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Assessing the impact of trenchless technology in an urban environment

PhD project

Candidate: Choo Chung Siung
Supervisor: Dr Dominic Ong

The Kuching Wastewater Management System (KWMS) has brought trenchless technology i.e. micro-tunnelling by pipe-jacking method, to Sarawak for the very first time. This beneficial and sustainable construction technique presents several new and complex challenges to the local construction industry, such as the understanding of the highly variable geological conditions of Kuching, the necessity to produce a predictive model of pipe-jacking forces for local conditions, and the suitability and effectiveness of various lubricants during the jacking process. This study ventures into producing an accurate constitutive prediction model for pipe-jacking frictional forces, which will benefit future phases of the project. 


Caisson shafts are sunk to depths surpassing rock level. Rock breakers are often employed during shaft construction.


Pipe-jacking operation in progress in a 18m deep jacking shaft.


200 tonne jacks retracted; these jacks thrust the pipes and the tunnel boring machine (TBM)


The 200 tonne jacks press onto spacers, distributing the jacking force onto the installed pipeline


The student making observations of the pipe interior during pipe-jacking


Inside the shield of the tunnel boring machine
At ground level, the slurry disposal plant (left) recycles slurry discharged from the TBM face. A lubrication injection unit (right) batches and pressurises various lubricants to reduce excessive jacking forces.
The geology along the sewerage pipeline varies from place to place, and can be unpredictable. (Left) Sandstone chippings at a site by the river; (Right) Peat was encountered instead of the sandstone that was expected.

 

 

 

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