Roy Hill Railway Signalling Systems

Project: Roy Hill Railway Signalling Systems

Location:  Regional WA
Duration: 12 Months

McDowall Affleck were engaged by Ansaldo STS (now Hitachi Rail) to provide structural engineering certification for the rail signalling infrastructure along the 344km railway from the Roy Hill mine to Port Hedland. The structures included signs, boom masts, sun shelters and solar panel frames. We also provided support during the construction phase when it was discovered that the site soil conditions differed from what was anticipated during the design phase.

We implemented the structural design and certification of the rail signalling infrastructure, plus inspections and assistance during construction. There was limited geotechnical information due to the length of the rail line and the variability of the natural material.

During the construction phase, the contractor used natural material that did not comply with the geotechnical advice provided during the design phase. McDowall Affleck worked with the geotechnical engineer and Ansaldo to revise the design to accommodate the available soils while still achieving an acceptable outcome.

McDowall Affleck worked with Ansaldo and the geotechnical engineer to adjust the design when the specified earthworks materials were not initially used. This redesign reduced the amount of rework that was required satisfying the performance requirements of the design specification.