Leading global engineering and consulting firm Golder is a finalist at the 2019 Year in Infrastructure Awards – a global competition open to Bentley software users across all forms of infrastructure projects and stages, including design, construction and operations. Golder is recognised in the geotechnical engineering category for its analyses of soil–structure interaction which supported the safe, cost-effective and timely development of connecting tunnels for the West Island Line of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR).
The West Island Line is a fully underground railway that alleviates traffic congestion and provides safe and reliable transportation in Hong Kong Island’s western district. The project involved constructing two single-track tunnels, posing unprecedented geotechnical challenges that were expected to require advanced grouting protective measures beneath 10 buildings along the tunnelling route. Golder provided specialist geotechnical services for tunnelling, tunnel dismantling, and shaft excavation works.
The Golder team, led by Dr. Andy Pickles and Dr. Siew Wei Lee, used PLAXIS 3D to model and analyse complex ground-structures interaction for the contractor’s design during the tender and construction phases for the underground structures, and to perform construction simulation. MicroStation was used to facilitate production of construction drawings from 3D models
Parametric modelling and analysis enabled Golder to rigorously evaluate the interaction of soil and structure and optimise the design. Based on that analysis, the number of buildings that required the advanced grouting protection was reduced from 10 to three. This not only shortened construction by three months and saved money, it also improved safety and avoided the significant carbon emissions resulting from traffic disruption and the enormous amount of grout required.
“The Year in Infrastructure Awards had formidable finalists from among our global peers, so we’re very proud to be a finalist,” said Tom Henderson, Principal and Regional Leader for Golder in Asia. “This recognition is a credit to the technical excellence and innovation our people bring to projects and clients, and our passion to embrace digital tools to deliver great results in challenging projects,” said Tom. “Being named a finalist underscores our proven track record of using advanced numerical modelling to provide cost-effective construction solutions to our clients on underground projects.”
The Award was held during the Year in Infrastructure 2019 Conference over this week in Singapore. Golder was one of 54 finalists selected from a record number of entries. Across 18 categories, 44 independent jury members selected finalists from the 571 nominated projects, which represented more than more than 440 organisations across 60 countries.
