From the magazine, Microtunnelling, Queensland, Wastewater, Water

D.J. Mac Cormick hits the right notes in Townsville

The Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project (HPDP) involved the duplication of a 36.5 km pipeline from the Haughton Pump Station to the Ross River Dam in order to provide a bulk raw water supply the area.

The alignment of the DN1800 GRP pipeline included crossing beneath state-controlled Flinders Highway and a Queensland Rail (QR) rail corridor, which required D.J. Mac Cormick Contractors to install a 120 m long 2.5 m outside diameter enveloper pipe using the trenchless pipejacking method.

Before works began, several authority approvals and permits were acquired, including a QR Wayleave, compliance the QR’s civil engineering requirements and Department of Transport and Main Roads permits.

Detailed temporary design was undertaken for launch shaft shoring, thrust block, the concrete pad and entrance wall, as well as the receival shaft design for microtunnel boring machine (TBM) removal, while the jacking system employed was capable of up to a 850 t safe jacking load.

A detailed design was completed for the launch pit.

A Herrenknecht tunnelling system was selected to undertake the project with a mixed cutting wheel chosen based on the expected ground conditions that ranged from stiff sand and clay to granodiorite rock.

The subsequent 120 m drive length was completed in 11 days at a depth of approximately 2.5–3 m below the surface, followed by the grouting of annulus outside of the pipe.

Spoil removal monitoring works were undertaken on each pipe as the construction advanced to ensure no excessive excavation occurred and the 2.1 m internal diameter concrete jacking pipes were supplied by Humes.

An air pressure test was conducted at the conclusion of the installation to certify the line to proper sewer standards and a detailed survey of the pipe post-construction found no defects.

This article was featured in the June 2020 edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, click here.

For more information visit the D.J. Mac Cormick website.

If you have news you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Journalist Sophie Venz at svenz@gs-press.com.au

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