QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1

Part 01: Design Aspects

1 DESIGN ASPECTS ....................................................................................... 2

1.1 BASIC DESIGN PARAMETERS .................................................................... 2
1.1.1 General 2
1.1.2 Design Philosophies 2
1.1.3 Deflection Criteria 2
1.1.4 Durability Requirements 3
1.1.5 Fire Resistance Period 4
1.1.6 Crack Width 4
1.1.7 Flexural Cracking 4

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1.1.8 Early Age Thermal and Shrinkage Cracking 4

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1.2 LOADS AND LOAD REQUIREMENTS.......................................................... 5
1.2.1 General 5
1.2.2 Nominal Loads 5

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1.2.3 Design Loads 6

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1.2.4 Dead Loads 6

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1.2.5 Superimposed Dead Loads and Imposed (Live) Load 6
1.2.6 Railway Loads an 7
1.2.7 Fatigue 8
1.2.8 Dynamic Effects 8
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1.2.9 Derailment 8
1.2.10 Temperature 8
1.2.11 Wind 9
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1.2.12 Seismic Loads 9

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1.2.13 Groundwater and Uplift Loads 9

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1.2.14 Highway Loading 10

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1.2.15 Loading Combinations 10

1.3 ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION.................................................................... 10
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1.3.1 General 10
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 01: Design Aspects

1 DESIGN ASPECTS
1.1 BASIC DESIGN PARAMETERS
1.1.1 General

1 The works shall be designed in accordance with the standards specified by the Employer’s
Requirements.

2 If no local standard exists or the applicable standard is not specified otherwise, the
appropriate and compatible internationally recognised standard or code of practice shall be

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adopted.

3 A consistent set of standards that specifically apply to the design of civil and structural

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elements shall be adopted.

4 The hierarchy of standards is as follows:

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(a) Qatar Construction Specifications;

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(b) Euro Norms (EN);

(c) National European Standards; and

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(d) International Standards and Codes of Practice.
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1.1.2 Design Philosophies

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1 The design shall ensure and demonstrate throughout the Works that the requirements of
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future operation and maintenance (O&M) activities have been considered and incorporated
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to produce a design that is based on a whole-life approach that optimises both capital and
operating cost. Evidence of this approach shall be incorporated into the Contractor’s project
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plans and, particularly, in the design documentation.

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2 The design shall ensure and demonstrate throughout the Works that he has considered and
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incorporated construction and O&M safety requirements into the design. Evidence of these
considerations shall be incorporated into the Contractor’s project plans.
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3 The design shall ensure that both the serviceability and ultimate limit states have been
checked in accordance with the standards and codes as specified herein.
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4 The design shall take full account of the prevailing soil and groundwater conditions and
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those predicted to occur at the site within the design life of the Works.
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1.1.3 Deflection Criteria

1 Vertical Deflection Limits

(a) The deflection of a structure or part thereof shall not adversely affect the appearance,
functionality, durability or efficiency of the structure, or associated finishes or
partitions.

(b) The deflection of the retaining walls shall comply with the applicable design codes and
standards as specified herein.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 01: Design Aspects

(c) The final deflection due to all loads including the effects of temperature, creep and
shrinkage shall be measured from the as-cast level of the supports of floors, roofs and
all other horizontal members and should not exceed the ratio of (span)/500.

1.1.4 Durability Requirements

1 Durability requirements shall be addressed throughout the design, construction, operation

and maintenance of all assets and shall be reflected in the Contractor’s project plans and
O&M manuals.

2 The design shall consider the highly aggressive nature of the geological units in Qatar with
regards to soluble sulphate, chloride and salt concentrations. This shall be taken into

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account for durability purposes when designing the underground structures.

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3 In designing structures and selecting materials for durability, reliance shall not be placed
solely on the recommendations of codes and standards, but due account shall be taken of
the environment in which the structures are situated and to the monitoring and maintenance

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works required to maximise the life of the structures.

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4 The primary approach to designing concrete elements for durability shall be based on the

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need to achieve a high quality and relatively impermeable concrete, paying particular
attention to structural detailing. Construction joints in underground conditions are vulnerable
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to deterioration by aggressive agents and shall be designed to incorporate details that
provide two lines of defence against leakages.
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5 The presence of highly aggressive groundwater requires careful design of resistant concrete
mixes, increased cover to reinforcing steel, close control of flexural cracking and very careful
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detailing of gaskets, water bars and hydrophilic water stops to ensure water tight, durable
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structures.
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6 Particular attention shall be given to the detailing and appropriate selection of durable tunnel
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lining materials. Lining materials (concrete and reinforcement) and lining components
(gasket seals and fixings) are to be designed and specified to satisfy this durability
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requirement.
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7 Particular attention shall be given to the deterioration of those elements which cannot be
easily accessed for maintenance or repair during the design life, such as reinforcement
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within the inaccessible faces of structures. In such a case the design shall ensure that the
durability of the element can be achieved without maintenance.
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8 Where the structure interfaces with, or is in close proximity to other light rail or metro
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facilities, provisions to reduce and control stray current shall be adopted to mitigate
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associated corrosion problems.

9 Where particularly aggressive conditions are found, a detailed assessment should be carried
out to determine the need to install a full cathodic protection system or if a corrosion
monitoring system is needed in order to achieve the design life of the structure.

10 Cathodic protection shall be considered for all underground reinforced concrete structures.
Connection points and other necessary devices shall be provided to enable the future
installation of a cathodic protection system or electro chemical chloride extraction using
electrical techniques in retaining walls and concrete reinforcement cage continuity. For
diaphragm wall construction, special attention shall be paid to detailing in order to provide
continuity between adjacent wall panels.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 01: Design Aspects

11 The Design shall include analysis of thermal strains and stresses to mitigate early-age
cracking.

12 The Design shall address all physical or chemical factors such as corrosion, chloride
penetration, carbonation, sulphate cracking and corrosion of the steel reinforcement, steel
spacer, steel accessories, embedded items and similar components that adversely affect the
durability of the Works shall be identified and taken into account in the design to ensure the
specified design life is achieved.

1.1.5 Fire Resistance Period

1 All structures shall be designed for fire protection as specified by the Qatar Ministry of the

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Interior General Directorate of Civil Defence and as otherwise specified by the Contract.
Materials specified for the Works shall be non-combustible and shall not emit toxic fumes

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when subject to heat or fire, except where permitted under the Contract. In all cases where
there are significant fire risks materials shall be self-extinguishing, low flammability, low

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smoke and low toxicity.

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1.1.6 Crack Width

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1 All structural concrete elements shall be designed to prevent excessive cracking due to
flexure, early age thermal phenomena and shrinkage. The maximum crack widths shall be
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as specified in Table 1.1.
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1.1.7 Flexural Cracking

1 Flexural crack width shall be checked in accordance with the applicable design codes and
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standards as specified herein. The limits specified in the table below shall apply irrespective
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of whether any additional protection, such as a waterproofing membrane, is applied to the

elements of the structure.
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1.1.8 Early Age Thermal and Shrinkage Cracking

1 Suitable reinforcement shall be designed to prevent early-age thermal and shrinkage

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cracking for walls and slabs of more than 250 millimetres in thickness if they are subjected to
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internal and external restraint during construction. Thermal and shrinkage strains due to
early-age temperature differences and shrinkage shall be accounted for in the design of
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reinforcement for cracking.

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2 The preferred method for control of early age thermal and shrinkage cracks is to use small
diameter reinforcing bars placed at close intervals. The limits specified in table below shall
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be imposed. Guidance can be sought from CIRIA Report C660 on Early Age Thermal
Control of Concrete.
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3 For massive structural elements additional considerations shall be taken into account,
including the duration of hydration and the related concrete strength.
Table 1.1
Cover and Crack Width Criteria
Exposure Max. Crack Width
Element
Condition [mm]
Concrete surface direct in contact with Very severe 0.15
the ground/blinding
Underground, external concrete surfaces Very severe 0.15
protected by a waterproofing membrane
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 01: Design Aspects

Exposure Max. Crack Width

Element
Condition [mm]
Above ground, external concrete surfaces Severe 0.2

Tension piles direct in contact with Very severe 0.2

ground
All other concrete surfaces Moderate 0.3

1.2 LOADS AND LOAD REQUIREMENTS

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1.2.1 General

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1 Unless specified otherwise the design of concrete and steel elements shall conform to the
following:

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(a) EN 1997-1: Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design, Part 1: General Rules;

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(b) EN 1537: Execution of special geotechnical work – Ground anchors;

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(c) EN 1990 Eurocode 0: Basis of Structural Design;
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(d) EN 1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures;

(e) EN 1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures. Part 1-1 General rules of
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buildings;
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(f) EN 1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures;

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(g) Qatar Construction Specifications, QCS;

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(h) ‘Designers’ Guide to EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design – General rules’ by

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R. Frank, C. Bauduin, R. Driscoll, M. Kavvadas, N. Krebs Ovesen, T.Orr and B.

Scuppener (by Thomas Telford, 2004); and
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‘Hoek – Brown Failure Criterion – 2002 Edition’, by Evert Hoek, Carlos Carranza –
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(i)
Torres and Brent Corium; and.
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(j) EN 1998 Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance.

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1.2.2 Nominal Loads

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1 As a minimum, for the purpose of computing stresses and deformations, the following load
types and consequential effects shall be taken into account as applicable.
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Table 1.2

Loading Types

Loading Type Acronym

Dead loads (including notional loads) DL

Superimposed Dead loads SIDL
Imposed (Live) loads LL
Railway loads RL
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 01: Design Aspects

Loading Type Acronym

Fatigue GG
Dynamic DY
Derailment DR
Wind Loads WL
Temperature loads TE
Seismic Loads EQ
Construction/Erection ER
Shrinkage SH

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Creep CP

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Movement/ Distortion MD
Earth Pressure EP
Surcharge SR

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Hydrostatic WP

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Accidental AC

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Redundancy R

1.2.3 Design Loads

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1 Design loads shall include:
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(a) The weight of the load carrying structures themselves (‘self-weight’) and the loads
imposed on to them, both dead and live;
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(b) The deformations imposed on to the structures by temperature variations, concrete

shrinkage and creep and other similar factors; and
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(c) Inertial loading, caused by seismic actions, oscillations due to impact, explosion
loadings and machine vibrations and other similar factors.
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1.2.4 Dead Loads

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1 Self-weight of the materials shall be calculated in accordance with the relevant codes as
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specified herein.

1.2.5 Superimposed Dead Loads and Imposed (Live) Load

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1 Superimposed dead loads include the weights of all the permanent elements of the
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structures (except the load bearing elements), such as floor and roof finishes, cables,
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trackwork and other similar installations, to the dimensions in the Contractor’s design.

2 The self-weights of the elements in (a) above shall be assessed according to the relevant
codes and standards, by other valid sources, or by substantiated and controllable
manufacturer’s information, or by experimental measurements.

3 For live loads on all underground structures beneath green areas (such as squares, parks,
open-air recreation areas) a minimum distributed load of 10 kN/m2 on the entire surface of
the roof of the structure, at ground level, shall be assumed. For these areas a single
concentrated load of 100 kN minimum shall be assumed.

