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of AUSTRALIA

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING
AUSTRALIA
APRIL/MAY 2018

V4.02

CONSTRUCTION
CIVIL WORKS
CIVIL ENGINEERING
PRINT POST APPROVED - 100001889
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contents APRIL/MAY 2018
Volume 4 Number 2

Published by: 2 Editorial

Editorial and Publishing
Consultants Pty Ltd
ABN 85 007 693 138
PO Box 510, Broadford
4 Industry News
Victoria 3658 Australia
Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476)
Int’l: +61 3 5784 3438 Fax: +61 3 5784 2210 10 Project Brief: Strammit RMH
www.epcgroup.com

Publisher and Managing Editor

Anthony T Schmidt
12 IT Focus 4
Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476)
Mobile: 0414 788 900
Email: ats@epcgroup.com 14 Cover Feature: City of Gold Coast
Deputy Editor
Rex Pannell 18 Aquatic Facilities
Mobile: 0433 300 106
Email: rex@epcgroup.com

National Advertising Sales Manager

22 Special Report: MACE Modular
Yuri Mamistvalov
Phone: 1300 EPCGROUP (1300 372 476) Construction
Mobile: 0419 339 865
Email: yuri@epcgroup.com
22
24 OH&S – Safety & Leadership
Advertising Sales - SA
Jodie Gaffney - AmAgo
Mobile: 0439 749 993
Email: jodie@amago.com.au 26 Equipment Spotlight
Advertising Sales - WA
Licia Salomone - OKeeffe Media 30 Special Report: Post Tensioning
Mobile: 0412 080 600
Email: licia@okm.com.au Concrete in Winter
Graphic Design
40
Annette Epifanidis
Mobile: 0416 087 412 32 Concrete Institute News
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This publication is published by Editorial and Publishing Consultants
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46 IPWEA NSW News
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52 ACA Corrosion Feature
independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before

52
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Copyright ©2017 - EPC Media Group

CIRCULATION 15105 About the Cover

Registered by Australia Post The XXI Commonwealth Games hosted on the Gold
Publication No. 100001889 Coast was the first large-scale multi-sport spectacle to
ISSN 2204-7247 be hosted in Australia for over a decade and the first
in a regional city. The City of Gold Coast embraced
transformative civic projects like never before, with
more than $13.5 billion in major infrastructure projects
changing the face of the city.

Turn to Page 14 for the full story.

 EDITORS COLUMN
Covering the Spread
Investing in infrastructure to meet the
needs of our expanding cities
Dear Readers,
While few would question the complexities
associated with urban planning and
development, it is also clear that in some
areas - particularly urban sprawl areas -
something appears to have gone badly
awry.
More specifically, it appears that
regardless of the much-touted focus on
‘building communities’, the provision of
appropriate supporting infrastructure, or
for that matter, ensuring the suitability and/
or capacity of existing infrastructure in the
vicinity of many new developments is still,
for many, a secondary consideration.
Not surprisingly, the consequences of
this inaction are felt by many around the
country on a daily basis. Indeed, the issue of
the lack of infrastructure across the greater
Melbourne metropolitan area is the focus of
the RACV’s recent ‘Growing Pains’ report.
While the majority of commercial and
residential developers highlight the array
of facilities and services within the new
residential estate or commercial area as
the number one selling point, it’s a sad fact
that in the majority of instances, it appears
that the focus on quality infrastructure
extends only as far as the boundaries of the
development precinct.
More often than not, there appears to
be little or no concern on behalf of those
involved about the impact that a sudden
2 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
increase in population (working and/or
residential) and, in particular, the associated
increase in traffic levels, will have on the
surrounding areas.
These issues are further compounded
by the fact that in recent years, many new
developments are now being marketed
as multifunction or 'mixed-use’ precincts,
where there is a particular focus on the
establishment of home offices and/or micro
businesses in with the residential dwellings
- thereby further increasing activity and
demand. In addition, when it comes to the
existing infrastructure - particularly roads
and drainage - in the outlying and in many
instances, until recently, semi-rural areas
that are often chosen as the location for
these developments is often well past its
use-by-date and is already being expected
to cope with demands that far exceed its
original design specification. With that
in mind, I believe that unless we urgently
address the problems associated with
the lack of appropriate infrastructure and
facilities in the areas around these new
estates and developments, we are seriously
running the risk of undoing much of the
excellent work that has been done in recent
years to improve the quality of life in our
cities - particularly in terms of our road
network. It’s simply not good enough to
place a set of traffic lights at the entry to a
new estate and consider it effective traffic
management.
Sadly, there are a number of major
new estates that haven’t even provided
traffic lights! And even if there are traffic
lights, they do nothing to overcome the
problems of traffic congestion that result
from the introduction of hundreds (if not
thousands) of additional vehicles onto an
already overstretched road network - a
road network which in many instances was
neither designed nor intended to carry such
high levels of traffic.
I believe that the only way to overcome
these issues is to take an holistic approach
to infrastructure development - one that
considers the wider footprint of these new
developments and takes into account the
true impact on the surrounding areas.
Needless to say, this process must then
also deliver appropriate funding for the
development and delivery of suitable
infrastructure in the areas surrounding new
estates. And this new and/or upgraded
infrastructure needs to be delivered and
fully-operational prior to the completion
of the new estate - lest we run the risk of
developing very expensive suburbs with
second-rate facilities and access.
Anthony T Schmidt
Managing Editor
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 INDUSTRY NEWS
MAKING AGEING ASBESTOS IN
BUILDINGS LESS DANGEROUS IN THE
SHORT TERM
Practices to make asbestos less
dangerous where it is not immediately
possible to remove it have been
examined by the Asbestos Safety and
Eradication Agency in a new report
that looks at current ways of containing
and stabilising asbestos, particularly in
roofing.
The Agency has examined current
products and practices used to contain
and stabilise asbestos in order to make it
safer to remain in place, or to help make
it safer while it’s being removed.
The study found support in the industry
for a government incentive towards
dealing with and managing asbestos.
In bonded form, building materials that
contain asbestos are relatively stable, but
they pose a risk to human health and the
environment as they age. Exposure to the
elements and disturbance increases the
likelihood of asbestos fibres becoming
airborne.
“As Australia grapples with the
legacy of in-situ asbestos in our built
environment, we need many solutions,”
ASEA CEO Peter Tighe said.
“A lot of asbestos has been removed
from Australian buildings, but there’s a
long way to go.
4 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
“In an ideal world, we would have all the
resources we need to remove asbestos
completely from all buildings. But in the
short term, methods like encapsulation are
vastly preferable to doing nothing.”
Asbestos roofing is a particular problem,
both in commercial and residential
buildings. Asbestos roofing is prevalent in
Australia, and its exposure to the elements
means it is more likely to deteriorate over
time than other uses of asbestos.
Encapsulation of asbestos on roofing is
essential and a simple and cost-effective
way to make deteriorating asbestos safer
whilst waiting for removal as the only
permanent solution. Encapsulation is the
process of covering a material containing
asbestos in a penetrative compound to
contain the fibres.
Under a National Strategic Plan for
Asbestos Management and Awareness,
the Agency has a focus on improving
stabilisation and containment practices
for asbestos containing materials in poor
condition.
The report is available for download
from: https://www.asbestossafety.
gov.au/research-publications/review-
asbestos-stabilisation-and-containment-
practices-final-report
A FASCINATING HISTORY
OF AN ICONIC BRIDGE
The Hawkesbury River Bridge is the single
largest asset in the care of Sydney Trains.
Situated in an obscure bend in the river, it is
out of public view, except when crossing it.
The current bridge was built alongside the
original bridge, side-by-side.
Both bridges were technically challenging
for their time, and required significant
ingenuity and engineering feats to move
the huge steel spans into place. Fortunately,
the construction of both bridges was well
photographed.
The history of these iconic bridges has now
been documented in Bill Phippen’s new book
The Hawkesbury River Railway Bridges.
Detailed, informative and with an array
of photos, it provides a fascinating and
comprehensive history of these remarkable
structures, and is an extremely worthwhile
read for historians, engineers and railfans
alike. (329 pages, $88).
The Hawkesbury River Railway Bridges
is available from the Australian Railway
Historical Society NSW Bookshop, Ph: (02)
9699 4595 or visit: www.arhsnsw.com.au
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Phippen OAM was born in Sydney in 1950. He graduated
in Civil Engineering from Sydney University in 1976.
Bill was elected to the Founding Board of TAD disability
services where he served continuously until 2017,
holding the position of President from 1996 until 2012.
TAD Disability Services is a charity which builds custom
equipment for people with disabilities.
On Australia Day 2013 Bill was awarded the Medal of the
Order of Australia for service to people with disability,
and to the community.
In 2010 he was named as New South Wales Senior
Volunteer of the Year and by the Sydney Morning Herald
as one of the 100 most influential people in Sydney.
In 2013 Engineers Australia named Bill as one of the 100
most influential engineers in Australia on the basis of
his work with TAD and invited him to be a Fellow of that
Institution.
Bill is a member of the Engineers Australia Sydney
Division Heritage Committee.
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 INDUSTRY NEWS

CORELOGIC MARKET MOVEMENT REPORT POINTS TO RISING

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY OVER THE YEAR
CoreLogic captured approximately 2,429 accounted for 47.4% of the value of “However, localised challenges
projects moving into construction across new civil engineering development to capital growth in housing, state
the December quarter. This outcome applications in 2017, as opposed to just government expenditure and the
delivered a result that was -7.8% lower than 24.9% in 2016.” feasibility of large-scale construction
the number of projects commencing in the According to the report analysis, projects will be big factors in determining
previous quarter. In addition, the value of new projects captured over 2017 which areas will realise higher levels of
construction projects commencing was indicated that future private sector construction.”
down 7.0% over the quarter, to $13.1 billion. civil engineering would largely be
According to CoreLogic commercial characterised by renewable energy.
research analyst Eliza Owen, the lower Renewable energy made up $19.4 billion,
number and value of projects in the or 10.6% of the value of all new projects
December quarter most likely reflects added to the pipeline in 2017.
seasonality, with fewer commencements There were 5,274 new project
occurring around December. applications captured in the December
However, she said that the value of quarter, with a combined construction
commenced construction was up 40% value of $43.9 billion. Over the year, there
over the 2017 calendar year. Even as were 23,559 new projects captured at a
the number of commencements in combined construction value of $182 billion.
2017 (10,433) remains below the 5-year This was up from $165 billion in the year to
average (12,439), the average value of December 2016 and indicates continued
projects is generally rising. strength in the construction sector.
Ms Owen said, “2017 marked continued As with the previous quarter, civil
participation in construction from engineering projects dominated
state and territory governments, which commencements, with 1,046 projects
accounted for 36% of construction value entering construction at a value of $5.4
commencing in the year to December billion over the period.
2017. In fact, 85% of the value of civil In closing Ms Owen said, “With new
engineering projects commencing in 2017 pipeline values up 10% on 2016
was held in government or joint venture and commencement values
projects, leaving only 15% owned wholly up 40%, it is fair to say
by the private sector. that the construction
“However, economic data suggests sector will see
that the private sector is in recovery and higher levels
reflected in the new projects added to of activity
the pipeline over 2017. The pipeline over going into
2017 indicated that private ownership 2018.

The Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division latest publication, Bill Phippen was born in Sydney
The Hawkesbury River Railway Bridges by Bill Phippen OAM, is a fascinating in 1950. He graduated in Civil
and comprehensive history, well worth reading for historians, engineers Engineering from Sydney Uni-
versity in 1976. Bill was elected
and railfans alike. to the Founding Board where he
on the
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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018

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 INDUSTRY NEWS
REGISTRATION KEY TO IMPROVING
ENGINEERING STANDARDS
The Board of Professional Engineers
of Queensland (BPEQ) has welcomed
Victoria’s decision to introduce a mandatory
registration scheme for engineers saying it
will lift standards in the profession.
The Victorian Government recently
introduced the Engineers Registration Bill in
the state parliament, a move that will likely
see Victoria join Queensland in requiring
mandatory registration for engineers.
BPEQ Chairperson Dawson Wilkie
said Victoria has taken a step in the right
direction and that engineers and the public
will benefit.
“Thanks to the foresight of Professor
Roger Hawken, Queensland has had a
mandatory registration system for engineers
for more than 80 years and it is welcome
news that Victoria is doing the same”, said
Mr Wilkie.
“Under our system only highly qualified
and competent engineers have been able
to work here, ensuring engineering in
Queensland is of the highest standard.
NEW FRAMEWORK TO HELP INSURERS AND CLAIMS MANAGERS
SUPPORT WORKERS WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY CLAIMS
Safe Work Australia launched a new
framework to support the management
of psychological workers’ compensation
claims, at the recent National Workers’
Compensation Summit in Sydney.
Taking Action: A best practice framework
for the management of psychological
claims in the Australian workers’
compensation sector is aimed at helping
workers’ compensation insurers and
claims managers better support workers
experiencing psychological illness.
“Psychological injury claims are
different to physical injury claims and
often present unique challenges. This is
8 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
“Registration benefits engineers and
the public by establishing professional
standards of practise, preventing unqualified
people from carrying out engineering
services and reducing the risks of something
going wrong with a project or service, either
materially or financially.
“BPEQ has provided the Victorian
Government advice throughout their
legislative drafting process and we are also
ready to assist other states and territories if
they introduce registration schemes.”
In recent weeks engineering associations
in New South Wales, Western Australia
and the ACT have begun lobbying their
respective governments to introduce
registration.
Earlier this month, BPEQ registered the
20,000th Registered Professional Engineer
of Queensland (RPEQ). There are now
13,000 active RPEQs and several hundred-
RPEQ applications are received each month,
underlining the profession’s support for
registration.
why this framework is so important, it
specifically focuses on the management
of psychological injury claims in Australian
workplaces”, said Safe Work Australia CEO
Michelle Baxter.
“Workers’ compensation authorities,
insurers, claims managers and others
involved in the workers’ compensation
process will find this framework useful for
empowering and supporting the injured
worker to a faster recovery and return to
work” said Ms Baxter.
Safe Work Australia partnered with
SuperFriend to develop the framework
which was adapted from their original
NEW CAMPAIGN TO
TARGET WORKPLACE
SAFETY IN NSW
SafeWork NSW has launched a $3.2 million
campaign aimed at ensuring workers and
employers stay safe on the job.
The “Safety starts with you” campaign
has been developed to improve safety and
help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses
across NSW. It highlights risky behaviour in
an effort to reduce the number of injuries in
NSW workplaces.
In 2015/16 alone, SafeWork NSW
received 30,902 reports about major
workplace injuries and illnesses, and
tragically, there were 60 fatalities.
SafeWork NSW, Group Director, Regional
Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony
Williams said the campaign aimed to
encourage workers and business owners to
discuss safety in the workplace.
“No matter your occupation, industry
or background, safety is everyone’s
responsibility,” Mr Williams said.
“Through the campaign, we want
workers, to think about what might happen
if they’re injured at work and look at
changing their behaviour.”
The campaign features paid advertising
across a mix of media, including new tv,
print and radio ads that focus on high risk
industries and work activities.
The campaign is part of SafeWork NSW’s
Work Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW
2022. For more information visit:
www.safetystartswithyou.nsw.gov.au
TAKING ACTION Framework, developed
for the life insurance industry.
“We are pleased that Safe Work
Australia is expanding on our original
framework and using it to support
workers experiencing psychological
illness lead healthy safe and productive
working lives” said SuperFriend CEO
Margo Lydon.
Taking Action: A best practice
framework for the management of
psychological injury claims in the
Australian workers’ compensation sector
is available for download at: www.
safeworkaustralia.gov.au/takingaction
 INDUSTRY NEWS

“Master Builders is committed not just

to talking but to achieving real change.
Women Building Australia is an initiative to
change perceptions and raising awareness
so the industry can recruit, train and retain
more women,” Denita Wawn said.
“We want our members businesses to

TACKLE GENDER PAY GAP WITH MORE
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
In celebrating the recent International
Women’s Day Master Builders Australia is
calling for more women to pursue careers
in the building and construction industry to
help tackle the gender pay gap.
“There is profound community concern
about the gender pay gap. Getting more
women into well-paying jobs in growing
industries like building and construction has
a big role in closing it,” Denita Wawn, CEO
of Master Builders Australia said.
“Building and construction is the nation’s
second largest industry and one of the
highest paying. It currently employs more
than a million Australians but only 11 per
cent of them are women,” she said.
“There are great opportunities for
women to achieve financial security and
independence through a wide range of
careers in our industry now and in the
future,” Denita Wawn said.
“On-site or off it, on the tools or in
the office or, as is often the case both,
women need to know that building
and construction is an industry that will
welcome them and where they can achieve
both financially and in their careers,”
she said.
benefit from the skills and aptitudes that
women bring to building and construction
workplaces,” she said.
“Master Builders has also launched a
National Mentoring Program to support
women in their choice of a construction
industry career. It brings together women
who are just starting out in their careers
or are training to attain a building industry
qualification,” Denita Wawn said.
“As an industry a key priority it is
ensuring that we can provide the skills that
young people need and that employers
want. The Women Building Australia
initiative is a great example of how industry
can invest in the future of its workforce and
help tackle the gender pay gap,” Denita
Wawn said.

