Coffey Testing is providing comprehensive soils and materials testing services for the Queensland Train Manufacturing Program (QTMP).
Established by the Queensland Government to meet the increasing demand for rail transport in South East Queensland over the next 10 years, the program will build 65 new six-car passenger trains at a purpose-built manufacturing facility at Torbanlea, in the Fraser Coast region.
This facility will strengthen the region’s historical ties to train manufacturing, while creating local jobs and training opportunities.
The 130-hectare site was chosen for its proximity to rail lines and transport routes. The facility will incorporate sustainable practices, such as solar panels and water re-use, to reduce its environmental impact. Coffey Testing is providing vital geotechnical and materials testing to support the project’s success.
Coffey Testing’s work scope involves conducting various essential quality assurance tests on the site’s soils, concrete and quarried materials. Our team is performing a wide variety of testing, including Nuclear Density Tests (Nuke Testing), which measures the density and moisture content within the material to determine compaction levels and moisture variation tolerance.
Alongside the construction testing, we have sampled and tested over 100 test pits to assess the natural material onsite for its suitability to be reused in other areas onsite. This has involved California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing to assess the strength of the subgrade material and Emerson Class testing to test for dispersive soils. Additionally, we are undertaking Plasticity Index (PI) and Particle Size Distribution (PSD) tests to ensure that the materials used throughout construction meet the required specifications to ensure the site’s longevity.
With our extensive experience in geotechnical testing, Coffey Testing provides critical insights that support the safe and efficient development of the manufacturing facility. Our testing ensures that the foundation and materials used across the project are suited to the site conditions, contributing to the overall success of this major infrastructure development.
Through these efforts, Coffey Testing is helping to deliver a solid and reliable foundation for the Torbanlea train manufacturing facility.
For more information about the QTMP, please visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