4 For all stations the minimum distributed and concentrated loads shall be in accordance with
the table below.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 01: Design Aspects

Table 1.3

Superimposed Dead Loads (SIDL) & Imposed (Live) Load

#1 #1
Superimposed Dead Load Imposed Load
Uniform
Area Ceiling & Concentrated
Finishes Distributed #2
Description Services Load
[kN/m²] Load
[kN/m²] [kN]
[kN/m²]
Public Area 5 1.0 5.0 5.0
#3
Non-public Area 5 1.0 3.5 5.0

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Under platform 2.5 1.0 10.0 10.0

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Stairs and Landings 2.5 1.0 5.0 5.0

Equipment Rooms 2.5 1.0 10.0 10.0

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Surcharge Load on
10.0 100.0
Roof Slabs

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#1 this is a minimum requirement. If higher loads apply due to architectural, MEP or any other
circumstances, these shall be used.
#2 concentrated load distributed on an area 300 x 300 mm.
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#3 Areas like offices, staff rooms, toilets etc. (not equipment rooms).
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1.2.6 Railway Loads

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1 Vertical Train Live Loads

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(a) Each component of the structure shall be designed / checked for all possible
combinations of these loads and forces. They shall resist the effect of all
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combinations:
Figure 1.1
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Vertical Train Live Loads

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Axle loads = 16 tons

Maximum number of successive cars = 6 car or 2 units

L = max 20 m (Length of a car)

a = 2.65m for the external cars of a 3 car set and 2.35m for the
internal car of a 3 car set (Overhang)

b = 2.10m (Wheel base in a bogie)

c = 10.50m (Distance between Axle-2 and Axle-3 in the car)

QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 01: Design Aspects

(b) The maximum number of axles will be applied to the structure to arrive at the
maximum vertical force, maximum shear and maximum bending. The structure shall
be suitable for both single-track and (double) 2-tracks load conditions.

2 Horizontal Train Live Loads

(a) The braking loads shall be assumed to be 30% of the vertical loads. The traction loads
shall also be assumed to be 30% of the vertical loads. Where the structure carries two
tracks, both tracks shall be considered to be occupied simultaneously. Traction forces
shall be considered as acting on one track and braking forces acting on the other, with
both forces acting in the same direction simultaneously to produce the worst loading

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condition in the rails and supporting elements. Provision shall be made in supporting
elements for the effects of horizontal and vertical forces transferred to rails.

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(b) Centrifugal Force shall be considered, taking into account a design speed for various
radii of curvature as stipulated in the alignment design specification.

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(c) Hunting/noising forces shall be considered in accordance with EN 1991.

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1.2.7 Fatigue

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1 The nominal loadings on the structures for the purposes of the Contractor’s fatigue
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assessment shall comprise trains as advised by the Engineer.

2 Fatigue load histories shall be evaluated to provide valid and representative design spectra,
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with stress histories analysed by the rain-flow counting algorithm or equivalent method, both
in conjunction with the projected annual tonnages of rail traffic per track. The provisions of
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BS 5400 Part 10 Clause 9.3.3 or other relevant methods may be used as a rigorous method
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of evaluation of compliance with fatigue criteria.

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1.2.8 Dynamic Effects

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1 Dynamic effects resulting from the operation of the metro system shall be considered in
accordance with EN 1991 and EN 1998.
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1.2.9 Derailment

1 The impact loads on adjacent structures due to derailment shall be considered at all
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locations.
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2 The adjacent structures are to be protected by direct means (e.g., strengthening) or indirect
means (e.g., repositioning of rail alignments or providing barriers) to ensure these structures
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are still functional after an impact occurs.

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3 Where indirect measures are employed in the design these can be considered when
calculating the impact loads.

1.2.10 Temperature

1 The effects of temperature shall be considered in the design of the Works using the external
temperatures as stated in the Qatar Rail Development Program Definition Document.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 01: Design Aspects

1.2.11 Wind

1 Wind loading may affect the surface elements such as vent-shafts, cooling towers,
pedestrian bridges and entrances/exits. It is also a factor on temporary structures during
construction. As per EN 1991, wind speed of 160 km/h shall be applied to determine the
appropriate design wind loads.

2 Applied wind loads on bridges and other above ground structures shall be in accordance
with EN 1991.

1.2.12 Seismic Loads

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1 The Works shall be designed to withstand a seismic acceleration (horizontal) of 0.07g.

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2 Seismic effects shall be considered on all permanent structures.

3 The effects of load changes and deformation as a result of soil behaviour (eg, liquefaction)

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shall be allowed for in the design.

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4 The design of the tunnels final linings shall be made for static loadings and shall be checked

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against the seismic loadings, by any simplified method similar or comparable to the method
developed for the San Francisco Metro (‘Earthquake Design Criteria for Subways’, ASCE,
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Volume 95, No ST6, June 1969, pp 1213-1231).

5 The seismic design of bridges and other elevated structures shall comply with the
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requirements of EN 1998 and the clauses of EN 1992 and EN 1993 as relevant.

1.2.13 Groundwater and Uplift Loads

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1 Loads due to water pressure shall be calculated using a unit weight of 10 kN/m³ for fresh
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water and a unit weight of 10.3 kN/m³ for brackish-water. Should liquefaction of soils be a
potential risk, then the design water table level for permanent structures shall include layers
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affected by liquefaction if this is above the design groundwater levels. The effects of
temporary drawdown, seepage and base heave effects shall be considered in the design of
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the temporary works, and catered for in the permanent works if there is a ‘locked-in’ effect
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from transferred forces. The extent of the temporary walls shall be sufficient to mitigate the
effects of such loads during construction.
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2 Groundwater level for design of the permanent structure shall be assumed at ground level. In
the event that long-term groundwater data is available and sufficient to accurately predict the
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groundwater level over the design life of the structure, the Contractor may propose a revised
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design ground water level based on the maximum groundwater level plus an additional 2m.
The revised design ground water level will be subject to independent verification prior to
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submission to the Engineer for a approval. For Temporary Works, the design groundwater
level shall not be lower than 500 mm above the maximum present groundwater level.
3 The effects of floatation loads shall be considered in the design of both the Temporary and
Permanent Works. The Contractor shall check the structure’s stability for resistance to
buoyancy and shall design the structure such that adequate factors of safety against
buoyancy are provided. For this check overburden height less 2m for the possible excavation
for utilities in the future shall be considered. A study showing different possible scenarios for
future excavation above the stations shall be considered in the buoyancy check and
submitted to the Engineer for approval.
4 Protection against buoyancy shall comply with EN 1997.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 10
Part 01: Design Aspects

5 Suitable measures from those listed below to counteract buoyancy forces for the Permanent
Works shall be incorporated in the Contractor’s design. The measure(s) chosen shall suit the
particular conditions and the method of construction:
(a) Toe-in of the base slab into the surrounding ground; and
(b) Increasing the dead weight of the structure.

6 Where the base slab has toe-in to the surrounding ground, a partial safety factor of 2.0 shall
be applied to the shear resistance of the ground above the toe and the adhesion factor shall
not apply. The value of the weight of ground above the toe shall be calculated as for the
backfill material.

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7 If tension piles are used to counteract buoyancy forces, special precautions shall be made to

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preserve the integrity of the waterproofing system and the durability of the tension pile.
These precautions shall be submitted to the Engineer for a SONO.

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8 The proposed structures (primarily the stations) may act as obstructions to groundwater

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movement. The Contractor shall design and subsequently allow for unobstructed movement
of the groundwater through and around these structures so that there are no changes to the

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groundwater level that exceeds normal expected diurnal fluctuations.

1.2.14 Highway Loading

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1 Highway loading shall not be less than that specified in EN 1991-2, LM 1.
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2 Loads shall be applied for the worst-case combinations and shall be multiplied by the
specified impact coefficients. No dynamic allowance shall be added for underground
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structures with an overburden greater than 1 m.

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3 For underground structures, beneath existing or planned public roads, with a minimum cover
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thickness equal to, or greater than 2.0 m, a minimum uniform live load of 20 kN/m2 shall be
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applied at any position and configuration to give the worst-case loading. Whenever the
minimum cover thickness is less than 2.0 m, the live load shall be determined precisely.
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1.2.15 Loading Combinations

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1 The load factors and load combinations for ultimate and serviceability limit states shall
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comply with EN 1991 and EN 1997.

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1.3 ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION

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1.3.1 General
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1 This section refers to the alignment specification defined in Qatar Rail’s document:
(a) Alignment Design Specifications P000-QRC-ALI-SPE-00001
2 The Alignment Design Build Specifications apply to the subsystems of the Qatar Rail
Development Program (QRDP) namely the High-Speed, Conventional Long Distance Rail
(LD), Freight Lines, LRT and Metro. All units of measure shall be in accordance with the
International System of Units (SI) and in metric units.
3 The operational speed is the speed with which the line will be operated.
4 The permissible speed includes the additional margins for safety, commissioning and future
upgrading of the line.

END OF PART
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 02: Site Clearance

2 SITE CLEARANCE ........................................................................................ 1

2.1 GENERAL SITE INSTALLATION AND SITE MANAGEMENT ...................... 1
2.1.1 General 1
2.1.2 Site Restrictions 1

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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 02: Site Clearance

2 SITE CLEARANCE
2.1 GENERAL SITE INSTALLATION AND SITE MANAGEMENT
2.1.1 General

1 All project related works for site installation and site equipment shall be done according to
QCS Section 1.

2.1.2 Site Restrictions

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1 The Contractor shall confine the work activities, including storage of construction materials,
movement and packing of equipment, machinery and Contractor’s Equipment within the
allocated Works areas.

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2 The Contractor shall execute his work in such a manner as to cause minimal inconvenience
to the public and other contractors.

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3 The Contractor shall fully control his workforce and those of his Subcontractors, to ensure

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that workers do not loiter in public areas or facilities and do not intimidate local residents.

4 Concrete batching and mixing plant, supplied as Contractor’s Equipment and erected on the
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Site shall only be used for the Works.

Bituminous materials, batching and mixing plant, supplied as Contractor’s Equipment and
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erected on the Site shall only be used for the Works.
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6 Unless otherwise stated, the Contractor shall pay all rates and charges of any nature
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whatsoever arising out of his use of the Site and all Works areas provided therein under the
Contract.
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END OF PART
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3 GEOTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................ 3

3.1 ADDITIONAL GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS ..................................... 3
3.1.1 Field of application 3
3.1.2 General 3
3.1.3 Regulatory Reference Documents and Terminology 3
3.1.4 Terminology 4
3.1.5 Worksite Organisation 4
3.1.6 Principles for Depth Definition of Boreholes 4
3.1.7 Principles on the definition of minimum number of coring boreholes 5

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3.2 BOREHOLE, SAMPLING AND GROUNDWATER
MEASUREMENTS SPECIFICATIONS .......................................................... 5

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3.2.1 General Requirements 5
3.2.2 Selection of Sampling Method 5
3.2.3 Pre-excavation Pits 5

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3.2.4 Trial Pits 5

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3.2.5 Soil Sampling Methods 5

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3.2.6 Rock Sampling Methods 6
3.2.7 Groundwater Sampling Methods an 6
3.2.8 Handling, Transport and Storage of Samples 7
3.2.9 Backfilling and Site Abandonment 7
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3.2.10 Topographical ‘As Built’ Survey 8
3.3 IN SITU TESTS SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................... 8
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3.3.1 Test Standards 8

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3.3.2 Standard Penetration Test (SPT) 8

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3.3.3 Pressure meter Test 8

3.3.4 Water Permeability Tests 8
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3.3.5 Measurements of Volatile Organics 9

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3.4 LABORATORY TEST SPECIFICATIONS ..................................................... 9

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3.4.1 Laboratory Test Program 9

3.4.2 Soil samples 9
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3.4.3 Rock samples 9

3.4.4 Aggressiveness of soil and groundwater 9
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3.4.5 Geochemical Detection of Hydrocarbons Pollution 10

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3.5 GEOTECHNICAL REPORTS ...................................................................... 10

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3.5.1 General 10
3.5.2 Photographic Archive 12
3.6 PILING AND DIAPHRAGM WALLING ......................................................... 12
3.6.1 Piling 12
3.6.2 Diaphragm Walling 12
3.7 PILING – EXECUTION ................................................................................ 12
3.7.1 General 12
3.7.2 Boring 12
3.7.3 Tolerances 13
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3.7.4 As-built Details 13

3.7.5 Placing Concrete 13
3.7.6 Pile Tests 13
3.7.7 Protection of Piling from Chemical Attack 13
3.8 DIAPHRAGM WALLING – EXECUTION ..................................................... 13
3.8.1 General 13
3.8.2 Cleaning 13
3.9 ANCHORING, BRACINGS, NAILS AND BOLTS ......................................... 13
3.9.1 General 13

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3.9.2 Anchoring 13
3.9.3 Bracing 13

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3.9.4 Nails and bolts 14
3.10 ANCHORING EXECUTION ......................................................................... 14

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3.10.1 General 14

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3.10.2 Testing 14
3.10.3 Corrosion protection of anchors 14

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3.10.4 Tolerances an 14
3.11 BRACING EXECUTION ............................................................................... 14
3.11.1 General 14
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3 GEOTECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
3.1 ADDITIONAL GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATIONS
3.1.1 Field of application

1 This section refers to all works related to the execution of the additional geotechnical
investigation (AGI) and the instrumentation monitoring, to be executed by the Contractor.