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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 9

 PROJECT BRIEF
State-of-the-art design
and materials take
centre stage at new
Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House South Brisbane
has not only been built with functionality in
mind, but designed unlike other inner-city
high rises – with roofing material used as
exterior walls to give it a “home away from
home feel”.
Award-winning architecture firm
BVN looked to Queenslander homes for
inspiration which typically comprise of
three main features: a garden; a metal roof
and either brick or weatherboard cladding.
The new building design is focused at
reinterpreting these features within a larger
building typology to create a finer grain
and domestic tectonic.
10 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
Unlike other institutional buildings within
the precinct, it was particularly important
the new Ronald McDonald House, the latest
offering from the non-profit organisation
helping to house seriously ill children and
their families, have a large expressed roof
which wrapped over the top and down the
building sides. Visible from the street, this
roof typology clearly marks the building as
a home for visiting families.
“We wanted to create a building that
didn’t feel like either a commercial tower
or an institutional facility,” says BVN
Senior Practice Director Terry Braddock.
“This led to the careful selection of
materials to reflect what is most
commonly used in Queensland domestic
buildings – principally single houses,”
Looking to Stramit, Australia's premium
rollformer of steel building products,
Stramit Speed Deck Ultra® cladding
manufactured in BlueScope Colorbond
Aries from the metallic paint range was
chosen for the roof and wall cladding.
“The use of this roofing material over a
continuous height of 11 storeys is unusual
for an inner city high rise building,”
explains Braddock. “It is a highly
cost-effective method of dressing an
otherwise blank boundary wall condition.”
Visually appealing, strong, lightweight
and weather resistant, Stramit Speed Deck
Ultra® cladding is ideal for large roofing
applications. Its large water-carrying
capacity and weather-tightness allow for
it to be used in very low roof pitches – and
with Queensland’s harsh climate the need
for such a high-performance, advanced
material was a must.
With the design focusing on families
and children, the importance of high-
quality, durable and safe materials used
for the building construction was vital.
“Speed Deck Ultra was chosen for
its cost efficiency and being a trusted,
quality product that is carefully tested
and accepted in the industry,” says
Braddock. “The product achieves a
valuable mix between design aesthetic
and cost, while the large spans covered
quickly.”
Stramit Technical Services Consultant
Ken King says the FarLap® joint system
was used to achieve a step of 22mm
between the wall sheets, enabling the
architect’s requirements to use the roof
cladding as exterior walls.
“So it was decided to install the Speed
Deck Ultra and the FarLap joining system
at every second floor,” King explains.
“This also enabled the contractors to have
shorter sheet lengths to work with in a
vertical situation.”
Ronald McDonald House South
Brisbane, on the Brisbane River,
Queensland and directly opposite the
Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital, currently
offers family accommodation of more
than 70 rooms, consisting of a range of
unit types, from family studios to self-
contained and accessible arrangements.
It is the largest development type of its
kind in Australia with a total of 112 units.

Braddock describes the project design
as personal and specialised, with a tailored
brief provided. “The design brief called for a
facility that felt like a home away from home
for families with a child who is seriously ill
and undergoing specialised treatment at
nearby hospitals,” he says. “The main aim
was to make families as supported and
comfortable as possible in a setting that
feels both familiar and domestic.”
The building features multiple children’s
games and play areas, a number of shared
domestic scale kitchens and dining areas,
REGISTER TO ATTEND AT: WHSSHOW.COM.AU
OFFICIAL EXHIBITION OF
PROJECT BRIEF
Designing and creating a structure that
isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but also
functional is no easy feat, but the Ronald
McDonald House South Brisbane has
managed to break the mould – pleasing not
just design enthusiasts but also countless
families and children.
“To see our vision for such a special
place come to life with the help of so
many hardworking and passionate teams
has been a memorable and treasured
experience for everyone involved in the
project,” says Braddock.
lounge spaces, an outdoor recreation and
play section, quiet zones with computer
facilities for adults, a roof-top function space ABOUT STRAMIT®
and many more inclusions adding to the Stramit Building Products® is a major Australian
‘home away from home’ feel. manufacturer of roll-formed steel building
“The design of the building has been products, including roof and wall cladding,
guttering, fascia, purlins, flooring and
undertaken in a manner which promotes structural formwork. These products, along
the gathering of families together within with complementary products and services,
the building,” says Braddock. “This includes are delivered through a nationwide network
of manufacturing and distribution centres,
the provision of communal areas on every strategically located to ensure coverage of major
level building, and the main lounge and metropolitan and regional markets.
dining area being visible from the main For more information visit: www.stramit.com.au
entry.”
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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 11
 IT FOCUS
Meeting current and
future construction
industry challenges with
enterprise technology
By Rob Stummer, Managing Director, IFS Australia and New Zealand
As a provider of enterprise software
solutions to Australian construction
companies, we have seen a tremendous
amount of change in both the construction
industry and the technology industry in the
last few years.
Technology – in particular, the data that
underpins it – has gone from being a tool
that organisations use to help run their
businesses to becoming an indispensable
asset that companies need in order to
survive.
At a recent IFS Australian roundtable,
however, leading construction companies
revealed large gaps in their technology
systems and told us they often struggled to
drive adoption of more efficient enterprise
software. Companies admitted that
subcontractors were often more advanced
in their use of digital technology and that
their senior employees were often resistant
to change, with the mentality, “If it works,
why change it?”
Construction lagging in
digital uptake
In 2016, global consulting firm McKinsey &
Company ranked construction second last
out of 22 industries in its digital technology
uptake, ahead only of agriculture. While they
were U.S. rankings, the local industry also
has a history of low technology investment.
With digital technology set to transform
construction, low technology investment is
becoming a risk to construction businesses.
Technologies like Building Information
Modelling (BIM), the Internet of Things (IoT),
drones, robots, 3D printing and blockchain
12 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
will disrupt the industry. Innovative
companies will grow rapidly and those that
don’t adapt will fall by the wayside.
While acknowledging that disruptive
technologies will bring many changes to
construction, many construction companies
tell us that their main IT focus is on
becoming more digitally connected and
efficient to compete in the current operating
environment.
In our view, most companies could
improve their competitiveness and
efficiency with modern, integrated
enterprise software providing a single,
centralised system to connect business,
people and processes. This would not only
remove current business constraints, but
also set companies up to adopt disruptive
technologies in the future.
Five factors holding
companies back
IFS sees five IT-related factors – poor
visibility of project performance, lack of
on-site data collection, double handling of
information, delayed project actuals and
forecasts, and inefficient management of
people, safety and compliance – that are
holding many construction companies back.
The systems we see at most construction
companies are characterised by silos of
disconnected systems including financial
and project management software, and
Microsoft Office documents containing asset
management, HR and other information.
Combining these within a single enterprise
system vastly improves visibility of project
performance across the business.
Just look at all the Excel spreadsheets
used across the industry to manage
people, safety and compliance. These make
onboarding of staff costly and cumbersome
and result in business bottlenecks that
negatively affect projects.
One of our Australian customers has seen
average staff onboarding costs fall from
nearly $1,000 to under $100 after replacing
Excel spreadsheets with an IFS enterprise
workforce management solution. They also
achieved significant improvements in staff
retention rates.
Making software integral
to the business
Another customer has implemented an
IFS enterprise solution to increase visibility
and control over project costs and
revenues. Consistent processes, a modern
user interface and a single repository for
all information have streamlined everyday
tasks and improved team dynamics.
As a result, the company has increased
efficiencies in managing contracts,
subcontractors, purchasing and materials,
and can deliver better services to its
clients.
But what is most impressive – and
perhaps encapsulates what we want to
help all our customers achieve – is the way
that the company’s culture has changed to
make software integral to the business and
how this has empowered employees. Staff
are now coming forward to suggest ways
that the company can extend its systems
to grow its business, for example, through
technology partnerships or integrations.

Technology is no longer something that
has to conform to how people work, or
vice versa – people and technology are
becoming different aspects of the same
thing.
Real-time data access
via mobiles
One of the other things that our roundtable
reinforced was how urgent it is to allow
field staff to access and enter information in
real time using their mobile devices.
In combination with a centralised
enterprise system, this allows companies
to get a live snapshot of projects, for
example. The move to real-time data
access and collection via mobiles also
supports dynamic, timely decision making,
rather than waiting for the consolidation of
weekly or monthly reports. Forecasts can
be constantly recalculated, not just updated
once a month.
Even gradual introduction of mobile
technology can deliver major benefits and
form a foundation for wider mobile use
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within IFS Applications™, for example, the future.
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managed, including revision control, be at the “bleeding edge” of innovation to
document deliverables and approval survive in a digital world. But they cannot
workflow, with full support for mobile afford to remain technology laggards either.
devices.
Using the IFS Mobile App, we have
customers whose board members and ABOUT THE AUTHOR
others can click on and approve documents Rob Stummer
no matter where they are, even while they is the Managing
are on holidays if that is required. Director, Australia
and New Zealand
Investing for now and the future for global enterprise
Most construction firms could improve applications
their competitiveness with modern, company IFS. He has
integrated enterprise software. The key to held this position for
success is starting with solutions offering the past ten years,
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building up from there. annually in both revenues and EBIT. Rob
Investing in the right enterprise system holds several degrees, including a Masters
can meet current needs to improve from Melbourne University. For further
competitiveness, support the latest information on IFS, please visit:
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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 13
 COVER FEATURE

“AROUND $200 MILLION

WAS JOINTLY INVESTED IN
WORLD-CLASS SPORTING
INFRASTRUCTURE. ”
CITY OF GOLD COAST MAYOR, TOM TATE

GOLD COAST
INFRASTRUCTURE
BONANZA
LEAVES HOST CITY GLEAMING
Fast facts

• The City of Gold Coast is the second largest
local government in Australia and the first
regional city to host the Commonwealth
Games.
• More than 6600 athletes and officials from
71 Commonwealth nations and territories
took part in 11 days of competition from
4 to 15 April 2018.
• More than 1 million ticketed spectators
attended 11 days of competition.
• With a resident population of around
600,000 the city welcomed more than
670,000 visitors.
T
he XXI Commonwealth Games
hosted on the Gold Coast was
the first large-scale multi-
sport spectacle to be hosted in
Australia for over a decade and the first in
a regional city.
The City of Gold Coast embraced
transformative civic projects like never
before, with more than $13.5 billion in
major infrastructure projects changing the
face of the city.
In preparation for the global sporting
event, the City carried out an extensive
range of infrastructure projects that will
benefit the community and boost the
economy for many years to come.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said it was
a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the
city to shine.
“We focused on delivering projects that
we knew would leave a positive legacy for
our city well beyond the closing ceremony.
“Infrastructure projects were the
bedrock for our Games success, positioning
us proudly as a world-class cosmopolitan
city,” he said.

14 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018


The Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
Coolangatta beachfront
Beach Volleyball venue
“Back in November 2011 we celebrated
the news that we were the host city for the
21st Commonwealth Games but we knew
we had a lot of work ahead of us. We had
six years to make the most of this exciting
opportunity to transform our city.”
“We set up our dedicated
Commonwealth Games Unit to drive the
majority of activities and liaise with our
partners.
“Our transport network needed to cater
for unprecedented demand during the
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
(GC2018), and across the city we invested
in everything from road upgrades to bike
racks and high-speed fibre optic networks.
“We wanted to create a memorable
experience for the athletes and our visitors
while creating a positive legacy for the city
to build on in the future.
“Never before has our city had that
level of international exposure and we’ve
created ongoing opportunities for a
stronger city through the joint delivery of a
highly successful Commonwealth Games.
“The investment in our city’s sports
venues started paying dividends early
on - earning back $50 million of the $200
million investment in their upgrades before
the Games had even started.
“It was important to inspire our
community to get involved, and with
15,000 volunteers we know we achieved
that. The Gold Coast is now well and truly
on the map as a premier event destination
and we will continue to reap the benefits
of our infrastructure investment for years
to come.”
Infrastructure investment
boosts economy and
visitor numbers
Games events were hosted at 17 world-
class facilities located on the Gold Coast
and in Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville. The
majority of competitions were held on the
Gold Coast in a mix of new or upgraded,
existing and temporary venues.
The Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre
COVER FEATURE
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre,
Southport
Originally built in the 1960s, the Aquatic
Centre in Southport had a $42 million
upgrade as a GC2018 legacy project
with joint funding from the Queensland
Government and the City of Gold Coast.
The world-class swimming and diving
facility is fitted with a 312 kilowatt array of
1100 solar panels, reducing annual running
costs by $100,000 and supplying all of the
Aquatic Centre’s energy needs.
Gold Coast Sports and
Leisure Centre, Carrara
Purpose-built to world-class competition
and training standards the Gold Coast
Sports and Leisure Centre hosted the
badminton, para powerlifting, weightlifting
and wrestling competitions during
the Games and is already attracting
international sporting events and elite
high-performance training camps to the
Gold Coast. The $105 million construction
project was jointly funded by the City of
Gold Coast, Queensland Government and
Australian Government.
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 15
 COVER FEATURE
NEW TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT
INFRASTRUCTURE
GETS PEOPLE MOVING
More than $166 million of
road network improvement
projects were funded by the
City of Gold Coast and the
Queensland Government.
The Gold Coast’s transport network needed
to prepare for a big spike in visitors.
Following extensive planning to identify
traffic movements during GC2018, the City
carried out a number of road infrastructure
upgrades to support the transport network.
The Gold Coast is a car centric city
so encouraging active travel and public
transport was fundamental to moving
large numbers of people around. Host
venues were connected to various modes
16 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
of transport, making it easier for people to
walk, cycle and catch public transport to the
venues.
The City of Gold Coast and the
Queensland Government invested over
$14 million in active transport
improvements connecting major public
precincts such as Broadbeach, Surfers
Paradise and Southport.
Shared paths connecting
the city
The City completed 14 kilometres of new
pedestrian and cycle paths ahead of the
Games to make active travel a safer and
more viable travel option for residents
and visitors, including improvements for
accessibility. Providing quality off-road
pathway infrastructure encourages walking
and cycling as legitimate travel options.
A $3.5 million shared path on Boulton
Drive and Nerang-Broadbeach Road was
completed to link the Nerang Railway
Station to the Gold Coast Sports Precinct in
Carrara.
The new 1.3 kilometre shared pathway
provided active travel options for Games
spectators attending events at the Gold
Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, and will be
a lasting legacy for patrons attending Suns
games at Metricon Stadium.
Funding for the section of pathway, from
Lakeview Drive to Nerang station, was
jointly provided by the City of Gold Coast
and the Queensland Government under
 COVER FEATURE

plates to assist vision impaired users. The

signs are a modulated system that allow for
individual panels to be replaced with LED
screens in the future.

