JEAN-CHRISTO PYPER

At Douglas Partners I have been providing geotechnical engineering services to clients within the civil, mining and renewable energy sector being involved with nearly 300 different projects and having been the project manager and geotechnical lead for over 60 of these projects.

General Responsibilities

• Preparation of fee proposals for geotechnical investigations, analysis (FLAC7, PLAXIS, SLOPE/W etc.) and construction services for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
• Planning and coordination of geotechnical investigations, construction services and ad-hoc site visits for geotechnical engineers within geotechnical department.
• Preparation of safety documentation, field work safety and environmental management plans.
• Analysis using simple spreadsheets, empirical methods or predicative modelling using finite difference programs. Numerical modelling of proposed developments near or adjacent to TfNSW and Sydney Metro infrastructure.
• Preparation of geotechnical factual/interpretive reports, inspection reports, design documentation, geotechnical hydrogeological vibration monitoring plans, inspection and test plan reports and geotechnical instrument recording reports.
• Mentor junior engineers as part of a professional development program, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth within the organization.
• Conduct feasibility studies for new projects, analyzing data to inform decision-making processes regarding project viability.
• Assisting clients in navigating regulatory frameworks surrounding geotechnical aspects of their projects, streamlining permitting processes and avoiding costly delays or penalties related to non-compliance issues.

Projects of Significance

Silver City Energy Storage (SCES) Development, Broken Hill, NSW

• Lead project geotechnical engineering consultant responsible for geotechnical investigation services, laboratory testing, reporting and assisting stakeholders for the ECI phase.
• Investigation included geotechnical logging, sampling, rock strength testing and hydraulic conductivity testing for two >600m deep boreholes, number of shallow boreholes and forty test pits across the site.
• Design of standpipe piezometers for long-term groundwater monitoring.
• Scheduled advanced laboratory testing on soils, rocks, and construction materials to assist with the design phase of the project.
• Established quality control procedures within the organization's geotechnical laboratory operations, elevating the accuracy and reliability of test results produced internally.
• Supported project management initiatives through detailed documentation, scheduling and progress tracking.
• Developed action plans to aid in meeting defined objectives and streamlining existing processes.
• Planned and conducted geotechnical investigation works effectively.
• Contributed to successful project outcomes by providing timely technical support during all phases of investigation and preliminary design.
• Spearheaded training initiatives aimed at enhancing the technical skills of junior geotechnical engineering staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.
• Attended site at each phase of the investigation to provide guidance to field staff and contractors.
• Managed expectations of the client and liaison with local drilling and civil contractors, Perilya and Potosi mine personnel, freight and logistic companies including various laboratories and universities around Australia.
• Reviewed and corrected work of two experienced engineers.

Meadowbrook Coal Mine, Lake Vermont, QLD

• Desktop assessment of twelve boreholes to assist with preliminary box-cut, decline and ventilation shaft designs.
• Carry out site investigation and walk-over of the existing open cut with detailed geotechnical mapping of several wall exposures to gather statistical data on defects and stratigraphy. Importing statistical data into sterioplots and software to determine potential rock wedge formation.
• Supervised subsurface investigations to provide accurate data for geotechnical analyses and design.
• Carry out kinematic analysis for inter-bench face stability and competent rock mass.
• Determine the rock mass classification for the roof and sidewalls of the men and material drifts using the Tunnel Quality Index "Q".
• Determine rock mass classification, including Qr for raise bore stability and probability of failure (after McCraken and Stacey).
• Provided ground support design for the roof and sidewalls consisting of passive support (steel sets, lattice girders, shotcrete etc.).
• Assisted with geotechnical parameter inputs to RS2 and FLAC2D/3D models during the design phase of the project.

Prominent Hill Mine, South Australia

• Carry out geotechnical logging of nearly 600m of HQ3 rock core to provide a third party review of the geotechnical investigation and analytical results for a 1.5km deep production shaft.
• Carry out high level review of geotechnical investigation results and imperial assessments.
• Provide concise findings to clients and stakeholders including geotechnical recommendations for the proposed development.
• Input of geotechnical parameters for numerical analysis using FLAC3D.
• Visited project site during construction to monitor progress and consult with contractors and on-site engineers.