3.1.2 General

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1 The Contractor shall carry out Additional Geotechnical Investigations (AGI) in order to
examine the geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions (including but not
limited to the existence of karstic voids and earth gas) and determine the design

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geotechnical parameters, as required.

2 The Contractor shall submit his AGI programme in advance of undertaking any

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investigations for a SONO from the Engineer.

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3 All AGI works and investigations shall be in accordance with latest version of, in order of
priority: an
(a) Qatar Construction Specifications: ‘Ground Investigation’ Section 3;

EN 1997 – 2: ‘Eurocode 7, Geotechnical Design, Part 2: Ground investigation and

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(b)
testing’;
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(c) BS 5930: ‘Code of Practice for Site Investigations’.

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3.1.3 Regulatory Reference Documents and Terminology

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1 All Works shall be executed according to the relevant specifications included in the QCS,
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Section 3 (which shall have priority) and as indicated, but not limited to the following:
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(a) ΕΝ 1997, Eurocode 7, Geotechnical Design

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(b) EN ISO 14688, Geotechnical investigation and testing - Identification and classification
of soil
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(c) EN ISO 14689-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing - Identification and

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classification of rock
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(d) ΕΝ ISO 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories
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(e) EN ISO 22475-1, Geotechnical investigation and testing - Sampling methods and
groundwater measurements

(f) EN ISO 22476-3, Geotechnical investigation and testing - Field testing

(g) ISO 710, Graphical symbols for use on detailed maps, plans and geological cross-
sections

(h) BS 5930:1999 + A2:2010 Code of practice for site investigations

(i) BS 1377:1990 Methods of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. BS 10175:2001
Investigation of potentially contaminated sites. Code of practice
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3.1.4 Terminology

1 The terminology used in this specification comes from ΕΝ 1997-1 and 2, EN ISO 14688-1
and 2, EN ISO 14689-1 and EN ISO 22475-1.

3.1.5 Worksite Organisation

1 Mechanical Equipment

(a) An adequate number and type of drilling rigs in order to carry out the Works and in
accordance with the AGI programme shall be provided.

14
2 Safety

(a) Existence of Utilities, Pre-excavation pits

20
(i) Permits from relevant Authorities shall be obtained prior to the commencement
of any Work.

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3 Communication with Land Owners

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(a) Having obtained the required permit and prior to the commencement of the Works, the
Contractor shall contact and co-operate with land owners, neighbours, shop owners or
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any other parties, whose activities may be adversely affected by the execution of the
drilling, by informing them of the purpose of the Works, the time period required for its
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execution and assuring them that he shall ensure that disturbance due to the Works
shall be limited to the minimum possible extent.
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(b) The area shall be fully reinstated following the completion of works.
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3.1.6 Principles for Depth Definition of Boreholes

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1 The borehole depths shall be defined as the greatest of the following criteria:
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(a) The boreholes shall be constructed to a depth at least 10 m from the deepest level of
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the relevant structures general excavation works.

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(b) In the case of boreholes intended for the investigation of the conditions related to
foundations or piles, and for diaphragm walls, the borehole depth shall be 5 m deeper
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than the estimated depth that the piles or the diaphragm walls are planned to be
constructed.
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(c) For boreholes intended for the investigation related to surface foundations, the
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borehole depth shall be 15 m (and at least 2B, where B is the foundation width), in
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case of soil foundation conditions, or 5.0 m, in case of rock foundation conditions.

Where rock foundation conditions are covered by weathered mantle, the minimum
borehole depth shall be equal to the thickness of the weathered mantle in addition to
5m inside the rock substratum.

(d) In case of underground structures (tunnels etc.), the depth of the boreholes shall be
2D (D=Diameter or equivalent diameter of the tunnel/underground structure) deeper
than the invert level of the structure.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3.1.7 Principles on the definition of minimum number of coring boreholes

1 Notwithstanding that the entire geotechnical risk lies with the contactor the main principles of
the AGI to be followed by the Contractor are:

(a) A minimum of one (1) borehole for every 100m of alignment.

(b) A minimum of six (6) boreholes at each Metro Station and switchbox.

(c) A minimum of one (1) borehole at each Shaft shall be drilled.

(d) A minimum of one (1) borehole, for bridges having span dimension 6.0m≤S≤8.0 m.

14
(e) A minimum of one (1) borehole at every pier’s location, for bridges having span
dimension S>8.0 m.

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3.2 BOREHOLE, SAMPLING AND GROUNDWATER MEASUREMENTS

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SPECIFICATIONS

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3.2.1 General Requirements

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1 The works shall be performed in accordance with EN ISO 22475-1 and in accordance with
the following paragraphs.
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2 All AGI boreholes shall be of continuous sampling except for the pressure meter boreholes.
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3 The sampling category of soils and rocks and quality class of soil samples shall be the
minimum required, depending on the laboratory test which is planned for each sample
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contained in table 6.1 (for soil samples) and Para. 3.4 and Para 3.5 (for soil and rock
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samples, respectively) of EN ISO 1997-2.

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3.2.2 Selection of Sampling Method

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1 The selection of sampling method shall be made as per Para. 5 of EN ISO 22475-1.
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3.2.3 Pre-excavation Pits

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1 Pit Excavation and Restoration

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(a) All pre-excavation pits shall be excavated by hand or by very light mechanical means.
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(b) All pits shall be immediately restored to their previous condition upon completion of
work according with the requirements of Para. 5.5 of EN ISO 22475-1 and if pits are to
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remain open after the day of excavation, the Contractor shall provide adequate
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fencing or covering, signalling and/or lighting to ensure the safety of the public and
workers.

3.2.4 Trial Pits

1 The excavation of any trial pits to investigate soil conditions, sample recovery or execution of
field tests shall follow the same procedures as for pre-excavation pits.

3.2.5 Soil Sampling Methods

1 General

(a) Soil sampling shall be based on the provisions of Para. 6 of EN ISO 22475-1.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

2 Sampling Categories

(a) The acceptable sampling categories according to EN1997-2 standard and EN ISO
22475-1 standard for the Works are A and B and shall be applied.

(b) The appropriate method for sampling to ensure minimal disturbance of samples shall
be selected. The quality of the samples shall be adequate to execute the required
laboratory tests and to make the appropriate engineering geological description.

3 Continuous Sampling during Drilling

(a) Samples shall be recovered by rotary core drilling with a double or triple tube core

14
barrel as per Para. 6.3.2.2 of EN ISO 22475-1. Additionally, the inner sleeve shall be
divisible in two (2), along the axis (split inner tube). In the event that the Contractor

20
wishes to use another method of continuous sampling, he shall submit the relevant
justification to the Engineer for a SONO, within the AGI program.

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(b) The use of single tube core barrel shall only be allowed in cases of cleaning of the

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borehole, or in cases of loose gravel that can be sampled by no other method.

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(c) Clean water shall be used for flushing.

(d)
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Water supply during the drilling-sampling shall be continuous in order to achieve the
optimum sampling.
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4 Block Sampling from Trial Pits

(a) Block sampling is executed based on the provisions of Para. 6.5 of EN ISO 22475-1.
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3.2.6 Rock Sampling Methods

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1 General
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(a) Rock sampling shall be executed on the basis of Para. 7 of EN ISO 22475-1.
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2 Sampling Categories
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(a) The appropriate method for sampling to ensure minimal disturbance of samples shall
be selected. The quality of the samples shall be adequate to execute the required
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laboratory tests and to make the appropriate engineering geological description.

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3 Sampling by Drilling
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(a) Samples shall be recovered by rotary core drilling, with a double or triple tube core
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barrel as per Para. 7.3.3 of EN ISO 22475-1. Additionally, the inner sleeve shall be
divisible in two (2) along the axis (split inner tube).

(b) The use of single tube core barrel shall be only allowed in cases of cleaning of the
borehole.

(c) Clean water shall be used for flushing.

(d) Water supply during the drilling-sampling shall be continuous in order to achieve the
optimum sampling.

3.2.7 Groundwater Sampling Methods

1 Groundwater sampling shall follow the provisions of Para. 8 of EN ISO 22475-1.

QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

2 Samples of groundwater shall be taken from each open standpipe piezometer following its
cleaning and its air-lift development.

3 At boreholes where more than one aquifer has been detected, separate samples shall be
taken for each aquifer.

3.2.8 Handling, Transport and Storage of Samples

1 General

(a) Handling, transportation and storage of samples shall be carried out in compliance
with the guidelines of chapter 11 of EN ISO 22475-1 and the requirements below.

14
2 Core Boxes

20
(a) Core boxes shall be made in compliance with Para. 11.6 of EN ISO 22475-1.

3 Description of Borehole Cores, Core Boxes Photographing and Selection of Samples

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(a) The selection of samples shall be made in accordance with the Proposed Laboratory
Test Program. After sample selection, the samples shall be packed according to the

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terms in Para. 11.3 of EN ISO 22475-1. an
(b) The packed samples shall then be transported to the laboratory of the Contractor, in
accordance with the requirements of Para. 11.5 of EN ISO 22475-1.
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4 Preservation and Disposal of Laboratory Samples

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(a) All samples delivered to the Contractor's laboratory shall be kept for a period of one
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(1) month after the Engineer has given its SONO to the Geotechnical Factual Report.
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5 Transport and Storage of Core Boxes

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(a) The Contractor shall provide an adequate storage facility for the core boxes at all
times. The Employer shall have custody of the core boxes, at the storage facility. The
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Contractor shall fully cooperate with the Employer to allow the Employer to maintain
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the security of the core boxes.

(b) Following the engineering geological description and the selection of the samples for
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the execution of laboratory tests, the core boxes shall be carefully transported and
delivered to the storage facility provided by the Contractor and shall be available for
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inspection by the Engineer at all times.

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(c) All core boxes shall be protected at all times during handling, transportation and
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storage against precipitation, sunlight, vibrations and drying.

3.2.9 Backfilling and Site Abandonment

1 Upon completion of each borehole, following the measurement of a final water level,
boreholes shall be backfilled immediately in accordance with one of the following methods:

(a) Installation of piezometers; or

(b) In the event no piezometer is installed, the borehole shall be sealed with grout from
the bottom to the surface, with specified cement grout (with a water/cement ratio 0.6
by weight) or any other method in compliance with Para. 5.5 of EN ISO 22475-1.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

2 When artesian conditions are encountered such that water flows from the borehole to the
surface, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Engineer and shall grout the borehole in
order to prevent water flow, after the completion of the borehole to the required depth and
the installation of the required instrumentation.