Gold Coast Light Rail

Stage 2
Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 was
accelerated by approximately five years
Shared paths connecting the city because of GC2018.
Connecting the CBDs of Queensland’s
the Public Domain Improvement Program monitoring and incident management for two largest cities - Brisbane and the Gold
(PDIP) and the Cycle Network Local our road network. Two new permanent Coast - Stage 2 delivered the critical 7.3
Government Grant Program (CNLGG). Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) were also kilometre section between Helensvale
The City also delivered $5.7 million of installed next to the Gold Coast Highway station and Gold Coast University Hospital
road rehabilitation and reconstruction in Southport and Main Beach. Mounted station.
projects in preparation for GC2018 with in a steel gantry that overhangs the road The project included two new park ‘n’
the program of works brought forward for carriageway, the LED digital messaging ride facilities and additional car parks at
roads in key locations within the Games boards were used to inform road users of Helensvale station (400) and Parkwood
precincts. changes to the road network during the station (1000). The $420 million project was
Games. delivered with a $270 million contribution
Bike share scheme leaves a from the Queensland Government, $95
healthy legacy Wayfinding signs enhance million from the Australian Government and
visitor experience up to $55 million from the City of Gold Coast.
Pedal power was added to the City’s active More than 100,000 spectators used the
transport arsenal with the Gold Coast’s first New active transport wayfinding signage Gold Coast’s light rail system each day
bike-share scheme. The scheme came at was installed to make it easier for residents during the Games, which is 3-4 times the
no cost to ratepayers and was launched in and visitors to navigate through central usual daily patronage. Stage 2 of the Gold
partnership with Mobike, Good Cycles and city areas. The signs and markers were Coast light rail is a major legacy project
transit specialist Transit Australia Group. specifically designed using clear written helping to transform the city into a modern
The bike share scheme allows residents and visual messaging and include braille and accessible destination.
and visitors to unlock and lock their bike
using a mobile phone app. The bikes leave a
social wellbeing legacy by supporting health
and fitness and providing an affordable
means of transportation while reducing
congestion and air pollution.
With 1000 bikes in circulation and 12,500
registered users, the scheme is proving
popular.
“We know that, on average, every
dollar we invest in cycling infrastructure
will return nearly five dollars in economic
benefit to Queensland with improved health
outcomes, reduced traffic congestion, and
lower transport costs,” said Mayor Tom
Tate.
The bikes were rolled out strategically
with the number of bikes increased to meet
demand in the lead up to GC2018.

New CCTV cameras

improve traffic monitoring
and road safety
Additional road safety CCTV cameras were
Gold Coast Light Rail
installed in key locations to improve traffic

Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 17

 AQUATIC FACILITIES
Geoff Ninnes Fong
& Partners
Excellence in Engineering
Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) has
gained an enviable reputation as a leading
structural, civil and aquatic engineering
practice, both throughout Australia and
beyond.
Building on this reputation for excellence,
Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners Pty Ltd are
proud to have been associated with the
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre redevelopment
which was completed in 2015.
GNFP were initially commissioned
by Cox Raynor Architects to undertake
the structural design of the building
structures for the Gold Coast Aquatic
centre redevelopment for the Queensland
Government. After a period of concept
design and design development, the
design team was novated to Watpac who
constructed and delivered the project, to
undertake detailed design and construction
services.
Gold Coast Aquatic Centre
GNFP designed the building structures for
the centre, which included:
• Two storey steel framed building with a
post tensioned suspended concrete slab
to support gymnasium, gym amenities.
• One storey suspended post-tensioned
concrete roof slabs over amenities and
pool plantroom to the east and west of
the new 50m pool. These structures have
the capacity to support large temporary
grandstand seating and a temporary
roof structure in Games mode or event
modes.
• Steel framed one storey building over
new a Learners Pool incorporating a Dry
18 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
dive facility and mechanical plantrooms
with suspended mechanical plantroom.
• Single storey buildings for amenities
and change rooms, consultation rooms,
cafe, kitchen, crèche, function rooms and
storage and control rooms.
Features of the building structures include:
• Extensive use of post tensioned flat plate
concrete slabs designed for simplicity
of formwork, speed of construction and
aesthetics. GNFP designed the post
tensioning in house.
• Cantilever steel roof structures designed
for high wind loads.
• Extensive use of precast concrete walls
using marine grade concrete designed
for exposure to salt water due to close
proximity to the ocean.
• Use of large timber façade vertical blade
elements requiring exacting control
of steel rafter precambers to maintain
correct levels.
• A high performance paint system
and special purlin coatings to protect
steelwork in the highly corrosive indoor
pool environment.
Designing for Corrosion
Protection in buildings
GNFP recognise that structural design
requirements are not the only thing to play
a major role in structures. When exposed to
highly corrosive environments such as an
indoor swimming pool or next to the ocean,
structures have to be designed to last, and
need be protected from these corrosive
elements.
Building owners are increasingly aware
of the cost of maintenance and downtime
required to fix corrosion issues that often
plague poorly designed buildings or
structures.
GNFP has extensive experience
designing structures capable of
withstanding highly corrosive conditions.
GNFP’s vast experience in pool structures,
means they pay particular attention to
corrosion resistance across all aspects
of their projects, including selecting
construction materials, coatings and fixings
based on the type of structure, the location
and compatibility with each other.
GNFP’s knowledge of the causes of
corrosion in aquatic centres can play a
major role in assisting clients and architects
to minimise the risk of corrosion caused by
the selection of inappropriate construction
materials, inadequate air handling, poor
structural detailing, and inadequate
specifications for finishes and coatings.
GNFP also recognise that using the
correctly specified concrete and cover
is of prime importance to the longevity
of concrete structures in these corrosive
environments. As such, GNFP also places
an emphasis on ensuring that both the
design of the concrete components and the
constituents of concrete mix will provide
superior corrosion resistance to normal
concrete.
Client: Queensland Government and Gold
Coast City Council
Head Contractor : Watpac
Architect: Cox Raynor
Structural Engineer: Geoff Ninnes Fong &
Partners
Services: Arup
 GEOFF
NINNES
FONG & Andrew Boy Charlton Aquatic Centre

PARTNERS
Manly, NSW

Hornsby Aquatic Centre

Hornsby, NSW

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) has been designing, engineering and
delivering innovative aquatic and structural building solutions since 1974.

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Tom Price, WA
> splash pads
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Northam Recreation Centre > high rise buildings
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Frankston Regional Aquatic Centre

With over 400 major projects and upgrades of aquatic facilities and building Frankston, VIC
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Maitland Aquatic Centre

Wave Lagoon - Darwin Waterfront 2018 Commonwealth Games Maitland, NSW
Darwin, NT Gold Coast Aquatic Centre

www.gnfp.com.au
Geoff Ninnes Fong and Partners
SYDNEY PERTH
68-70 Crown Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 L2 Cedar House, 1321 Hay Street, West Perth WA 6005
T: (02) 9332 5100 E: sydney@gnfp.com.au T: 0418 678 993 E: perth@gnfp.com.au
Contact: Brad Fong or Gordon Smith Contact: Geoff Ninnes
Centenary Sports Precinct
S T R U C T U R A L & AQ U AT I C E N G I N E E R I N G Pymble Ladies College, Sydney
 AQUATIC FACILITIES
Report shows health
benefits of aquatic facilities
A report by Royal Life Saving Society -
Australia shows that the average visit to
Australia’s public pools leads to health
benefits worth nearly $27, underlining
the importance of ensuring universal
access to public swimming pools.
The report shows the social cost of physical
inactivity in the Australian population,
especially among the 40% of Australians
who are classified as “inactive”. Currently,
only 1% of Australians meet the standard
for “high physical activity” as set by the
World Health Organization. Even one extra
visit to a public swimming pool each week
would be enough to shift most “inactive”
Australians up to “low activity”, cutting
their risk of lifestyle-related disease by
16% and saving more than $4,500 per
person in the form of better health,
reduced medical costs and improved work
attendance each year.
These potential health gains mean that
the average pool visit might cost $6 to
$8, but is worth nearly $27 to Australian
society in health gains alone, with the
average aquatic facility producing
$2.72 million worth of health benefits
annually.
“We’re just starting to understand the full
range of benefits that come from ensuring
access to public swimming pools for water
20 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
safety, exercise and recreation,” says Justin
Scarr, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia
CEO. “Public swimming pools help to keep
Australians safe, healthy and happy and
we need to remember just how much
good they can do when thinking about
funding for new facilities and much needed
upgrades.”
The report, titled 'Economic Benefits
of Australia’s Public Aquatic Facilities',
outlines the economic burden of physical
inactivity in Australia, which costs the
health system $3.7 billion each year and
leads to death and disability costing $48
billion – accounting for 5% of the overall
burden of death and disability in Australia.
Data on Australians’ exercise habits
shows that nearly 40% of the population is
currently classified as “physically inactive”
by World Health Organization standards,
as they manage less than 60 minutes of
vigorous exercise each week - leading to
increased risk of Type II Diabetes, heart
disease and cancer.
Economic analysis carried out by Royal
Life Saving Society – Australia shows
that an additional weekly visit to a public
swimming pool would be enough to lift
most Australians out of the “physically
inactive” category, leading to improved
health outcomes, reduced health system
costs and better attendance at work.
Research released by Royal Life Saving
Society - Australia shows that every visit
to a public swimming pool creates health
benefits worth $26.39, meaning that the
average aquatic facility creates improved
health outcomes worth $2.72 million
each year to Australian society, over and
above their value as sources of recreation,
community and aquatic education.
The report underlines the importance
of providing all Australians with access to
safe, high quality aquatic facilities, not just
for much-needed recreation and to help
them learn about water safety, but to help
them remain active and healthy as well.
Dr. Paul Barnsley, the study’s author,
said:
“We knew going in, that swimming was
a great way of keeping active, but we were
shocked to find out just how effective even
a single weekly swimming pool visit can be
in cutting the costs of physical inactivity.”
“Now we need to make sure that
everyone is in a position to take advantage
of those benefits – if we don’t find the
money for pools we’ll end up paying for it
via the health system,” he said.
“We want to encourage all Australians to
make full use of their local public swimming
pool, not only this summer, but throughout
the year, and to enjoy the health benefits of
swimming,” Justin Scarr added.
 AQUATIC FACILITIES

Smart swimming pools to trial energy saving

technology and manage peak demand
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(ARENA) recently announced $2.5 million
in funding to Pooled Energy for a pilot-
scale demonstration of its technology that
dramatically reduces energy consumption
of household swimming pools and unlocks
the potential for demand response.
The $5 million project will see Sydney
energy retailer Pooled Energy expand the
trial of their technology from 400 to 5,000
residential swimming pools in NSW.
Sydney households who join the
5MW trial will have an intelligent pool
control system installed that automates
and optimises the energy use as well as
chemical use and water quality of their
swimming pool.
Swimming pools typically use 40
per cent of the average Australian pool
owners’ total energy use. Pooled Energy’s
world-first technology reduces a pool’s
energy consumption to 10 per cent of the
household’s total energy use.
The trial will also demonstrate how a large
fleet of swimming pools can be coordinated
to collectively deliver demand response
using a cloud-based system.
By curbing their consumption during
peak times or when power surges, demand
response can prevent outages during
extreme peaks such as summer heatwaves
or can provide grid stability.
ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said
the pilot project will demonstrate Pooled
Energy’s ability to use pools to manage
demand.
“Household swimming pools take up a
very large load on the electricity network
and can contribute to high energy bills for
families,” he said.
“Pooled Energy’s technology will now
be able to test turning that load into a
significant contribution in providing low
cost demand response in significant volume,
alongside making significant productivity
improvements.” Mr Frischknecht said.
Pooled Energy co-founder and chairman
John Riedl said: “We are delighted to work
with ARENA to demonstrate how pools
can be harnessed to assist the grid with no
inconvenience to customers.”
“There are more than 1.4 million
swimming pools in Australia, and pools
use approximately 10 per cent of the
average demand on the residential grid.
If all the pool pump and filters were on at
once, they would use up to 3.7 GW
of energy - the equivalent of two
Liddell-sized power stations running at
capacity - so there is huge potential to
both reduce the amount of energy used
and better manage pools for the wider
benefit,” Mr Riedl said.
“This technology also reduces a
household’s total energy usage by
approximately 30 per cent,” he said.
For further information, please visit
www.arena.gov.au and
www.pooledenergy.com.au

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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 21

 SPECIAL REPORT
Modular Construction
Helping to Future Proof Construction
by Jeremy Oaks, MACE
How can we ensure that the
Australian construction industry is fit
for the future? Mace’s Jeremy Oakes
explores how modular construction
could help deliver real change.
All over the world, the construction industry is facing skills
shortages, productivity problems and concerns about sustainability
and safety.
Increasingly, the sector is turning to offsite and modular
construction; where much of the actual ‘building’ takes place in a
factory environment and is transported to the construction site.
The benefits will go beyond just productivity and cost. Factory
construction is safer and more sustainable, as less packaging is
used to carry goods to site and workers are doing complex physical
tasks in a climate controlled and enclosed environment.
Workforce issues are also addressed. A fixed factory location and
a minimal site workforce means that construction labour becomes
more stable and less iterant, while improving wellbeing amongst
employees. That should mean we keep people in the industry
longer, and that the skills we invest in stay in one place.
Modular will also allow us to future proof our buildings. It means
flexible structures that are easier to upgrade and alter as the needs
of end-users change and develop.
What rooms and uses will we need in hospitals and schools in
20 or 30 years? It’s not always easy to predict, but with a modular
construction methodology it’s much easier to alter floor plans to
meet unexpected needs.
22 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
In Australia, offsite and modular methods have seemed to be on
the verge of becoming standard practise for years, but have never
quite made it through to the mainstream.
The mining sector, for example, is one that has led the way
on modular construction, where the benefits of quick and easy
installation and removal, often in remote areas, have always been
obvious.
For more standard residential and commercial builds in urban
environments, however, modular and offsite have always been
attractive in theory but in practise they haven’t delivered the cost
benefits required to ensure mass adoption.
It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that this has to change
– in order to keep our construction sector productive enough to
support wider national economic development, we need to change
how we build.
In order to make it viable for everyone, we need to bring
economies of scale to the market; to encourage companies to build
or leverage factory capacity to reduce costs and increase reliability.
As elsewhere around the world, it appears that it is the public
sector that is likely to step in and make this happen as they have
access to the economies of scale
The public sector in Australia has already begun a number of
modular and offsite construction pilot schemes, exploring the
viability of building everything from schools to hospitals in modules.
For years, the education sector has happily used temporary
modular units to meet short term space demands in schools – so
it should be no surprise that they are an early adopter of complete
modular solutions.
 The improvement of modular technology has made this adoption
easier. One common complaint was always that it was obvious
when modular construction methods had been used – that the
technique resulted in boring, repetitive design.
Now it has become much easier to deliver structures with
custom cladding and design elements that allow for sympathetic
architectural design and unique learning environments despite the
factory origins of the modules themselves.
By leveraging the sheer scale of public procurement, the public
sector will be able to build huge demand for offsite and modular
builds.
Beyond the wider impact on the sector, driving down costs
and building the skills required to deliver a fundamental shift in
construction methods, a push towards modular will also help to
build the huge educational capacity we need cheaply without
losing out on quality.
We know that the schools in Australia – particularly in New
South Wales – are facing a massive enrolment challenges in the
coming years. We’re already working closely with the sector to help
address that need; but using standard construction methods it’s
hard to see how we can build all the classrooms we need.
Modular is the solution – and Government can be the catalyst to
change the whole sector.
In the UK, there has been pressure for years for a move wholesale
to offsite and modular construction, but the industry has been slow
to react and apart from a few notable investments things have
remained largely static – at least until recently.
In their Industrial Strategy, published in late 2017, the UK
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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 23

