Civil engineering stories
Severe drought is accelerating demand for leak detection and pipe refurbishment as Australia tries to protect water supplies across vital networks.
Auckland commuters are closer to a faster rail link as backfilling begins above a 3.45km tunnel set to ease city-centre travel.
Road freight operators say the new works will ease bottlenecks, but they want four-lane routes to match future traffic growth.
Around 110 rail services a week rely on the 315m South Rangitikei Viaduct, which has won a national concrete award for durability.
The £620 million Darlington Upgrade Project is testing coatings and construction methods meant to protect Adelaide’s new motorway for decades.
Craigieburn motorists could soon drive on a 300-metre test road made from 200,000 plastic bags and 63,000 glass bottles.
Public backing could help New Zealand's Kaikoura rebuild beat nine global finalists in a civil engineering award vote.
Their software use has put six Australian infrastructure projects among 57 global finalists in Bentley Systems’ Year in Infrastructure 2018 Awards.
Corrosion damage costs industry and governments billions each year, making the Adelaide gathering a key forum for prevention and repair.
Durable materials and careful route planning are becoming central to 100-year tunnel designs as cities push more infrastructure underground.
Fifty seven projects from 340 user organisations worldwide have made Bentley’s annual awards shortlist, with winners due to be named in London in October.
The upgrade will boost water treatment capacity for about 250,000 Aucklanders after winning Civil Contractors New Zealand’s top national award.
Civil firms fear a USD $2 billion lull in work could push skills and equipment overseas before rapid transit projects begin.
After nearly eight years of delays and cost overruns, the 55-kilometre crossing will cut travel times by 60 per cent for millions.
Neighbouring buildings and utilities can be left at risk when retaining walls fail, making rapid drainage and stabilisation critical on site.
Scientists say the graphene mix could cut concrete emissions by 446 kilograms per tonne while boosting strength and water resistance.
Savings are already mounting for Matamata contractor Stephen McPherson, whose new Komatsu iMC machines let his crew trim sites faster and more accurately.
Urban water and sewer repairs can now be done with less digging and lower disruption as Australian-made epoxy relining gains ground across Asia-Pacific.
Higher fuel taxes could raise freight costs, with road carriers warning households will pay more unless extra revenue funds roads.
Palmerston North’s wastewater upgrade review is set to gain experienced oversight, with Dr David Warburton appointed to chair the steering group.
