Channeline showed an innovative approach on a complex case of aging infrastructure by using a fully customisable and modular lining solution.
Brisbane City Council faced a critical challenge when it discovered that a culvert beneath the bustling Brisbane Corso was nearing the end of its structural lifespan.
Channeline project planner Thomas Verweij said this project came with numerous challenges, such as a short time frame as well as environmental factors. In the end, Channeline’s bespoke solution proved to be a game changer.
“The implementation of the Channeline solution proved highly successful, restoring the culvert and minimising disruption to the community and environment,” he said.
“The achievement was so remarkable that Brisbane City Council is now considering this innovative solution for the rehabilitation of other deteriorated non-circular pipes and culverts throughout the region.
“By choosing a bespoke solution that minimised the environmental footprint, the project showcased the council’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure practices.”
To ensure the continued safe operation of the 13m inverted-arch culvert, a rehabilitation solution needed to be implemented within a tight timeframe of six months.
Interflow answered Brisbane City Council’s call for an innovative way to renew a failing box culvert located under a busy urban street.
The aging culvert, located near the Brisbane River, presented several constraints that made traditional cast in-situ concrete lining impractical.
Opening to the Brisbane River, the culvert was exposed to the rising tides.
At first, a cast in-situ concrete lining seemed the obvious choice for rehabilitating a culvert of this size and condition, which would have been a costly exercise with a large construction and environmental footprint.
But after careful consideration, the tidal constraints posed by the Brisbane River and the construction footprint required to overcome them ruled this option out.
Brisbane City Council now needed an innovative new solution to the problem posed by their deteriorating asset.
Adding to the constraints, it was crucial that works have as little impact on the local community as possible, ruling out any solution that relied on road closures or traffic diversions.
An innovative solution was needed to extend the life of this aging city asset while minimising the impact on the lives of the commuters and locals above.
The local Interflow team searched far and wide for the best solution to Brisbane City Council’s problem.
The answer was Channeline, a fully customisable and modular system that could be installed quickly during low tides.
The segments were engineered to match the unique geometry of the culvert and be strong enough to take the load without relying on the existing concrete structure.
Fabricated in 1.2m lengths for easy handling, the pipe segments were then winched in place and sealed to form a complete, structurally-sound tunnel.
These segments were then sealed, and the voids around them were filled with grout. This method allowed for efficient rehabilitation while ensuring structural integrity.
Channeline allowed renewal works to go ahead without the need for invasive preparations and disruption to the community.
By listening to its customer’s needs, Interflow and Channeline found a solution that minimised cost and community impact while securing the future of an aging asset.
This innovative lining system offered the advantages of quick installation, enhanced safety measures, and minimal community impact.
“By leveraging Channeline, the project team could work around tidal movements, eliminating the need for a costly and invasive cofferdam,” Verweij said.
This article featured in the August edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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