 OH&S
Safety and Leadership
By Doug Wright
The definition of safety leadership often
confuses people because the terms
‘leadership’ and ‘management’ are often
thought of as synonymous. In fact,
managers are part of an organisation’s
structural hierarchy and so their role is
to formally control their subordinates. In
contrast, a safety leader sets and monitors
the standards of safe behaviour within
their organisation in order to effect positive
change and influence co-workers.
Safety leaders can be found at all levels
of an organisation, from senior executives,
through to middle level such as site
managers, and on to front-line supervisors.
However, it’s likely that senior
management is not aware of, or the most
conversant with the dangers of a specific
task or job. Rather, their role is to ensure
that the workforce is aware that safety
leaders will exhibit and explain the actions
that keep everyone protected from
workplace threats and hazards. Safety
leaders do not rule by authority; instead,
their conduct influences co-workers to
improve their own standards.
In the past, safety management has
been driven from the top, with a tendency
for it to become stuck at the front-line
management level. This means that those
workers most likely to engage in unsafe
behaviour or to be injured have traditionally
been unconnected from the safety
improvement process.
Safety leadership overcomes this by
working with those most likely to be hurt.
The leaders become actively engaged in
working to eliminate the incidences of
unsafe behaviours. Without a widespread
workforce involvement, any commitment to
safety management will be ineffective.
Anyone in an organisation can make the
24 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
choice to be a safety leader. In reality, for
an organisation to have a strong safety
culture and performance, there must be
safety leaders at every job site, every
department, and in every work team. Their
behaviour will influence co-workers by:
• Their attention to the rules;
• Demonstrating constant awareness of
the dangers of the job;
• Reporting all safety hazards, violations,
and incidents;
• Communicating with management and
co-workers about safety concerns;
• Helping to implement change to improve
safety and working conditions;
• Encouraging and expecting co-workers
to practise safe behaviours;
• Expressing appreciation for a safe job
well done;
• Keeping co-workers aware that
unsafe behaviour and rule-bending is
unacceptable;
• Being involved in safety initiatives and
committees.
Research shows that a safety leader’s
effect on company culture is critical for the
prevention or minimisation of a disaster. In
order to achieve efficient process safety,
any organisation must attend to the
following:
• Anticipate, recognise and act on any
weaknesses that have the potential for
disaster;
• Ensure the right questions are asked and
accurate analyses are carried out;
• Implement and use systems as they
are designed to be used with regard to
safety;
• Encourage all workers to show
willingness to intervene when issues
are small and so prevent them from
becoming unmanageable.
These four basics must be developed
and maintained over time, often when
conflicting priorities seem more urgent.
It’s important to recognise that effective
safety leaders do not themselves have to
be safety experts, but they must know
when to ask the right questions and assess
information. To do this, they should have
good communication and feedback skills,
credibility and effective collaboration. And,
of course, the ability to influence people.
It’s important to create a sustainable
safety culture that gives any workforce the
right skill sets, mindsets and tools, rather
than by paying lip service by setting more
rules or paper trails in place. Safe Work
Australia suggests the following ways for
management to engage and consult in a
two-way process:
• Talk to each other about health and
safety matters;
• Listen to their concerns and raise yours;
• Seek and share views and information;
• Consider what your workers say before
you make decisions;
• Share relevant work health and safety
information with workers;
• Give workers a reasonable opportunity
to express their views and raise health or
safety issues;
• Give workers a reasonable opportunity
to contribute to the decision-making
process relating to the health and safety
matter;
• Take account of workers’ views;
• Tell workers about the outcomes of any
consultation and in a timely matter.
Management should support the above
processes and decisions made by safety
leaders and empower them to guide the
workforce to strong safety performance.
Western Australia’s Department of Mines,

Industry Regulations and Safety suggests
the following strategies to further develop
safety leadership:
Encourage all levels of the management
team to show their commitment to a safe
workplace through their actions as well as
their words. Ways to do this include:
• Chairing safety meetings;
• Taking responsibility for maintaining
the safety management system (SMS)
by participating in risk assessments
and incident investigations to ensure
the system is reviewed and updated as
required;
• Being involved in reviews and training;
• Taking time to talk with work teams
in both formal (e.g. site inspections)
and informal (e.g. lunch breaks)
settings about their safety and health
experiences;
• Setting an example at all times by paying
attention at inductions, following all
safety procedures, asking when unsure,
and using the correct personal protective
equipment (PPE) and clothing.
Encourage people to take personal
responsibility for safety by consulting with
site groups such as senior, middle and
front-line management, and workers to
set commonly accepted safety and health
expectations linked to clear goals within the
control of that group. Raise awareness and
promote the exchange of ideas by:
• Providing safety leadership training
so that safety leadership becomes a
corporate value;
• Providing appropriate risk management
training so that leaders are more
knowledgeable about safety and health
on their operations, and have a common
language with line management.
Safety leadership is more than a way to
prevent and mitigate untoward events.
There are also well-known documented
benefits that spring from efficient safety
leadership. These may not be immediately
obvious to the organisation. Have you
considered the following advantages of an
excellent safety culture?
• The organisation’s reputation and
standing is improved amongst clients
and suppliers;
• Business continuity is improved due
to avoidance of incidents, accidents,
breakdowns and process failures;
• Lost time, frequency of minor injuries,
‘near misses’ and property damage are all
reduced;
• Less time is spent recording and
investigating incidents;
• Insurance premiums may be reduced;
• There is an improvement in the
workforce’s safety behaviour (by an
estimated 85%);
• The organisation has a better overall
economic performance.
So how does an organisation ensure a
robust risk or safety management system?
What procedures should be included?
Consider these aspects of systems and
monitoring:
• Preventive maintenance;
• Operational procedures;
• Inspections;
• Permit-to-work systems;
• Safety talks;
• Safety committees;
• Risk assessments;
• Near-miss reporting;
• Training;
• Management of change;
• Risk management plans.
Encourage people to take personal
responsibility for safety by setting
expectations for each layer (senior, middle,
front-line management, and employees)
and link these to the organisation’s goals.
Safety leadership should become a
corporate value: emphasise this with safety
leadership training.
Ensure that the organisation does not
foster a ‘blame the victim’ culture. Incidents
and near-misses are unlikely to be reported
when there are negative connotations for
those involved. If the workforce trusts the
system, individuals will be more likely to
report accidents, safety hazards, violations,
and incidents. In fact, there is likely to be
an increased rate of reporting of defects,
unsafe conditions and unsafe practices as
the improved systems become embedded
in the organisational culture.
What are the important qualities
a safety leader should have?
First, emotional resilience. The safety
leader must be able to deal with stress
and negativity. Without it, interpersonal
relationships may become difficult or
strained, and it may become difficult
to convince others of the need for safe
practices.
Conscientiousness means details will
be attended to. At its extreme, however,
the leader may become ground down in
trivial details to the detriment of the bigger
OH&S
picture. Those who lack conscientiousness
might have great ideas but lack the
credibility to ensure they are followed
through.
Compassion refers to the leader’s interest
in, and sensitivity to, the needs and feelings
of others. This attribute is motivating for
others as long as it demands enough of
them with regard to safety practices.
Finally, sociability, which includes
warmth, outgoingness, assertiveness and
a strong activity level. These leaders enjoy
the company of others and so do not
hesitate to communicate safety needs.
At the other end of the scale, however,
they may not be approachable or make
themselves available to others when
necessary.
Becoming a safety leader is not always
an easy choice, particularly when workplace
safety has not previously been a priority for
the organisation. There may be resistance,
opposition or any of a raft of non-compliant
behaviours. When faced with such
challenges, safety leaders must stand their
ground and work smarter with a ‘never give
up attitude’ apparent to the resistors. The
best safety leaders develop their practices
over time, learning from others along the
way. Resistance is often part of the learning
curve.
Safety leadership can be a challenge at
times. But as long as the leader continues
to push, he or she will continue to influence
the workforce and ultimately, the industry.
For further information, please visit:
www.willnevergiveup.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Doug Wright is
a transformed
survivor of a head-
on near-death
vehicle collision.
Passionate about
helping people
overcome their
innermost fears,
especially when recovering from
trauma, Doug has survived to share his
courageous story … his motto is “never
give up”. Away from his everyday
activities, Doug invests his spare time
playing his electric guitar, knocking out
an eclectic mix of Eagles hits and fishing
for coral trout in Airlie Beach, Northern
Queensland.
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 25
 EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT
PUMPED UP PROJECTS
Every time we pick up the newspaper these days,
we read about some new massive government or
private investor funded infrastructure program!
Melbourne and Sydney are leading the way with
major highway projects and urban tunnelling
hitting the headlines.
One major project that is new on the scene
is the scheme to build another tunnel under
the Sydney harbour to ease traffic congestion
in the tunnel and the harbour bridge; value…
$14 billion.
Sydney’s growth projections of $8 million
people by 2030 are exciting, alarming, and to
many urban dwellers, frightening!
On the other hand, big construction
companies and suppliers of steel and
concrete, are applauding these progressive
moves to take the pressure off the four big
cities by bringing our infrastructure up to
world standards.
One company, Australian Pump, is geared
to support the infrastructure boom by
developing products which are specifically
suited to the tough environment of a
construction site.
“It’s not as simple as it used to be,” said
Aussie Pumps’ Chief Engineer, John Hales.
“The old days are gone where nobody
cared about dust, noise or the inconvenience
to pedestrians or traffic,” he said.
Hales says it’s a different world today
with the population centres demanding
construction sites not impact the liveability
of the cities they’re in. John Hales’ classic
example of this is the evolution water carts
and assorted vehicles.
Water carts were traditionally used just
to provide ‘dribble’ feed on roadworks to aid
26 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
compaction. Today, they are required to
provide a wide range of duties but particularly
are focused on dust suppression. Australian
Pump has developed a wide range of self-
priming centrifugal pumps ideal for this
application.
“We started out just building high volume
pumps designed to fill tankers fast, and empty
them by metering water out onto the site
through dribble bars,” John Hales said.
“Today, we have pumps that are specific
to this application and in many respects
represent a world first,” he said.
The Aussie GMP range of cast iron high
pressure tanker pumps, series G3TMK-A/HYD
are powered by a hydraulic motor and offer
features uniquely suited to this demanding
application. The pumps are made from close
grained cast iron and big open style impellers
that enables small solids in suspension to
pass through without damage to the pump.
Built in a semi trash configuration, they
also are fitted with stainless steel wear plates
to protect the pump’s body from erosion.
Pressures of up to 75 psi and flows of up to
1,500 lpm mean that the pumps can run side
mounted spray heads, over a spray range of
up to 50 metres width.
Having the self-priming feature enables the
tanker to reload where necessary from rivers,
dams and streams. These Aussie pumps will
prime through a vertical lift of as much as 8.4
metres.
HYDRAULIC DRIVE OPTION - REDUCED
MAINTENANCE.
The good news for operators is that the pumps
are now available with a hydraulic motor with a
Aussie’s cast iron,
hydraulic drive semi trash
pump provides pressure
and flow for batter spray
and dust suppression.
completely sealed drive system.
“Using a PTO hydraulic driven pump off
the tanker truck’s engine means unlimited
power to the spray pump and a sealed system
against dust,” John Hales said.
The hydraulic system means the elimination
of petrol or diesel engines on the back of
the vehicle. That constitutes the removal of
a major service issue and no more ‘dusted
engines’.
Another advantage is the spray pump can
be mounted wherever the vehicle designer
chooses, bearing in mind that the drive line
is no longer related to shafts but rather to
flexible hydraulic lines.
An additional feature of Aussie’s new GMP
tanker pumps is a front mounted clean out
port. That clean out port means that in the
event of the pump chamber getting blocked, it
can be cleaned without having to disconnect
pipework.
The hydraulic drive pumps are also used
in drill rigs, street sweeping machines and
vacuum pump out systems.
“This is a big application for us with
tank manufacturers,” John Hales said.
“We’re finding Councils are now moving to
hydraulics because they like the idea of low
maintenance as well as the versatility of the
self-priming function,” he added.
Further information, including a free
document with hydraulic pump selection
information is readily available from
Australian Pump Industries.
Further information on Aussie GMP pumps
is available from: www.aussiepumps.com.au
or authorised Aussie Pump distributors
natinwide.
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In that time, the company has gained an enviable reputation for
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innovative equipment with a focus on quality and performance.
Conveyor Industries operate a complete in-house design service
using the latest in 3D modelling software and design tools. This enables
them to purpose-design solutions to meet the client’s needs in a virtual
environment before fabrication. The 3D drawings and regular online
meetings during the project design and development phase enables
the client to envision what the finished project will look like, how
the machinery fits alongside existing infrastructure, and where any
modifications may be required. This cooperative approach ensures
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The SMART MONEY
in Road Safety...

is on
SMART CUSHION

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• Faster Reinstatement • Lowest Whole Of Life Costs
• Fewer Replacement Parts • All Steel Construction
• Temporary Or Permanent Installations • MASH TL3 Tested

