The SA-NT Chapter of the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) and the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) are pleased to announce the 2019 Seminar titled “Tunnelling under Adelaide”, which is to be held on Monday 28th October 2019.

The Seminar forms part of the continuing program of technical events organised by the SA-NT Chapter of the AGS and aims to provide the engineering profession with a comprehensive introduction to the geotechnical aspects of tunnelling in soil in urban areas, including best practice techniques and recent developments.

The South Australian Government is currently considering the viability of tunnelling options for the two remaining sections of the strategic North-South Corridor between River Torrens to Anzac Highway and Anzac Highway to Darlington and plans to submit a business case that includes tunnel options to Infrastructure Australia for review. Design and construction of the remaining sections will be the biggest single infrastructure project in South Australia’s history.

The seminar will bring together professional engineers, researchers, specialist contractors, regulators, educators and students to share and discuss their experiences on the topic of the geotechnical aspects of the design and construction of TBM tunnels and their associated challenges and opportunities.

This seminar will present overviews of current design practice, state of-the-art practices, novel technologies and innovative solutions, and case studies demonstrating applications of advanced techniques and cost-effective solutions in the design and construction of TBM tunnels in clay, with a focus on the geotechnical challenges associated with the completion of the North-South Corridor between the River Torrens and Darlington.

The seminar will cover the following topics:

Planning and Investigation

• Contract models
• Risk management and Health & Safety
• Ground investigation strategy and techniques
• Tunnel alignment design
• Ground hazards
• 3-D geotechnical models and digital engineering
• Geotechnical Baseline Reports

Geotechnical Design

• Segmental and shotcrete lining design
• Tunnel induced ground movements and their impacts on existing infrastructure
• Instrumentation and monitoring
• Ground treatment

Excavation and Construction Methods

• TBM selection and performance
• Cross passage design and construction
• Shaft sinking
• Crossover structures
• TBM launch and reception pits
• Groundwater control
• The role of tunnel engineers during construction and the use of the observational method