Analysis of Challenges and Solutions for Melbourne Tunneling Projects

This report examines the multifaceted challenges associated with tunneling projects, particularly focusing on the context of Melbourne, Australia. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate traffic control, compromised safety measures, and difficulties in material removal. The report reviews various tunneling techniques, including cut and cover, bored tunnel, and the use of tunnel boring machines, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages. The research delves into specific projects like the Melbourne Metro Rail Project and the West Gate Tunnel project, analyzing the methods employed and their impact. The report proposes solutions such as advanced support mechanisms, improved traffic management, and the implementation of acoustic sheds to minimize disruptions to businesses and residents. The expected outcomes include enhanced safety, minimal business interruptions, and improved road and pedestrian management. The report also includes a literature review and references to support its findings, aiming to contribute to best practices in tunneling to ensure safety and minimize disruptions.

Abstract
Tunneling is an important activity which has been done since time in memorial. Adverse effects
due to the construction techniques have led to critics of the tunnels construction. This study will
help to come up with the best practices to ensure that different challenges are well handled. Lack
of proper traffic control and poor safety measures are some of key challenges associated with the
tunneling activities. In addition, proper measures to move out the materials from the tunnel
sections is another challenge which is experienced with tunneling. Use of advanced support
mechanisms such as propping and traffic management are some to measures which can address
these challenges1. In addition, proper techniques can also ensure that the welfare of the
stakeholders. The study is meant to ensure safety is enhanced while construction is underway. In
addition, minimal disruption of business is expected at this location.Literature review
Tunneling has been practices since long time ago. During the tunneling exercise, different
techniques have been employed to complete the activity. The evolvement of these techniques
keep on advancing owing to the negative impacts the exercise poses to the people and the
environment. Techniques such as cut and cover method, bored tunnel method, clay kicking
method, shaft method, pipe jacking method, box jacking method and underwater tunnels have
always been used for the exercise2. The method and technique employed is depended on different
variables such as the purpose of the tunnel, dimensions of the tunnel, soil conditions of the
surrounding area, the impact of the exercise and eve the location among other factors.
One of the major tunneling project in Melbourne is the construction of the Melbourne Metro Rail
Project which involves the construction of twin 9-kilometre rail tunnels between South
Kensington station and South Yarra3. Between these two regions there are five new underground
1 Dimitrios Kolymbas. Tunnelling and Tunnel Mechanics: A Rational Approach to Tunnelling.
(Berlin: Springer, 2015)
2 Matthew, Burke. "Problems and Prospects for Public Transport Planning in Australian Cities".
Built Environment. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1 March 2016), 42 (1).
3 British Tunnelling Society, and Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain). Monitoring
Underground Construction: A Best Practice Guide. (London: ICE, 2011),
<http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=3306938>.

stations which involves tunneling as well. The tunneling will improve the connectivity between
the different locations such as the Pekenham and Cranbourne and also to Sunbury line. Another
important tunnel project in the region is the West Gate Tunnel project4. This project involves the
construction of a Twin tunnel between West Gate Freeway and the River Maribyrnong. Some of
the key techniques being employed in the tunneling projects within Melbourne include the use of
shafts to excavate deep excavations where there are buildings on top, use of trinocular
excavation, cut and cover method, use of tunnel boring machines and use of acoustic sheds.
The disruption to businesses and adverse environmental impacts are some of the major demerits
which exist due to the available measures5. In addition, safety concern and the risk of collapsing
of the tunnel underground is another major disadvantage which exist due to the use of some of
these methods6. Another demerit which is being experienced is the ideal measure of the removal
of the excavated material from the tunnel to the open surface.
Research Questions
One of the major research question is which methods can be used to address the road traffic
impacts. In addition, how are these methods able to handle the safety within the regions and
4 Paul, Mees. Planning for major rail projects: The Melbourne Metro and Regional Rail Link.
33rd Australasian Transport Research Forum Conference. (Canberra, 2010)
5 Christine M. Johnson,; L. Thomas Edward. "A Case Study Boston Central Artery/Tunnel
Integrated Project Control System, Responding to incidents Rapidly and Effectively" (PDF).
(Metropolitan Transportation Management Center: 12, October 2014).
6 Ferguson, John; Mitchell, Geraldine. "Traffic on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge slows under
heavy load". (Herald Sun, 18 February 2012)

