Project:
Melbourne Metro - CBD North & South
Location:
Melbourne, Victoria
Asset Owners:
Victorian Government
Client:
Cross Yarra Partnership
Project Completed:
1 February 2025
Project Background
The Melbourne Metro Tunnel is a major rail infrastructure project delivering twin 9km tunnels beneath Melbourne’s CBD and five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac.
The Challenge
The design of the CBD North and South stations incorporated a trinocular configuration, requiring two lines of support beams to stabilise three adjoining tunnel arches.
This resulted in concentrated loads of up to 550 tonnes being applied to the waterproofing system, far exceeding the permissible load capacity of conventional sheet membranes and creating a high risk of membrane damage and system failure.
The Bluey Solution
Bluey Technologies was engaged early in the design phase, prior to tender, to develop a waterproofing solution capable of maintaining system integrity under extreme structural loading while meeting the project’s 100-year design life requirements.
An engineered solution was developed using studded super duplex steel plates positioned atop each structural column. These plates formed an integrated part of the waterproofing system, allowing loads to be transferred away from the membrane.
The BluSeal VLDPE membrane was then connected to the plates using a plate and gasket pressure termination system, ensuring a continuous and watertight seal while isolating the membrane from structural loads.
Client Benefits
Fully tanked waterproofing system aligned with long-term asset protection requirements
Structural loads are transferred away from the membrane, eliminating the risk of damage
Engineered solution designed to perform under extreme loading conditions
Early design involvement reduced project risk and supported constructability