Springwood Reservoir

Demolition of an underground Pipe Network

Abyss was contracted in a planning and execution capacity, to remove over 100m of 800dia pipework from an underground reservoir in Springwood, south of Brisbane.

Abyss undertook the works for Logan City Council, as they were upgrading their underground pipe network. Over 100m of 800dia pipework had to be removed from an underground reservoir, including their concrete support piers, within a deep reservoir, through a small manhole.

And to add to the challenge, the reservoir was underneath a suspended slab, eliminating the option of cranes or trucks on the roof.

Key aspects

• Innovative demolition techniques put to the test
• 100m of 800dia pipework removed
• Extensive ventilation, exhaust, and air monitoring
• Abyss staff with Working in Confined Spaces training and certification

Abyss used combined industry experience to craft a plan. 

The sections of pipe were plasma cut into small sections, and using a system of pullys, a Gantry Hoist, and a small Spider Crane, pipes were dragged up a flight of stairs on trollys, lifted up through the manhole, and slewed into a bin which was waiting on a section of path outside of the reservoir. 

For vertical sections of the pipe, the pully system was bolted to the wall, allowing pipes to be cut, and gently lowered to the reservoir floor. The concrete support piers were concrete flush cut, placed on trollys, and removed raised through the manhole using a gantry hoist.

And all the while, an outside Supervisor was conducting continuous oxygen and gas monitoring, maintain public exclusion zones, and a large system of exhaust and ventilation was in operation. The job was completed ahead of schedule.