Fortrose Street Rising Main

Large-Diameter RCP for Extreme-Depth Installation

In 2018, Empire supplied 550 metres of DN1500 Reinforced Concrete Jacking Pipe (RCP) along with Intermediate Jacking Station Pipes. At depths of up to 46 metres, the pipe specification needed to perform under significant overburden and groundwater pressure. Interjack stations managed jacking forces across the full drive length.

"At those depths, every element of the pipe specification has to be right. The DN1500 RCP for Fortrose Street was selected for its capacity to handle extreme thrust loads." Aaron Mackley, Director of Sales & Operations, Empire Infrastructure

Microtunnelling at Extreme Depth in Complex Ground

The drive was executed using an Abergeldie-owned AVN1500TB slurry shield machine, equipped with a hyperbaric chamber for safe cutter access below the water table. Depths reached 46 metres, with sections of the alignment more than 30 metres below the groundwater table. Empire coordinated pipe supply to align with the JV's construction program, ensuring the DN1500 RCP and interjack string were available to match the tunnelling schedule.

An Award-Winning Project on Technical Precision

The project was awarded the IPEAQ Innovation in Water Award in 2019, confirming Empire's capability to supply large-diameter RCP for Australia's most technically demanding trenchless sewer projects.