Chifley Square Redevelopment, Sydney, NSW

• Managed subsurface investigations to provide accurate data for geotechnical analyses, minimizing risks during project execution.
• Preparation off geotechnical investigation report.
• Modeling the building core and shear wall including structural elements and material properties (raft slabs and hold-down anchors) using FLAC3D.
• Preparation of numerical modelling reports and sharing outcomes with project client and contractors.
• Carried out permanent hold-down anchor design and cone pull-out volume assessments in accordance with AS4678.
• High-level settlement analysis of tower column footings and providing direction on differential settlement and tolerance for the structure.

General

• Preparation of fee proposals for geotechnical investigations, analysis and construction services for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
• Planning and coordination of geotechnical investigations, construction services and ad-hoc site visits for geotechnical engineers within geotechnical and rock mechanics department.
• Assisted clients in navigating regulatory frameworks surrounding geotechnical aspects of their projects, streamlining permitting processes and avoiding costly delays or penalties related to non-compliance issues.
• Preparation of safety documentation, field work safety and environmental management plans.
• Preparation of geotechnical factual/interpretive reports, inspection reports, design documentation, geotechnical hydrogeological vibration monitoring plans, inspection and test plan reports and geotechnical instrument recording reports.
• Provision of construction phase services including foundation inspections, piling inspections, anchoring, soil nailing, face mapping, underpinning, working platform assessment and dilapidation surveys (tunnels).
• Design and construction supervision of temporary/permanent support structures, including cable/rock bolts (strands and bars), CT and DCP bolts, shotcrete, fibrecrete and soil nails.
• Monthly invoicing, creditor checks, financial responsibility of projects.
• Training graduate engineers on site.

Projects of Significance

Invincible Gold Mine, Lake Lefroy, Western Australia

• Carried out geotechnical logging, sampling and testing of two ~400m deep HQ3 boreholes to investigate conditions for two ventilation shafts. Geotechnical logging was carried out in accordance with AS1726:2017.
• Visited the invincible open pit and underground mine at various sub-surface levels and drives to carry out geotechnical mapping and inspection of the in-situ rock conditions.
• Completed empirical analysis and rock mass classifications, including Qr for raise bore stability and probability of failure (after McCraken and Stacey).
• Completed rock wedge analysis using statistical data from the geotechnical boreholes, geophysical televiewer data and the open pit and underground geotechnical mapping.
• Provided a geotechnical assessment report suitable for the shaft boring contractor commenting on excavatibility, stability, geotechnical parameters for lining design and geotechnical parameters for the design of pre-sink footings and piles.

Whitehaven Coal Mine, Narrabri, NSW

• Carried out geotechnical logging, sampling and testing of four~300m deep HQ3 boreholes investigating conditions for a number of ventilation shafts. Geotechnical logging was carried out in accordance with AS1726:2017.
• Geotechnical investigation for additional surface facilities and haulage roads to assist with the expansion of the mine.
• Completed empirical analysis and rock mass classifications, including Qr for raise bore stability and probability of failure (after McCraken and Stacey). Also included other stability assessments such as RMR and CMRR (coal mine roof rating).
• Completed rock wedge analysis using statistical data from the geotechnical boreholes and geophysical televiewer data. Statistical data was imported to Unwedge software from Rocscience.
• Provided a geotechnical assessment report suitable for the shaft boring contractor commenting on excavatibility, stability, geotechnical parameters for lining design and geotechnical parameters for the design of pre-sink footings and piles.

Data Centres - 24 Healy Circuit, Huntingwood and 1 Sirius Rd, Lane Cove West, NSW

• Provided geotechnical services during the construction phase of the project.
• Carried out geotechnical rock face mapping during excavation phase and provided comment on ground support as required.
• Carried out Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) testing and proof rolling supervision for engineered working platforms.
• Completed the design for various engineered working platforms for a range of pilling rigs, mobile cranes and concrete boom pumps.
• Assisted with global and local stability analysis for soil reinforced retaining walls using empirical methods and Slope/W 2D software.

