b'30 Partner News Autumn 2021CorporateProjectdesign comprises less than 10% of theActive collaboration, continuity, and The Environment Agency and BAM Nuttalloverall design cost. Regardless, thecoordination (including dedicated Mott MacDonald Joint Venture (BMMJV)EICA systems are key to the successcoordinators) have been instrumental. are collaborating to deliver the 100mof the scheme because failure of eitherWe designed and constructed seamlessly Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Schemegate to operate on demand couldwith the existing infrastructure and with to protect 14,000 homes and businessesresult in flooding of parts of Boston.the overall scheme. Lessons learned from from tidal flooding. In 2013, significantPhase 1 were integrated into Phase 2 flooding due to a tidal surge event affectedWe designed the control andthrough documentation and workshops. 800 properties in Boston, and the riskspower systems with layers of are increasing as climate change impactsredundancy, including: Wins include adjusting cable routes to sea levels and weather patterns globally.improve constructability, reducing concrete Two 500kVA transformersand copper thereby reducing embedded The scheme will provide one of the highest400kVA and 220kVA standby generators carbon, and removing potential sources levels of tidal flood protection in the UKMobile generator connection points of pollution such as bulk fuel tanks.and will benefit the community by enablingMotor control centres investment, improving resilience, andUninterruptible power supplies We assessed reliability and risk using protecting critical assets. Design started inRedundant control desks tools such as Designers Risk Assessments, 2017 and completion is expected in 2022.Main and emergency hydrauliclightning risk assessments, DSEAR power units for each gateassessments, and probabilistic reliability The main MEICA elements are:analyses with fault trees. We learned that Phase 125m wide, 11m high risingGates for flood defence are unusual inEICA engineers are suited to lead reliability sector gate across the Haven the UK. We developed our skills in: analyses and some risk assessments, due commissioned and operationalto our deep understanding of system from December 2020. Designing control systems forfunctionality and sources of failure. We Phase 218m wide, 11.5m highlarge moving structures utilised these assessments to develop pair of vertical sector gates to beAssessing and improving reliability ofsuitable hardware, software, and user installed in the Port of Boston Wetcomplex, multidisciplinary systemsbehaviour controls and to remove Dock Entrancedesign completed. Specifying generators to reflectsingle sources of failure. Our work will an unusual load profile enable this critical infrastructure to EICA engineeringSelecting and locating equipment foroperate when needed to protect 14,000 This project is multidisciplinary; EICAflood resilience and corrosion resistance properties and businesses in Boston.ConclusionsBoston Barrier Tidal FloodThe integrated involvement of EICA engineers in this multidisciplinary project has been critical to its overall success. Defence Scheme Key lessons learned:The engagement of EICA engineers early and continuously drives efficiency and better risk management.By Rachel J Arthur, Chartered EICA Engineer,Collaboration and coordination improve outcomes, especially on multi-Mott MacDonald stage, multidisciplinary projects. EICA engineers are often best suited to lead reliability and risk assessments of MEICA designs.The river Haven and upgraded pedestrian way with the rising sector gate lowered (image credits to Kaye Pollard)'