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The project, which ACCIONA Samsung Bouygues Joint Venture (ASBJV) is delivering with its Engineer partner, Jacobs Aurecon Joint Venture (JAJV) in Australia, has won in the category of Outstanding International Shotcrete Project of the Year
The American Association (ASA) has recognised the WestConnex M4-M5 Link Tunnels project in Australia as the outstanding international shotcrete project of the year.
This recognition is for using a high-performance shotcrete specification in the structural design of the tunnel’s permanent support. The decision to use this specification of shotcrete increased , achieving better sustainability and cost savings.
The project used steel fibres in the sprayed concrete, resulting in up to six times greater load-bearing capacity of the permanent tunnel linings than traditional methods.
M4-M5 Link Tunnels Project Director Andrew Marsonet said, ‘although relatively common in Tunnel Boring Machine segment design, such high-performance fibres have not previously been used in sprayed concrete in Australia. The project was also the first in the world to use such a fibre for the primary and secondary lining. Bekaert, a global leader in steel wire transformations worked together with concrete supplier Hanson to bring this innovation to the market.’
Over 250,000m3 of steel-fibre reinforced shotcrete has been sprayed. It was a consistently compliant application with an overall quantity reduction in shotcrete of up to 20%.
The M4-M5 Link Tunnels in Sydney is approximately 7.5 kilometres long and will accommodate up to four lanes of traffic in each direction. It connects the M4 Tunnels with the M8 Tunnels to form the 33km long WestConnex Motorway, which is mostly underground.
The M4-M5 Link Tunnels remain on track to open in 2023. Considered one of the most important projects in the country in terms of road infrastructure, the M4-M5 Link Tunnels will reduce travel time, improve road safety, and ease traffic congestion. It is estimated that more than 10,500 people including workers and subcontractors have been involved throughout the project’s duration.
The M4-M5 Link Tunnels are being delivered in partnership with Transurban and New South Wales and Australian Governments.
Shotcrete Contractor – Acciona Bouygues Samsung Joint Venture (ASBJV)
Engineer – Jacobs Aurecon Joint Venture
Material Supplier/Manufacturer - Bekaert NA
Shotcrete supplier – Hanson
Equipment Manufacturer – Normet Asia Pacific Ltd
General Contractor - ASBJV