Overview
The Australian Tunnelling Society and Institution of Civil Engineers invite you to an evening of knowledge sharing, Q&A, and networking.

Synopsis
The talk will briefly describe the successful soft ground tunnelling project and lessons learnt, including strategies used to manage geotechnical risk, ground conditions, TBM tunnelling and cross passage construction.

Some of the more notable incidents during tunnelling will be described including a major flooding and ground loss incident at a cross passage-tunnel connection requiring remediation and repair of 25m of damaged tunnel by hydro demolition and SGI lining, TBM screw failures underground and severe clogging in tertiary siltstone/sandstone materials. Slurry circuit challenges, ground movement and infrastructure protection including tunneling under Perth Airport runways, taxiways, aprons and jet fuel lines will also be described.

The $1.86 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link was jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian governments. The project was delivered by lead contractor Salini Impregilo-NRW Joint Venture on behalf of the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.

Timeline
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Networking and refreshments
6.00pm – 7.00pm: Presentation
7.00pm – 8.00pm Networking and refreshments

Details
Hybrid webinar and in person event

Speaker

Eric Hudson-Smith, BE (Hons), ME, Geotechnical and Tunnelling Manager, PTA

Eric Hudson-Smith has a Master’s degree in engineering and over 40 years’ experience on a wide range of projects in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Mongolia and Iran. He has worked on soft ground tunnelling projects for both Owners and Contractors at various stages of feasibility, tender document reparation, tendering, design, construction, claims, litigations and operating tunnel maintenance (investigation and repair of damaged tunnels and underground structures) in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. Projects have included bored and cut and cover tunnels, microtunnels, pipe jacks and HDD projects, cross passages and deep shafts for road, rail, sewerage, materials handling, power and water supply schemes. He was Chair of the WA Chapter and Deputy National Chair, Australian Tunnelling Society, 2004-2015 and has been an active committee member since.

Huge thanks to Austunnel for sponsoring this event.