M4 Widening, NSW – Platipus® Mechanical Earth Anchors

The WestConnex is a world-class infrastructure project that will cut 40 minutes from a typical journey between Parramatta and Sydney Airport. Work is underway on the first 7.5km of M4 Motorway being widened to four lanes in each direction between Parramatta and Homebush. The Rizzani Leighton Joint Venture has been contracted to design and build this section of the WestConnex project.

Design & Installation

Rizzani Leighton Joint Venture and Cirtex Australia worked together in providing a temporary works solution to stabilise a steep sloped embankment up to 11m in height, supporting the M4 Motorway. The temporary works embankment was to facilitate the construction of a permanent Mechanical Strengthened Earth (MSE) Wall constructed with large concrete panels. The Platipus Earth Anchoring System was chosen as the preferred solution to stabilise the temporary embankment and comprised of driving Platipus B6, and B8 Bat anchors up to depths of 8m.

The Platipus system provided the following main features & benefits:

• ‘Buildability’ and ease of installation
• Minimum noise level and disruption during construction
• No sheet pile installation or removal
• Overall cost savings over traditional solutions
• Provided a safe working environment for the construction of the MSE Wall