3.2.10 Topographical ‘As Built’ Survey

1 A topographically survey of all boreholes, trial pits and other investigations at their final
locations shall be conducted. Drawings showing the location of the ‘as-built’ borehole or trial
pit with the location marked by the measured distance from fixed objects shown on the
drawings shall be prepared.

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3.3 IN SITU TESTS SPECIFICATIONS

20
3.3.1 Test Standards

1 In situ tests shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 of ΕΝ 1997-2.

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3.3.2 Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

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1 This test shall be carried out in accordance with EN ISO 22476-3.

3.3.3 Pressure meter Test

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1 Pressure meter tests shall be carried out in accordance with Para. 4.4 of EN1997-2.
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3.3.4 Water Permeability Tests

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1 General
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(a) The Contractor shall execute variable head tests, constant head tests and packer
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tests in accordance with Earth Manual E-18 and the requirements below.
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2 Water Permeability Test Program

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(a) The execution of water permeability tests shall cover the total geological formations
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encountered at each borehole.

(b) Water permeability tests shall be conducted, for each borehole, as follows:
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(i) In situ water permeability tests shall generally be carried out every six (6) drilling
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meters. Where there is high water permeability, the test shall be executed upon
each cycle of sampling sequence.
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(ii) The maximum length of the tested section is 3 m, except where there is low
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permeability.

(iii) Permeability tests shall commence at the ground water table or at a depth of 3
m from ground surface (whichever is shallower).

(iv) In tunnel areas, at least two (2) water permeability tests shall be carried out at
the tunnel face depth.

(v) In tunnel areas, water permeability tests shall be conducted at the 6-metre zone
above the crown (at least two (2) tests) and at the 3-metre zone below the invert
(at least one (1) test).
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3.3.5 Measurements of Volatile Organics

1 All AGI boreholes shall be checked for potentially contaminated soil which shall include
taking field measurements indicative of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

3.4 LABORATORY TEST SPECIFICATIONS

3.4.1 Laboratory Test Program

1 The minimum requirements with regard to the program and the number of the laboratory
tests are presented below.

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3.4.2 Soil samples

20
1 Physical properties tests

(a) Determination of specific gravity and unit weight, water content, Atterberg limits and

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particle size analysis: One (1) test per formation, one additional test if the formation is

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thicker than 2 metres and, subsequently, one (1) additional test every 3 metres.
Hydrometer tests shall be executed, when following particle size analysis with sieves

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the fine fraction is higher than 5%.

(b) Organic substances tests shall be executed on organic soil materials.

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2 Engineering properties tests
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(a) Unconfined compression test: One (1) test per formation, one additional test if the
formation is thicker than 2 metres and, subsequently, one additional test every 3
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metres.
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(b) One dimensional consolidation tests, triaxial tests, shear tests, residual shear strength
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and swelling test: These tests shall be executed, taking into account the homogeneity
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of the soil and the type of the structure.

3.4.3 Rock samples

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1 The tests shall be performed, taking into account the homogeneity of the soil and the type of
the structure.
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2 Physical properties tests

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(a) Water content, porosity and density: one test per formation, one additional test if the
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formation is thicker than four metres and subsequently an additional test every 5
metres.
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3 Engineering properties tests

(a) A uniaxial compression test with elasticity modulus and Poisson ratio determination
and two point load tests, axial and diameter, every 3 m.

(b) CHERCHAR abrasiveness test every 5 m.

3.4.4 Aggressiveness of soil and groundwater

1 For the determination of basic design parameters, regarding the permanent underground
works from reinforced concrete, sampling and testing according to ASTM D4373, ASTM C-
114, ASTM D1411, APHA 4500-H and the relevant articles of QSC, Section 5, shall be
conducted.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 10
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

2 The following sampling and tests shall be conducted, at a minimum:

(a) For stations: at four (4) locations (e.g. two (2) each along the long sides - towards the
corners) at two (2) depths per location (e.g. -10 and -20 m).

(b) For tunnels: at two (2) locations per tunnel, at two (2) depths per location (e.g. at the
middle of the tunnel overburden and at the middle of the tunnel face).

(c) If defective values and/or unusual deviations of the values are identified, per area,
additional sampling and checking is required (including doubling the locations and the
samples).

14
3 Aggressivity parameters that shall be checked at minimum are:

20
(a) Soil:

(i) Acidity degree as per Baumann – Gully.

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(ii) Sulphurous, as sulphur ions SO2-4 (mg/kg).

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(b) Groundwater:

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(i) Sulphurs SO2-4 (mg/l).
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(ii) pH.
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(iii) CO2 (mg/l).

(iv) Cations NH4 +(mg/l).

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(v) Cations Mg2+(mg/l).

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(vi) Chlorides Cl-(mg/l).

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3.4.5 Geochemical Detection of Hydrocarbons Pollution

1 At boreholes in the vicinity of petrol stations or where there is suspicion or evidence of

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pollution relative to the measurements with PID, soil and water samples shall be taken for
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TPH tests, according to method EPA8015b or APHA 5520-C or other equivalent method
approved by EPA.
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2 Especially for boreholes in the vicinity of petrol stations, regardless of evidence of pollution,
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at least four (4) soil samples, appropriately distributed, shall be obtained for the above-
mentioned tests.
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3.5 GEOTECHNICAL REPORTS

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3.5.1 General

1 The Contractor shall submit, for obtaining Engineer’s SONO reports, in the following order:

(a) Geotechnical Appraisal Report (GAR) including the Additional Geotechnical

Investigations programme.

(b) Geotechnical Factual Report (GFR) including the results of the Additional
Geotechnical Investigations (AGI).

(c) Geotechnical Interpretive Report (GIR) for each station, shaft and tunnel between
stations.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 11
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

2 Design geotechnical parameters

(a) The design values of the geotechnical parameters shall be estimated on the basis of
the procedure described in paragraphs 2.4.5.2 and 2.4.6.2 of Eurocode 7, using the
characteristic values of geotechnical parameters.

(b) The types and the selected values of the design and geotechnical parameters shall
include proposals about the design soil parameters, for the various depths under the
surface of the ground, according to the geological formations and the proposed
stratigraphy of the soil in the area where the works are to be performed. They shall
take into consideration the type, extent and geometry of the underground and other

14
structures, the construction methods and the requirements of the proposed analysis
method, and any other relevant factors.

20
(c) In the GIR, the design assumptions of the geotechnical conditions shall correspond to
the actual:

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(i) Types of soil and their natural properties (specific weight, density, particle size,

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Atterberg limits, natural water content, and any other relevant properties).

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(ii) Variation of soil properties. an
(iii) Succession and layers of thickness, presence of discontinuities.

(iv) Ground water level and hydrogeological conditions, piezometric pressures that
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shall be used in the temporary retaining systems and long term conditions,
permeability.
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(v) Loading rate and analysis method (total or active pressures).

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(vi) Shear strength parameters in terms of total and active stresses.

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(vii) Soil pressure coefficients (active, at-rest, passive) and any proposed
modifications of the theoretical values.
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(viii) Strength and compressibility parameters, including consolidation properties,

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compression module when loading and unloading, Poisson ratio, non-linear

stress and deformation parameters (if applicable), dynamic shear module and
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any other relevant properties.

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(ix) If anchoring is to be used, values of ultimate bond strength and working bond
strength between anchor or anchoring and environmental medium (soil or rock).
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(d) To calculate the regime of the initial geostatic stress field (coefficient of earth pressure
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K), a typical range of its values shall be proposed to be used in a sensitivity analysis
during the design, as well as design values for each section or sub-section or
structure.

(e) These values shall be based on:

(i) Appropriate laboratory strength tests (e.g. triaxial tests and other relevant types
of testing) as well as on in-situ tests (e.g. pressure meters and other relevant
types of testing); and

(ii) Well documented empirical correlations taken from relevant available sources
according to the local conditions, including the soil type and loading history (e.g.
pre-consolidation stress, over consolidation ratio, and other relevant factors).
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 12
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

(f) A sensitivity analysis of the geotechnical parameter values shall be included as a part
of the GIR.

3.5.2 Photographic Archive

1 General

(a) The Contractor shall perform detailed photographing of the works. Digital pictures
shall be taken from the borehole worksites, the pre-excavation pits and trial pits (four
sides and floor), the core boxes and the samples for testing.

2 Borehole Cores’ Photographs

14
(a) The Contractor shall take photographs to provide a fully detailed record of all borehole

20
cores. Colour and length scales shall be included in each photo. The cores shall be
photographed twice.

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3 Samples’ Photographs

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(a) The Contractor shall take sets of photographs of all samples (before and after the

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tests), to create a fully detailed archive. Rock samples are cleaned and lightly sprayed
with water prior to photographing to reveal structure and bedding.
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3.6 PILING AND DIAPHRAGM WALLING
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3.6.1 Piling

1 This section specifies the materials and workmanship required for bored piles and bored pile
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walls. The design and installation shall be in accordance with EN 1997-1 and EN 1536.
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2 Particular attention shall be paid to all safety aspects of the work, employing barriers and
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covers as necessary.
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3 Compliance with all applicable environmental laws has to be achieved. Relevant permits
and licenses shall be acquired by the Contractor.
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3.6.2 Diaphragm Walling

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1 This Section specifies the materials and workmanship required for diaphragm wall
construction.
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2 EN 1997-1 and EN 1538 shall be strictly followed in relation to diaphragm wall construction,
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except where higher standards are required in this specification.

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3.7 PILING – EXECUTION

3.7.1 General

1 All related works shall be according to QCS - Section 4 Piling, EN 1536 and EN 1997-1.

3.7.2 Boring

1 In the event of rapid loss of drilling fluid from a pile excavation, the bore shall be backfilled
immediately.

2 All reasonable steps shall be taken to prevent the spillage of drilling fluid on the Site, or in
areas outside the immediate vicinity of boring.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 13
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3 For a pile constructed in a stable cohesive soil, without the use of temporary casing or
drilling fluid, the pile shall be bored and concrete shall be placed as soon as practical.

3.7.3 Tolerances

1 Tolerances shall be as per EN 1997-1 and EN 1536.

2 Records of the installation of each pile shall be kept. Any unusual or difficult driving or boring
operation shall be noted in these records.

3.7.4 As-built Details

14
1 Records of as-built details of the piling works, including soil conditions encountered during
boring shall be kept and delivered to the Employer as part of the O&M documentation.

20
3.7.5 Placing Concrete

1 The method of placing and the workability of the concrete shall be such that a continuous

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monolithic concrete shaft of full cross section is formed.

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3.7.6 Pile Tests

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1 Pile tests shall be performed according to EN 1997-1 and EN 1536.
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3.7.7 Protection of Piling from Chemical Attack
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1 Piles shall be protected against aggressive soil and ground water conditions, both during and
after installation. The Contractor shall demonstrate that he has considered the protection
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required to the steel reinforcement cage and the concrete.

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3.8 DIAPHRAGM WALLING – EXECUTION

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3.8.1 General
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1 Execution shall be carried out in accordance with EN 1997-1 and EN 1538.

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3.8.2 Cleaning
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1 The exposed surface of the diaphragm wall shall be thoroughly cleaned to ensure bonding of
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any subsequent material placed on the wall.

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3.9 ANCHORING, BRACINGS, NAILS AND BOLTS

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3.9.1 General
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1 This section specifies materials and workmanship requirements for pre-stressed anchoring,
bracings, nails and bolts. The design and installation shall be in accordance with EN 1997- 1
and EN 1537.

