The TBM has almost finished it’s first drive, and has excavated at depths of up to 50 m below the surface, paving the way for 4.25 km of new pipeline from Wecker Rd, Mansfield to Cadogan St, Carindale.
Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson Michelle Cull said “The machine, which was recently shipped from Germany, will be craned into the access shaft in three parts.
“Once assembled, it’s almost 14 m long, 1.8 m in diameter and weighs more than 45 t – the equivalent of six elephants.
“It will then be operated via computer, making the work much safer and less disruptive than traditional trenching.”
“This upgrade will cater for future growth in the catchment for at least the next 50 years,” she said.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
For more information visit the Queensland Urban Utilities website.
If you have a project you would like covered in Trenchless Australasia contact Assistant Editor Nick Lovering at nlovering@gs-press.com.au