Innovative Design

Consultancy

Whenever practicable, in the cause of cost-saving, Bennett Associates tries to take advantage of the client's existing redundant plant as a source of tried and tested components and systems.

Many of the world's leading contractors call on Bennett Associates' expertise. Kawasaki Heavy Industries has recently selected Bennett Associates to provide the design of the back-up system for two earth pressure tunnel boring machines, to be used on contract 220 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The back-up system integrates the following aspects; providing manufacturing drawings, handling of excavated material, handling of the concrete segment to line the tunnel, and the integration of services including hydraulic, electrical, compressed air, water systems and fire systems.

Abroad, in Africa and Asia, Bennett Associates is providing on-going support to both civil consultants and owners on the selection and uses of tunnel boring machines. In 2000, Bennett Associates were contracted to design a unique hydraulic KCRC train cross over door system, for the Tai Lam Tunnel in Hong Kong. The system consist of two 40 tonne doors, each approximately 27 metres long and 6 metres high. The doors are designed to meet stringent requirements for both smoke and fire protection.

In China the Tianjin Port coal terminal contract was completed to budget within the exacting timescale of the contract programme. This contract was for the structural and mechanical design for conveyors, chutework and transfer towers involving the production of over 180 mechanical and design arrangement drawings, developed to sufficient detail to allow detailed fabrication drawings to be produced by a third party (Chinese Design Institute), without resource for further design work. The coal handling plant consists of sixteen conveyors and eight transfer towers with a capacity of coal handling up to 6,700t/ hr.

In Britain, Bennett Associates is currently working on the Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boatlift. Bennetts is responsible for providing the detailed design of the operating and rotating mechanism of the complex wheel structure and mechanical interfaces. As part of the same Millennium Link Project in Scotland, Bennett Associates recently completed the design, refurbishment and commissioning of six movable bridges and two canal locks.

MMD and Bennett Associates are currently designing the world's largest mobile sizer rig, weighing 1400 tonnes. This rig will be three times bigger than any rig in operation today and crush 10000 tonnes of stone per hour.