3.9.2 Anchoring

1 Temporary anchors shall have a design life of a minimum of 10 years.

3.9.3 Bracing

1 All steel components for bracings shall be in accordance with EN 10025.

2 All concrete components for bracings shall be in accordance with EN 1992.

QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 14
Part 03: Geotechnical Specifications

3.9.4 Nails and bolts

1 All metal components of the bolts/nails shall conform to the standard specification EN 10025.

3.10 ANCHORING EXECUTION

3.10.1 General

1 Anchoring shall avoid damage to all existing buildings, structures and utilities.

2 In the event temporary anchors are required to be placed in adjacent properties, the
approval of owners of adjacent properties shall be obtained.

14
3.10.2 Testing

20
1 The Contractor shall test all anchors according to EN 1537.

3.10.3 Corrosion protection of anchors

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1 Anchors shall be protected against corrosion during service life according to EN 1537.

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3.10.4 Tolerances

1 The tolerances for anchoring shall be in accordance with EN 1537.

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3.11 BRACING EXECUTION
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3.11.1 General
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1 Bracings shall be installed so that the waterproofing will not be damaged.

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END OF PART
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 04: Tunnel

4 TUNNEL ........................................................................................................ 2
4.1 PRIMARY SUPPORT OF SPRAYED CONCRETE LINING
TUNNELS ...................................................................................................... 2
4.1.1 Description 2
4.1.2 Sprayed Concrete Tunnel Design and Analysis Methodology 2
4.2 TUNNEL FINAL LINING ................................................................................ 3
4.2.1 General 3
4.2.2 Minimum Design Requirements 4

14
4.2.3 Minimum Construction Requirements Applicable in the Design 5
4.2.4 Submissions 6

20
4.3 EFFECT OF TUNNELLING ON SURROUNDING STRUCTURES................ 6
4.3.1 General 6

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4.3.2 Classification of Damage of Buildings and buried structures due to

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Tunnelling 8

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4.3.3 Methodology for Assessing the Risk of Damage to Buildings due to
Tunnelling an 11
4.4 SAFEGUARDING TUNNEL CORRIDORS .................................................. 13
4.4.1 Metro Corridor planning stage: 13
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4.5 TUNNEL EXCAVATIONS WITH TBM ......................................................... 15

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4.5.1 General 15
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4.5.2 Selection of TBM 16

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4.5.3 Inspections and tests 17

4.5.4 Tunnel Excavation with TBM 17
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4.5.5 Operation of TBM 17

4.5.6 Tunnel Excavation Data Reports, Shift Reports 18
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4.5.7 As-built Details 18

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4.5.8 Safety Regulations 18

4.5.9 Fire Prevention 19
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4.5.10 Electrical Specification 20

4.5.11 Environmental Conditions 20
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4.6 TUNNEL EXCAVATION WITH CONVENTIONAL MEANS ......................... 21

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4.6.1 General 21
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4.6.2 Working Conditions 21

4.6.3 Working Interruptions 21
4.6.4 Safety Measures and Systems 21
4.6.5 Work Execution 21
4.7 PRECAST CONCRETE TUNNEL LINING SEGMENTS.............................. 23
4.7.1 General 23
4.7.2 Materials 23
4.8 GROUTING FOR SEGMENTAL LINING, CONTACT GROUTING
AND FILLING OF VOIDS ............................................................................. 26
4.8.1 General 26
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 04: Tunnel

4 TUNNEL
4.1 PRIMARY SUPPORT OF SPRAYED CONCRETE LINING TUNNELS

4.1.1 Description

1 The Contractor shall, with due regard to the safety and stability of the Works, above ground
buildings and all other structures above and below ground, implement a primary support
shell in tunnels immediately following excavation using conventional means (i.e. not by
TBM), where applicable.

14
2 The design of the primary support shell of the sprayed concrete lining tunnels of the Works

20
shall aim at their adequate dimensioning, by appropriately addressing any ground
improvement applications ensuring:
(a) The safe construction of the tunnels primary support structure itself;

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(b) The sprayed concrete lining shall arrest ground movement;

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(c) The primary support shell of the tunnels shall not be considered at all in the design of
their final lining. an
4.1.2 Sprayed Concrete Tunnel Design and Analysis Methodology
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1 A structural analysis shall be performed for each tunnelling class with the following
objectives:
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(a) To verify that the primary support measures foreseen for this class are sufficient, safe
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and cause acceptable tunnel wall convergence and ground movements; and
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(b) Calculations for the safety factor of the design for this tunnelling class. This shall be
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achieved by performing a supplementary analysis of a specific tunnelling class, using

the geotechnical parameters of the immediately inferior class.
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2 The structural analysis shall be performed in two-dimensions (i.e., assuming plane strain
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conditions). In special cases (e.g. in the design of tunnel intersections or under adverse
geotechnical conditions), 3-D analyses shall be performed;
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3 Two-dimensional analyses shall include the 3-D effects of the tunnel excavation face by one
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of the following methods:

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(a) Internal pressure reduction method, i.e., by reducing the internal pressure of the
excavated cross-section to a value compatible with the wall convergence, at the
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location where the primary lining is installed; or

(b) Modulus reduction method, i.e., by reducing the modulus of the excavated cross-
section to a value compatible with the wall convergence, at the location where the
primary lining is installed;

4 The Contractor shall investigate and assess, as necessary, any structures which are below
and above the tunnel regarding possible adverse influences on the tunnel works below and
address the results of such findings in his design;

5 Given that the presence and the nature of the ground water affect the sprayed concrete
lining design, the following factors shall be examined:
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 04: Tunnel

(a) The range of groundwater pressures during the construction phase, in short-term and
mid-term conditions;
(b) The impact on any structures (i.e. impact on building foundations, subsidence etc.)
due to the changed ground water level during the tunnel excavations;
(c) The impact of water on the geomaterials being excavated, such as looseness,
disintegration and/or swelling etc;
(d) The design of the appropriate drainage system for the works, regarding short-term and
mid-term inflows; and
(e) The local drainage characteristics of the surrounding geomaterials shall be taken into

14
account for the determination of the most appropriate method for excavation and
control of the ground water;

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4.2 TUNNEL FINAL LINING

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4.2.1 General

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1 The tunnel final lining structures consist of either the following:
(a) Reinforced cast – in situ concrete; or an
(b) Reinforced precast concrete segmental rings.
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2 These shall be designed and constructed in a manner, which ensures that any movements
and deformations, which may result from the most unfavourable possible loading conditions,
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will not exceed (in any case) limits beyond which these structures lose their structural
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capacity and integrity, either during construction or during their prescribed design life of 120
years.
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3 Tunnel final linings shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of the Design
Specification, entitled “Design Loads”.
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4 The primary support shells of the tunnels shall not be considered in the design of the tunnels
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final lining.
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5 The design of tunnels final linings shall not allow for any long term relief and/or effect related
to ground arching effects (i.e. full overburden pressure shall be taken into account in the
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design).
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6 The distribution of the lateral ground pressures on to the tunnels final linings shall consider
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the construction method, the relative rigidity of the lining and the interaction of the lining with
the ground. The tunnel final linings shall be designed to withstand the at-rest earth pressure
(K0 conditions), unless it can be demonstrated and fully justified to the Engineer that these
pressures will not occur in the long term after stress relief caused by the excavation. This
may be the case where the overburden height (ground surface to tunnel(s) crown distance)
is greater or equal to 3 times the tunnel excavation diameter and the existing ground
conditions (overlying and surrounding the tunnel(s)) are homogeneous in terms of their
stiffness and shear strength characteristics. Any reduced earth pressures shall not be used
in the following cases of ground and groundwater conditions, or other cases directed by the
Engineer:
(a) Extensive karstic depression zones.
(b) Extensive highly weathered formations.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 04: Tunnel

(c) Formations with high swelling potential.

(d) Areas of high groundwater pressures of “artesian nature”.

7 The design of the tunnels final linings shall consider the full hydrostatic groundwater
pressures, with consideration of the maximum long – term levels of the existing groundwater
tables (design groundwater level).

8 Tunnel final linings shall be designed to resist grouting pressure.

9 The design of the tunnels final linings shall comply with the safety requirements of Eurocode

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2 (EN1992) for concrete structures, Eurocode 3 (EN 1993) for steel structures and Eurocode
7 part 1 (EN1997-1) in terms of the applicable partial factors and design approaches.

20
10 Specifically, for fire safety, the design of the tunnels final linings shall comply with the fire
safety requirements mentioned in the Design Specification, entitled: ‘Fire Protection and Life

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Safety Requirements’.

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11 For the seismic analysis of the tunnels final linings, this shall comply with the relevant

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provisions of the Design Specifications, entitled: ‘Tunnel Design Specification’.

4.2.2 Minimum Design Requirements

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1 Concrete intended for use in the tunnels shall comply with the specifications of QCS and EN
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206 (with the most conservative standard prevailing in the case of conflict) and for:
(a) Cast in-situ concrete structures the minimum design concrete class shall be C30/37
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and the reinforcement shall consist of high ductility bar of minimum category B500C;
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and
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(b) The tunnels’ precast segmental lining, the minimum design concrete class shall be
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C40/50 and the reinforcement shall consist of high ductility bar of minimum category
B500C, or approved alternative reinforcement.
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2 For the design of the reinforced precast concrete segmental rings, the following are
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essential:
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(a) Segmental linings shall be designed not only for the ground and groundwater
pressures, but also for all handling, transportation, stacking and erection forces with
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an allowance for impact. In addition segmental linings shall be designed to resist all
forces which may be applied by the equipment used for this;
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3 For segmental linings, the design shall take into consideration the contact stresses at the
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joints and the bending caused by the loads eccentricity at the joints. The strains imposed on
to the concrete shall be received by specially placed reinforcement in the area of the
segment’s face (area where pressure is exerted by the TBM thrust jacks);

4 The layout of the structure and the interaction between the structural members shall be such
as to ensure a robust and stable structure. Adequate jointing between precast elements or
between precast members and cast in-situ structures shall be achieved using appropriate
reinforcement and/or special ties in order to ensure their stability and waterproofing, even
when subjected to accidental stresses (such as excessive impact, fire, etc.) and possible
differential pressures of the supports.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 04: Tunnel

4.2.3 Minimum Construction Requirements Applicable in the Design

1 Continuous end-to-end cracking of the concrete is not permitted. The Contractor shall
document and justify minimum reinforcement requirements, subject to a SONO from the
Engineer.

2 Depending on the soil and ground water aggressiveness, which will be identified after the
appropriate sampling and testing, all necessary measures shall be taken, consistent with the
overall design life of the Works and as reasonably determined by the Contractor, in order to
ensure reduced permeability and increased resistance of the final lining. These measures
shall be submitted to the Engineer for a SONO and include (indicatively but not limited to)

14
special concrete mix (admixtures, special cement etc.), construction measures (larger
concrete cover, additional surface reinforcement, curing etc.), special design (limitation of

20
cracking etc.), coating of the exterior surface of the lining, by using special resistant
materials, special reinforcement, special resistant waterproofing gaskets (for segmental
lining) or waterstops (for cast in- situ lining).

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3 The presence of a primary support lining shall not be taken into consideration for determining

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which surface is in contact with water or soil or with lean concrete.

4 In all areas of the Works, for which there is a provision for cross-passages and the
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connection of the TBM tunnel to shafts, recesses for E/M installations, etc., specific parts of
the precast segments of the main tunnel shall be cut. Cuts shall be made in the main TBM
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tunnel with precision after installation of the TBM tunnel segments, using the undisturbed
cutting method, and shall be made only at the intersection of the connecting tunnel with the
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main TBM tunnel and geometrically correspond to the outer perimeter of the connecting
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tunnel. The entire procedure shall be performed diligently so as not to cause any damage,
displacement, loosening or disconnection of the precast segments of the main tunnel. All
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relevant designs shall follow and incorporate this method.

