The Yandicoogina Bridge is a rail bridge that traverses steep gorge terrain connecting the Yandicoogina mining operations to the Port Hedland port facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

PSM was engaged to provide specialised geotechnical advice, including geotechnical review of bridge pier design, assessment of ground anchors and monitoring requirements. PSM was also responsible for assessing rock mass properties for blasting design and preparing a quantitative risk assessment for failure of the foundations and slope instability.

The mine is located in structurally complex geology with valley stress relief features affecting bridge pier foundation design.

Engineering and design opportunities included:

• Developing a detailed stabilisation design for complicated pier foundation conditions
• Integrating geotechnical analysis and blasting design for complicated blasting conditions
• Assessing failure mechanisms affecting bridge pier foundations and slope instability
• Assessing rockfall under earthquake loading.

Following rigorous assessment and modelling, PSM’s tailored approach included:

• Integration of geotechnical modelling and analyses with blasting design working closely with a consulting blast design expert
• Provision of ground anchoring and slope stabilisation advice during construction.

Successful development of practical engineering solutions for the construction of a rail bridge over difficult terrain and in tight construction timeframes.

Services: #Bridge foundations #Pilbara #Risk assessment