DESIGNED FOR SAFETY

· Low ride down accelerations on vehicle occupants in end-on impact.
· Reduced spare parts inventory: In almost 50% of all resets to date, the only
replacement parts needed are two 1/4” shear bolts.
· Increased crew safety: The average reset/repair time (often with just a one person
crew) is 56 minutes.
· Reduced call outs increase crew safety: To date there have been no call outs for
side angle impacts, a similar pattern to that in the USA.
· Reduced lane closure time: Fewer call outs and faster repairs keep traffic lanes
open for longer
· Happier motorists: Fewer lane closures, less blockages and faster repairs.
· SMART DESIGN, SAFER SITES FOR ROAD CREW and SAFER MOTORING
 ROAD SAFETY DESIGN
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The SMART CUSHION spare parts detailed
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 SPECIAL REPORT
Post Tensioning
Concrete in Winter
By Paul Uno
The art of post-tensioning concrete is a
common practice on many medium and
high-rise building sites today. PT floors can
be made thinner and span greater distances
compared to conventional reinforced
concrete.
The process involves feeding steel strands
through thin galvanised metal ducts. The
ducts are profiled on site (usually parabolic
draping) to balance applied loads and
bending moments. Concrete of grade 32MPa
or higher is then poured around the ducts
and around the projecting splayed cables
(called onions) at the dead ends.
The next day the prestressing strands
are tensioned (at the live end) to an initial
force about 25% of the total jacking force
which equates to 46 kN for 12.7mm diameter
strands. This is done to control any concrete
shrinkage cracking that may occur during
the first 24 hours. The concrete must have a
minimum compressive strength of 7MPa, or
else localised crushing of the concrete may
occur during stressing.
Once the concrete has reached a
minimum air-cured compressive strength
of 22MPa, the final force is applied to the
strand (usually about 85% of the ultimate
tensile strength ie UTS) which equates to
156 kN (based upon an ultimate tensile
strand stress of 1870MPa).
The reason for the 22MPa concrete
strength minimum is to ensure that the
concrete does not fail around the anchor
block during stressing. It must be noted
that the values of 7MPa and 22MPa only
apply to 12.7mm strand. These values rise to
9MPa and 25MPa respectively when 15.2mm
diameter (250 kN UTS) steel strand is used.
Even though test cylinder strengths
are based on standard water bath curing
30 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
procedures when dealing with premixed
concrete jobs, the use of air-cured cylinders
is more appropriate for post-tensioned
concrete. The reason is that a water-cured
sample will achieve a higher compressive
strength due to the favourable conditions
of being in a water tank al 23±2°C (which
promotes an ideal cement hydration and
curing regime). This may then over-estimate
the strength of the concrete on site – not
the best option where prestressing failure is
concerned.
Quite often the extremes of cold weather
in the winter months does not allow the
concrete on site to cure enough before
post tensioning occurs. This is of particular
concern during winter conditions where
morning temperatures can approach zero in
some parts of Australia.
Research has shown that standard
concrete after three days at 23°C, will
achieve about 50% of its 28-day strength;
however, when the temperature drops to
13°C, the three-day strength falls to about
30% of the 28-day value.
For a 40MPa characteristic strength mix at
28-days, the mean strength could be about
44MPa which translates to a three-day
strength of about 22MPa (the value required
to limit anchorage failure).
The photograph shows what happened
on a project in Australia when tendons
were stressed on a morning where the
temperature was 6°C and the average
ambient temperature for the three days
prior to the pour had been 8°C.
With temperatures in the range of 6°C to
8°C, the concrete would have only achieved
about 20% of its 28-day strength. For our
40MPa example earlier, this translates to
about 8-9MPa.
This emphasises the need to leave cylinders
‘air-curing’ on site before they are brought
back to the laboratory for testing. This period
is from the time the concrete is placed on site
to the time of tensioning the strands, thereby
ensuring a minimum 22MPa cylinder strength
is achieved (when using 12.7mm strand).
It must also be noted here that just
nominating a higher grade 28-day strength
(eg 40 MPa instead of 32MPa) will not ensure
an equivalent 22MPa @ 3 to 5 days after
placement when most final tensioning is
carried out.
Unless otherwise instructed, most
concrete mixes these days will contain
supplementary cementitious materials
(SCM}, such as flyash. These materials are
primarily added to ensure better workability,
better long-term durability, better resistance
to sulphate and AAR attack - but they may
not assist in providing enough early age
strength if prestressing during cold weather
conditions.
It takes time for the cement grains to
react with the flyash particles, in a
pozzolanic manner, to result in a better
composite material. Strengths in excess
of the 28 day nominated characteristic
strength are achieved using flyash
blends but these higher strength do not
always assist when carrying out early age
prestressing operations.
In fact, some concrete suppliers in the
eastern states are now using two SCMs
(primarily flyash and slag) in their standard
premixed concrete designs, so the need
to nominate a ‘strength at the time of
tensioning’ is paramount.
It must be noted here that the use of flyash
(as per AS3582.1) is conditional in that flyash
from NSW and QLD power stations is usually
of better quality due to its reactivity than
flyash from other Australian States (eg VIC
and WA).
Concrete suppliers can easily modify the
amount of all these SCMs to provide the
appropriate 3, 4 or 5 day concrete
strengths required prior to post-
tensioning.
Written and verbal
communication between the
structural design engineer and
the concrete supplier prior to
tensioning is therefore crucial to
ensure the problems associated
with prestressing during
the cold weather
months is minimised.
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 CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS

CIA CELEBRATING 50 YEARS

The Concrete Institute of Australia officially • Charles John McMONAGLE Share in the Fun
came into existence on the 17th April 1970, • James Selby ROBSON-SCOTT The Institute is inviting all our Members to
when the organization was registered as a share their stories and anecdotes, as well
company limited by guarantee and with the Events any old photos and documents. These
signing of the Memorandum of Association To mark this occasion there will be a memories will be used for recording our
and Articles of Association. nationwide celebration held on Friday 17th history in a book to mark the occasion, as
To celebrate this momentous occasion April 2020 in all the state branch capital cities. well as to retain these archives for safe
the Concrete Institute of Australia is proud At these events medallions will be presented keeping. You may also wish to assist our
to announce the launch of its Golden to recognise those who have made significant Steering Committee and Task Groups.
Jubilee 50 Year Celebrations that will take contribution to the formation, growth, and If you would like to contribute, you
place in 2020. development of the Concrete Institute can send any information you may have
Australia over its first 50 years. to CEO, David Millar, by email at:
Did You Know? There will also be many other activities history@concreteinstitute.com.au, by post
The Institute was originally formed when included in the jubilee that will honour and (or in person) at Level 4, 53 Walker Street
members of the Australian Prestressed recognise not only the Institute but the North Sydney, NSW, 2060, or by phone on
Concrete Group proposed a change in 1968 concrete industry in Australia. (02) 9955 1744.
where it was resolved to adopt the name
Concrete Institute of Australia. This occurred
in May 1969 and the first meeting of Council
was then held in July 1969 which was chaired
by Mr William (Bill) Brown who was elected
as the first National President. Following
this, the Institute was officially registered
as a company limited by guarantee with
approved Memorandum and Articles of
Association on 17th April 1970.
The original subscribers to those
documents were:
• William Gordon BARNES
• Edward Miles BIRKETT
• Frank Alexander BLAKEY
• William Piper BROWN
• Denison CAMPBELL- ALLEN
• Nicholas CARIS
• Kevin John CAVANAGH
• Geoffrey Page COOK
• William Raeburn COPELAND
• Albert FRIED
• George Robert GOFFIN
• Phillip Daryl ISAACS

32 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018


fib 2018 CONGRESS
Memo to Concrete Institute of Australia Members & Industry
Colleagues – put the 7th to 11th October 2018 down in your diary
and make sure you are in Melbourne that week. That’s when the
biggest congregation of concrete experts from around the world
will gather as one in Australia, when the International Federation of
Structural Concrete will hold its 5th International fib Congress!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is fib?
The International Federation for Structural Concrete (also known in
French as Fédération internationale du béton - fib) is formed by
45 National Member Groups around the world, along with over
1000 individual and corporate members. The objectives of the fib
are to develop at an international level the study of scientific and
practical matters capable of advancing the technical, economic,
aesthetic and environmental performance of concrete construction.
Why is the Concrete Institute of Australia
hosting the Congress?
CIA is the Australian National Member Group for fib and as such
CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS
The Congress, to be held at the Melbourne Convention and
Exhibition Centre, will feature a 4-day technical program with
over 400 papers and presentations, covering 25 general concrete
topics that will focus on developing trends and research in design,
construction and materials.
Together with an impressive list of local and international
sponsors and exhibitors, a social program that includes a Gala
Dinner to honour international concrete structures of excellence,
and an opportunity to connect with the “world of concrete” on our
door step, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be amongst the
best of the concrete industry.
The Concrete Institute of Australia is privileged to be hosting
this most prestigious event, and accordingly invite both the fib and
CIA families to join us in Melbourne for what we hope will be the
biggest concrete event ever on our soil. For more details read on,
or please visit: www.fibcongress2018.com
represents them in this country. This allows the Institute to bring
much of the work being done by fib to the Members of the Concrete
Institute, and to provide worldwide codes of practices to our shores
that can be considered and compared for local needs.
Why should I attend?
The Congress will bring together concrete industry members from
all over Australia and the world. It will offer you the opportunity to
present your work if you have submitted a paper, meet key industry
leaders in specific areas of interest, and create invaluable connections
with local and global colleagues and peers. This professional and
educational development opportunity is a genuine once in a working
life time. Attendance at the conference will put you in front of our key
note and invited speakers, and introduce to global trends, research
and innovation.
How many people are expected?
The Congress is expected to attract more than 700 people,
including many hundreds from overseas. With over 600 abstracts
submitted from authors representing more than 60 countries,
the diversity of the conference delegation will be incredible. In
particular, there is expected to be large contingent from Germany,
Japan, and China, where there is a considerable amount of research
and innovation going on in concrete.
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 33
 CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS
Do I need to be a member of fib?
No! Whilst fib and CIA members do receive member rates, the
Congress is open to everyone and anyone with an interest in
concrete. To see the registration rates go to:
http://fibcongress2018.com/registration/
Are there special rates for students and recent
graduates?
Yes! Registration is discounted significantly for students and young
professionals.
Can I earn CPD hours?
Yes, as a conference related to the civil and/or structural
engineering discipline the Congress will allow you to rack up
CPD hours. As a four day congress covering over 400 technical
papers both civil and structural engineering disciplines will be
covered in depth.
CONGRESS NEWS
Watch this space – special session on tall towers
Dr Andy Davids, is one of only a handful of world experts in the
design of super tall towers. With a CV that includes complete
design responsibility for the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the
world) and the J220 Sky City (at 838 metres it is the tallest building
in China), as well as completed projects such as Emirates Towers
in Dubai (355 metres), Sun Sky Towers in Abu Dhabi (80 levels)
and the Central Bank of Kuwait (40 stories) he is worth the price of
Congress admission alone.
We’re looking forward to announcing a special session on tall
buildings that will be chaired by Dr Davids, who is also the lead Key
Note Speaker at the Congress. Keep an eye on the website for the
latest information.
Burj Khalifa – The world’s tallest building
34 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
Can I sponsor and exhibit at the Congress?
The Congress will present a great opportunity for anyone actively
involved in the building and construction industry to present their
products and services. There are many attractive sponsorship and
advertising opportunities available to increase the visibility of any
company’s brand to their key target markets ranging from small to
high level packages.
Further information on these opportunities can be found at:
http://fibcongress2018.com/sponsorship-exhibition/
How long is early bird registration open for?
Early bird registration is open NOW and will close on 6th July 2018.
fib delegates at the
2017 symposium
in Maastricht, the
Netherlands.
Key Note Speaker
Delivers at ACI
Key note speaker at fib 2018
Congress, Professor Koichi
Maekawa, was the American
Concrete Institute’s invited
speaker for their International
Lunch at the recent ACI Spring
Convention in Salt Lake City.
Professor Maekawa gave a
presentation on “Road to New
Transport Infrastructure - Super Professor Koichi Maekawa
Express Maglev and Extended
Airport” providing an overview
of the Maglev super-express train and ocean-extended Tokyo
International Airport as national challenges to a new transport
infrastructure. The presentation was extremely well received by the
delegates, many of whom were looking forward to meeting up with
Professor Maekawa again in Melbourne at the fib Congress.
fib Awards for Outstanding Concrete Structures
announced
The Congress will see the winners of the 2018 fib Awards for
Outstanding Concrete Structures announced at the Gala Dinner to
be held at the Rod Laver Tennis Arena in Melbourne. These awards
are only presented every 4 years at fib Congresses and provide
international recognition to structures that demonstrate the
versatility of concrete as a structural medium.
The award includes a plaque that will be placed on the winning
project to recognise its position as an outstanding concrete
structure.
 CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS

Look at our sponsors!

The Congress is attracting interest from all over the world, and
we’re pleased to announce that Dywidag Systems International
(DSI) and the Australasian Certification Authority for Reinforcing
and Structural Steels (ACRS) are on board as Gold Sponsors,
with Ancon taking up Silver sponsorship. With a comprehensive
exhibition of local and overseas companies it will be a great
opportunity for delegates to connect.
2014 fib award winner, Pont de Terenez in France.

PROGRAM: BIGGER-SMARTER-
STRONGER
With over 600 abstracts submitted by authors all around the
world, all of them striving for concrete excellence with a view to the
Congress theme, “Better – Smarter – Stronger”, it is going to be a
quality program. Final papers are coming in thick and fast so the
program can be completed but here is a snap shot of what to expect:
• Several presentations will look at the use of European Codes with
respect topics such as fire design, creep and shrinkage, shear and
torsion, and other structural engineering requirements.
• A number of presentations on large and challenging projects
by construction companies from around the world such as
Bouygues Construction and VINCI Construction (France), and
2014 fib award winner, the Centro Ovale in Switzerland Sumitomo Mitsui Construction (Japan).

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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 35

 CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS

• Papers submitted from global consulting

companies such as Aurecon, Atkins,
AECOM and Arcadis on topics varying
from bridge structures to modelling and
design.
• Research and forensic work on resilience
topics, as well as a special session on
seismic activity and findings in New
Zealand following the Christchurch
earthquakes.
• A number of durability sessions following
on from Concrete2017 including concrete
deterioration mechanisms, condition
assessment, modelling and design, and
Dr Stuart Matthews
reinforcement corrosion. presenting on the fib
• Several papers on design and Model Code 2020 at
construction that will cover global Concrete 2017.
infrastructure experiences with bridges,
roads, highways, tall buildings, drainage, • Challenges in road, rail and pedestrian • Technical papers on topics not
wind turbines, cooling towers, viaducts bridge design and construction from traditionally covered at CIA conferences
and railways. Australia, USA, Europe and Asia. such as underground and foundation
• Innovation topics and themes including • Concrete research and innovation from structures, global codes and standards,
the construction of 3D printed houses in many of the world’s leading research composite and hybrid structures.
China. facilities, both locally and internationally.

