Opportunity
River engineering specialists were tasked with developing the outline design for the cross-drainage of the line.
Solution
To design the cross-drainage structures, the locations of all 2500 watercourses crossing the route of the line were identified using data collated from bathymetric, reconnaissance and other types of surveys. Our engineers carried out studies of the local climate conditions, statistical analysis of rainfall run-off processes, scour analysis and hydraulic modelling to determine peak flood levels for a range of scenarios to optimise crossing sizes. We also sized the main hydraulic structures and floodplain provisions, and identified the requirement of river training works to prevent lateral movement of rivers and protect rail embankments.
Outcome
By optimising the alignment of the railway, we eliminated the need for tunnelling and reduced the number of bridges and viaducts, cutting costs and enabling faster construction. We added value by efficient liaison between the different disciplines in our project team and maximised the efficiency of the river crossings to provide a more cost-effective solution for ENRC.