Specific Approach Method Statement

Rotary Bored Piling Work in Karst Terrain

CONTENT

1.Basis of Compilation

2.Project Overview

3.Types of Karst

4.Approach for Works Involving Karst

5.Contingency Plan (To be prepared before commencing work)

1.Basis of Compilation

1).Contract signed with the owner.

2).Tender documents signed with the owner.

3).Design drawings provided by the owner.

4).Geological Report provided by owner.

5).Relevant Malaysian construction regulations, foundation construction

specifications.

2.Project Overview

Cadangan pembangunan 1 blok pangsapuri servis 51 tingkat (437 unit)

termasuk 1 tingkat basemen dan kemudahan penduduk serta podium dan

1 unit pondok pengawal

di atas Lot 11599, 1524, 1525 dan 1526, Jalan Ampang Kiri, Mukim

Ampang, KL

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3.Types of Karst

Karst can generally be divided into three types: completely void,

half-filled, and fully-filled. Karst that are taller than 3 meters are

classified as large karst.

4.Approach for Works Involving Karst

Construction of bored piling works in karst terrain are becoming

more and more common, performing concealed works in karst terrain

comes with a high level of difficulties. Therefore it is of utmost

importance for us to gain sufficient understanding of the development

regularities, basic forms, sizes, thickness of top rock layer, integrity,

shape of karst formations and features, so that the necessary measures can

be taken to ensure the safety of works being performed. The geological

data of the project shows that the project ground consists of complex

underground karst structure. The owner ensures that pre-drilling work is

done before the drilling of each pile, and an extra 5 meters is added to the

designed depth, securing the safety and reliability of the works done.

Specification of work: Based on the abovementioned Pre-drilling

Geological Report provided by the owner. After precise setting-out of the

pile foundation, carry out pre-drilling at the center of each bored pile

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location on the pile foundation platform, increase the number of drilling

points when necessary. When karst is discovered in any specific piling

location, drill 4 grouting holes around it. As illustrated by the diagram

below:

After comparison is done based from the technical, economical

aspects etc., when encounter large karst at any depth of 0—12 meters,

shall be classified as half-filled or fully-filled type, by applying static

pressure chemical grouting method. Internal pile casting covering method

is applied for small karst. When encountering half-filled and fully-filled

type at 12—30 meters deep, apply static pressure chemical grouting

method. When encounter large karst or completely void type, use G20

backfilling concrete. When exceeding 30 meters deep, apply static

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pressure chemical grouting method. Application of the best suited

methods will ensure expected results, as illustrated by the table below:

Type of Karst
Depth H<3m (H: height of karst) H≥3m (H: height of karst) Description of
(m) work method
Void(without Half-filled/ Void(without Half-filled/
filling) fully-filled filling) fully-filled
Static Static Static Embed pile casing
Pile
pressure pressure pressure 8-12 according to
0-12 casting
chemical chemical chemical geological
covering
grouting grouting grouting condition.
Backfilling
Static Static Static
concrete produces
pressure pressure Backfill G20 pressure
12-30 better results for
chemical chemical concrete chemical
large karst of such
grouting grouting grouting
depth.
Static Static Static Static Static pressure
Below pressure pressure pressure pressure chemical grouting
30 chemical chemical chemical chemical produces better
grouting grouting grouting grouting results.

Item 1:

Pile casting covering method: Based on the predrilling result,

determine the depth to embed the pile casing. For piling location with

detected karst, pile casing embed to the weathered rock layer, on surface

of strong weathered rock layer, so that can penetrate soil caves. The

bottom of the pile casing shall be the rock layer or top of the karst. For

karst free piles, pile casing to be embedded underneath mucky clay,

gravel layer, placed at least 2 meter deep in the gritty clay.

Item 2:

Backfill method (crushed rocks or concrete) for completely void or

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half-filled karst, height of karst is generally around 3 meters. When slurry

leakage occurs, and the water level within the pile casing cannot be

maintained, use flagstone plus clay (at 1:1 volume ration) to impact

backfilling, to form stone clay retaining wall.

Item 3:

Specially reinforced slurry for static pressure chemical grouting can

achieve speedy solidification within a matter of a few ten seconds. This

will control the grouting within a certain range and avoid it from

running-off, ensure that materials are used to their full capacity, hence

much more economical. The setting percentage of slurry is at 100%,

meaning that 1m³slurry can produce 1m³consolidated body. For sand,

gravel and other earth forms in the karst, the slurry hardens them through

permeation. For rare earth, clay soil and other earth forms in the karst, the

slurry reinforces these earth form through split and compaction effects.

While for completely void and half-filled karst, the slurry will be able to

completely fill all the void spaces. The permeation of the slurry within

the earth form is in the direction of the minor principal stress surface,

once the slurry solidifies it will reinforce the minor principal stress

surface. While permeating and compacting the void within the earth,

filling the void, forming sealing curtain surrounding the pile, preventing

sand and mud loss. On the other hand, increasing the bearing capacity and

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shearing resistance of the earth form in the karst creates retaining wall

that will prevent the hole from collapsing.

Static Pressure Chemical Grouting Method:

Drill hole Diameter:80mm,depth of hole to reach the base of the deepest karst.
Material Portland 325# cement and chemical grout
Apply grouting method with two types of grout and perform full hole
Method grouting, perform more frequently with less amount, repetitive
grouting.
Main BW250 mud pump, BW150 mud pump, drilling rig model 100,
equipment & concrete mixer and drainage tank, high pressure grouting pipe and its
facility components.

To prevent high pressure inside the hole from deterring the grouting

works, apply other holes to relieve the pressure.

Grouting Pressures

The following pressures should be used for grouting cavities located

at the corresponding depths below the existing ground surface.

Depth(m) Grouting pressure (pls)

20.1-30 87

30.1-40 116

40.1-50 145

50.1-60 174

60.1-70 203

70.1-80 232

80.1-90 261

90.1-100 290

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5.Contingency Plan (To be prepared before commencing work)

Issues related to any existing karst below the construction ground

has been solved during the construction preparation phase. The plans

below has been made in view of the complex earth formation, to avoid

any safety and quality accident that might lead to injury to workers and

losses to company:

1).Regular checking on easily damaged parts of equipment, repair or

replace in a timely manner.

2).Sufficient supply of steel plates on site, carefully plan the route of

heavy machineries (such as drilling rig, crane etc.).

To prevent slurry leakage, partial collapsing etc. when the drilling

work is being performed. Emergency materials listed below is to be

prepared at the site:

ITEM QUANTITY
Crushed rocks 80m³
Clay 120m³
Concrete 10 tonnes
Gunny sack & similar material 200 sheets
Forklift model 50 1 unit
220L excavator 1 unit

Emergency Contact Persons

No. Type Quantity Remark
1 Project manager 1 Chinese
2 Safety officer 1 Malay
3 Technical manager 1 Malay Chinese
4 Site engineer 2 Chinese
5 Site supervisor 4 Chinese

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