The 2019 edition of the David Sugden Award winner is Senthilnath G.T. Senthilnath’s paper Design & Construction of Pedestrian Access Tunnels below an Existing Operational Metro Tunnels & Station was sighted by the judges as an outstanding paper. Congratulations Senthilnath!
The ATS will again be hosting a David Sugden tour in 2020 showcasing the top papers of the 2019 edition. Keep an eye on the events page for details as they become available.
David Sugden Award
In 2004 the Australian Tunnelling Society started the David Sugden Award to encourage young engineers to develop the art of technical writing.
David Sugden was the driving force behind the successful design of mechanical full-face rock excavation machinery over a number of years, resulting in the forging of countless tunnels across the world. David continually showed a commitment to innovation and design throughout his career, often custom making machinery to solve problems that arose and for which no existing devices were available or appropriate. As a result of this attitude, David is listed as the inventor on over 40 patents.
Beginning his career in 1938 as a Cadet Engineer with the Public Works Dept of WA he continued with a number of appointments at the Hydro-Electric Commission of Tasmania. Whilst at the HEC, David was instrumental in introducing the Commission and subsequently Australia to Machine tunnelling. In 1967, David began a long and internationally recognised consultancy career that continues to this day. Notably he had significant involvement with both the Robbins Company of Seattle, USA and Terratec Asia Pacific.
