Shaft Construction

Capability Statement

ABOUT CMD
CMD Civil was formed in 2009 by Matt Devlin with the mission of bringing
smarter construction techniques to the industry.
Segmental shaft construction was the primary offering back then and
continues to be one of CMD Civils distinguishing capabilities.
Other services have been added including Ground Penetrating Radar
services and Trenchless installation and renewal of pipelines, along with
design and consulting services focusing on these disciplines.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

WHAT MAKES CMD DIFFERENT?

We are a highly mobile project
based company.
We have a flat management
structure and gear up and down
as necessary based on project
demands.

CMD is the only company specialising in segmental shaft construction

and has been doing it the longest. CMD founder Matt Devlin
constructed the first two segmental caisson shafts in Australia for
Sydney Water on the Desalination Pipeline project in 2008.
Matt learnt this method while working in the UK where segmental
shaft construction is and has been the predominant method of
choice for underground structures since the 1950s.
He quickly realised the significant advantages of segmental shaft
construction over alternative shaft construction methods and has
invested his career in focusing on this method.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR COMMITMENT
CMD Civil is fully committed to:

Ensuring a safe workplace for all employees

Inspiring a safety focused culture to achieve a zero harm work
environment
Continually improving our safety performance

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

SAFETY RECORD
Safety is our main priority and as a result we have an impeccable safety
record. We are extremely proud of our safety record with zero lost time
injuries and zero medically treated injuries since company inception.
We strive to maintain this record with our collaborative approach to
safety, involving all members of the team in the process of creating and
communicating the safety systems, policies and procedures.
Using this collaborative approach means our personnel own the safety
systems. As a result they self-enforce and continually develop and
improve the systems and procedures, ensuring everyone is looked after.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

SEGMENTAL SHAFTS
Segmental Shafts construction can be used to construct:

Tunnel launch and reception shafts

Pumping stations
Valve chambers
Detention tanks
Underground storage
Access shafts
Ventilation shafts

Benefits of Segmental Shaft Construction:

Lower project cost compared with alternatives

Ability to deal with all types of ground conditions
Shorter overall construction program
Eliminates vibration
Significant reduction in construction noise
Ability to construct close to existing structures
Ability to construct in low headroom
Small construction footprint
CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

CAISSON SHAFTS

Caisson method
The caisson method is typically used in weak ground with or without
a high water table.
The rings are built at the surface and the shaft is excavated and sinks
progressively.

Hydraulics (Gallows) are used to control the descent of the shaft.

The outside perimeter of the shaft is encased in bentonite to support
the surrounding ground and reduce friction.
Once the shaft has reached final depth the bentonite is replaced with
grout. The grout layer transfers the ground forces to the shaft and the
rings go into compression.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

UNDERPIN SHAFTS

Underpin method
The underpin method is typically used in moderate to strong ground.
The key factor is the ground needs to stand up without ground support
for 24 hours.
The segments are lifted into the shaft and bolted to the underside of
the ring above.
The outside of the rings are grouted to engage the ground forces.
Excavation continues with this procedure until shaft depth is reached.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

SPECIALIST PLANT & EQUIPMENT

Clamshell attachment, with 3m or 5m extension
Caisson shaft sinking hydraulic equipment (Gallows)
Davit arms with dual winch setup, personnel rescue winch and fall arrestor
Bentonite pumps and mixers
Hydraulic power packs
Dewatering Pumps
Rescue equipment
Lifting equipment

Fans and ducting

Gas detectors

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

DESIGN SERVICES

Shaft construction design

Shaft cover design and fabrication
Davit arm design and fabrication
Manrider design and fabrication
Lifting skips design and fabrication
Attachment design and fabrication
Shaft construction equipment design and fabrication
CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

PROJECT CAPACITY
PROJECT CAPACITY:
CMD Civil typically undertakes individual projects ranging in value from $100k
through to $1.5M throughout Australasia.
LOCATIONS:
CMD operates throughout Australia and New Zealand, with our main office and yard
in Melbourne and an office in Auckland. Based on our business model of being highly
mobile we can mobilise our specialist plant and equipment anywhere throughout
Australasia.

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS:
CMD Civil implements management systems to control and monitor Safety, Quality &
Environmental compliance in accordance with the highest standards as required by
our clients and the Head Contractors we work with.

INSURANCES:
CMD maintains full insurance cover for operations in Australia and New Zealand.

Contract works: Full value

Public liability: $20,000,000.00
Product liability: $20,000,000.00
Workcover: Full cover
Plant & Equipment: Full replacement value
Vehicles: Full replacement value

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

CORNWALL SHAFT

PROJECT: Cornwall Shaft, Tunnel Launch & Reception Shaft

CLIENT: Brisbane City Council

LOCATION: Corner Cornwall street and Beatrice street, Brisbane

DETAILS: 6.0m ID, 8m deep, constructed by Underpin method. Final use; Tunnel launch and reception
shaft

CHALLENGES:
1. The shaft was located in a built up residential area at the intersection of Cornwall and Beatrice
Street. This made vibration and noise an issue to control.
2. Cornwall street is a busy road with high traffic flows that we couldnt interrupt. Therefore the
construction footprint had to be small.
3. There were overhead powerlines directly above the shaft location, so large piling rigs were not an
option.
SOLUTION:
1. Segmental shaft construction eliminates unnecessary noise and vibration associated with secant
or sheet piling operations
2. The construction footprint required for segmental shaft construction is very small allowing the
site to be contained within a small area.
3. The excavator and crane were able to operate under and around the overhead powerlines, where
piling rigs would not have been able.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