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5 Tunnels shall be checked for uplift using:

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(a) The dead loads;

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(b) All permanent loads; and,

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(c) The uplift groundwater pressures.

Regarding ground water levels, the Contractor’s calculations shall be based on the worst-
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6
case scenario likely to occur within the design life of the Works, as this will be estimated on
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the basis of the appropriately evaluated hydrogeological data (including predictions about
ground water fluctuations during the design life of the Works). Any possible effects from the
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presence of the structure on the groundwater flow shall be considered in the calculations.

7 Where necessary, a construction sequence adequately safeguarding against uplift during all
stages of construction shall be indicated on appropriate drawings.

8 The tunnels’ uplift safety factor shall be determined on the basis of paragraph 2.4.7.4 and
10.2 of EN1997-1.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 04: Tunnel

4.2.4 Submissions

1 The design of tunnel final lining shall include, but not be limited to the design report, the
calculations, any documents related to additional checking or annexes of the calculations,
the construction drawings and any other supporting material needed for the better
substantiation of the design.

2 The design report shall include at least the following items:

(a) Table with the basic design assumptions;
(b) Table with the geotechnical and geometrical characteristics of the soil stratigraphy, as

14
well as sketches of the geotechnical cross-sections;
(c) A separate chapter in which the structural analysis models shall be clearly described

20
and fully substantiated. This chapter shall contain a detailed description of the
individual components of the various models, such as their geometry, their supporting

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and coupling conditions, the moment of inertia and elastoplastic properties of all

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members, as well as the properties of any springs or elements used for the simulation
of the ground – tunnel interaction;

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(d) A separate chapter presenting and justifying in detail all loads exerted onto the model
and all loading combinations used in the design, in accordance to the provisions of the
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Design Specification, entitled: ‘Design Loads’;
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(e) A separate chapter describing, justifying, evaluating and presenting in detail the
results of the calculations and the dimensioning of all structural members. For this
scope, and as a minimum requirement, the following shall be included:
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(i) moments, shear and normal forces,

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(ii) the deformed structural model including values of the calculated deformations
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(iii) the calculated reinforcement for each structural element.

4.3 EFFECT OF TUNNELLING ON SURROUNDING STRUCTURES

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4.3.1 General
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1 Description
(a) This specification includes the minimum requirements for the assessment of the
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degree of risk relating to the damage of buildings and structures, caused by the
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tunnelling works.
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(b) A detailed methodology for risk assessment is described in the Annex of this
specification.

2 Definitions
(a) The zone of influence of tunnelling is the volume of geomaterial influenced by the
tunnelling operations. Any buildings or other structures located within this zone shall
be subject to the provisions of this specification, in relation to the assessment of risk of
damage. The minimum zone of influence for a specific tunnel cross-section, is shown
in the following sketch.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 04: Tunnel

Figure 4.1

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20
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Minimum Influence Zone
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(b) Tensile Strain (ε) in a structure is the average tensile strain, defined as the average
strain over a gauge length of one metre.
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(c) Critical Tensile Strain (εcrit) is the tensile strain causing visible cracking in masonry and
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blockwork.
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(d) Volume loss (or Ground Loss - GL) is the ratio of the volume (ΔV) of geomaterial
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excavated in excess of the theoretical tunnel volume divided by the theoretical tunnel
volume (Vo).
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(e) The following drawings provide the definitions of rotation (θ), angular strain (α),
relative deflection (Δ), and deflection ratio (Δ/L), tilt (ω), and relative rotation (β):
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Figure 4.2
Definition of Parameters
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Rotation or slope, θ, and angular strain, α.

QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 04: Tunnel

Relative deflection, Δ, and deflection ratio, Δ/L.

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20
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present

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Tilt, ω, and relative rotation, β (angular distortion)
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4.3.2 Classification of Damage of Buildings and buried structures due to Tunnelling
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1 Buildings with surface foundations
(a) The risk assessment shall be based on the following classification of damage. Three
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broad categories of building damage shall be considered that affect:

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(i) Visual appearance or aesthetics.

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(ii) Serviceability or function; and

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(iii) Stability.
(b) From the above three broad categories of damage, six specific categories of damage
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(numbered 0 to 5 in increasing severity) are defined, as described in Table 4.1.

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Normally categories 0, 1 and 2 relate to “aesthetic” damage, categories 3 and 4 relate

to “serviceability” damage and category 5 represents damage affecting “stability”.
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(c) The system of classification in Table 4.1 is based on ease of repair of the visible
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damages.
(d) In order to classify visible damages it is necessary, when carrying out the survey, to
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assess what type of work would be required to repair the damage both externally and
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internally. The Contractor shall take into account the following points:
(i) The classification relates only to the visible damage at a given time and not to
its cause or possible progression which are separate issues;
(ii) Damage shall not be classified solely based on crack width. Ease of repair shall
be a key factor in determining the category of damages;
(iii) The classification was developed for brickwork or blockwork and stone
masonry. It can be adapted for other forms of cladding. It is not intended to
apply to reinforced concrete structural elements. However, as cracking of in-fill
brick walls of frame structures are usually more critical than the structural
damage of the structural frames, the method can also be used for assessing the
risk of cracking of the brick wall in-fills of frame structures;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 04: Tunnel

(iv) In cases where damage could lead to corrosion, penetration or leakage of

harmful liquids and gases or structural failure, the Contractor shall follow the
same methodology but shall propose more stringent criteria and /or ranking to
the Engineer for a SONO.
(e) Besides defining the numerical categories of damage, Table 4.1 also lists the “normal
degree of severity” associated with each category. The descriptions of severity given
in Table 4.1 refer to standard domestic and office buildings. In special cases such as
for a building with valuable or sensitive finishes, this ranking of severity of damage
may not be appropriate. In this case, the Contractor shall propose the same
methodology but more stringent criteria and /or ranking to the Engineer for a SONO.

14
Table 4.1

20
Classification of visible damage to walls

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Classification of visible damage to walls with particular reference to ease of repair of

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plaster and brickwork or masonry

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Description of typical damage
Category Normal degree (Ease of repair is underlined)
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of damage of severity Note: Crack width is only one factor in assessing category of
damage and shall not be used on its own as a direct measure of it.
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0 Negligible Hairline cracks less than about 0,1 mm

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1 Very slight Fine cracks which are easily treated during normal
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decoration. Damage generally restricted to internal wall

finishes. Close inspection may reveal some cracks in
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external brickwork or masonry. Typical crack widths up to

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1 mm.

2 Slight Cracks easily filled. Re-decoration probably required.

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Recurrent cracks can be masked by suitable linings.

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Cracks may be visible externally and some repointing may

be required to ensure watertightness. Doors and windows
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may stick slightly. Typical crack widths up to 5 mm.

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3 Moderate The cracks require some opening up and can be patched

by a mason. Repointing of external brickwork and possibly
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a small amount of brickwork to be replaced. Doors and

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windows sticking. Service pipes may fracture.

Watertightness often impaired. Typical crack widths are 5
to 15 mm or several > 3 mm.

4 Severe Extensive repair work involving breaking-out and replacing

sections of walls, especially over doors and windows.
Windows and door frames distorted, floor sloping
1 1
noticeably . Walls leaning or building noticeably, some
loss of bearing in beams. Service pipes disrupted. Typical
crack widths are 15 to 25 mm, but also depends on the
number of cracks.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 10
Part 04: Tunnel

Classification of visible damage to walls with particular reference to ease of repair of

plaster and brickwork or masonry

Description of typical damage

Category Normal degree (Ease of repair is underlined)
of damage of severity Note: Crack width is only one factor in assessing category of
damage and shall not be used on its own as a direct measure of it.

5 Very severe This requires a major repair job involving partial or

complete rebuilding. Beams loose bearing, walls lean
badly and require shoring. Windows broken with

14
distortion. Danger of instability. Typical crack widths are
greater than 25 mm, but depends on the number of

20
cracks.

1. Local deviation of slope, from the horizontal or vertical, of more than 1/100 will normally be clearly

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visible. Overall deviations in excess of 1/150 are undesirable.

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2 Table 4.2 gives the relationship between the category of damage, the limiting tensile strain

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(εlim) and the maximum acceptable values of “green field” settlements and settlement
troughs.
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Table 4.2
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Relationship between categories of damage

Relationship between category of damage, Limiting tensile strain (εlim) and maximum
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acceptable “green field” ground settlements

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Approximately equivalent ground

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settlements and slopes (after Rankin

1988)
Normal
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Category of Limiting tensile

degree of
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damage strain (εlim) (%)

severity
Max slope of
Max settlement of
ground* (Δ
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building (mm)*(S)
S/L)
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0 Negligible 0 – 0.05
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1 Very slight 0.05 – 0.075 less than 1/500 less than 10

2 Slight 0.075 – 0.15 1/500 to 1/200 10 to 50

3 Moderate 0.15 – 0.3 1/200 to 1/50 50 to 75

4 to 5 Severe to Greater than 0.3 1/200 to 1/50 greater than 75

very severe
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 11
Part 04: Tunnel

(*) These columns indicate “green field” settlements and settlement trough slopes.

4.3.3 Methodology for Assessing the Risk of Damage to Buildings due to Tunnelling

1 General
(a) The Contractor shall apply the following methodology for assessing the risk of damage
of buildings due to tunnelling. The methodology includes three consecutive stages as
described below.

2 Stage 1: Preliminary Risk Assessment

14
(a) A preliminary risk assessment shall be performed prior to the beginning of tunnelling.
(b) Using the tunnel alignment and depths, the zone of influence of the Works shall be

20
determined.
(c) A Ground Loss (GL) value shall be selected for each tunnel section, due to tunnelling

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and the specifics of the tunnel excavation method and shall be submitted to the

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Engineer for a Statement of No Objection. The Contractor is also referred to the
Materials and Workmanship Specification, Clause 13.1.2, Selection of TBM.

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(d) The contours of surface settlements (for “greenfield” conditions) shall be determined
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over the surface part of the zone of influence.
(e) Using the above contours of surface settlements, the differential settlement (∆S) and
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tilt (∆S / L) shall be determined for each building within the zone of influence of the
Works.
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(f) Preliminary limiting values of the differential settlement (∆) and slope (∆/L) shall be
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assessed for each building based on the type of structure, age, structural condition,
span width, etc. As an indication, for good quality, average size, reinforced concrete
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buildings, the limiting differential settlement can be about 10mm and the limiting slope
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about 1/500. The above indications on limit settlements apply to common

constructions. They should not be applied to unusual structures or buildings including
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high rise buildings or those for which the load intensity is highly non-uniform.
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(g) Buildings with settlement (∆S) and tilt (∆S / L) smaller than the limiting values
mentioned previously can be assumed to have negligible risk of damage and be
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excluded from the following stages of risk assessment.

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(h) All other buildings within the zone of influence of the Works shall be subjected to the
following two stages of risk assessment.
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(i) The following two stages of risk assessment shall also be performed for all very
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sensitive and important buildings (including high rise buildings) inside the zone of
influence of the Works, regardless of the results of stage 1 risk assessment.

