Overview

Please join us for the first in the new season of ICE technical presentations at Arup’s office in Melbourne and online. This fascinating talk, presented in collaboration between the ICE and the Australian Tunnel Society (ATS), will explore the ground challenges on the Metro Tunnel Project. The event will also be live streamed, which provides a great opportunity for ATS members beyond Victoria to attend, or for locals who cannot make it along in person.

Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project is the first major metropolitan rail infrastructure project in over four decades. The project consists of 9-km twin rail tunnels and 5 new stations connecting South Kensington and South Yarra underneath Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD). This event will be presented by Ruby Chan of Bouygues Construction Australia and Elena Gavazzi of Arup.

The project has faced many challenges due to its complexity across various aspects such as engineering, architecture, and construction. This technical talk focuses initially on the ground challenges faced during design and construction of the Cross Passages and Caverns and specifically, how we, as engineers, have tackled those challenges and positively contributed to the timely delivery the Project. The final part of the evening gives an overview of the methodology used in the design of the permanent lining for the 30m wide station caverns which are in construction under the hustle and bustle of the Melbourne CBD.

Schedule

The running order of the event will be:

• 17.30 – 18.00 registration and networking
• 18.00 – 19.00 Presentation and questions
• 19.00 – 20.00 Networking/close

Speakers

Chan Sin Ping, Ruby | Geotechnical Manager | Bouygues Construction Australia

Ruby is a geotechnical manager of Bouygues Construction Australia, a chartered Engineer, a chartered Geologist and a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, starting from Hong Kong and now in Australia with approx. 15 years’ experience in infrastructure construction industry, focusing on tunnelling and foundations.

Ruby is the former Geotechnical Manager (East & West Precincts) of CYP at Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel Project responsible for ground risks identification and management. She managed technical aspects of cross passages ground improvement works from surface and in tunnels which are critical for safe tunnelling and timely delivery of the project.

Elena Gavazzi | Associate Principal | Arup

Elena is an Associate Principal and Group Leader within the Arup Victorian practice as well as leading the Arup tunnelling team in this region. Elena is a Chartered Civil Engineer with 15 years professional experience in the Australian and UK engineering and construction industries. Throughout her career Elena has worked on several high-profile tunnelling projects including Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel project, High Speed 2 and Crossrail, covering roles from Design Lead to Delivery Director.

Elena has extensive experience in project delivery; during her career Elena has developed excellent technical and engineering knowledge, including critical interface and integration requirements for multi-disciplinary projects. Elena is a passionate leader and able to motivate team members to achieve key goals and objectives.