Eastern Creek

PROJECT OVERVIEW.

Springfield Civil awarded Pezzimenti Tunnelbore of two microtunnels totalling 305m. The 214m long bore, which crossed beneath lanes of the M7 highway was successfully undertaken in 8 days. Once completed, the jacking frame was turned around in the shaft and the 91m bore towards the connection was completed.

Eastern Creek Pezzimenti Microtunnelling Pipe in a Pipe Method

Eastern Creek Mpezzimenti Microtunnelling Length Diamter Ground and Pipes

Primary Risk pipejacking beneath a major highway

The primary risk when microtunnelling beneath a major highway, while using the pipejacking method is the chance of getting the microtunnelling head stuck. However, in this project the ground condition was damp shale which gave Pezzimenti great confidence getting though – Shale being a consistent ground material.

Pezzimenti only add water

The bore had to be undertaken wet to allow the drill mud to come back through the vacuum because of there was a dampness in the shale. This meant all drill mud had to be taken off site and disposed at a registered tip. As Pezzimenti only add water to the drilling process (no chemicals or bentonite), this was not a problem. Usually, this drill mud can be dried out on site and reused there when mixed with dry spoil, however, on this project, there was no room left in the work corridor to allow this.

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnel beneath M7 Site Setup

+ Site Setup next to highway

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnel beneath M7 into development

+ The highway and development seen in the background

pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnelling Site Layout from Above

+ Aerial view of the (left to right) powerpack, spoil bin, gantry truck and pipe stockpile.

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunneling Site Setup Gantry Shaft and Water Bin

+ The gantry truck cranes pipes and rods into the shaft. Vacuum tubes running out of the shaft to the water bin captured the damp shale for removal.

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnelling Lowering Rod into Shaft

+ Drill Rod is prepped inside the gantry truck

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnelling Gantry and Shaft

+ Drill rod is lowered into the shaft

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunneling Operator

+ Drill rod is loaded onto the jacking frame and Paul the operator lays in the water hose and power cable

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnelling Operator

+ The operator controls and the yellow laser can be seen in this image.

Pezzimenti Tunnelbore Microtunnelling Equipment Layout Vacuum Unit Water Bins and Gantry Truck

+ A full spoil bin is loaded to the hook truck to be transported to the tip. As Pezzimenti Tunnelbore add no chemicals to the bore this was not a problem.

MICROTUNNEL 1.