EILDON HILL

PROJECT: Eildon Hill Reservoir, Tunnel Reception Shaft

CLIENT: Brisbane City Council
LOCATION: Eildon Hill Reservoir, Brisbane
DETAILS: 3.0m x 3.0m x 3.0m Tunnel reception pit, constructed with rockbolts, mesh and shotcrete.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

EILDON HILL

EILDON HILL CHALLENGES:

The pit to be constructed in the base of the existing potable water reservoir for reception of the
Tunnel Boring Machine, installing the new 600mm OD inlet/outlet pipe, had to be big enough to
receive the TBM, but small enough to fit within the existing columns supporting the roof of the
reservoir.
The reservoir was constructed pre 1900 and was in a very fragile state. The size of the openings
allowed to be cut in the roof were very small due to the weak condition of the roof structure.
Contamination of the potable water reservoir was unacceptable.

EILDON HILL SOLUTION:

CMD proposed to install a 3.0m x 3.0m x 3.0m pit, with the ground support made up of rock bolts,
mesh and shotcrete. This allowed enough room to comfortably receive the TBM and still fit within
the column supports.
The small opening meant the size and type of equipment to be used was severely restricted. We
utilised specialist remote operated underground demolition equipment that could fit through the
small opening.
The second advantage and main reason for the use of the specialist remote operated underground
demolition equipment was that it is electric powered. Therefore fumes were non-existent and the
potential for contamination from diesel spills and or fumes was eliminated.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

WOOGAROO

PROJECT: Woogaroo Pipeline Tunnel Launch and Reception Shafts

CLIENT: Queensland Urban Utilities subcontracted to WDS
LOCATION: Goodna, Brisbane
DETAILS: 3No. Tunnel launch and reception shafts:
6.0m ID, 11m Deep, segmental shaft constructed by Underpin method
6.0m ID, 12m Deep, segmental shaft constructed by Underpin method
6.0m ID, 12m Deep, segmental shaft constructed by Caisson method

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

WOOGAROO

CHALLENGES:
Shafts A & B were required to be constructed in the road alignment in a residential area with limited
overhead powerlines. The residential area meant strict noise, vibration and environmental
requirements. The location of these shafts also meant limited operating area as well as proximity
restrictions with the overhead lines.
The borelogs for Shafts A & B showed variable ground conditions from medium through to strong at
different levels.
Shaft C borelogs indicated weak ground onto a medium clay layer with the potential for a high water
table.
SOLUTION:

Underpin method was chosen for shafts A & B due to the medium to strong ground conditions. The
noise, vibration and environmental issues were solved by using segmental shaft construction.
Because the borelogs for Shaft C indicated weak ground conditions and potential for high water
table the caisson method was choosen.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

LAKE ROAD

PROJECT: Lake Road, Sewer Pumping Station

CLIENT: Barwon Water, subcontracted to Maxstra Infrastructure
LOCATION: Lake road, Armstrong, Geelong
DETAILS: 6.0m ID, 12m deep. First 7m segmental caisson, final 5m, rockbolt, mesh and shotcrete

CHALLENGES:
Variable ground conditions. Weak unstable ground to 7m deep overlying basalt rock to base.
Water table at 7m, with extremely high inflow through the fractured basalt rock
Proximity to existing water body
SOLUTION:

A combination of caisson method and rock bolt, mesh and shotcrete support was chosen for this
project. The caisson shaft was utilised to get through the weak ground down 7m onto the rock. The
shaft was stopped on the rock layer and excavation continued with rock breakers, using rockbolts,
mesh and shotcrete for ground support to the final 12m depth.
A special shotcrete mix was required to combat the high water inflow to allow the shotcrete to go off
before the water blew it off the walls. Strip drains were utilised to divert water to the base of the
excavation. High volume pumps were required to keep the shaft in a workable condition.
Proximity to the existing water body meant contamination was a potential issue. The caisson method
was chosen because of the small footprint and low environmental impact.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

WINGFIELD

PROJECT: Wingfield, Sewer Pumping Station

CLIENT: South Australia Water, subcontracted to LEED Engineering
LOCATION: Capelli road, Wingfield, Adelaide
DETAILS: 6.0m ID, 12m deep. Segmental caisson

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

OUR PROJECTS:

WINGFIELD

CHALLENGES:

Close proximity to existing operational sewer pumping station and neighbouring business
Variable ground conditions with high water table.
The pump station had to be fully operational in a very short timeframe. This meant we had to have
the shaft / structure completed and handed over in the quickest time possible to allow the head
contractor to complete the fitout.
SOLUTION:
The existing pump station needed to stay operational while the new pump station was constructed,
along with nil interruption to the neighbouring businesses. This ruled out piling as an option for
construction method. Caisson shaft construction was chosen due to the fact there is zero vibration
and requires a very small construction footprint without the need for large piling rigs.
Caisson method overcomes the issues associated with variable ground conditions and high water
table. The shaft is constructed from the surface eliminating risk to personnel in a confined space.
Because the leading edge of the caisson is always submerged it eliminates the risk of subsidence/loss
of ground.
Caisson method was chosen as it is one of the quickest ways to safely construct deep underground
structures.

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT

CONTACT CMD
Contact Matt Devlin, Managing Director to discuss your projects
requirements.
AUSTRALIA:
P: +61 3 9544 8833
NEW ZEALAND:
P: +64 9 352 2059
E: matt@cmdcivil.com

CMD CIVIL SHAFT CONSTRUCTION CAPABILITY STATEMENT