Refinement of the Conceptual Ground Model for Melbourne Metro

Anthony Bennett, Stephen Barrett and Darren Paul

Members and visitors are invited to a presentation on the ongoing refinement of the conceptual ground model for the proposed Melbourne Metro rail tunnels.

Anthony Bennett, from the Public Transport Victoria’s Technical Adviser team, will set the context of the project, outlining the proposed new rail link beneath North Melbourne, the CBD, and St Kilda Road to South Yarra.

Stephen Barrett and Darren Paul, representing the project’s Geotechnical Adviser, will describe the consolidation of the existing geotechnical information which has been undertaken and the subsequent rounds of geotechnical investigation completed to start to fill in the existing data gaps and provide further understanding of areas of known geological complexity. These initial studies have provided further insight into the geology of the South Kensington, Moonee Ponds Creek and Yarra River sections of the alignment. All of these areas include ground conditions that have been created by Melbourne’s complex geological history, and need to be understood for the success of construction.

Anthony Bennett is an Associate of Aurecon with over 25 years’ experience in the design of tunnels. Stephen Barrett is a Principal of Golder Associates who specialises in the areas of tunnelling and trenchless technology. Darren Paul is an Associate of Golder Associates who was awarded IAEG’s Richard Wolters Prize in 2010 for his research work on the development of ground models.

Engineers Australia members participating in AGS technical sessions can record attendance on their personal CPD logs. Members should refer to Engineers Australia CPD policy for details on CPD types, requirements and auditing guidelines.