Substation

The scope of works included the design, assessment, and coordination of structural systems across the substation, including:

• Foundations for 66kV and 22kV equipment such as disconnect switches, busbars, transformers, and isolators
• Structural systems for strain structures, post insulators, and protective screens
• Transformer slab and enclosure structural design, including tilt-up panel systems
• Extension works to control and switch room buildings
• Review and integration of geotechnical inputs for foundation design

A comprehensive set of structural drawings, footing details, and calculation packages were developed and coordinated as part of the outdoor yard structural report, supported by geotechnical investigations of site conditions.

The project presented a number of engineering and site-specific challenges:

• Variable ground conditions, including silty clays and weathered basalt layers, requiring careful consideration of founding depths and bearing capacities
• Existing operational substation constraints, limiting construction access and influencing structural layout
• Complex equipment interfaces, with multiple voltage systems and structural components requiring coordinated support solutions
• Additional scope requirements, including structural assessment of slabs for crane outrigger loads during construction
• Integration of multidisciplinary inputs, including geotechnical, electrical, and civil requirements

We delivered a coordinated and efficient structural solution through:

• Development of robust foundation systems tailored to site-specific soil conditions, including consideration of shallow founding in clay and basalt strata
• Engineering design of equipment-specific footing solutions, ensuring stability under operational and installation load cases
• Structural assessment and verification of transformer slabs and crane outrigger load capacity, enabling safe construction methodology
• Close coordination with geotechnical data to optimise bearing capacity utilisation and footing depths, reducing overdesign while maintaining safety
• Delivery of integrated structural documentation and calculations, aligned with project requirements and facilitating efficient approvals and construction

The final outcome provided a practical, compliant, and constructible structural design, supporting the upgrade of critical substation infrastructure while addressing both ground conditions and operational constraints.