Transpower Tower Foundation Strengthening Stage 1 to 4 (2005-2007)
This project won the 2007 New Zealand Engineering Excellence Awards Supreme Award. We are proud
to have been associated with this project.
Project scope
This project involved upgrading the foundations on transmission line towers in the upper South
Island. The route covered 450km of network with much of the line passing through the remote and
wild high country from Hanmer to St Arnaud.
Griffiths Drilling played a major part in this undertaking.
Our part in the project included:
- Drilling and fully casing the anchor holes in very unforgiving ground.
- Self drilling anchors
- Passive anchors
- Post tensioned ground anchors
- Providing assistance to the grouting crew in loading anchors and the
post construction cleanup.
Complicating factors and solutions
Isolated work sites, minimal access, rough terrain, very limited communications service, extreme
weather conditions, delicate ecology and work near live lines all presented challenges that were
overcome. This included our staff attending training courses by Transpower so they could safely
work around the base of the towers, using satellite phones, careful planning and logistics and an
awareness by the drilling team of all the environmental factors including the weather that could
adversly affect safety or the outcome of the project. The judges of the awards were particularly
impressed by the calibre of the technical and logistical management over such an extended site.
Commendation
In his report to the Dept of Conservation following an audit of the environmental impact and
practices of the contractors on site, consultant Ian Alach noted, "Griffiths Drilling demonstrated
great professionalism in their operation and seemed easily able to meet the conservation
requirements".
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