ADVISORY, FORENSIC AND EXPERT SERVICES IN GROUND ENGINEERING, TUNNELLING AND TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

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About Us

PureService is a specialist ground engineering, tunnelling and trenchless technology consultancy, with a passion for excellence and providing well considered, practical advice to address our client's needs.

Meet our Founder and Director

Stephen Barrett

Stephen obtained his BASc in Geological Engineering in 1991 from the University of Waterloo and received a MASc in Civil Engineering in 1993 from the University of Toronto for his pioneering work on how to approach and assess a shotcrete lining’s load carrying capacity in blocky ground.

From this beginning, he went on over the next 30 years to build a thriving global professional engineering practice, with his achievements recognised when he became a Principal of Golder Associates in 2010 and the Lead Technical Director of WSP Australia’s Geotechnical and Tunnelling business in 2022. He found PureService in 2025 to provide independent expert advice to clients based on this wealth of expertise.

Stephen is a Chartered Professional Engineer in Australia and currently is the Secretary of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Tunnelling Society.

Services

Advisory services provided include the management and mitigation of subsurface risks on projects, as well as forensic engineering and expert services in the following technical areas.

Ground Engineering

Extensive knowledge of how to practically manage ground risk over a broad range of project types and settings. Services include review of geotechnical reports and designs, forensic reviews of ground failures and expert services for latent condition claims and geotechnical related disputes.

Tunnelling

Experienced in drill and blast, roadheader and TBM methods of excavation. Services include independent review of excavation and support designs, ground movement assessments and instrumentation and monitoring plans for a range of ground conditions, as well as the provision of technical advice and claim support during construction.

Trenchless Technology

Experienced in trenchless installation methods ranging from auger boring and pipe ramming to horizontal directional drilling, pipe jacking and micro-tunnelling. Services include design reviews and technical advice during the planning, procurement and construction of trenchless installations, as well as forensic engineering and expert services in relation to failed crossing attempts and drives.