Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring Preload Performance – Stage 3 Expansion Kooragang Coal Terminal, Newcastle, Australia

Ground improvement to reduce post-construction settlements by way of staged preloading was undertaken prior to construction of the 1.4 km long coal pad and reclaimer berm at the Kooragang Coal Terminal. Geotechnical instrumentation including settlement monitoring plates, vibrating wire piezometers, inclinometers, earth pressure cells and a deep extensometer were utilised to monitor preload performance which was critical to the staging of construction works. Geotechnical monitoring was successfully utilised in difficult ground conditions to minimise potential delays to construction.