BE PART OF THE CONCRETE MIX

There’s never been a better time to be part providing a dedicated area for concrete technology, application, design and
of the Concrete Institute of Australia! related discussion, information sharing, and construction – with you!
With over 2,000 members in Australia, connection. For more information on how to become
the Institute is the country’s leading CIA membership will expand your part of the concrete mix contact the
professional association in the concrete professional horizon. Dedicated to Institute at membership@concreteinstitute.
construction industry. The exclusive, excellence in concrete, it is our mission to com.au or check out the website:
members-only benefits that the Institute promote and develop concrete research, www.concreteinstitute.com.au/Membership
offer include free electronic access to
recommended practices, current practice
notes and past conference proceedings, as
well as discounted event registrations to
the many local technical and networking
events, as well as the biennial conference.
Membership also opens up international
doors. CIA members are able to access
fib Technical Bulletins, free of charge, and
can join the American Concrete Institute at
heavily subsidised rates!
CIA members today also have access
to an ever-increasing electronic portal
of educational resources through our
eConcrete platform. These on-line
presentations and learning forums are all
discounted, or free of charge, to Institute
members. Added to this the Institute
recently launched its online forum on
LinkedIn that is exclusive to members only,

36 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018

 CONCRETE INSTITUTE NEWS

CIA IN
SALT LAKE CITY
The Concrete Institute of Australia was prominent at the recent
ACI Spring Convention held in Salt Lake City. Past President
Michael van Koeverden was involved early on at the convention,
presenting at the International Forum on behalf of the Institute.
His presentation informed ACI members and guests about the
Institute’s conferences and the international recognition these have,
including the upcoming fib Congress in Melbourne.
Institute Life Member and Past President, Daksh Baweja, was also
heavily involved, attending several technical committee meetings
including ACI 201 (Durability) as well as meeting several executive
members of ACI to discuss opportunities for involvement in
Concrete 2019 (watch this space).
CIA Councillor, Dr James Aldred, was also there and he updated
the ACI 365 technical committee (Service Life Prediction) on the
activities being undertaken by the Institute on durability, as well as
attending several other technical committee meetings.
The Concrete Institute of Australia has had a long and prosperous
relationship with ACI and this has been further strengthened by the CIA Members in Salt Lake City (L-R): Gianluca Ranzi, James Aldred, Michael van
activities of our dignitaries who attended the recent convention. Koeverden, Daksh Baweja

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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 37

 NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE
TECH TALK:
A LOOK AT PRECAST PIPES AND THEIR
COMPLIANCE WITH AS/NZS 4058
At National Precast, we strive to educate and
provide assistance to professionals within the
construction industry. Our Tech Talk series
has been developed to address some of the
common queries within the precast concrete
space. In this issue, we look at the importance of
ensuring concrete pipes are manufactured and
tested to AS/NZS 4058.
Australian Standards are in place to ensure that
all suppliers are manufacturing and testing their
products in accordance to strict guidelines, and
in the construction industry, compliance with
relevant Standards is paramount. It is vital that
all asset owners, both in the private and public
realm, have confidence that the products they
are buying and installing meet the requirements
of the relevant Australian Standard. When it
comes to precast concrete pipes, that Standard
is AS/NZS 4058:2007 Precast concrete pipes
(pressure and non-pressure), or more commonly
referred to as AS/NZS 4058. The required testing
for a concrete pipe is outlined in AS/NZS 4058
Section 4, whereby the verification of Finished
38 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
Product Compliance includes Proof Load Test and
Ultimate Load Test.
Proof Load Test: pipes shall sustain a proof load
without developing a crack of width greater
than the relevant test crack and certificates
supplied should show testing results for the
batch of pipe supplied.
Ultimate Load Test: the maximum load
sustained by the pipe before loss of load shall
not be less than the test ultimate load (only if
specified).
AS/NSZ 4058 - A JOINT STANDARD
The main purpose of AS/NZS 4058 is to provide
manufacturers with a series of guidelines that
allows them to manufacture an appropriate size
concrete pipe to the required strength class that
will comply with the serviceability requirements
outlined in the Standard. One of the key
requirements within this Standard is to ensure all
pipes supplied will deliver a 100-year in-service
design life.
AS/NZS 4058 was prepared and published in
2007 by the joint Standards Australia/Standards
New Zealand Committee, WS-006, to supersede
two respective Australian and New Zealand
Standards. Those two Standards were AS 4058:1992
Precast concrete pipes (pressure and non-
pressure) and NZS 3107:1978 Specification for
precast concrete drainage and pressure pipes.
100-YEAR LIFE TO MINIMISE RISK
A 100-year design life can be expected
when pipes are manufactured in accordance
with AS/NZS 4058 and installed in a ‘normal’
or ‘marine’ environment. ‘Other’ environments
that are more aggressive should be assessed
for suitability using appropriate engineering
judgement. There are risks associated with
pipes that do not meet these requirements.
They may be of a lesser quality and could lead
to line failures on site.
MARKINGS TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE
To confirm that compliant pipes are being
supplied, the initial step to take is to ensure they
are visibly marked with the information required
by AS/NZS 4058.

Example of marked pipe. Note: the date and precaster
name has been removed.
As outlined in Section 1.5 Marking of the
Standard, the information to be marked includes:
• the manufacturer’s name or registered
trademark and the location of manufacture
• the date on which the pipe was cast
• the nominal diameter and load class
e.g. DN750/3
• where an elliptical reinforcement cage has
been incorporated in the pipe, the word
‘TOP’ indicating the correct laying position
of the pipe with respect to the direction of
the vertical loading and the orientation of the
reinforcement
• the maximum mass in kilograms of pipe for the
particular pipe class
• the number of the Australian Standard the
pipes are manufactured to, i.e. AS/NZS 4058.
The above information should be clearly and
indelibly marked in a visible location on each pipe.
Not only is this a requirement, but it also allows
the supplier to have traceability of their product
from manufacture through in-service.
If pipes are being used that are not marked
with the above information, it could be that the
pipes are not made and tested in line with the
Australian Standard. In this case, you can ask
the pipe supplier for proof of the required testing
in line with the standard for the batch of pipes
supplied. The test results should be dated to
reflect the batch of pipes supplied.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
NON-COMPLIANT PIPES
Using non-compliant precast products may
unnecessarily increase the risk of serious safety,
NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE
health, economic, legal and social events. The
installation of pipes that do not comply with
AS/NZS 4058 are no exception. Failure to comply
can lead to a reduction in life span (reduced
durability), resulting in additional works to replace
defected pipes. Additionally, pipes that are not
load tested in accordance with the Standard may
fail under normal operational loads. The financial
repercussions of replacing non-compliant pipes
can be extreme and cost momentously more
than it would have to ensure the product was
manufactured correctly to begin with. If you
are in any doubt as to whether your pipes are
compliant, request a manufacturer’s certificate of
compliance, to guarantee compliance with
AS/NZS 4058.
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
For more information on concrete pipes and their
compliance to AS/NZS 4058, or for advanced
knowledge of design, manufacture and the use of
precast concrete, contact National Precast on
(08) 8294 0833 or at www.nationalprecast.com.au
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 39
 NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE
NATIONAL PRECAST MEMBERS IMPROVING
DESIGNS AND REDUCING COSTS
While some precasters merely manufacture, supply and, on occasion, install
prefabricated concrete elements, National Precast members – when they
have the opportunity – can offer much more to a project’s deliverables.
Over the decades, these companies have become specialist suppliers
with extensive experience. Today, they are multi-disciplined and highly
skilled outfits that undertake multi-faceted tasks that extend beyond
their conventional manufacture, supply and install roles. Very often, their
expertise sees them being called in early during the tender process to
collaborate with the design team, the head contractor and other key trades,
to ensure that design and product choices are maximised.
It is these early discussions that have become an important part of
a modern project team’s research process. Many precast packages
undertaken by these leading precasters not only include the manufacture
of bespoke precast elements, but also their detail, design, delivery and
installation. National Precast members can provide solutions that help the
architect achieve a desired shape or finish, help the engineer achieve better
structural solutions, or help the builder with safer, faster and more cost-
effective building.
THE PRECASTER’S ROLE IN DESIGN
The precaster’s work takes place primarily off site, while contractors and
project managers concentrate on site activities. Here, internal manufacturing
details are prepared after completion of any external design and detailing.
These include the drawings of individual units for mould-making and
casting purposes, reinforcement calculations, cage drawings, bar bending
schedules, and preparation of manufacturing schedules.
Precasters can offer detailed expertise that allows for the development
of a structure’s design with engineering innovations and scheduling
improvements. As well, they work to enhance aesthetics and control budgets
from conceptual design to project completion. Each element can be made
as cost-effective as possible, taking advantage of the inherent performance
characteristics of precast concrete. The precaster can contribute design
and detailing suggestions to ensure that maximum efficiency is achieved at
the lowest erected cost. What results is a functional and visually pleasant
structure that exceeds project expectations.
The New Generation Rollingstock Train Maintenance Facility.
40 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
EXTERNAL DESIGN
Engineers have an integral role to play in designing a structure. Spans, loads,
connections and temporary supports are all in the realm of the engineer.
Engineers also have a role to play in temporary works design, taking on
the Erection Designer role per the revised Standard AS 3850 Prefabricated
Concrete Elements.
In the case of architects, knowledge of the many options that are on offer
from the precast industry is imperative in order to maximise creativity and
design outcomes. It’s about the architect knowing the possibilities for any
particular project.
Increasingly used as the building material of choice, precast concrete is
a designer’s dream. High-tech and high quality precast is manufactured in
purpose-built factories, enabling greater flexibility in terms of what can be
achieved as an end result - but how would an architect or engineer know
the possibilities if the precaster isn’t engaged at a project’s conception?
From complex geometric patterns and ridges, to curves and waves, to
stone and brick patterns, the possibilities on offer are exhaustive. Combine
these with integrally-coloured precast that incorporates colour pigments
in its mix, or with staining that can be factory-applied after the concrete is
cured, and one can only begin to imagine the possibilities.
Whether it be assisting with design, structure, or aesthetics, the broad
scope of National Precast members’ projects exemplifies the value adds a
member can offer.
THE NEW GENERATION ROLLINGSTOCK TRAIN MAINTENANCE
FACILITY
The New Generation Rollingstock Train Maintenance Facility is a state-of-
the-art facility that is seeing a significant increase in southeast Queensland’s
train fleet and has been designed to maintain the current train fleet, as well
as future-proof for the additional train capacity.
Precast Concrete Products was contracted for the precast manufacture.
With more than 40 years’ experience in the precast industry, and with six
dedicated production factories, the precaster had the proven track record
required for such an important project.
While the original design specified insitu concrete, the precaster’s team
worked with the builder, Laing O’Rourke, to redesign the project as a more
effective precast solution. Precast Concrete Products’ General Manager,
Colin Ginger, says the lead time his company had was key to the project’s
success.
“Because we were awarded the job at the outset, that meant we could
get the drawings done, start designing and manufacturing ahead of time
while the earthworks and site preparation were underway. That meant we
didn’t keep the builder waiting,” he details.
WAT DHAMMADHARO THAI BUDDHIST TEMPLE
With a majestic and otherworldly exterior, the Wat Dhammadharo Thai
Buddhist Temple in Canberra exhibits impressive precast Glass Reinforced
Concrete (GRC) elements. The temple features the only pagoda in the
southern hemisphere that is consistent with traditional Thai architecture.
Asurco Contracting was contracted to collaborate on design and
engineering as well as supply and install the precast GRC elements.
Wat Dhammadharo
Thai Buddhist
Temple. NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE

in the GRC are typically sufficient to reinforce the concrete, but because of
the ambitious design, the GRC was supported, in some cases, by lightweight
and heavier steel frames. Asurco’s owner, Des Pawelski, says “this was a
very satisfying job, because we made something from nothing and the end
result is quite beautiful.”

SOUTHERN METROPOLITAN TAFE, MURDOCH

Southern Delta Corporation, in collaboration with the designers, was invited to develop
Metropolitan a cost-effective precast concrete screen façade for the Challenger Institute
TAFE, Murdoch.
of Technology’s Stage 4 building at the Southern Metropolitan TAFE in
Murdoch.
It’s a striking screen that has a dual function—to simultaneously provide
shade to the glass curtain wall and to stand out as an architectural feature.
In order to form the complex shapes, Delta invested a significant amount
of resources into the research and development of the materials and
the manufacturing process—all while maintaining the high-quality finish
demanded by the architect.
The intricate design of the screen façade alongside the need for a
high-quality concrete finish posed a challenge during the initial
manufacturing phase. The multiple shapes and thin walls that define the
screen meant that the panels could not be reinforced with conventional
reinforcement. The precaster provided a solution that hinged on the use
of stainless steel fibre for the reinforcement. Delta and the design team’s
The GRC elements of the temple were manufactured over a nine-month solution resulted in the panels meeting the design requirements while also
timeframe, with the majority of moulds designed by Asurco. The glass fibres having sufficient structural strength.

