H.G. Acres Seminar – May 4, 2007

This annual event gives our clients and colleagues a timely forum to discuss the latest achievements in engineering technologies and processes. Themes through the years have included Rock Mechanics (1970), Earthquake Engineering (1978), Dam Safety (1985), Waste Management (1995), Competitive Energy Markets (1999) and Green Power (2001).

This year we focused on Tunneling and Underground Excavations, which was a particularly fitting subject given the current work on the Niagara Tunnel Project. At 10.4 km long and 14.4 m diameter, it will be the largest-diameter TBM-excavated hard-rock tunnel in the world – as deep as 140 m below the city of Niagara Falls, Canada. Project details are covered here.

The day began with a keynote address by Dr. Andrew Merritt on Pressure Tunnel Performance. He reviewed a series of case studies and discussed some key issues related to past industry misunderstandings of geologic and geotechnical issues.

Other sessions during the day included a review of the underground powerhouse complex at Karun III, tunnel hydraulics and the underground mine used for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory.

We look forward to this seminar every year because it's an important opportunity to share the knowledge accumulated among the various engineering and management disciplines in our organization. By tracking performance and meeting regularly with clients to review both challenges and achievements, not only are we able to take stock of what we've accomplished together, but it helps us take aim at the challenges ahead.

We covered a lot of ground during the 2007 H.G. Acres Seminar. Sincere thanks to all our presenters and participants. We'll see you again next year.