TCD were engaged by Q H & M Birt for the installation of a corrugated steel tunnel to support a new heavy vehicle hail road creek crossing as part of the Eastern Leases mine expansion works on Groote Eylandt, in the Northern Territory, for the Principal GEMCO / South32.
The tunnel was a 71m long, 16m wide and 5.5m high structure with a second layer of external ribs required to give it additional strength.
The tunnel consisted of over 1,000no. individual plate segments weighing up to 300kgs each and held together with approximately 20,000 bolts.
The assembly had to follow the stringent manufacturers recommendations in terms of both sequencing and bolt torque requirements to ensure both stability during construction and that it meets its design load requirements.
Construction was carried out at the start of the Northern Territory wet season in extremely hot, humid conditions punctuated by frequent storm events which would result in the creek flowing and restricted access for our cranes and EWP’s.