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Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 41
 NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN PRECAST
2018 marks 50 successful years in Australia’s
precast concrete industry for Matt Perrella,
Executive Director of Delta Corporation Ltd. The
Western Australian precast manufacturer is
an inaugural member of the National Precast
Concrete Association of Australia and
Mr Perrella’s half-century feat is a testament to
his commitment and the high regard he is held in
by not only the precast sector, but also the wider
construction industry.
Though Mr Perrella is formally celebrating
the milestone this year, his legacy unofficially
begins in the early 1960’s when, as a 15-year-
old, he would help his father, along with his
brothers, making concrete paving slabs in their
family backyard. His enterprising father, Giovanni
Perrella, saw a future in precast, founding Delta
Concrete in 1966 and two years later, in February
1968, Matt Perrella joined the fledgling company.
Mr Perrella commenced as a worker on the
factory floor, learning all aspects of the precast
business including estimating and sales. His
professional career has seen him serve many
years as Delta’s General Manager, building and
leading a professional and successful team
before moving into his current Executive Director
role.
In the early 1970’s Mr Perrella became
involved with the Cement and Concrete
42 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
Products Association of Western Australia.
Here, he served on the executive committee
before being President from 1979 through to
1981.
A pivotal part of Delta’s development came
in 1980, when the company became a wholly
owned subsidiary of Perth-based publicly
listed company, Schaffer Corporation, formally
Calsil Ltd.
Over the subsequent decades, Delta
continued to expand its product offering,
manufacturing primarily for the Western
Australian construction industry. Delta now
produces a wide range of structural and
architectural precast products for commercial,
civil, resource and government projects.
Projects that Mr Perrella has been involved
with include multi-storey apartments, high rise
office buildings, civil infrastructure, bridges,
marine jetties and a myriad of government
buildings.
Throughout the years, Delta has supplied
its precast products to a number of high profile
projects in the construction market, including
the Central Park Office Tower, Commonwealth
and Family Law Courts, Garden City Shopping
Centre, Saint Mary’s Cathedral, the Fiona
Stanley Hospital, Perth to Bunbury (Forrest)
Highway, Gateway Western Australia Project,
Perth Convention Centre and the newly
completed Perth Stadium (just to name a few).
Mr Perrella’s achievements aren’t merely
limited to Delta in Herne Hill WA, nor the state of
Western Australia. In 1991, he played an integral
role in founding National Precast, alongside
other nation-wide precast manufacturers. He
served as President for two years from 2002
to 2004 and instigated a number of directional
changes including the publication of the Precast
Concrete Handbook and raising the profile of the
precast industry.
26 years on, Mr Perrella remains on the
Association’s Board of Directors and that
period has seen National Precast evolve into
an energetic and vibrant organisation. The
Association has grown to become the precast
industry’s peak body, continuing to represent its
members and work to promote precast as a best
practice sustainable construction solution.
Mr Perrella can be proud of the reputation
and expertise that both he and Delta Corporation
have earned as they continue to provide
high quality products and services for clients
throughout the country.
PICTURED ABOVE: National Precast CEO, Sarah
Bachmann, congratulating Matt Perrella on his 50th
year in the precast industry.
CONCRETE
VISION
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 NATIONAL PRECAST FEATURE
SUICIDE:
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
Nothing stands in the way of breaking the
stigma associated with suicide for Peter
Webb—Hawkesbury’s 2018 Citizen of the Year
and National Precast Individual Member.
Suicide rates in the construction industry are
71 per cent higher than that of other employed
men, according to the Suicide in the Construction
Industry report from suicide prevention group,
MATES in Construction (MIC). The report found
2,554 construction workers died by suicide
between 2001 and 2013, which equates to one
suicide every second day.
Suicide is common around the world, but the
report reveals that in many OECD (Organisation
for Economic Cooperation and Development)
countries it has a much greater effect. While the
report found that Queensland suicide rates fell
from 46.1 in 100,000 in 2001 and 2002 to around
13.8 in 100,000 in 2012 and 2013 (suggesting a
considerable decline), suicide rates among
construction workers remain above the average.
Mental health and suicide are prominent
issues that need addressing both within and
outside of Australia’s construction sector. As just
one example of a man making his mark, Mr Webb
works tirelessly to make a positive difference to
the communities around him.
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44 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
National Precast President, Kevin Crompton,
congratulating Peter Webb on being awarded
Hawkesbury's 2018 Citizen of the Year.
Working within the construction industry on
a daily basis, Mr Webb has a long history with
National Precast. He has worked for member
company Hanson Precast for many years,
served on the Association’s Board of Directors
and has been engaged as a consultant for the
Association.
The Hawkesbury Council’s Australia Day
Award Ceremony at Governor Park in Windsor
(NSW) in January saw Mr Webb named and
celebrated for his outstanding work across
a variety of mental health projects. His
volunteering as a Rotarian for 20 years, his
role on the management team of a vibrant
Community Centre and his current four-year stint
on Council’s Human Services Advisory team
has helped Mr Webb raise awareness and drive
campaigns in his local community.
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In particular, Mr Webb helped to co-ordinate
the Hawkesbury Surviving Suicide Support Group.
Joining the Western Sydney Suicide Prevention
and Support Network in 2012 marked the start
of an extensive repertoire of work for Mr Webb.
Since then, he has been helping to establish local
partnerships in the area, raising awareness of
services to assist suicide prevention, advocating
for support for people affected by suicide, and
helping to organise several RUOK Day Campaigns.
Initiatives like these are great examples of how
just one person can make a difference.
Mr Webb’s ultimate goal is suicide prevention,
and while there isn’t an overnight solution, his
daily work of supporting and educating his
community is certainly prompting gradual cultural
change. His work shows that if we all strive to
make a difference, great results can be achieved.
www.casamento.com.au
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 IPWEA NSW NEWS
IPWEA (NSW) launches
Public Infrastructure
Directory
IPWEA NSW is a registered charity with the
purpose of advancing public works excellence
in Australia, particularly in NSW by providing
research, influencing government agencies
at all levels and providing high quality and
thought-provoking forums to engage in best
practice.
For government agencies responsible for
the design, construction and maintenance of
public infrastructure, irrespective of level or
tier of government, the process of identification
of suppliers and procurement of goods and
services has become very prescriptive in terms
of both governance and standards. IPWEA
(NSW) is regularly called upon to assist public
works professionals identify new solutions to
manage the vast array of public infrastructure
and community assets.
To be able to identify innovation, emerging
technologies, new products and services, can
be very challenging for engineers, designers
and procurement personnel.
In response, IPWEA (NSW) has created
the Public Infrastructure Directory, an
online resource that will provide a new
communication and resource tool for public
works professionals and suppliers alike. As
well as providing a searchable directory
of suppliers incorporated into the tool,
the Directory also offers a unique project
management tool free of charge.
Backed by a comprehensive news service,
suppliers are also able to keep up-to-date
with emerging technology, new products and
industry updates. Practitioners are continually
seeking examples and learning through cases
studies of successful projects, innovation and
sustainable outcomes, and IPWEA (NSW) is
building a technical resource library into the
Directory.
The Public Infrastructure Directory has
been developed in consultation with and as a
46 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
result of feedback from the sector. This tool will
provide a free to access, simple to navigate
online solution for all public work practitioners,
with a bounty of information and best practice
solutions in a single location - accessible 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter where
you are located.
“This is the only service available where you
can find every supplier you need with the click
of one button,” said The Directory’s Managing
Editor, Sean Burke.
Whether you’re building a bridge,
constructing a freeway, installing a pipeline or
erecting a skyscraper – or something smaller
– The Directory will automatically shortlist the
most suitable local suppliers for you,” he said.
“And once you’ve identified your preferred
suppliers, The Directory allows you to manage
them from the start of your project to the
finish,” Sean added.
When a supplier is chosen, it can then be
linked to a personal project that is set-up on the
user’s on-line dashboard. Once linked, the user
can make notes, add specifications, attach
quotes and communicate directly with one or
all suppliers attached to a project.
The Directory allows users to set-up
multiple projects, to share projects and, when
completed, to archive them for future use.
“We believe this is a unique platform to
assist everyone involved in the planning,
designing, constructing, funding and
management of infrastructure,” Sean Burke
said. “Embracing latest technology, The
Directory is poised to take local suppliers to a
national stage.”
Check out The Directory at:
www.publicinfrastructure.com.au.
IPWEA (NSW)
Regional Forums
100th Anniversary
For nine consecutive years IPWEA (NSW)
has conducted Regional Forums across the
State - informing thousands of public works
professionals, creating networks across the
industry, helping to maintain and grow networks,
as well as assisting in bringing innovative, cost
effective and efficient products and solutions to
all corners of New South Wales.
IPWEA (NSW)’s Regional Forums are a
state-wide program delivered to rural, regional
Opening Address at Regional Forum in Orange
by Mr Philip Donato MP, Member for Orange.
Opening Address by Mayor David West at
Regional Forum in Diamond Beach.
Site tour of the Lismore Regional Gallery at the
Regional Forum in Lismore.
and metropolitan public works practitioners.
They are usually held across 11 different
locations throughout the State, but in 2018 we
added one in the ACT and hosted number 100
at the Maritime Museum in Sydney to celebrate
the success of these events that offer a
dynamic program focussing on current issues
and key technical information.
These one-day events offer a comprehensive
program including, informative presentations,
with plenty of discussions throughout the day
and concludes with a local site inspection
and a relaxed dinner creating the opportunity
to catch up with old friends, make new ones
as well as share knowledge and discuss the
points of interest with Presenters, Partners and
other Stakeholders.
The presentations at this year’s Regional
Forums were delivered by Boral, Roads &
Maritime Services, Vantage Pipes, Food
Recycle, the Roads & Transport Directorate,
Concrete Masonry Association Australia,
Slasherteck and Local Government
Procurement, and were very well received. We
also had a number of Ministers and Mayors
addressing the delegates at each forum
including the Hon. Catherine Cusack MLC,
Mr Philip Donato MP and Mr Jonathan O’Dea MP,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and
Treasurer on behalf of the NSW Premier who
addressed guests during the dinner at the
100th Anniversary Regional Forum.
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 IPWEA NSW NEWS
Emerging Technologies
Conference Local Roads Congress
2018
The Institute of Public Works Engineering
(NSW) 2nd Emerging Technologies
Conference will be held at the Intercontinental
Hotel Sydney on 14-15 June 2018. This year
we welcome the Hon Paul Fletcher, Minister
for Urban Infrastructure and Cities and
Hon Keith Pitt MP Assistant Minister to the
Deputy Prime Minister to the program.
Hosted by Michael Pascoe, experts
will present case studies and provide
demonstrations on the transformative sector
as we go beyond today and focus on the
high-tech world of drones, 3D mapping, virtual
reality, solar bins, water and energy. Highlights
include presentations on the Western City Deal
as David Borger Western Sydney Director of
the Sydney Business Chamber will discuss the
planning and execution of the iconic deal.
A panel of experts will also talk about
“Building Resilient Communities” and how new
technology is having a huge impact. Panellists
include Roderick Simpson, Environment
Commissioner, Greater Sydney Commission,
Suzanne Campbell of Vennu and Amanda Rose
of Western Sydney Advisory. Furthermore,
we target the hot topic on autonomous cars
with Rita Excell, Executive Director, Australia
& NZ Driverless Vehicles Initiative as our
keynote speaker who will talk on Future
Transport Technologies with Jaguar Australia’s
Managing Director, Matthew Wiesner talking
about if we as a city are ready for this new
technology of autonomous cars and a panel of
experts continue the discussion. This industry
relevant conference will run for 2 days.
Register now for your chance to be a part of
this revolutionary conference showcasing the
technology of the future.
For registrations and details, please visit:
www.infrastructureconference.com.au
50 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
This year the Roads and Transport Directorate’s
Local Roads Congress will take place at the
Intercontinental Hotel Sydney on Monday 4 June
with the theme Roads as Critical Infrastructure.
Mr Rob Carlton will again be facilitating the
day session and dinner in the evening. The
Hon Melinda Pavey MP, Minister for Roads,
Maritime and Freight will be addressing the
audience amongst other Government Officials
and Industry experts.
The Congress provides an annual forum
for all involved in the management of road
and freight networks to discuss better
outcomes for the safe and efficient movement
of passengers and freight across our vast
network of local and regional roads in NSW.
Many important issues are discussed and
there is a significant responsibility to address
road safety and that there needs to be an
integrated approach to Road safety and the
efficient and safe movement of passengers
and freight around New South Wales, during
the day delegates will debate and adopt a
formal communique.
Registration will open soon, so keep an eye
out on our website: www.ipwea.org/nsw
IPWEA (NSW) State
Conference 2018
IPWEA (NSW) would like to invite you to
participate in the IPWEA (NSW) State
Conference 2018 to be held again this year at
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley on Wednesday
7th - Friday 9th November.
Held annually, the IPWEA (NSW) State
Conference is NSW's leading forum for
the public works and engineering sector
and relevant for all levels of public works
professionals.
Call for Papers
The Conference Committee is calling for original
papers to be provided for presentation at the
ever growing IPWEA (NSW) State Conference.
It is important that we all continue to learn from
our peers and find out what we can be doing
better – this is done by you sharing and getting
involved.
DATES TO NOTE:
Submission Forms due:
Monday 18th June 2018
Notification of acceptance into the program:
Monday 23rd July 2018
State Conference 2018:
Wednesday 7th - 9th November 2018
The Conference provides an excellent
opportunity for Members, Regional Groups,
Contractors, Consultants and Government
Agencies to present papers on a diverse range
of technical and management issues that impact
on public works professionals, the communities
we serve and most importantly the future of NSW.
Public Works is advancing in a new era
of technology and innovation, and we must
continue to look at smarter and different ways
of doing things. We must continue to recognise
emerging issues and technologies, develop,
build and retain skills, communicate with
our communities on environmental matters,
sustainability, road safety, asset management
and technical innovation.
For more details and submission form,
please visit the IPWEA (NSW) events page:
www.ipwea.org/newsouthwales/nswevents/
nswstateconference
Call for Awards Nominations
IPWEA (NSW) presents the Engineering
Excellence Awards each year to promote and
recognise excellence of Local Government
and Public Works Projects. This is achieved
through inspiration, innovation, development
and completion of projects and technical
management by our Members. Each project
nominated for an award showcases the
individual and team aspirations to improve the
community in which we live.
DATES TO NOTE:
Award Nominations Forms due:
Monday 23rd April 2018
Award Project Submissions due:
Monday 21st May 2018
Engineering Excellence Awards Gala Dinner:
Thursday 8th November 2018
Why should you enter?
There are many benefits to submitting a
nomination for the IPWEA (NSW) Engineering
Excellence Awards; we recommend you
consider nominating your projects and programs
in 2018.
 Powering a
Whilst you may feel that many of the projects you undertake during the
year are ‘just routine’ they may nevertheless, be an example of industry Sustainable Future
best practice and the recognition through the Awards might assist a
fellow Engineer, Works Officer or Road Safety Officer in undertaking
projects that may not happen otherwise.
For more details and nomination form, please visit the IPWEA (NSW)
website: www.ipwea.org/newsouthwales/home

Mr John Roydhouse, CEO

IPWEA (NSW) celebrates
10 years of service
Did you know you can access the latest
issue of Construction Engineering Australia
On 22nd February the IPWEA (NSW) team and Board presented
via Informit?
Mr John Roydhouse with a celebratory plaque to show their sincere
appreciation of his passion and dedication in promoting excellence in The Informit Engineering Collection is an
Public Works Engineering for 10 years. ever expanding resource covering aspects of
John started with IPWEA (NSW) in 2008 as the Executive Officer municipal engineering – urban management
and then was successfully appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and planning, civil engineering and
in 2013. During those 10 years, John has been prominent in driving construction, environmental management,
strategic direction, business development, project and risk management, planning issues and traffic management.
governance, financial management, communications and marketing, The database offers an extensive variety
public advocacy and promoting the representations of Institute members of resources including journals, trade
to a diverse audience ranging from grass root stakeholders to industry publications, reports and conference
and governments of all levels. His management approach has built a proceedings.
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great deal of respect and loyalty from staff members.
The Collection guarantees quality through partnerships
He has built a talented and diversified team that are committed to their
with peak professional bodies including Engineers
work and go out of their way to progress the Institute.
Australia and the Institution of Professional Engineers
The CEO’s position carries the responsibility for administration of the
New Zealand, as well as Content Providers including
Institute’s affairs on behalf of the Board of nine Directors who are directly EPC Media Group.
elected from the membership. It is obvious that John's long-term goal is
to make a significant contribution to the growth, influence and success The Informit Engineering Collection delivers hard to find
content designed to complete and complement all your
of the Institute through successful stakeholder engagement, leadership,
construction engineering requirements.
advocacy, strategic planning, financial management and service delivery.
John is passionate and committed to the Institute's mission. Other key titles published by EPC Media include:
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recognising that they are fully employed professionals in their day Waste + Water Management Australia
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John’s leadership, global future
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to IPWEA (NSW) was
further recognised by his
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2016 for a further five
years.

Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 51

 ACA CORROSION FEATURE
GERALDTON
CONCRETE SILOS
REMEDIATION:
A case study in the structural strengthening
and concrete repair practices utilised for the
ongoing operational efficiency and durability
of concrete silos.
J Barry, S Robertson & A Mesic, Freyssinet Australia Pty Ltd
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The CBH Group is one of Australia’s leading grain organisations, a
co-operative with operations including grain storage, handling and
transport, to marketing shipping and processing, based in Western
Australia. It has been established for 80 years and is owned and
controlled by more than 4,500 grain growers.
The CBH Geraldton base is located in the north of the state’s
growing region and consists of receival and administration facilities,
along with port terminals for export. As part of this receival facility,
Geraldton has 24 reinforced concrete grain silos which were
constructed from slip formed concrete in the mid 1960’s. These
silos were constructed as circular grouped silos in a bank of 8x3
interconnected/adjoining silos, each measuring 36m in height
and 13m in diameter, resulting in a plan layout of 100 metres long
and approximately 40 metres wide. This layout formed internal
star cells between the main silos which are used to store boutique
grain. The walls of the silos are around 200mm thick and the wall
reinforcement consists only of a centrally placed single mat.
In more recent years, evidence of extensive vertical cracking was
noted throughout the walls of these silos and this lead to various
investigations and structural assessments.
As is typically found for circular grain storage facilities of
this type and age, it was concluded that the original design
understanding was inadequate to cater for the peak loads occurring
during grain outflow. The resulting structural cracking reflected this
structural inadequacy and, given the marine environment in which
the silos are located, also raised concern in regard to the long-term
durability of this structure.
52 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018
Insufficient hoop reinforcement in the silo walls had resulted in
extensive vertical cracking and led to restriction in grain loading
and operation. As the silos are also located in a temperate marine
location, 40 years of chloride ingress had also led to significant
corrosion to the embedded reinforcement resulting in widespread
delamination and spalling.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Following on from failed attempts at remediation during the early
2000’s by others, Freyssinet were invited to put forward solutions
for strengthening and remediation as a result of successful
completion of numerous similar projects throughout Europe and
the Middle East. This approach was largely one of providing a
complete design and construct solution.
Previous structural assessment reports were assessed and further
grain testing and load modelling was undertaken by recognised
specialist organisations. Freyssinet then completed a full in-house
structural design for strengthening which included sophisticated
finite element analysis and design to current Australian Standards.
In addition to this, a durability assessment was undertaken by
concrete sampling as well as a corrosion survey using half-cell
potential mapping. Solutions for long term repair and protection
were based on the results from these investigations.
The original 1960’s design allowed for only static loading to the
structures and failed to account for the ‘funnel’ effect during the
emptying of the silos with insufficient hoop reinforcement in place
to deal with such live loads. The most common design errors were
bending of circular walls caused by eccentric withdrawal, large
non-symmetric pressure caused from inserts, ignoring flow patterns
and materials properties concerning temperature and moisture,
corrosion of steel reinforcing bars in the concrete and improper
reinforcement.
Forty years later their condition had declined to an extreme state
rendering them in need of extensive structural strengthening and
specialist concrete repair works which included ultra-high pressure
hydro demolition and dry process gunite reinstatement.
Leading on from these investigations and designs, Freyssinet was
engaged to carry out initial prototype repairs and strengthening
to an initial three silos in order to verify and refine work methods
and scope for the remainder of the structure. These works were
undertaken from a series of special purpose mast climbers which
provided for access platforms contoured to the silo geometry.
Repairs were undertaken using techniques commonly used
throughout the Freyssinet group internationally, including a
combination of hydro-demolition and dry process shotcrete.
Staging of the repairs was originally not anticipated, but was found
to be necessary given the very large scale of these works, with this
structural assessment undertaken internally by Freyssinet.
Structural strengthening was undertaken using proprietary
Freyssinet external post tensioning including 1R15 anchorages, with
successful completion of these initial works confirming the design
assumptions. The prototype was completed over a twelve month
period. Based on the extensive learning and verification made
possible during this initial prototype, along with the inclusion of
certain methods preferred by the client, the scope of ongoing work
was refined and re-valued.
In order to verify the Freyssinet techniques for repair and
strengthening, initial works included the construction of a
 ACA CORROSION FEATURE

UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

Initial site inspections gave a clear indication of the level of cracking
on the silos. Extensive areas were visible where corrosion was
evident due to delamination of the concrete and pimples/lateral
deformations on some silo walls, as a result of the ‘funnel effect’
Figure 1 – Construction of prototype
during the operational use of the silos.
Some remediation works had been carried out previously on the
cracking with Kevlar tape placed over each crack to try and stem
the cracking and also seal the cracks from the elements. The extent
of the cracking exposed can be clearly seen in Figure 4 following
removal of the tape as part of the initial repair process.

Figure 2 – Cored tendon placement holes

prototype off site to confirm the accuracy of coring of the

interconnecting diaphragm between silos as shown in Figure 1.
Coring of primary 90mm diameter holes through the 4500mm
long diaphragms was completed with secondary core holes
drilled to intercept these, allowing tendons to pass around the full
circumference of each circular cell as shown in Figure 2.
Works on site commenced in 2008 on the first three silos as
part of the initial 18 month ‘prototype’ phase. This phase was
then followed by the ‘full scale works’ whereby the overall works
package was split into four distinct separable portions (SP1 – SP4)
with each addressed as sequential independent schemes as
illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 1 – Construction of prototype. Figure 2 – Cored tendon placement holes

Figure 4 – After Kevlar tape removal from side of Silo 7.8
WAREHOUSE

INDICATES PROTOTYPE COMPLETE INDICATES SEPERABLE PORTION 2 DURATION – 10 MONTHS INDICATES SEPERABLE PORTION 4
DURATION – 6 MONTHS
INDICATES SEPERABLE PORTION 1 DURATION – 11 MONTHS INDICATES SEPERABLE PORTION 3 DURATION – 9 MONTHS

Figure
Figure 3 –3Breakup
– Breakup of each
of each phase of worksphase of works.

30
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 53
Coring of primary 90mm diameter
 ACA CORROSION FEATURE

A corrosion survey was undertaken by potential mapping
using half-cell testing equipment. After detailed hammer surveys,
coupled with exploratory breakout ‘windows’, areas of concern
were identified, catalogued and each silo mapped accordingly
which allowed for a repair scheme to be formulated in what
became known as the ‘prototype’ phase of the works.
The ‘prototype’ phase of the works utilised separate twin profiled
mast climber systems for access to carry out the surveys and the
repair works as shown in Figure 5.
Out of the ‘prototype’ phase of the works a defined project
scope of works and access requirements were developed for each
silo’s remediation.
ACCESS SYSTEMS
During the ‘prototype’ phase of the works profiled mast climbers
were utilised to access the repair areas. However, it quickly became
apparent that this access system was not the best solution for a project
of this magnitude. With such large areas of repair to be completed, the
mast climber system didn’t allow for the autonomy required to work
on multiple work fronts at any given time. Also because of the lower
safe working load (S.W.L) of the mast climbers a traditional scaffold
access system (Figure 6) was utilised for SP1 – SP4.

Figure 5 – ‘Prototype’ phase profiled mast climber system

Internal 3D scanning of the worst affected silo (3.1) was carried
out noting the ‘full thickness’ cracking that was affecting this
particular silo wall. These cracks coincided with areas of the wall
that appeared to be ‘bulging’ outwards. The 3D scanning mapped
the extent of the internal cracking and also the profile of the
lateral deformation in the wall.
For this case a methodology for a full depth repair was required
and developed.
These initial trials led to development of a structural repair
and strengthening solution comprising of the Freyssinet 1X15
external post tensioning system being utilised as the structural
strengthening component to combat the insufficient hoop
reinforcement, together with varying different concrete repairs
techniques to combat the extensive cracking, delaminated
concrete and lateral deformation affecting one of the silo
structures. Due to the facilities proximity to the coast the cracking
also contributed to widespread chloride induced corrosion of the
existing reinforcement embedded within the structure.
Figure 6 – Typical scaffold access on site (prior to encapsulation)
Another unique challenge was the access system for the internal
star cells. Access into these areas was a difficult challenge due to
the confined space nature of the works. Access doors at the base
of each cell allowed for scaffold material to be passed into each
cell and a scaffold ‘donut’ platform (Figure 7) to be constructed to
suit the cells configuration. Side guides/ rollers and a winch system
was used to traverse the ‘donut’ up and down the star cell walls.
Emergency access was by means of rope access system in/out of
the escape hatch at the top of each cell created by removal of each
silos grain feed chutes.

REPAIR SOLUTIONS
After the ‘prototype’ phase, Freyssinet Australia was engaged on
a full design and construct contract to remediate the remaining
21 interconnected silos and the 14 star cells. Execution of the
rehabilitation solution involving various different concrete repair
techniques and structural strengthening, discussed in detail
hereafter, which ensured the ongoing operational efficiency and
durability of the concrete storage facility.
The original contract estimate for repair area was set at
3,000m². However, over the course of the project with better
access to carry out detailed surveys the final repair area grew to
over 4,400m². Figure 7 – Star cell scaffold platform

54 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018


OUTLINE SCOPE OF WORKS
The following repair sequence was utilised across all silos:
1. Conduct a Hammer Survey to identify areas of defective/
delaminated concrete.
2. Remove defective/ delaminated concrete using a combination of
both hydro-demolition and hand breakout techniques, and trim
original concrete to give access behind (by a ‘gloved hand’/ ≥25mm)
the existing reinforcement.
3. Remove existing horizontal reinforcement and replace with new
galvanized steel.
4. Blast and treat the existing vertical steel with a zinc-rich epoxy
primer (Nitoprime Zincrich) to protect the steel reinforcement within
the repair areas.
5. Apply concrete repairs to areas requiring reinstatement using a high
strength (45 MPa), high strength, low shrinkage dry-spray gunite
(Guncrete E) repair application (>600m³).
6. Carry out crack repairs to any remaining structural cracks.
7. Apply a 3-coat high performance water based protective façade
coating system to the silo external surfaces (EmerClad).
8. Install an external post tensioning system using diaphragm cored
holes to pass each cables external ducting which house the greased
and sheathed 15.7mm strand through and around each silo at a
pre-determined location (>26km strand). Stainless steel pins were
used to support the tendons.
In addition to the silos, the internal ‘Star Cells’ which made up the voids
between the interconnecting silos and were also used for grain storage,
required some works as part of the overall remediation project. The
following repair sequence was utilised across all star cells:
1. Install stressing anchor to receive the external post tensioning cable.
2. Following completion of the post tensioning works, anchor steel
mesh to face of each Star Cell wall.
3. Apply 80mm thick strengthening skin of wet-spray shotcrete
(Guncrete E) onto steel mesh and finish smooth.
4. Reinstate all infrastructure for each cell – fumigation pipes,
chutes etc.
Silo 3.1 required special attention in the overall repair scheme due
to the lateral deformation in its mid-section as identified by the
3D mapping and also from the visible penetration through the silo
wall. Once access was established, a full depth repair to an area
approximately 30m2 was required. Briefed with the 3D mapping
information and as-built drawings, a structural finite element
analysis (FEA) was carried out to ascertain the structural integrity
of the Silo 3.1 and the extent of the necessary repairs.
The results of the FEA confirmed that the silo could still function
even with the lateral deformation/ ‘bulge’ left in place. This FEA
analysis outcome allowed for the minimum possible area of full
depth concrete repair to be addressed.
The results of the accompanying site investigations also
highlighted the need for the extensive cracking around the full
depth repair area to be treated so that the substrate would act in
a homogenous manner during the stressing works, along with the
need for stainless steel dowel pins to be installed to the segmented
‘blocks’ of concrete which had been created by the cracking.
CONCLUSIONS
The concrete remediation techniques and practices adopted on
the Geraldton Grain Silos project were both varied and challenging
making it a unique project within the Concrete Engineering
ACA CORROSION FEATURE
field. The large-scale application of dry spray gunite, wet spray
shotcrete, reinforcement treatment and replacement, waterproof
substrate coating and external post-tensioning to the silo
structures, required dedicated expertise across and range of
engineering disciplines.
The successful execution of these works was also greatly reliant
upon the collaborative approach adopted by both the asset owner
and contractor. Without this forward thinking approach, solutions
to additional problems such as Silo 3.1’s full depth repair may not
have been so readily derived and successfully implemented.
Moreover, the use of a prototype phase in order to establish the
correct application techniques and quality management, helped
contribute towards a ‘right first time’ culture that lasted the
duration of the repair works, whilst enabling the facility to remain
operational.
Not only did execution of the project allow CBH’s grain terminal
operations to continue without significant loss in capacity, but
the overall finished product is set to provide the structure with a
further 40 years of serviceable life.
The completed project value was $26M.
KEY SUBCONTRACTORS AND SUPPLIERS
• Hydro Demolition: UHP Solutions
• Concrete Coring: Diacore
• Surveying: Hile Thompson & Delfos
• Concrete Hand Breakout: DIAB Engineering
• Concrete Repair Materials: Parchem Construction
Supplies
PROJECT AWARDS
• Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA) – Industry Excellence Award
in 2014 - ‘My Concrete Rules Repair Category’
• Australasian Concrete Repair Association (ACRA) – Award for
Excellence in 2014 – ‘Mega Projects over $10m – Geraldton Grain
Silo Remediation’
• ACRA – Award for Excellence in 2014 – ‘Repair Industry
Excellence Award – Geraldton Grain Silo Remediation’
REFERENCES
• Freyssinet Australia End of Job Report – AF-Q-REP-410-revA
• Freyssinet Prestressing Brochure - The system of the inventor of
prestressed concrete (Sept 2011)
• Robert Bird Group – ‘Assessment of Wall Deformation in the No.
3-1 Silo’
o Document #: 13294N-AF-RPTAssessment-ECE-140319
AUTHOR DETAILS
John Barry is the WA Construction Manager with Freyssinet
Australia.
Stuart Robertson was the Project Manager directly involved
and responsible for the delivery of phase 3 & 4 of the Geraldton
Concrete Silo project over a period of 18 months.
Anthony Mesic was the WA Remedial Manager from June 2012
to April 2014 when stages 3 & 4 were being completed on the
Geraldton Concrete Repair Project. Anthony was directly involved
in overseeing the projects delivery, establishing the full depth repair
techniques and troubleshooting new construction requirements
throughout the life-cycle of the repair project.
Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018 55
 ACA CORROSION FEATURE

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOR THE ACA

The Australasian Corrosion Association and ensure that the association continues of Melbourne and a Master’s Degree in
(ACA) is pleased to announce that it to meet the needs of its members and of Business Administration from the Melbourne
recently appointed Richard Reilly to the the industry through training, membership, Business School, University of Melbourne. He
position of Chief Executive Officer for the communication and governance,” said is also a graduate of the Company Directors’
organisation. Mr Reilly. course from the Australian Institute of
Based in Melbourne, Richard brings Richard is very experienced working Company Directors.
executive experience to the role, having with stakeholders in a membership-based
been the chief executive of the Federation organisation, providing advocacy and liaising
ABOUT THE AUSTRALASIAN
of Automotive Products Manufacturers for with key industry and government bodies. CORROSION ASSOCIATION
over six years. He also spent nine years at His professional background and experience The Australasian Corrosion
professional services firm Deloitte in the are an excellent fit for the ACA. Association Incorporated
Global Investment and Innovation Incentive According to Dean Wall, ACA ‘s Chairman, (ACA) is a not-for-profit,
membership association,
group, delivering tax services to clients. “Richard will be responsible for delivering that disseminates
“Corrosion is key outcomes contained in the ACA’s information on corrosion
an enormous strategic plan and I am sure you will enjoy and its prevention through
the provision of training
cost to the working with him to further the interests courses, seminars,
national of companies and individuals in the conferences, publications and other activities.

economy. I’m Australasian corrosion mitigation sector and The vision of the ACA is that corrosion is managed
looking forward related industries.” sustainably and cost effectively to ensure the health
and safety of the community and protection of the
to working with Richard is passionate about delivering environment.
members to value to members and is well qualified to For further information, please visit:
Richard Reilly, CEO,
help address lead our organisation, with Bachelor Degrees www.corrosion.com.au
Australasian Corrosion
Association this challenge in Arts and Commerce from the University

56 Construction Engineering Australia • April/May 2018

 7–11 October

The 5th International Federation of Structural Concrete (fib)

Congress Dates
Congress is coming to Australia in 2018. 7–11 October 2018
The Congress, focusing on the theme “Better – Smarter – Stronger”, is
dedicated to bringing together leaders and practitioners in the concrete
industry from all over the world. Registration
The multidisciplinary theme of the Congress provides an excellent forum Now Open
to share knowledge, and to learn about advances in the concrete world.
With over 580 abstracts submitted from over 50 countries and across
25 themes, there is something for everybody!
Features include:
• 4 day technical program with over 350 presentations
• 5 excellent key note speakers from around the globe
• Exhibitors of concrete products & services from all over
the world
• fib Awards for Outstanding Concrete Structures Gala Dinner
• Opportunities to connect with world leading concrete
practitioners
A Conference of this type is a once in a life time opportunity for
the Australian concrete industry to show the world what we can
do in our own backyard. Head to our website to secure your
registration and find out more.
Professor Stephen Foster
Congress Chair

www.fibcongress2018.com
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