NEWS 2012

Posted March 2, 2012

Event: March 23, 2012

GSE: Pete Barlow, P.Eng., AMEC Environmental & Infrastructure - Application of New Trenchless Technology for Pipeline Installation

Location: Faculty Club, University of Alberta

Time: 11:45am - 1:30pm

Cost: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $10 Students

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A case history will be presented that involved the trenchless installation of six large diameter pipelines below a railway embankment in very close proximity to each other. A narrow right-of-way, shallow groundwater, fine sandy soil conditions, site specific obstacles, unknowns in the embankment and strict railway requirements created some difficult challenges for a multiple trenchless crossing solution. After a review of the available trenchless options, the relatively new guided slip bore technology was selected. A unique application of this technology was adopted to mitigate issues associated with saturated sand in the embankment foundation and railway maximum deformation requirements. Of primary concern was the potential for vibration induced settlement as a result of the construction methodology chosen. Prior to providing the needed crossing agreement, the railway company set a number of requirements for settlement monitoring of the embankment. The presentation will provide an overview of the case history, including the results of the monitoring program and discussion of the issues related to embankment settlement.

Pete Barlow, P.Eng., is a 1983 graduate of the Civil Engineering program at the University of Alberta. He obtained a Master’s Degree in 1986 in Geotechnical Engineering from the U of A. He has been working as a consulting engineer since 1986 on a wide range of geotechnical projects in the mining, pipeline and transportation industries. The application of geotechnical engineering to the pipeline industry has been a particular area of focus, including trenchless crossings, slope stability and geohazards. He is currently a Principal Engineer out of the AMEC Edmonton office.