Whilst there is plenty of historical information about

the impacts and effects on the city of Hobart of the

Tasman Bridge Disaster, there is a notable lack of

technical information between 5th January 1975

when the bridge was partially demolished by

collision with the Bulk Ore Carrier ‘Lake Illawarra’

and the reopening on 8th October 1977.

To rebuild the bridge, many unique technical

challenges had to be met and overcome

encompassing underwater ship and debris

survey and works, demolition, foundations and

bridging whilst preserving the remaining bridge

and its spans.

In addition, during the closure period, the bridge

was widened from 4 to 5 traffic lanes plus footpaths.

This Technical Forum is being held to capture the

missing technical information and stories from the

key technical personnel involved in the project.

The passage of 40 years means that many of

these people have now retired and, sadly, some

are deceased.

The Forum format will be based on recorded

memories and discussions with these people in the

presence of interested technical observers. Once

the technical information is ‘on the record’, it will be

available for inclusion during the 40th anniversary

of the bridge reopening in October 2017.

TASMAN BRIDGE DISASTER TECHNICAL FORUM

introduction date and timeThe Forum will be held on

Saturday 9th April • 9am - 5pm andSunday 10th April • 9am - 1pm

VENUEThe venue for the Forum will be the Engineering Lecture

Theatre, UTAS, The building closest to the corner of

Alexander & Grosvenor Streets, Sandy Bay.

Kerbside parking available.

ATTENDANCEEntry to the Forum is free. However we ask that intending attendees advise the

duration of their proposed attendance so that sufficient

catering can be arranged.

Please advise the Forum organiser, Bill Lawson by email

wlawsontas@gmail.com or phone 0418 123 293.

RSVP

The Bridge is Gone – What to do Now?The first weeks and months of planning and engineering to fix the bridge.

The Debris Survey.Where is the ship? Where is the bridge debris?How do we map it?

Rebuild Options.How can the bridge be best fixed in the shortest possible time?

Construction Challenges.How to re-build the bridge?How hold up the spans while building new columns and foundations beneath? What plant and equipment was needed?

Bridging the Gap.Why steel and concrete?How erect the beams?

Construction Methods.What special construction methods and techniques were used?

Bridge Widening.4 lanes (3/1 tidal) to 5 (3/2 tidal).Why?What was involved?

The Marine Inquiry and the Disaster Aftermath.What came out of the Inquiry?What actions/changes resulted?What if it happens again?

• Morning after / early action• Damage assessment• Stability of the remaining bridge• Why no “pack of cards” collapse?• Making the existing bridge safe• Restoration team & arrangements• DMR, JTBRC, Maunsell, John Holland• Decision not to salvage ship• Decision not to remove debris

• Initial efforts/investigations• Risks, water depth, decompression• Design and construction of ultrasonic survey equipment• The “triangulation” idea• The ultrasonic underwater survey• The model of bridge debris and the ship

• Options considered• Risks and schedule• Final decision and why• Vertical piles• Bridge widening opportunity

• Arrival on site / first impressions• Mobilisation DBs 1 and 2• Pavilion & Wilkinson’s Points• Construction planning• Plant & equipment• Construction sequence• Underwater work• Ship bow removal / 2 foot clearance

• Steel box girders 17-19 / Steel Mains• PS concrete beams 19-20• Wilkinson’s Point• Load and float out• Erection / lifting beams• Knife-edge bearings• Getting the length right

• Demolition / thermal lances• Underwater falsework• Big pricker• 2m piles, transport, pitching• Tremie concrete/stressing/rock anchors• Pile caps• Derrick cranes to lift beams

• Design concepts• Strengthening required• Footpaths / Services• Construction

• Scope of inquiry• Inquiry findings• New bridge operating protocols• Separation of ship and road usage• Bowen Bridge “insurance”

Bill LawsonJim LeslieBruce CrossleyTony Hurd

Bill LawsonBruce CrossleyGraham BlightDenis MacQueenAlan PorterJan TaylorPeter Watt

Jim LeslieBruce CrossleyLyndon Stephenson

David YoungRoger BairdBruce CrossleyJim LeslieLyndon Stephenson

Lyndon StephensonDavid YoungRoger BairdBruce CrossleyJim Leslie

David YoungRoger BairdBruce CrossleyJim LeslieLyndon Stephenson

Jim LeslieGraeme Peck

Bill LawsonDavid KeyesTony HurdJim Leslie

TASMAN BRIDGE DISASTER TECHNICAL FORUM9TH / 10TH APRIL 2016

SESSION TOPICS PANEL MEMBERS DISCUSSION POINTS

TOPIC 1

DAY 1

TOPIC 2

DAY 1

TOPIC 3

DAY 1

TOPIC 4

DAY 1

TOPIC 5

DAY 1

TOPIC 6

DAY 2

TOPIC 7

DAY 2

TOPIC 8

DAY 2

DEPARTMENT OF MAIN ROADSBridge Owners• Tony Hurd (Bridge Construction Engineer)• Bill Lawson (Bridge Construction Engineer)• Alan Porter (Diver)

TAYLOR BROS.Debris Survey Diving & Marine Services• Graham Blight (Diver)• Denis MacQueen (Diver)• Jan Taylor (Director)

UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIADesign & Construction of Ultrasonic Underwater Survey Equipment• Peter Watt (Electronic Designer)

MAUNSELL & PARTNERS PTY LTDConsulting Engineers, Designers & Construction Supervisors• Bruce Crossley (Senior Resident Engineer)• Jim Leslie (Project Director & Designer)• Lyndon Stephenson (Resident Engineer)

JOHN HOLLAND CONSTRUCTION GROUPConstruction Contractor, Bridge Restoration• Roger Baird (Senior Construction Engineer)• David Young (Construction Manager)

PEARSON BRIDGE PTY LTDConstruction Contractor, Bridge Widening• Graeme Peck (Construction Director)

TRANSPORT COMMISSION /SHIPPING• David Keyes (Master Mariner)

PANEL WHO’S WHO