Adelaide Desalination Project – Tunnelling Review

The Adelaide Desalination Project is the most recent major tunnelling project that was constructed in the Adelaide region. The 1.8 billion AUD project was completed in 2011 and has capacity to provide up to 100 GL per year of drinking water for the Adelaide metropolitan area. The major tunnelling components of the project include two subsea TBM tunnels, a cavern containing the intake pumping equipment, associated shafts and marine works. This paper describes relevant design and construction aspects associated with the tunnelling works, including geotechnical conditions, TBM description, precast segmental lining design, marine works and the tunnel to riser cross connections, which required pre-excavation ground treatment measures by pressure grouting.