IUOE News Spring 2014

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Feature Article Advanced Construction Technology: The Pros and Cons Technology similar to the laser-guided drilling being developed by Professor Ming Lu at the University of Alberta is also being developed in Germany—on a much larger scale. New, longer, and wider tunnelling methods and technologies are being investigated as part of large-scale railroad upgrades across Europe. This massive tunnel network will allow their new generation of high-speed trains (some travelling up to 400km per hour) to carry passengers across Europe in record time. The new machine being tested, the TSP303, provides the same three-dimensional scanning technology as Professor Lu’s machine in Edmonton, but for much wider tunnel accommodation. It can also detect fault lines and other instabilities up to 200 meters ahead of the rock face. But one possible downside of these advances is that the TSP303 also includes a built-in earth removal system, consisting of rapid, large-scale conveyor systems that can quickly move huge amounts of excavated soil and rock directly to trucks or rail cars, which can be drop-loaded from above. This feat of engineering could therefore reduce or even eliminate the need for loaders and other earth removal equipment—and their operators. drilling, members are involved in above-ground construction, such as building tunnel shafts and elevators, and excavating the sinks where the tunnelling machine will begin drilling. In addition, almost all of the installation and crane work, as well as the operation of the loading and excavation support equipment—such as front end loaders and bull dozers needed to remove the soil and rock as the machine tunnels—is being done by Local 115 members on signatory contractor sites. This is where increased productivity from technologically advanced machines may impact Operating Engineers: Professor Lu is predicting that the reduced downtime and faster pace of new machines could mean a need for faster earth removal. This means more earth moving equipment and trucks operating at the same time, or the development of new equipment able to handle larger loads. This could end up being good news for Local 115 members, both in terms of more jobs and new training opportunities. Professor Lu also insists that these advances will help provide a safer work environment for all trades. The question definitely isn’t whether technology, procedures and best practices in construction will leap forward in the future; but rather, when it does, will you be ready? A GWIL crane lowers a 30 tonne section of the Evergreen Line tunnel boring machine in Port Moody. The machine starts drilling in March 2014 and will emerge, one year and 2km later, in Coquitlam, leaving behind a 10m wide tunnel for the Skytrain to travel through in 2016. 16 News March 2014
Feature Article Heavy lifting of concrete sections of the Evergreen Line; massive pillars being lifted to support the new line. Preparing the 10m tunnel boring machine. IUOE Local 115 HEO Class students took a tour of Advanced Geosolutions Inc.’s work site on the Evergreen Line Project. AGI are performing seismic solutions and ground densification for the new rapid transit line. A Grove mobile crane erecting support pillars. Photos courtesy of Grant Mattice Photography News March 2014 17
Page 1 and 2: News Evergreen Line leads BC’s 20
Page 3 and 4: Careful strategy and planning will
Page 5 and 6: Safety Project Labour Agreements ar
Page 7 and 8: Our economy depends on ongoing deve
Page 9 and 10: Bargaining and agreements are alrea
Page 11 and 12: With projects coming, everyone shou
Page 13 and 14: Steady growth and our industry infl
Page 15 and 16: “Tireless effort” is what makes
Page 17: Feature Article Evergreen Line goes
Page 21 and 22: Contractors and members are keeping
Page 23 and 24: A long winter shows the importance
Page 25 and 26: In praise of the Steward Who’s th
Page 27 and 28: Benefits Plan Union Orientation at
Page 29 and 30: Training Association Mobile Crane L
Page 31 and 32: Training Association Brother Luke H
Page 33 and 34: Member Recognition Welcome to 215 n
Page 35 and 36: Contact Details Local 115 District

IUOE News Spring 2014

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