| 35 REGIONAL Trine Kel T T Virginia Wright Modelling for growth Trine Kel can create a 3D model on a computer of the system under investigation. “Hydraulic modelling used to be a scary idea because it was so expensive, but because we’re living here doing it, and training people up in Northland to do it, we’ve been able to bring that cost down but still deliver the same quality.” It may no longer be outpacing other regions, but Northland has shown steady population growth over the last five years. It’s home to an increasing number of companies offering the sort of specialist skills and expertise that might previously have been brought in from Auckland if not Australia. For the last four years Kelvin Kapp of Trine Kel Civil Engineering Solutions has been delivering Civil and Infrastructure Design solutions to companies and councils all over Northland, making good use of his specialist skills in hydraulic modelling in particular. While studying for his Civil Engineering degree in Pretoria Kelvin specialised in water and went on to work in South Africa’s mining industry, he says. “Mostly in civil engineering design to assist with environmental impact, keeping dirty areas dirty and clean areas clean, for example flood modelling and designing pollution control dams.” To do either of those you need to understand where the water’s going to flow which involves hydraulic modelling. It’s the mathematical simulation of a water system to predict how it will behave, for which Kelvin now has the benefit of sophisticated software he can use to generate 3D predictive models. Trine Kel offers hydraulic modelling in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and flooding, along with civil engineering designs in three waters, roads and flood protection. One is the precursor to the other with accurate hydraulic modelling providing critical and very specific information for the civil design and resulting plans a contractor relies on to successfully build whatever piece of infrastructure it might be. “Hydraulic modelling really helps councils to be able to plan for the future, but it also feeds into a specific design when we need to go and build a bridge, or a dam or a stopbank,” says Kelvin. Having a local hydraulic modeller is fairly new, and a valuable asset at a time when Northland’s councils are actively seeking to address longstanding problems and improve climate change resilience with a number of development and infrastructure projects in play: Kaipara District’s Waiatua Dam under development to increase the area’s water capacity in case of drought, for example, and the Northland Regional Council’s Kāeo Stopbank, and Tauranga Bay Stopbank both being looked at to reduce risk in future storms. “Hydraulic modelling used to be a scary idea because it was so expensive, but because we’re living here doing it, and training people up in Northland to do it, we’ve been able to bring that cost down but still deliver the same quality,” says Kelvin Whether it’s a town’s wastewater network or the dam needed to secure their water supply, Trine Kel will create a 3D model on a computer of the system under investigation, a stopbank for example, then add the variable of future events being planned for, such as the expected rainfall in a severe 100-year storm. Depending on the client’s preference the resulting calculations of how high the floodbank needs to be are then either given to a civil designer or used in-house by Trine Kel as they incorporate those results into the civil design of that real world asset for the contractor to build. “There’s no place to hide anymore. I’m not showing clients an Excel spreadsheet to explain pipe sizing. I’m showing them a dynamic model on screen with water flowing over the actual terrain. “With a 200 mm pipe water rises on the upstream side and flows over the road, but a 600 mm pipe has enough capacity. There’s no overflow and compliance is achieved,” says Kelvin. Hydraulic modelling fed into sophisticated software produces 3D modelling that makes it possible for anyone to understand the implications of their decisions on the environment. It’s a dynamic tool being put to good use to help councils allocate budget and resources which will help their infrastructure survive whatever the future has in store. Geonexus Limited is a civil and geotechnical engineering consultancy operating in Northland, New Zealand. The irm focuses on regional ground conditions, land development, earthworks, and infrastructure support including site investigations and ground modelling, civil design, and factual and interpretive site-speci ic geotechnical reporting. Headed by sole-principal and director, chartered geotechnical engineer Dwayne Claassen, their approach is the same. Regardless of the job at hand they seek meaningful solutions that bring a positive outcome for communities, he explains. “I enjoy inding clever ways to solve problems. I’m a geotechnical engineer at heart, so I particularly enjoy inding practical, cost-e ective solutions to geotechnical challenges. Sometimes that means challenging the status quo rather than simply doing things the way they’ve always been done.” Based in Whangarei, Geonexus use their specialist skills and local knowledge to o er solutions to complex problems throughout Northland. “We deal with highly variable and often unstable geology across Northland, so every project presents its own challenges. That’s what really excites me. I love inding solutions for each individual scenario, thinking outside the box, and often coming up with hybrid solutions. We work closely with contractors to understand the construction challenges, and develop practical solutions that are easier to build and often signi icantly more cost-e ective. It’s about inding the right solution for the site rather than assuming the same approach will work everywhere.,” says Dwayne. He believes Geonexus can add real value in the asset management space, particularly in a district like Kaipara where challenging ground conditions from recent weather events can put pressure on roads and water infrastructure. “It's about understanding where the risks are and working with councils to put a plan in place to stay ahead of them, rather than waiting for something to fail before we act," he says. Dwayne’s Masters in Engineering Project Management, with a thesis on Public Sector Procurement, means Geonexus’ skill set allows them to work on a project from its inception through procurement and project management to completion. Having de ined the problem that needs to be ixed, then formulated and designed its solution, they’ll ind contractors or other consultants as needed, guide the client through the procurement process, then work with the contractors to see the project through construction to delivery. Dwayne likes nothing more than to engage with the increasing number of local small to medium sized businesses with the specialist skills and resources needed to achieve what needs to be done. Working together they achieve cost e ective solutions, guided by subject speci ic knowledge and an understanding of the local terrain, that pay o for both the client and the community which needs critical infrastructure they can rely on. Adding value in Northland YOUR COMPLETE GEOTECHNICAL PARTNER With extensive knowledge and experience in Northland’s complex and varied geology, Geonexus offers specialist insight into the challenges and opportunities presented by the region’s ground conditions. This local geological expertise allows for tailored, site-specific designs that balance constructability, performance, and long-term resilience. GEOTECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES | GEOTECHNICAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE | GEOTECHNICAL ASSET MANAGEMENT Feasibility Studies Geotechnical Investigations Ground Modelling Shallow & Deep Foundation Design Slope Stability & Landslide Remediation Design Procurement Support Physical Works Contract Management Project Management Dwayne Claassen 021 420 708 geonexus.co.nz
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