Our laboratory in North Melbourne performs all routine rock characterization test procedures, and also has significant capabilities in high pressure rock triaxial and direct shear testing, and unique special expertise in excavatability and abrasiveness testing for mining, quarrying and tunnelling projects. Our emphasis is on "Constructability", comprising Abrasivity, Excavatability, and Stability, both short-term and long-term.The success of any ground engineering project can only be… Show more Our laboratory in North Melbourne performs all routine rock characterization test procedures, and also has significant capabilities in high pressure rock triaxial and direct shear testing, and unique special expertise in excavatability and abrasiveness testing for mining, quarrying and tunnelling projects. Our emphasis is on "Constructability", comprising Abrasivity, Excavatability, and Stability, both short-term and long-term.The success of any ground engineering project can only be assured if all of these 4 pillars are adequately considered and characterized. In 2019 I was honoured by being inducted as a Fellow of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, and in 2020 I was made an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Geomechanics Society, a companion compliment to my 2000 Honorary Life Membership of the Australian Tunnelling Society. Show less

In 1967 I was the first specialist lecturer in rock mechanics appointed at any Australian university, to develop the first undergraduate courses in the field, and to apply rock mechanics principles to mine design.Four+ decades of teaching, researching and consulting in the fields of rock mechanics, tunnelling, geotechnical engineering, drilling & blasting followed.I established the rock mechanics laboratory in the Mining School in 1967, transferred it to the Civil Engineering Department… Show more In 1967 I was the first specialist lecturer in rock mechanics appointed at any Australian university, to develop the first undergraduate courses in the field, and to apply rock mechanics principles to mine design.Four+ decades of teaching, researching and consulting in the fields of rock mechanics, tunnelling, geotechnical engineering, drilling & blasting followed.I established the rock mechanics laboratory in the Mining School in 1967, transferred it to the Civil Engineering Department in 1985, and in 2011 was invited to transfer it to a joint venture Coffey/University of Melbourne rock mechanics teaching research and commercial consulting laboratory, to be resourced at a level unaffordable by the University alone. Show less

Transferred my rock mechanics laboratory from the University of Melbourne into temporary premises at Coffey.Consulting in the fields of rock mechanics, tunnelling, excavatability, and mine design.

In charge of geological and geotechnical investigations for the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop.

Engineering geological investigations for projects such as Melbourne Underground Rail Loop & West Gate Bridge; economic geology for projects such as the Anglesea brown coal mine, + several underground gold mines.

Performed engineering-geological investigations for Geehi Dam, M6 underground power station, Murray 1 pressure tunnel. Performed engineering geology supervision during the construction of Tumut 1 tailrace tunnel, Tumut 1 underground power station, Tantangara Dam, Murrumbidgee-Eucumbene Tunnel.