NCIG Case Study
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group is a conglomerate of coal mining companies building the third coal loader at Kooragang Island, Newcastle (www.ncig.com.au). The first stage development will allow 30Mtpa, increasing over the years to 90Mtpa.
As part of the ongoing requirement to employ cost effective and efficient processes, ITL was contacted to investigate alternative onsite liner and barrier protection systems for drainage and related structures.
The site is enclosed with all water and waste being captured, treated and reused. As an alternative to an open concrete drain, PMC Liner System was evaluated and selected for the 600x4m nonstructural drainage section leading to a series of settlement ponds. While not intended, the section will have and survive the small number of light vehicles traversing the open drain.
St Hillers Infrastructure (SHI), ITL’s construction partner was contracted by NCIG to install the PMC Liner System. PMC Liner was placed over compacted V drain subgrade, anchored either side with installation completed in three days. This provided significant saving in materials and installation time for NCIG.
Shortly after the work was completed there was a significant rain event in the Newcastle area. The increased flows between settlement ponds caused washouts. SHI was asked to return and apply the PMC Liner System to the four reconstructed spillways. The PMC Liner System was laid and joined to the existing GCL base of the settlement ponds. When the PMC Liner was completed, 200mm rock beaching was placed on the PMC Liner, either side of the spillway to prevent crossing traffic.
The PMC Liner allowed NCIG to line the drainage system and cover the spillways with material characteristics similar to concrete and shotcrete yet with considerable savings with no compromise to performance. PMC Liner will be used to complete the final spillway in the third Quarter 2010.
Date: May 2010
Infrastructure Technologies Limited.
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