Ken has specialised in geotechnical instrumentation and numerical modelling since completing his Diploma of Civil Engineering. His work includes underground coal mining layouts, dam subsidence, and the Melbourne Underground.
Education
- Diploma of Engineering (Civil), Caulfield Institute of Technology, 1978.
Professional positions
- 1988 to present: Director, Mincad Systems Pty. Ltd.
- 1978 to 1988: Experimental Scientist, CSIRO Division of Geomechanics.
Professional affiliations
- Australian Geomechanics Society.
- International Society for Rock Mechanics.
Experience
At Mincad Systems, Ken has contributed to studies for organisations including AGL, Coal and Allied, CSIRO, Capcoal, South Blackwater Mines, Sydney Water Board, Queensland Mines Department, BHP Minerals and the Port of Melbourne Authority.
Research has included longwall face support requirements, chain pillar design, roadway stability, surface subsidence above extracted panels, underground machinery caverns and retaining-wall stability.
Earlier work with the CSIRO Division of Geomechanics involved numerical modelling, pillar stability, rib and crown pillar simulations, dam subsidence analysis and stress analysis. Ken also worked on improved techniques for underground coal mine layout analysis and design, including laboratory testing and in-situ stress and displacement monitoring.
His instrumentation experience includes constructing, calibrating, installing and monitoring geotechnical instruments during construction of the Melbourne Underground railway tunnels, as well as in-situ stress monitoring in hard-rock mines.