ensure minimum disruptions are experienced. How are these measures able to reduce the
disruption to the residents, businesses and public event.
Significance (Rational)
The different constructions which are being employed to ensure safety and disruptions are
minimal. Access shafts of up to 11 storey deep have been employed at Swanston Street at City
Square and behind Young and Jackson Hotel to reduce the disruptions and enhance safety
measures. Reduced surface disruptions has been reported when such measures and techniques
are used and this enhances the safety.
Connection to the current body of knowledge
The excavations within CBD are critical and requires advanced measures for safety reasons. Use
of access shafts is one of the advanced technique on tunneling. This has been able to ensure that
minimum disruption of the soils is experienced and therefore enhancing the safety measures. I
am to analyze the situation and ensure that the safety of the tunnel7. I am also proposing use of
proper propping is required on the sections to ensure that settlement does not occur. This will
ensure that the soils at the depths are well protected against any collapse.
The cut and cover method is one of the common tunneling method and widely used. This method
involved the use of excavation equipment to dig a large trench hole in the ground. The hole is
then covered with concrete for the deck. The concrete structures are used as the support
structures of other major works8. I propose proper measures for traffic control to ensure that
7 Mees, Paul. Does Melbourne need another central city rail tunnel? (PDF). (Melbourne: RMIT
University, July 2011).
8 Iain Ellis, Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia (3rd Revised ed.). (.comLulu,
2015).

interruptions are minimum to ensure that the removal and disposal of materials are done is a
correct way9. This will ensure that the tunnel activity and movement of the materials off the
tunnel are supporting the continuity of construction activities within the tunnel regions.
Businesses are a great part of the region and construction should not hinder the economic
activities. The continuity of activities within the region is important and the tunneling methods
should support that. The use of acoustic shed is able to ensure that during the construction the
noise, light and dust effects are well minimized to ensure businesses and people movement are
enhanced10. I aim to ensure that the activities are well promoted and use of different shed will be
employed. Enhanced view of the site is important and I am to ensure that the sheds are able to
promote the construction activities.
Expected outcomes
The safety measures are expected to increase due to the use of proper practices in the tunneling
activities. This is an important exercise which will ensure the welfare of workers, and other
stakeholder are observed. In addition, it is also expected that the interruption of the businesses
will be minimal during the construction period. Lastly, the road and pedestrian management is
expected to increase due to proper tunneling practices.
9 Harry Sutcliffe. "Tunnel Boring Machines". In Bickel, John O.; Kuesel, Thomas R.; King,
Elwyn H. (eds.). Tunnel Engineering Handbook (2nd ed.). (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2016)
10 Metrolinx & Hatch Ltd. Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Twin Tunnels (ESC TT): Tunelling
Construction Noise and Vibration Impact Study. (Berlin: Springer, 2016)

Bibliography
British Tunnelling Society, and Institution of Civil Engineers (Great Britain). Monitoring
Underground Construction: A Best Practice Guide. (London: ICE, 2011),
<http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=3306938>.
Burke, Matthew. "Problems and Prospects for Public Transport Planning in Australian Cities".
Built Environment. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1 March 2016), 42 (1): 37–54.
Ellis, Iain. Ellis' British Railway Engineering Encyclopaedia (3rd Revised ed.). (comLulu,
2015).
Ferguson, John and Mitchell, Geraldine. "Traffic on Melbourne's West Gate Bridge slows under
heavy load". (Herald Sun, 18 February 2012)

Johnson, Christine M.; Edward L. Thomas. "A Case Study Boston Central Artery/Tunnel
Integrated Project Control System, Responding to incidents Rapidly and Effectively" (PDF).
(Metropolitan Transportation Management Center: 12, October 2014).
Kolymbas, Dimitrios. Tunnelling and Tunnel Mechanics: A Rational Approach to Tunnelling.
(Berlin: Springer, 2015).
Mees, Paul. Does Melbourne need another central city rail tunnel? (PDF). (Melbourne: RMIT
University, July 2011), p. 15.
Mees, Paul. Planning for major rail projects: The Melbourne Metro and Regional Rail Link.
33rd Australasian Transport Research Forum Conference. (Canberra, 2010), p. 4.
Metrolinx & Hatch Ltd. Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown Twin Tunnels (ESC TT): Tunelling
Construction Noise and Vibration Impact Study. (Berlin: Springer, 2016).
Sutcliffe, Harry. "Tunnel Boring Machines". In Bickel, John O.; Kuesel, Thomas R.; King,
Elwyn H. (eds.). Tunnel Engineering Handbook (2nd ed.). (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2016),
p. 210.