driven tunnels, 10km of D&B tunnels, three shafts, and a large power station cavern complex located 750m underground.
This Technical Session will provide an overview of the Snowy 2.0 project, along with an update on the delivery of key underground elements. Following this, a deeper dive will be provided into elements of the geotechnical approach to the delivery of the underground power station cavern complex.
The Snowy 2.0 caverns are amongst the largest and deepest in the world and are being delivered with a highly observational approach, in which design predictions are continually reviewed against actual ground behaviour and support performance during construction.
In support of this approach, the project has developed a comprehensive 3D ground model that spans not only the caverns but also the surrounding network of tunnels.
Learning outcomes
• Snowy 2.0 project update
• Cavern excavation using an observational approach
• Cavern 3D geological model
Timings
5.00 pm – 6.00 pm Networking (Refreshments and drinks will be served)
6.00 pm – 7.00 pm Presentation
Speakers

Kara Stariha
Associate Geotechnical Engineer, SMEC
Kara Stariha has eleven years’ experience in a variety of civil, tunnelling, dams and hydropower projects in NSW, ACT and internationally. She has worked on all phases of project development, from feasibility studies and site investigations to design and construction phase supervision. Kara’s primary interest is in ground characterisation, rock mechanics, tunnelling, and the use of remote sensing in assessing the stability of rock slopes. She is experienced in guiding the technical implementation of risk-sharing contractual mechanisms (GBR), particularly as applied to tunnelling projects in complex geological environments.
Working on the Owner’s team for Snowy Hydro 2.0 since 2018, Kara has undertaken several roles relating to geotechnical engineering and ground classification throughout her time on the project. In the feasibility and reference design stages, Kara worked on the site investigations planning and execution, and in the geological and geotechnical interpretation and parametrisation along the tunnel alignments for input into the GIR and GBR. After taking a break from S2.0 in 2019 to complete her masters in Graz, Austria, Kara returned to S2.0 in 2021 as tunnelling commenced. At this time, S2.0 utilised a contractual risk share mechanism in the form of a Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR).
Until 2023 Kara led the collection and assessment of incoming data and the application of this to assign conditions in accordance with the GBR. Kara now leads the Ground Model team, taking a higher-level approach to interpretation, modelling, and geological risk management. The team collects and interprets geological and geotechnical information, developing a model to inform Snowy Hydro of potential geological risks and tying this into the broader project risk assessments. This allows informed feedback to be provided to the contractor and assists Snowy Hydro in making key decisions around construction methodologies and forward investigations. Kara has driven the commencement of regular discussions with the contractor and designer on upcoming geotechnical and geological risks, allowing all parties to propose and agree on appropriate mitigation measures.

Ben Chapman
Tunnels and Geotech Lead – Snowy 2.0, SMEC
Ben is a Senior Associate Civil Engineer with 15 years’ experience in the design and delivery of tunnels and underground structures for a range of road, rail, water, and hydropower projects. Ben’s expertise relates to both structural and geotechnical engineering, covering all stages of project delivery, from planning and design to on-site construction and maintenance.
Currently, Ben is seconded to Snowy Hydro from SMEC Australia, where he has maintained a key involvement in the Snowy 2.0 project since the feasibility study initially commenced in 2017. Initially commencing as a Senior Tunnel Engineer, Ben was responsible for the coordination and design of the primary support systems and final linings for the tunnels, shafts, and caverns. He then continued a similar role in the subsequent reference design phase, with additional involvement in the preparation and negotiation of the Geotechnical Baseline Report (GBR), Employer’s Requirements and geotechnical risks register.
Since the award of the main Snowy 2.0 construction contract in 2019, Ben has been the Tunnels, Caverns and Geotechnical Discipline Lead and GBR Manager for the Snowy 2.0 Owner’s team. In this capacity, Ben leads a multi-disciplinary team of tunnel and geotechnical engineers and geologists in the review of detailed design and construction documentation for the projects’ substantial underground works. Ben also leads the team administering the GBR for the project, which is based on the principles of the recent FIDIC Emerald Book and is the first of its kind to be implemented in Australia.
In this capacity, Ben is responsible for the development and implementation of geotechnical classification systems and associated GBR management plans for conventional and TBM excavations. This allows for actual ground conditions to be assessed against the GBR baseline conditions and subsequent adjustment of time and cost to be applied in accordance with the contract.
The ATS Victorian Chapter and ICE Australia co-host the seminar. This event is sponsored by SMEC, the Owner’s engineer of the project.
