Unique construction project targets CO2 climate change research

Six futuristic glass fibre structures designed to simulate the effects of carbon dioxide emissions on ecosystems have sprung up in an old growth forest in Western Sydney, thanks to the innovative construction efforts of Hansen Yuncken and the foresight and ambition of the University of Western Sydney.

The 28-metre high arrays, or ‘rings’, which tower above the forest near Richmond, will allow increased levels of CO2 to be pumped into a controlled area to simulate predicted carbon dioxide atmospheric levels in 2050.

The Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) project was commissioned by the University of Western Sydney’s Climate Change & Energy Research Facility CCERF to study the effects of enriched carbon dioxide on local flora and fauna over a 15-year period. The project was funded under the Federal Government Education Infrastructure Fund.

Hansen Yuncken NSW Manager Adam Towner said construction of the world class research facility provided unique challenges, due to the fact the ecology of the site couldn’t be disturbed, and because of the use of new glass fibre composite building materials.

“It’s safe to say we’ve never encountered a project like this before.  It’s the largest experiment of this type in the world,” Mr Towner said.

“Maintaining the scientific integrity of the experiment sites was essential during construction, so our footprint had to be very small and carefully monitored.

“The cranes located alongside each of the six arrays had to be lifted into place by helicopter, and where possible materials were physically carried on site by project team members.”

The state of the art design was led by UWS including the glass fibre composite structures engineered by S² Solutions, which proved to be a challenging project for Hansen Yuncken.

Each of the six experiment sites is a 50m diameter circular zone containing mature trees. The infrastructure comprises a series of 32 vent masts 27m high arranged in a 25m diameter circle, centred within each site.

Each array is serviced by an elevated walkway to the 28m high central free-standing scaffold stair tower for placement of scientific equipment, and a tower crane (34m jib) for man-box access to the tree canopy.

Three of the rings will be enriched with CO2 and three of the rings will act as ‘controls’.

“The array structures were manufactured from 8mm thick glass fibre composite tubes of varying diameter attached using steel connections that were bonded and bolted to the tubes.  There was no blue print for this kind of work, so we needed to work through innovative solutions with our contractors and suppliers,” Mr Towner said

“We believe the finished product is miles ahead of similar structures around the world in terms of quality and sophistication.

“The most notable achievement is the protection of the surrounding environment and ecology.  To walk through the forest today, you would think that the whole thing had been dropped into place from above.

“Collaboration between Hansen Yuncken, the consultants and the University of Western Sydney was the key to obtaining the best possible outcome for the project. We were all committed to a one team culture from the start to ensure the success of all project objectives were achieved for the University of Western Sydney.”

Hansen Yuncken, established in 1918, is Australia’s largest private commercial construction contractor. The company employs 700 people around Australia with offices in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Orange, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Hobart, Shepparton and Albury/Wodonga.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact Adam Towner on (02) 9770 7600

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Please contact
Mark Williams on (08) 8412 4102