20 | February | 2013 | Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Update from Brisbane

20/02/2013 roselliott 6 comments

G’day all,

Just dropping a line to update on progress in Brisbane – not sure I can compete with invitations to teh Shard or pictures of enormous plant moving stuff…but I have been involved with a number of projects both online and offline.

1- Design of a portal frame structure has been an interesting experience…supposed to be a small task which ahs now groen arms and legs. Wind loadings aaaaghhhh blooming frustrating but fortunately not dissimilar to our PEW teachings or our own code. Definitely not the most fun job in the world but it seems to be progressing well. Next job – sizing columns!

2- Enoggera Army barracks…ironically working with 2CER (combat engineer regiment) on their new barracks facilities, checking the design, andwering RFI’s, following variations and generally watching JHG mess up the construction. Its been good working with the contractor first so as to have some knowledge about what is likely to be asked for next…it seems we have a lot of power!

3- Design of bridges – I’ve been looking at some pile design, and redesign because the original designs didn’t take into a water pipe and various vibration issues…so it’s nice to get into some geotech as well as grillage analysis on the bridges.

4 – Offline I have been ‘doing a bit on the side’…. 😉 I’ve been assisting a friend on an enormous wharf job where a 300t silo has to be transferred from a heavy lift ship onto a barge in the harbour…the lashings, vehicle specs, additional stiffeners on the barge deck, connections and logistics are complex….it may warrant an appearance on Megalifts!!!

Once it’s on the barge, a vehicle drives under it, jacks it up on hydraulics and drives off…on a specially designed ramp. I’ll be popping to Gladstone in May on some leave to see the operation….

Attached are some screenshots – the first is an example of one of the vehicles used- these can be joined up like trains as they’re modular…our one will have 200 wheels!! I love it that the wheels can go in different directions.