Yuffrey Huang - BE(Hons) GradIEAust - 4 years experience

Career Overview

I graduated in 2002 with a BE degree from UNSW, majoring in Geotechnical Engineering. In the same year I joined Arup as a graduate geotechnical engineer and undertook site investigation, laboratory scheduling and computer modelling for geotechnical problems. In 2002 I was involved in interesting projects including the tender design for the Parramatta Rail Link, Lane Cove Tunnel and a preliminary geotechnical study for the North West Rail Link project. In 2003, I was seconded to Hong Kong for 10 months where I was involved in the longest bored tunnel ever built in Hong Kong. I undertook retaining wall, embankment, site formation and tunnel lining design work under the guidance of seniors and have since developed interest in tunnels. In 2004, I travelled to Toowoomba, 100km west of Brisbane for approximately 6 months and was involved in site investigation and construction supervision for a high voltage transmission line and substation. The construction was carried out mainly in rural areas. In mid 2005, I joined Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) in Sydney as a Geotechnical Engineer. Since joining PB I have been involved in some interesting projects in Sydney and Melbourne including Lane Cove Tunnel, EastLink (Australia’s largest urban road project), and the Tullamarine-Calder Interchange, where PB is part of an alliance providing multi-disciplinary engineering services.

What attracted me to Geotechnical Engineering?

Unpredictable ground conditions mean unlimited solutions to problems. I wanted the freedom in designing and problem solving that this entails. Every metre of soil represents bits and pieces of the ground history; and I find it interesting to look back in time at the different environments that the ground has experienced.

What excites me about Geotechnical Engineering?

Being able to participate in major infrastructure projects and actually see them getting built. Being able to travel to interesting sites within Australia and internationally

My typical work day or week

My typical work day involves carrying out design and modelling for geotechnical problems, planning site investigation, carrying out fieldwork, and involvement in project and cost management. Sometimes interstate travel is required but I am happy to do the travel.

The most interesting project I have worked on

The tunnelling project in Hong Kong 2003 was one of the most interesting projects. Due to the scale of the project, I was involved in many aspects of geotechnical engineering including overcoming site problems and working closely with the contractor. It was a great experience standing next to an 8m diameter tunnel boring machine at 30m below the surface, just before it was launched.