3 Stage 2: Second Stage Risk Assessment

(a) This stage of risk assessment shall be performed prior to the beginning of tunnelling.
(b) It shall include all buildings within the zone of influence of the Works exceeding the
limiting values of differential settlement (∆S) or tilt (∆S / L) of stage 1 assessment as
well as all very sensitive and important buildings inside the zone of influence of the
Works.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 12
Part 04: Tunnel

(c) The second stage risk assessment will be based on calculated maximum tensile
strains and comparison with the corresponding limits for each category of damage in
Table 4.2.
(d) Specifically the second stage risk assessment shall be based upon either:
(i) The facade of any building is represented by a simple beam whose foundations
follow the ‘greenfield’ displacements caused by the tunnel excavation. These
displacements are calculated from the settlement trough, as described above;
or
(ii) The maximum tensile strains shall be calculated using the methodology
described in the annex to this specification. The approach of Potts and

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Addenbrooke (1997) can also be included at this stage, to account for the
structural stiffness in more detail. Ref : “A structure's influence on tunnelling-

20
induced ground movements”, by D M Potts and T I Addenbrooke, Proceedings
of the ICE - Geotechnical Engineering, Volume 125, Issue 2, April 1997, pages

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109 – 125.

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(iii) For each building under assessment, using Tables 4.1 and 4.2 and the
calculated maximum tensile strains, an appropriate category of damage shall be

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assigned to each such building. an
(e) Figure 4.3 shows an interaction graph for the case of a beam with L/H=1. The
Contractor shall make his own assessment of the damage classification for all
buildings, by deriving all necessary figures, similar to Figure 4.3, by considering the
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geometrical characteristics and the structural type of the buildings.

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Figure 4.3
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Example of interaction diagram

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Figure 4.3. Example of interaction diagram relating (/L)/εlim to εh/εlim for the case of an
isotropic beam with L/H = 1
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 13
Part 04: Tunnel

4 Stage 3: Detailed Evaluation of Risk Assessment

(a) This stage of risk assessment shall be performed only for buildings categorized as
“Category of Damage” 3, 4 or 5 during stage 2 risk assessment as well as for all very
sensitive and very important buildings within the zone of influence of the Works.
(b) Each building has to be considered in its own right and requires a detailed structural
survey. This survey shall consider:
(i) The geotechnical conditions, sub-surface profile and ground-water conditions;
(ii) The stiffness of the building (timber, masonry or framed buildings);

14
(iii) The foundation type; and
(iv) The sensitivity and usage of the building.

20
(c) Following the structural surveys, each building will be analyzed by considering the
tunnelling sequence, three-dimensional aspects, specific building details and

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geomaterial/structure interaction.

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(d) For buildings remaining in damage category 3 or higher, the Contractor shall perform

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special designs as described below.
(e) Typically, these designs shall be performed using numerical analyses to include the
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geomaterial – structure interaction and non-linear geomaterial effects due to ground
deformations caused by tunnelling.
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(f) These designs shall either include improvement of the ground and/or reinforcement of
the building foundations. The objective of the designs shall be to reduce the damage
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category of the building to a value 2 or lower.

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(g) The Contractor shall perform the above designs and submit them to the Engineer for a
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SONO.
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(h) For building on pile foundations requiring stage 3 risk assessment, detailed evaluation
shall be performed using numerical analyses to include the geomaterial – structure –
pile foundation interaction. Typically, non-linear analyses shall be performed including
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skin friction and lateral loading of the piles due to ground deformations caused by
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tunnelling. The Contractor shall perform the above designs and submit them to the
Engineer for a SONO.
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(i) Regardless of the results of the stage 3 analyses, buildings originally classified in
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damage categories 2 and above shall be monitored by instrumentation installed prior

to tunnelling according to the Materials and Workmanship Specification.
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(j) The instrumentation details for all buildings which at their stage 3 risk assessment
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have a category of damage 3 or higher shall be presented in the improvement

/reinforcement design to be prepared by the Contractor.

4.4 SAFEGUARDING TUNNEL CORRIDORS

4.4.1 Metro Corridor planning stage:

1 The planning corridor width for the Metro Tunnels comprises:

(a) The outlined tunnel structure;
(b) The construction tolerance zone;
(c) The exclusion zone;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 14
Part 04: Tunnel

(d) The alignment adjustment zone; and

(e) The minimum distance between two adjacent tunnel tubes.

2 Definition of outlined tunnel structure:

(a) For the segmental tunnel lining an outer diameter of 7.5m has been assumed.

3 Definition construction tolerance zone:

(a) For the shield driven tunnels a construction tolerance of 0.5m will be taken into
account. The construction tolerance zone is defined as a square with equal sides of

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8.5m.

4 Definition of exclusion zones:

20
(a) For third parties no structures shall be closer than 5m horizontally, 6m from the top
and 3 m from the bottom of the outlined construction tolerance zone. For planned

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structures intruding into this zone approvals from the Employer must be obtained.

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5 Definition of alignment adjustment zones:

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(a) The Employer is retaining the flexibility to move tunnels 3m horizontally and vertically
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3m towards Ground Level. The zone underneath the tunnels is defined infinite to
safeguard maximum flexibility.
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6 The outline of the Metro Corridor is compulsory for all parties and will be added into the
Urban Integration Plans. In certain locations the full tolerance may not be required. The
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Engineer will advise accordingly.

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7 The parameters described above are depicted in Figures 4.4 and 4.5 below.
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Figure 4.4
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Limit of deviation for general Tunnel arrangement

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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 15
Part 04: Tunnel

Figure 4.5
Limit of deviation for Twin Tunnel arrangement

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20
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4.5 TUNNEL EXCAVATIONS WITH TBM

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4.5.1 General
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1 The key issues for the Contractor to manage for the construction of tunnels using tunnelling
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equipment include:
(a) its availability/performance/reliability/serviceability;
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(b) assembly, use, removal, with the required equipment;

(c) cutter disc wear;
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(d) its stopping periods;

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(e) the availability of the correctly certified technical human resources and the supply of
all materials needed.
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(f) TBM work shall be performed in line with international best practice and the conditions
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at the Site, which contains different geomaterials.

(g) TBM shall be supplied new and shall be state-of-the-art. The TBM shall be suitable for
the ground conditions to be encountered and shall incorporate necessary soil
conditioning. They shall be supplied in accordance with all applicable Regulations, and
relevant Qatar Construction Specifications, British and European standards. The
Contractor shall always use the latest published version of any regulation or standard
that relates to health and safety.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 16
Part 04: Tunnel

4.5.2 Selection of TBM

1 The operation and control features of the TBM shall be designed to minimize sub-surface
and ground settlement. Ground loss arising from the TBM boring and tunnel construction
operations shall be limited to a maximum value of 1% of the excavated volume, with more
stringent limits on maximum ground loss as specified in the Contract Documents. The TBM
operating principles shall govern its use in order to meet these requirements.

2 The Contractor is solely responsible for the selection of the TBMs to be used for the
tunnelling operations and shall be according to the Project specifications and requirements
detailed herein. As a minimum, the following factors shall be taken into account for TBM

14
selection:
(a) The geological, hydrogeological and geotechnical conditions in the zone of influence

20
of the Works;
(b) The geometry of the tunnel section and its alignment;

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(c) Manufacture and supply of the machines and their back-up equipment;
(d) Assembly and preliminary tests in the factory, including the grout and soil conditioning

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system. TBM manufacture shall allow for attendance of the Contractor maintenance
and the Engineer during the final assembly and commissioning works;
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(e) Technical assistance during assembly at the worksite;
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(f) Commissioning and tests at the work site;

(g) Technical assistance during the dismantling operations;
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(h) All applicable environmental regulations and licenses;

(i) The stability conditions of the tunnel face and the tunnel section;
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(j) The requirements to limit ground and structures deformations below the acceptable
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levels, as described in the Technical Specification

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(k) Any tests to confirm design assumptions;

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(l) The time constraints regarding the tunnel construction;

(m) Applicability of supplementary supporting methods if necessary;
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(n) Availability of spaces necessary for auxiliary facilities behind the machine and around
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the access tunnels;

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(o) Direction control and measurement system;

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(p) The supply and management of spares, consumables and wear parts;
(q) Design of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) and backup equipment and ongoing input
during design and manufacture;
(r) Operation and maintenance manuals in English and Arabic, provided electronically
together with 4 paper copies;
(s) Technical assistance from the Manufacturer during the tunnel start-up until the
specified performance is demonstrated as being achieved, and as necessary
thereafter to assist the Contractor in achieving the required performance throughout
the tunnel drives as constructed drawings of the TBM, technical documentation and
details of planned maintenance requirements prior to commencing TBM and/or
Tunnelling Equipment operations including updated operational manuals;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 17
Part 04: Tunnel

(t) A detailed programme for the design and manufacture of the TBM’s. The Contractor
and the TBM Manufacturer shall attend regular meetings with the Engineer to monitor
the design and manufacture of the TBM to the Contract schedule.

3 An excavation control system shall be installed necessary for tunnelling operations,

orientation and operation of the TBM excavation, backfill grouting and operation of auxiliary
facilities. The system will control accurate alignment, excavation control (belt weighers, laser
scanner, flow meters and profilers) to ensure stability of the face of the tunnel and minimum
disturbance of the surrounding ground and structures.

4 A TBM operational control and monitoring data acquisition system shall be provided. The

14
system shall be compatible with the project-wide underground construction instrumentation
and monitoring requirements. The monitoring system shall record and report the key

20
information that will ensure the reliable and safe operation of the TBM. The monitoring
system shall also record all necessary parameters to ensure ground movements are kept
within the specified limits. The Contractor and Manufacturer shall submit a list of target

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programmed TBM control parameters to the Engineer for a SONO.

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4.5.3 Inspections and tests

1 Prior to commencing any operation with the TBM the Contractor shall submit a programme
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for the supply, inspection, testing, transfer, assembly and operation of the TBM.
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4.5.4 Tunnel Excavation with TBM

1 The bearing positions of the thrust rams shall be designed for the bearing capacity of the
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geomaterials and the tunnel lining, in order to avoid failures.

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2 The thrust rams shall operate either individually or together in any possible combination.
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3 Access must be given to all working or maintenance areas of the TBM. Provision shall be
made for emergency exits.
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4 All necessary measures to prevent the risk of water ingress shall be taken before
commencement of the Works.
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5 Immediately upon any work stoppage, the stability of all TBM excavations and the safe
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condition of the tunnel (including regular inspections) shall be ensured.

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6 All lighting used by the Contractor shall ensure uniformly distributed lighting in all working
areas.
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4.5.5 Operation of TBM

1 All information relevant to the control of the TBM operation shall be accessible to the
Engineer in real time.

2 Operation and maintenance of the TBM, shall be according to the guidelines of the
manufacturer and the operation and maintenance manuals, which shall always be up to date
and available for inspection of the Engineer.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 18
Part 04: Tunnel

3 An air-conditioned control cabin shall be provided at the front end of the back-up system
from which the TBM will be driven. This shall contain all the remote controls and visual
displays as necessary for the safe operation of the TBM and its environment.

4 A separate above-ground monitoring facility shall be provided for each TBM that will
duplicate all the remote controls and visual displays within the respective (sub-surface)
Control Cabin.

5 The cutting tools shall regularly be inspected.

6 The TBM bearing shall be regularly inspected. The bearing shall be removable rearward

14
from the front bulkhead with the minimum of disturbance to the other components, in the
event of the need for replacement. A replacement main bearing should be available within 12

20
weeks should the replacement be required.

7 The cutter head shall be a substantial structure, which provides the necessary mechanical

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support to the tunnel face. It shall incorporate the necessary abrasion protection features to

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enable the shield to be able to complete excavation of the tunnels through all the expected

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geological conditions.

8 The cutter head structure and bearing with its support system shall be rated to absorb the
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maximum forces envisaged in operation. This shall include normal operation and ultimate
load condition where full power may need to be used in the event the TBM becomes stuck,
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resulting in maximum shove loading and maximum torque.

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4.5.6 Tunnel Excavation Data Reports, Shift Reports

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1 Detailed data for all TBM excavations shall be kept.

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4.5.7 As-built Details

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1 The Contractor shall keep records of as-built details of the tunnelling works, including ring
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erection and soil conditions encountered during boring.

