MEL Dive Structures

TNE Civil was selected by the Tonkin Gap Alliance (comprising BMD, Georgiou, and WA Limestone) through a competitive bidding process to undertake the critical FRP construction for both the Southern and Northern dive structures on the Morley Ellenbrook Line.

 

TNE Civil assumed full responsibility for project management, supervision, and labour. These works encompassed formwork, steel fixing, as well as the meticulous placement and finishing of over 20,000m3 of concrete. In response to a request to accelerate the Northern dive works, TNE Civil showcased remarkable adaptability and efficiency by promptly augmenting resources and refining the construction methodology. This enabled the consistent acceleration of progress throughout the latter half of the project, ultimately ensuring timely and successful completion.

 

Key challenges:

 

• Navigating Top-Down Construction Dynamics: TNE Civil expertly managed the complex interplay between our team and the earthworks crew, given the top-down construction methodology employed. By maintaining clear communication channels and diligently coordinating tasks, we ensured streamlined production and established safe access and delineation between various work groups.

• Formwork Ingenuity for Single Sided Liner Wall: The single sided liner wall formwork posed a significant challenge, as conventional tie rods could not be employed due to a waterproofing membrane behind the wall. Our adept engineering and supervision team rose to the occasion, skillfully implementing PERI's single-sided formwork system and successfully achieving pours exceeding 7 meters in height.

• Concrete Placement in Restricted Spaces: Placing concrete for the single-sided liner walls beneath the Southern dive's bridge deck proved demanding, given the limited 7-meter vertical clearance for a 6-meter tall wall. TNE Civil's resourceful engineering team employed a specialized Z-fold pump and conducted a thorough spatial analysis to simulate pours and determine the optimal pump placement and pouring sequence.

• Ensuring Structural Durability with Epoxy Grout Injection: In collaboration with Fosroc, TNE Civil executed epoxy grout injection on the construction joint atop the liner wall to guarantee the structure's long-term durability. Our team meticulously conducted several trials using different products and fine-tuned the methodology to meet project durability standards.

 

These challenges, met head-on with determination and TNE Civil's exceptional construction engineering expertise, highlight our ability to deliver remarkable results even in the face of complex construction scenarios. The collaboration with TGA underscores TNE Civil’s capacity to seamlessly integrate with prominent industry partners and deliver outstanding results even under demanding circumstances, further cementing our reputation as a trusted and reliable partner in the civil construction landscape.