Concrete Works

A variety of concrete work has been undertaken either as a separate project or in conjunction with water main projects.  Concrete works include:

  • Perth to Kalgoorlie Pipeline concrete support structures refurbishment

    • Replacement of Overheads support: large concrete pipeline support structures (complete with metal strapping on top of the pipe to secure the pipe)

    • Bolster pipe supports: hundreds of new concrete pipe supports (without strapping)

  • Both types of supports have been installed to ensure the future reliability of the pipeline

  • Large valve pits and scour valve pits

  • Concrete slabs for large tanks.

  • Thrust blocks, which anchor the pipelines in place to prevent movement along the pipe course.

Trenching

Vermeer trenching machines are used for the majority of the mainline installations as they have the ability to excavate a trench 2 meters deep by 750 mm wide in a single pass.  The spoil from the Vermeer (in the majority of cases) is suitable for direct backfilling (unlike the spoil created by traditional excavator machines).  The Vermeer trenching machines are also faster and safer than an excavator and can cut an accurate trench profile in hard rock, clay or sand.

A metal skid bucket is dragged along behind the trencher which leaves a 100mm bedding of level sand in which the pipeline can be directly installed.

Digga Civil also has 3 x Ditch Witch trenching machines that are used for small mainline applications or off takes from the mainline.  Backfilling is usually undertaken by machines such as loaders or bobcats as they offer a very precise and accurate method of backfilling to ensure the correct placement of the pipe in the trench.   

The video shows the re-usable spoil created by the Vermeer trenching machine as well as the precise depth and profile of the trench.

Operated via remote control enables the operator to not be exposed to the noise and dust from the operation of the trencher.

 

 

Conduit and Fibre Optic Installation

Digga Civil has also undertaken a variety of electrical / communications and fibre optic installations across WA.  These involve the trenching and then either direct burial of the cable or the installation of a conduit for the communication cable to be pulled through.   Conduits and communications cables have also been installed in the same trench as water main pipework. 

The trenching machines used enable cables and conduits to be installed in the most demanding environments. One project for the NOVA nickel mine involved the successful installation of 8 kms of fibre optic cable through some very challenging terrain.  The video above shows the accuracy of the Vermeer trenching machine in regards to trench depth and width.