Bouygues Travaux Publics: Tsang Siu Fung (Joseph)

Joseph is an Engineer of Bouygues Travaux Publics in Hong Kong. His recent engagement is in construction planning and coordination in the project Inter-reservoirs Transfer Scheme, which is to construct a 2.8km water tunnel by using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Apart from leading frontline tunnelling activities, a highlighted contribution is the introduction of innovations to this project, which are the implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and BIM integration on tunnel segments. Besides, Joseph is the designer of an innovative mobile application for improving construction efficiency by enabling seamless remote collaboration and closer monitoring to construction activities in the industry.

Joseph introduced RFID into the Inter-reservoirs Transfer Scheme project for tracking logistics of precast tunnel segments from a prefabrication yard in China to Hong Kong. This drives the team to a leaner quality checking procedure because precast segment logistics is recorded at every checkpoint automatically, drastically reducing manual documentation time and cost. Besides, DB is an innovative mobile app initiated and developed by Joseph, which is a tool allowing one party and another distant colleague to have live chat and real-time collaboration concurrently. They can share views of on-site structures, drawings, and then interact in live. Even without being physically present on site, site engineers can still remotely manage the project, and design checkers can inspect quality of work by virtual presence, hence increasing working productivity and saving on-site administration cost. Joseph is applying RFID to monitor productivity of segment production. The all-in-one system of RFID automatically generates reports of production, delivery, inspection, and progress comparison between actual fabrication and schedule. Moreover, Joseph combines as-built information of segment production with Building Information Modelling, allowing clients to visualize on-going progress of segment construction more easily. Besides, Joseph develops DB for more effective remote inspection. Poor building quality and unsafe construction practice have been severely complained by the public in recent years. Adopting DB in projects would resolve clients’ headache, because it allows engineers to have closer monitoring of site works anytime anywhere, meeting public expectation of having quality construction with effective project management. Joseph has been actively engaging in tunnelling projects in both design and construction since graduation. From his experience, he deeply feels that miscommunication is dragging working efficiency and morale of many practitioners. Therefore, Joseph is committed to develop DB to facilitate effective communication. He fully utilizes the power of virtual presence technology where such a visual collaboration tool is tailored for all walks of life involved in projects, ranging from site workers, engineers, to clients. This real-time telepresence technology enables one party to virtually collaborate with another distant colleague regardless of time and location constraints. Joseph streamlined inspection process and automated documentation by adopting RFID, which drastically reduced paper usage and resources for manual input. Such a digitalization enables engineers to focus on solving engineering problems instead of administrative matters. Besides, engineers equipped with DB can manage projects more effectively and ensure quality of work. On top of that, the more effective communication and supervision also increase engineers’ sense of achievement. Ultimately, the high-quality work would rebuild public trust and respect towards the industry.

Nominations for this award are sought to find the individual who, while developing and deepening his or her experience in the tunnelling industry, has made an outstanding contribution between January 2019 and July 2020. Judges will focus on the personal contribution made by the individual to successfully bring to market innovative ideas or initiatives, challenge normal practices or lead major technically complex operations.

Spie Batignolles fondations is one of the largest specialist foundation contractors in Europe. The Company operates in both the infrastructure and building markets, including rail, water, power, highways and multi-storey buildings. Our ethical and collaborative approach, coupled with a high level of technical and operational resources, means the Company is chosen to deliver major infrastructure and building projects both in Europe and further afield. With our wealth of experience both in the UK, across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the Company is ideally placed to offer innovative solutions.