In all there were 438 attendees at the conference and exhibition which was held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The theme for the conference was “Trenchless - A Sustainable Hole Solution”, which was chosen to demonstrate the significant environmental advantages of Trenchless Technology, particularly the fact that the ‘hole in the ground’ can be utilised more than once to rehabilitate or renew pipeline infrastructure.
Keynote Speakers
Keynote speakers for the conference were Dr John W Heavens, who serves as the Principal for Jason Consultants Group and as Technical Secretary for the International Society for Trenchless Technology, and Joseph W. Barsoom, the P.E & P.L.S Director of Engineering, Wastewater Management Division (WMD) for the City and County of Denver, USA.
Dr Heavens has a degree in Metallurgy, gained his masters in Materials Science and is a doctor of Fracture Mechanics. With twenty five years experience in pipeline rehabilitation, he is a specialist in the assessment and rehabilitation of water mains and other pressure pipelines. John has served on AWWA Pipeline Rehabilitation Committees, and has spent five years in the USA promoting trenchless solutions to the water industry. John has been the Technical Secretary of the International Society for Trenchless Technology since 2001.
At the conference, John’s address “Lessons from Our Past – A Resource for Our Future” discussed the history of the Trenchless Technology industry from its beginnings in the early 1980s, and focused on ways in which lessons learned on past Trenchless Technology projects around the world can be used to solve problems on current projects.
John focused on the benefit that can be gained from papers delivered at the various Trenchless Technology conferences held around the world, reminding attendees that the papers presented at these conferences are a rich source of information on every aspect of Trenchless Technology, whilst recording the lessons learned in solving the problems of the day.
John reviewed the methods available to access these valuable resources, with a focus on the opportunities offered by the Internet. Sources of information on key issues such as social cost and environmental impact were also discussed, as was the possibility of establishing a central, searchable database to facilitate access to all relevant information sources for those working in the Trenchless Technology industry.
Mr Barsoom has a Masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, and has 41 years of experience in private and municipal engineering. Active in many technical organisations, Joe is a member of ASCE, APWA, WPCF, ASTM, and he is the founder of the ASTM Trenchless Technology Subcommittee. Joe is a member of the Executive Committee, and the Chairman of Industry Advisory Board for the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, and he was voted Trenchless Technology Person of the Year in 2000.
In his address “Trenchless Rehabilitation and New Construction - A Municipal Engineer’s Perspective”, Joe focused on the Trenchless Technology methods used in the City of Denver, and the advantages and limitations of each method. The advantages of using Trenchless Technology in sewer lines rehabilitation, and the economic, social, political, and direct and indirect cost benefits formed a key focus for Joe’s address.
Case studies showing the benefits of using Trenchless Technology in sewer line rehabilitation and storm drainage projects were also discussed. Looking to the future, Joe highlighted the need for further research and the prospective of education and promotion of Trenchless Technology in the USA.
Other speakers
Other speakers across the conference included Jenny Ryan from South East Water, Jan Borje Persson from BKP-Berolina Polyester, and Russell Rooney from McConnell Dowell.
Ms Ryan discussed directional drilling as the best solution for pressure sewer installation, focusing specifically on how the application of directional drilling techniques enabled South East Water to implement a pressure sewer system through two environmentally sensitive coastal villages.
Mr Borje Persson spoke on the use of Trenchless Technology in the rehabilitation of existing systems, focusing specifically on the range of Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) systems currently available worldwide.
A number of the advantages of curing a liner by exposure to light of a specific wavelength were highlighted by Mr Borje Persson, including the speed, strength and easy handling of lines.
Mr Rooney’s address discussed progress in the achievement of long distance pipe jacking, drawing on observed and empirical data from recently completed projects in Australia and Asia.
Mr Rooney focused on the advantages of microtunnelling over conventional construction methods, including the minimisation of community and environmental impact, ability to minimise impact of surface structure and infrastructure, and the minimal materials handling and spoil removal caused by microtunnelling.
In his address, Mr Rooney also discussed the application of modern microtunnelling methods that enhance the ability to achieve long distance pipe jacking.
