Cairns International Airport
Description
This project was part of the $135 million redevelopment at the Cairns International Airport which included five new apron bays and taxiway extensions.
This project required each apron bay to be complete and operating before the next could commence. All works had to be co-ordinated with other contractors also working on the terminal upgrade.
Works
Key elements in this project included:
- Excavation of apron pavement, block paving removal and replacement
- Sub-grade trimming, compaction and bitumen primer protection
- Supply and hand placement of 7500 m2 of 500 mm thick 4.8 MPa flexural strength concrete (approx 50 MPa compressive strength) to within high specification tolerances
- 5,000 m concrete saw cutting and jointed sealing of 40 mm dowelled joints
- Excavation and backfilling of airport fuel line services (JUHI) trenching
Challenges
- Working in a live airport, in controlled high-security areas
- Extreme tropical conditions affecting concrete quality
- Concrete pours of up to 120 m3 per day with time constraints and design specifications.
Our Management
Our ability to provide proactive management solutions to issues and successfully negotiate and implement these with both the client and other contractors was a major factor in the success of this project.
For example, high ambient temperatures caused setting problems with the non- standard concrete mix, which CivilTeam managed by taking advantage of the cooler night conditions and arranging for the concrete to be mixed with ice at the plant.
Value Adding
Detailed planning and innovative methodology were key to the success of this project, as stated by the client.
