GBAS RSM Antena Installation

Eifers assisted in the installation of 5 airside antennas and a containment cell (including several concrete placements) at Melbourne Airport’s SmartPath (GBAS). GBAS (ground-based augmentation system) is a precision landing system used to aid aircraft in low visibility landing situations such as fog or heavy rain.

To construct these VBD and RSMU antennas, our site staff prepared the base of the structure by drilling piers before the concrete pour. Each antenna was equipped with a steel reinforcement cage and bolt which were cemented in place by the concrete. Then the masts were secured to the bolts to complete the tower placement.

We then constructed the containment cell for the storage of class 3  contaminated soil, as per GHD’s desired layout. The design included the use of a geosynthetic clay layer which simulates a hydraulic barrier to retain any contaminated seepage. Our work was conducted in accompaniment with OH&S and Work Health Safety procedures such as; excavation and trench protection, manual handling an emergency response and first aid.

Approximately 390 cubic meters of soil was excavated to make a path for electrical communications between the shelter and the antennas. Our workers took extra caution during the construction of these communication trenches to avoid the existing high-voltage (HV) conduits. Once the new conduit has been placed, the trenches were then backfilled with sand and clean fill that had been screened to remove any large particles that may cause damage to any of the existing structures. The trenches were then compacted and tested to a rating of at minimum 95% by a Geotechnical Engineer.