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Isis Mill Cane Rail Bridge Design – Cordalba Rail Line


Project Data

  • Region
    Bundaberg, Queensland
  • Location
    Cordalba
  • Client
    Isis Sugar Mill
  • Duration / Date
    2007
  • Categories
  • Project #
    TEGCE07040

Project Scope

TEG Consulting Engineers was tasked with the design of 14 Cain Rail Bridges as part of the Cordalba Rail Line for Isis Mill, some 15km.

Isis Mill intends to re-open the historical Cordalba Cain Rail Line abandoned some 45 years ago, and remediate the line to provide linkage from Dallarnil through to Gayndah. The Cordalba Rail Line contains a number of remaining timber bridge trestles and superstructure in dilapidated state originally built to Queensland Rail specifications.

The Cordalba line with a budget estimate in excess of $20m required the following engineering:

  1. Assessment of existing timber trestles and nominate remediation action for each to establish a compliant substructure for the intended prefab steel superstructure.
  2. Isis Mill had purchased large volume of seconds RSJ beams from QR, which it proposed to use as the superstructure for the bridges. The steel was tested and found to be low grade carbon steel comprised of riveted sections. The scope included redesign to create modular steel superstructure to span between trestles using the steel.
  3. Design of all 14 cane rail bridges. To meet current standards for cane rail loading configurations.
  4. Establish a pile remediation process where existing piles where tested and if found suitable where strengthened or replaced with steel driven piles (including design of pile sets) to achieve adequate foundation capacity.
  5. Design and development of abutments comprising precast modular concrete structures for quick construction.
  6. Supervision and signoff of all bridges as project Engineer.

Our Involvement

TEG Consulting Engineers (TEGCE) was responsible for all engineering design across Civil and Structural disciplines.

TEGCE was also responsible for all testing and engagement with contractors for geotechnical analysis for bridge piers and timber trestle frames.

TEGCE was engaged as Project Engineer to supervise construction and provide final signoff of all bridges, abutments.

Providing flood design check based on available flood modelling due to alteration in linking rail embankments that potentially changed the hydraulics across the rail alignment.

Project Challenges

The following challenges where successfully managed and resolved:

  1. Poor soil conditions and changing geotechnical strata across the site.
  2. Poor dilapidated condition of timber trestles/ piers.
  3. Developing steel modular superstructure from old grade steel RSJ’s. That meet standard and code compliance and ensure quick and economical construction.
  4. Pier review of flood model to ensure that additional hydraulic loading due to change in topography as a result of reinstated rail embankments were checked for hydraulic loading on bridges.
  5. Project Engineering role of construction to ensure that works completed in accordance with design. Pile records; timber remediation; steel modular superstructure.
  6. Meeting cane rail safety including derailment.

Project Outcomes

Engineering design was completed in required timeframe and satisfied stakeholders and regulators. The project is currently under construction by Keystone Bridge Contractors.

Key Personnel

  • Consulting Engineer:
    Sean Edwards
  • Bridge Consultant:
    Bob Owen
  • Client Representative:
    Ross Nicoll

TEG Contact Details

  • Contact:

    Sean Edwards
    Ph: (07) 4061 8276
    M: 0403 213 714

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