Sydney Metro Station Boxes - Victoria Cross Station, Martin Place Station and Central Station

• Completed geotechnical rock face mapping and ground support recommendations where required.
• Carried out weekly inspections of perimeter rock faces to assess fretting and presence of loose material. Directed removal of loose material within exclusion zones to allow personnel to work safely next to expose faces.
• Carried out visual and tactile assessments at the base of every footing excavation, including spoon testing to confirm the conditions meet the required allowable bearing pressures.
• Foundation assessments for perimeter scaffolding and hoarding.

168 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW

• Acted as the geotechnical superintendent on site to witness the drilling, installation, stressing and sealing of all permanent ground support along the northern boundary. Permanent support was required to support the foundations of the neighbouring tower.
• Review all inspection and test plan documentation from the anchoring contractor including the calibration certification of all equipment used on site.
• Provided the client and structural engineers with practical design solutions for anchor mortar pads and face plates.
• Inspected all anchors to conform to design specification and AS4678 standards.
• Provided final documentation on all works to the client in a meaningfully report which captures all phases of ground support installation.
• Trained other DP staff and senior staff on site.

The Bond, Bella Vista, NSW

• Provided geotechnical construction services to the project during the bulk excavation phase.
• Carried out geotechnical rock face mapping of all perimeter rock faces in accordance with the detailed geotechnical investigation and test plan for the project.
• Managed civil and ground support subcontractors by preparing clear standards of procedures for the excavation works.
• Designed ground support along neighbouring boundaries to support local wedges. Determine wedge sizes using on-site mapping information and statistical data with S-Wedge analytical program designed by Rocscience.
• Witness the drilling, installation and stressing of all ground support structures.
• Carried out visual and tactile assessments at the base of every footing excavation, including spoon testing to confirm the conditions meet the required allowable bearing pressures.

Sydney Sandstone Precinct, Sydney CBD, NSW

• Plan, prepare and supervise geotechnical borehole investigation across the site to inform the structural design and meet the requirements from Sydney Metro technical guidance.
• Design and installation of geotechnical instrumentation which including inclinometers, extensometer, survey targets, vibration monitors, piezometers etc.
• Acted as the geotechnical superintendent on site to witness the drilling, installation, stressing and sealing of all permanent ground support along the basement perimeter. Permanent support was required to support the foundations of the neighbouring tower.
• Carried out visual and tactile assessments at the base of every footing excavation, including spoon testing to confirm the conditions meet the required allowable bearing pressures.

• Assisted with EPL and Mining License applications.
• Carried out geological mapping to ascertain geological model of brownfield site.
• Surface grab samples, sample preparation for external ISO laboratory testing following ISO17025 standards.
• Granulometry, assays, optical mineralogy on selected samples.
• Assisted with formulating a comprehensive exploration drilling program.
• Conducted geological and geotechnical logging on retrieved core samples, including generation of photo plates and preparing samples for laboratory testing.
• Preparation of safety documentation and toolbox records.
• Liaison with exploration drilling contractors during daily toolbox meetings.
• Generation of geological progress and laboratory reports.
• Sourcing all drilling equipment and consumables.

• Supervised and logged Dynamic Probe Super Heavy (DPSH) testing, percussion and auger drilling.
• Supervised CFA piling.
• Geotechnical logging and geotechnical classification of soil/rock profile for test piles.
• Supervised and logged the progression of pile installation and piling contractor's efficiency.
• Attending all daily scheduled site meetings to gain understanding of construction working chain.

• Mapping of geological structures, lithologies and mineralisation.
• Surface and subsurface sampling, sample preparation - laboratory scheduling and cross-border sample delivery.
• Geological mapping/drafting (ArcMap), cross-section generation (Adobe Illustrator), drafting geological model with project sample distribution.
• Liaison with local authorities, project manager, metallurgical engineer and international Canadian client.
• Technical report and press release write-up.
• Developed drilling program for second phase of investigation works.