Northern Sewerage Stages 1 and 2
Summary
The Northern Sewerage Project, consisting of Stages 1 and 2, involved the construction of 12.5 kilometers (8 mi) of new sewer in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. The project increases the capacity of the existing sewerage system for Melbourne and in doing so helps to protect local creeks by virtually eliminating sewage spills that can occur after heavy rain. The two-stage project was developed jointly by Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water.
- 12.5 kilometers (8 mi) of new sewer
- Stage 1: 8 kilometers (5 mi) tunnel
- Stage 2: 4.5-kilometer (3 mi) tunnel
Scope of Work
Working with Sinclair Knight Merz, Delve Underground led the tunnel and shaft design on both stages of the project and provided engineering services during construction through completion of the project.
Stage 1 consisted of 8 kilometers (5 mi) of gravity sewer pipeline installed in a tunnel, five major work shafts, and several smaller connection manholes and pipelines. Tunnel and shaft depths varied from 15 to 60 meters (50 to 200 ft), and the pipeline’s internal diameter ranged from 1.6 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 ft) to suit hydraulic requirements. Most of the tunneling encountered weak, interbedded siltstone and sandstone. Excavation was carried out by multiple earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines (TBMs). Initial tunnel support consisted of precast segmental lining.
Stage 2 consisted of a 4.5‑kilometer-long (3 mi) tunnel with an internal diameter of 1.8 meters (6 ft) at depths ranging from 8 to 35 meters (25 to 115 ft). Excavation was mostly through basalt with a hard rock TBM. Shaft depths ranged from about 20 to 40 meters (65 to 130 ft), with the main shaft measuring 8.3 meters (27 ft) across.
Challenges & Innovations
To meet a 100-year design life and address the potential for hydrogen-sulfide-related concrete corrosion, the carrier pipeline for both stages consisted of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) pipe. In addition, FRP was used to line critical components of the main shafts and connection manholes.
The owners chose a unique procurement method for the Northern Sewerage project: a form of design-build that shares risks and rewards amongst the project partners based on their ability to control thework. Delve collaborated closely with the project owners, the rest of the engineering team, and the contractor from the procurement phase through design development and into construction.
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Project Management Achievement Award 2012, Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), Victoria Chapter