Inside Mainmark: Introducing Dr Phil Irwin, VIC and TAS Area Manager
10 August 2018
Can you explain your ground engineering experience and qualifications?
Mainmark:
I have a PhD in earth sciences. After completing an
undergraduate degree with Honours at The
University of
Melbourne, I undertook a PhD at
Deakin University majoring in
palaeontology, which is a specialist field examining the fossil remains
of animals and plants.
While completing my PhD, I lectured at university in the school of Earth
Science and Engineering and did some mineralogical exploration.
Following the PhD, I worked in the
geotechnical and environmental field
which involved pre-construction ground assessments and site
classification, ground
water testing and environmental site assessments. I also gained
experience in a number of sales roles, before joining Mainmark.
Mainmark is the ideal fit for me as the company requires someone with an
understanding of geotechnical work as well as a passion for sales. Being
able to bring these two skills together is an ideal scenario.
I like educating people. While studying for my PhD, I worked as a
university lecturer and got a lot of enjoyment from passing on
knowledge. I take a similar approach at Mainmark by trying to educate
and inform customers about what’s happening to their home.
Knowledge is power so I don’t see myself as a salesman in the
traditional sense. I like to give customers enough information to enable
them to make their own informed decision about what to do. In my role, I
strive for professionalism and that means being transparent about what
can and can’t be done. This is important because when someone contacts
Mainmark they’re doing so because they believe there’s something wrong
with their home and they are looking for a solution. I give them the
tools they need to make an informed choice.
What does a typical day look like for you?
As the Area Manager for
Victoria and
Tasmania, I service a wide region that requires me to work closely
with a team of six territory managers. When I’m not out and about
meeting customers, undertaking site inspections and checking jobs, I’m
working at home doing paperwork and administrative tasks.
By nature, I’m a perfectionist and am naturally driven to be very
thorough in what I do. My internal compass always tells me to get the
job done and strive to get it done well.
I enjoy the autonomy and flexible working conditions that allows me to
structure my own schedule. Some people may find this challenging but I’m
very self-discplined, as are most people who’ve completed a PhD. You
need to be continually motivated and push yourself.
What is the most interesting project you’ve worked on and why?
The projects I deal with are
primarily residential and some commercial, which includes general
businesses, factories, warehouses, schools and local government
projects. I foster relationships with my own network of engineers and
councils to act as an advisor to them on potential projects.
While most jobs I attend have similar issues, which is looking for a
solution to address ground
subsidence, what I’m most passionate about is
the investigative work behind what we do. What’s particularly
interesting is how Mainmark’s new
ground engineering technologies can
help address unusual geotechnical problems.
For instance, one project that is currently in a planning phase involves
the remediation of a 100 year old heritage listed sea wall that juts out
of the ocean – similar to a wharf. Over time, the concrete between the
wall’s blocks has been slowly eroding due to weather and environmental
conditions. Physical abrasion at the block seams has created channels
that are becoming increasingly worse.
Before recommending a solution, Mainmark investigated what was happening
deep within the breakwater. We used a diamond drill to core through the
body of the wall to obtain a cross section of its condition and
determine the level of voiding that had developed. This involved
drilling 12 metres through to the basement to gain samples for analysis
and quantify the voids. From this we could extrapolate the extent of
concrete loss and devise a multi-product solution utilising Mainmark’s
Teretek resin together with other resin and grout-based applications
that can be used to effectively remediate the wall.
Being a geologist, it is this exploratory approach to ground engineering
that fascinates me most. I prefer to know exactly what the ground
condition is, rather than making assumptions. Taking a Dynamic Cone
Penetration (DCP) test to determine the strength and cohesion of the
soil and identify weak zones is something that Mainmark is well placed
to do. Finding the underlying causes of a problem adds value to
virtually any Mainmark project, whether it be undertaking moisture
analysis, soil testing or a range of other site specific assessments.
It’s great to be part of an organisation that is both proactive in its
ground investigation work and offers solutions to help resolve a wide
range of complex issues.
--ENDS--
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