Out of harm's way

Out Of Harm's Way
Out of harm's way
  • Thiess services has moved beyond traditional underground methods of constructing pump stations and detention tanks
  • The construction method, known as a ‘diaphragm wall’, significantly reduces risk of batter collapse and risk to personnel
  • The innovation eliminates 100% of the hours required underground.
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Thiess Services has implemented a safer approach to constructing pump stations and detention tanks that eliminates 100 per cent of the hours required underground using traditional methods.

The construction method, known as a ‘diaphragm wall’, uses a 16.5 tonne clam claw grab. This allows a trench to be dug to the desired depth and width, reinforcement to be placed and all permanent external walls for both structures to be poured entirely from above the ground before any person has to work below the surface.

The reduction in risk using this approach is highly significant. The diaphragm wall technique has also allowed works to continue safely through the wettest winter encountered in 15 years on the South East Water Alliance Project in Melbourne. With normal open cut excavation, heavy rain increases ground water effects, the chance of batter collapse and associated risk to personnel.

The South East Water Alliance Project is understood to be the biggest pump station in South East Water’s network area, with approximately 3,000m3 of concrete and 500 tonnes of reinforcement.

The Construction Method Known As A "diaphragm Wall" Significantly Reduces Risk Of Batter Collapse And Risk To Personnel
The construction method known as a "diaphragm wall" significantly reduces risk of batter collapse and risk to personnel