Gladstone Port is the major processing centre for coal in northern Queensland. The terminal receives coal by rail from the southern Bowen Basin.

PSM was engaged to review the existing foundation design and later to redesign the foundation treatment for four new coal stock piles.

Construction had already begun on the site which had poor and variable ground conditions due to a history of reclamation. Ponds in the reclamation area were filled with soft clays with construction of the reclaim tunnel below the groundwater table.

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

• Review of site history, including historical aerial photographs and historical construction records
• Extensive use of cone penetrometer testing (CPT) to delineate poorer ground materials
• Based on CPT results, development of a tightly-focused design solution to minimise use of expensive stone column techniques and to use the client’s existing plant and resources.

Gladstone Port Authority‘s RG Tanna Coal Terminal coal storage capacity increased from 30 mtpa to 60 mtpa. Four additional coal stock piles were constructed on reclaimed land adjacent to the harbour. PSM’s innovative method of foundation treatment was efficient and cost-effective. Our understanding of the soft clays on the site informed a design that allowed the client significant time and cost savings using their own resources.

Services: #Coal #Foundations #Soft clays #Stockpile