AEH.. “INFO ONLY”…
Hello folks, just a short, sharp snip it of some interesting bits going on in the design office here in Sydney’ M4 East motorway project. Clearly, those two terms are rarely linked but today I think they make the cut.
“Info Only” – Interesting proposal by AEH (AECom & Hyder JV)…Clear lack of comms…
Attached below are two images. 1. Plan of mainline tunnel with surface loads indicated. 2. A screen shot showing the proposed AEH foundation design within a section of mainline tunnel I was analysing for crown loads and canopy tube design. The confliction with our 4m rock bolts emanating out from the tunnel lining is not show.
AEH released their package today for various permanent M&E structures to be installed above the tunnel. I’m in the process of assessing the shotcrete lining thickness and elephant foot dimensions based upon surface loads, overburden, relaxation, ground water etc… The original idea was to install a raft foundation which we were more than happy with (10.5m above). The fact that they now wish to terminate their piles 2m above the crown of the Westbound mainline tunnel is one thing… the fact that they only put Macmillen Jacob Associates (MJA) down as “INFO ONLY” on the cross discipline review form is another! Unbelievable…
Presumed next step..Cost analysis to compare the additional excavation + lining thickness + time+programming required to support new proposal vs an reconsidered AEH foundation design. Interesting stuff but clearly not my main priority at the min…
Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog 
Thanks Dan,
Piles in close proximity to tunnels beneath seems to be a bit of a theme – Jonny Linares might have some sympathy given the Battersea proposal to bore straight through the piles supporting the Dogs and Cats home!