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4.5.8 Safety Regulations

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1 The design and manufacture of the TBM and back-up systems shall comply with all
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applicable laws and regulations, relevant Codes of Practice relating to safety and relevant
Qatar Construction Specifications, British and European standards including, but not limited
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to, those described below. The Contractor shall always use the latest published version of
any regulation or standard that relates to health and safety.
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(a) EN 12336: 2005 Tunnelling Machines – Safety Requirements.

(b) EN 12110: 2002 Tunnelling Machines – Air Locks-Safety Requirements.
(c) BS 6164: 2001 Code of practice for safety in tunnelling in the construction industry.
(d) The Work in compressed Air Regulations 1996.
(e) HSE L96 A Guide to the Working in Compressed Air regulations (1996).
(f) EN ISO 9000 and 9001 Quality management and quality assurance standards.
(g) EN 60079 Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 19
Part 04: Tunnel

(h) EN 50402: 2005: Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of
combustible or toxic gases or vapours or of oxygen. Requirements on the functional
safety of fixed gas detection systems.
(i) EN 981: 1997 Safety of machinery. System of auditory and visual danger and
information signals.
(j) EN 60034-9 Rotating Electrical Machines – Noise Limits.
(k) EN ISO/IEC 17050 – 1:2004 Conformity assessment. Suppliers declaration of
conformity. General requirements.
(l) EN 981Safety of machinery-System of Danger and Non Danger signals with sound

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and light.

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(m) EN 61310-1 Safety of Machinery-Indicating, marking and actuating principles; part 1
Visual, audible and tactile signals.
(n) EN 1012 Compressors and vacuum pumps; Safety requirements.

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(o) EN ISO11688; Parts 1 & 2: Recommended Practice for the design of low noise
machinery and equipment.

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(p) EN620:2002 Specification for mechanical and spliced joints in conveyor belting for use
underground.
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4.5.9 Fire Prevention
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1 A fire hazard assessment which will identify and mitigate all potential fire sources shall be
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carried out by the Contractor jointly with the TBM Manufacturer and submitted to the
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Engineer for a SONO.

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2 Subject to the conclusions of the hazard assessment, the TBM and back-up systems shall
be provided with:
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(a) The fire suppression system which shall be suitable to mitigate the risks identified in
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the hazard assessment.

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(b) Emergency plunger buttons at suitable locations to activate a fire alarm.

(c) Hand held extinguishers provided with colour coded covers in suitable locations.
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(d) A means of rapidly shutting off fresh air ventilation to the tunnel face, after the area
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has been evacuated.

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(e) Operators and training manuals for use by the Contractor.

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(f) Conveyor belting, rubber covered rollers and other similar parts to be manufactured in
materials that reduce the fire risk, fire load, spread of flame and toxic fume risk.
(g) Hydraulic hoses shall comply with BS EN 853/ISO 1436. The hose covers to be flame
retardant and to conform to the requirements of MSHA. All hydraulic hoses shall be
fitted with swaged end connections, re-usable fittings are not permitted.
(h) Gas monitoring for oxygen deficiency, CO2, CO, H2S, NO2, SO2 and CH14.
(i) Smoke detection and rate of temperature rise.
(j) Water mist screen to be positioned at the rear of the back-up System.
(k) Low density foam generators to be sited at high fire risk areas with either automatic or
manual operation in the event of fire.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 20
Part 04: Tunnel

(l) Spraying nozzles to be installed at the last sledge to create an anti-smoke curtain in
case of fire in the tunnel.
(m) Essential services shall be protected so that they remain operable during all
tunnelling operations for a period of 1 hour. The essential services are:
(i) Emergency power supplies
(ii) All fire suppression systems
(iii) TBM emergency lighting
(iv) Environmental monitoring systems

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(v) All controls and tunnel communications
(vi) The security of the air supply and control systems to the man lock shall remain

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operable in all emergencies, particularly in the case of fire
(vii) Emergency evacuation chambers

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4.5.10 Electrical Specification

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1 All TBM electrical installations shall comply with all relevant regulations and with all relevant
British, European and Qatar standards. The Contractor shall always use the latest published
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version of any regulation or standard that relates to health and safety.
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2 The following list of relevant regulations and standards in non-exhaustive:
(a) BS 6164 Code of Practice tunnelling
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(b) EN 12336:2005 Tunnelling Machines Safety Requirements

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(c) Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

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(d) BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations

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(e) IEE Wiring Regulations 16 Edition
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(f) BS5304 and EN292 Safety of Machinery

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(g) BS 7430:1988. Earthing

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(h) EN 60204 Safety of Machinery

(i) BS7375:1996 Distribution of Electricity on Construction sites
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(j) EN 60529 1992 Degrees of Protection of Enclosures

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(k) BS 6724:1997 armoured cables for low emissions

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(l) BS 5000-3:2006 Rotary Electrical Machines for Particular applications

(m) EN 60898 1991 Moulded case and miniature circuit breakers

4.5.11 Environmental Conditions

1 Control and monitoring of environmental conditions to include but not limited to:
(a) Fire protection systems
(b) CCTV monitoring of work areas
(c) Electrical power
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 21
Part 04: Tunnel

(d) Humidity
(e) Dust monitoring
(f) Inundation of the cutter head chamber
(g) Ventilation air supply (including failure)
(h) Gas detection system for oxygen deficiency, CO2, CO, H2S, NO2, SO2 and CH4. The
data acquisition unit shall include provision for the monitoring of tunnel gas alarms
throughout the tunnel to provide early warning to the TBM operator of potential gas
danger

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4.6 TUNNEL EXCAVATION WITH CONVENTIONAL MEANS

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4.6.1 General

1 This Specification applies to all tunnel excavation Works using conventional mechanical

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means and the implementation of the tunnel’s primary support. All tunnel excavation Works

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shall be in accordance with Contractor’s design which has received a SONO.

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4.6.2 Working Conditions an
1 Safe and continuous access to all tunnels, as well as the required safety conditions shall be
ensured throughout the execution of Works.
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2 All lighting used by the Contractor shall ensure uniformly distributed lighting in all working
areas.
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3 Pumping, drainage and mud and water removal equipment shall be installed, operated and
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maintained, in order to ensure that all Permanent Works shall be constructed in dry
conditions and shall be protected against water.
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4.6.3 Working Interruptions

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1 Upon any work stoppage the stability of all tunnel excavations and the safe condition of the
tunnel (including regular inspections) shall be ensured.
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4.6.4 Safety Measures and Systems

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1 An emergency power supply shall be available on site to provide power for all electrical
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installations, which are considered essential for the safety of the tunnel and the working
personnel.
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2 An emergency evacuation procedure shall be prepared which is also approved by local

authorities.

4.6.5 Work Execution

1 Pre-excavation Works
(a) Prior to the commencement of the tunnel excavation Works, all necessary measures
shall be taken to locate, fill and seal any voids from all investigation boreholes that
may be encountered during excavation.
(b) If required by the design and/or method statement, and prior to commencing any
tunnel excavation works, ground improvement works shall be performed.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 22
Part 04: Tunnel

2 Monitoring
(a) Prior to the commencement and throughout the tunnel excavation Works, as well as
after their completion, it shall be ensured that all monitoring instruments that have
been installed are fully functional, regularly calibrated and monitored.
(b) The Engineer may instruct the stoppage of the works, when the instruments are not
completely installed, or the Contract requirements are not fulfilled.

3 Geological mapping of the excavation surfaces

(a) Geological mapping of the excavation surfaces shall be performed upon completion of

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each heading/bench advance, except for where the immediate sealing of the
excavation face using shotcrete is required.

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(b) The geological mapping shall be performed concurrently with the excavation. The
tunnel’s faces shall be cleaned to the extent possible so as to enable collection of the
necessary data for the complete geological mapping and the classification of the

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geomaterial at the tunnel face.

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4 Probe drillings
(a) Investigation drillings through the tunnel face and/or through the ground surface for
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further investigation of ground and groundwater conditions and of possible weak
zones, voids wells or any other disturbances shall be carried out.
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(b) The number, location and orientation of probe drillings shall be designed in a manner
to collect the maximum possible amount of data, depending on the type and the
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inclination of strata, the presence of water, the geometry and the tunnel alignment. All
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drilling logs shall be made available to the Engineer.

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5 Emergency Conditions in the Tunnel

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(a) When wells or other voids are encountered during excavation Works, the area shall
immediately be protected against collapse, to ensure the safety of the Works and all
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persons.
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(b) Any damage to the Works or the structures, including local failure of the primary
support, shall be reinstated immediately.
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6 Surveys
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(a) The correct construction, orientation and shape of the tunnel, based on the design
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(such as, alignment data, structural tolerances, convergence tolerances) shall be

verified. Measurements of excavated cross sections shall be performed.
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(b) The minimum thickness of the primary support shall always be greater than or equal to
the relevant thickness in the design.

7 Tunnel Excavation Shift Reports

(a) A Shift Report for all underground excavations shall be maintained. This report shall
include sufficient data for the full recording of the cycle of Works. The report shall be
available to the Engineer at all times.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 23
Part 04: Tunnel

4.7 PRECAST CONCRETE TUNNEL LINING SEGMENTS

4.7.1 General

1 This Specification concerns the supply of materials and equipment as well as execution of
Work for the production and installation of precast concrete segments to be used as the
lining of all TBM.

2 The segmental precast concrete lining shall consist of a number of precast segments to form
rings.

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3 Radial joints in adjacent rings shall be staggered so that there are no continuous joints. The
circumferential joints between adjacent rings shall be continuous.

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4 Tapered rings shall be used to negotiate horizontal and vertical curves and to correct for line
and level.

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5 All precast concrete lining segments shall have EPDM gaskets inserted into recesses
provided in all four mating surfaces of the individual segments. The size and position of the

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gasket shall be sufficient to take account of all tolerances for the segments and gaskets.
Where it is proposed to erect segmental lining without applying shield jacking forces to
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compress the gaskets it shall be demonstrated that the required watertightness of the
segments joints shall still be achieved by adequately compressing the gaskets or by other
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acceptable means for the SONO from the Engineer.

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4.7.2 Materials
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1 Concrete
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(a) The concrete shall be a minimum strength of class C40/50 as defined under EN 206.
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2 Cement
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(a) The cement shall comply with the requirements of EN 197.

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3 GGBFS
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(a) GGBFS intended for use for segments shall comply with EN 15167.
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4 Fly Ash
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(a) Fly Ash intended for use for both the segments shall comply with EN 450.
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5 Microsilica
(a) Microsilica intended for use for segments shall comply with EN 13263.

6 Aggregates
(a) Fine aggregates shall be natural or crushed rock sand in compliance with EN 12620.
(b) Coarse aggregates shall not contain materials which may cause reduction of strength
or durability of the concrete. Coarse aggregates shall be crushed aggregate from an
approved natural source in compliance with EN 12620.
(c) The potential alkali aggregate reactivity has to be determined and evaluated either by
the relevant ASTM standards ASTM C289 and C1260 and ASTM C227.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 24
Part 04: Tunnel

7 Water
(a) Water shall comply with the requirements of EN 1008. Additionally, to account for the
high risk of chloride-induced reinforcement corrosion, the maximum allowable chloride
content of the mixing water is 250 mg/l.

8 Admixtures
(a) Admixtures used in the concrete shall conform to EN 934, EN 480 and shall be
mutually compatible. They shall be accompanied by full documentation from the
manufacturer, which shall be submitted to the Engineer for a SONO. Use and dosage
of admixtures shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

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9 Steel

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(a) If reinforcement steel for segmental lining is used, it shall be new. The reinforcement
shall consist of high ductility bars of B500C category or approved alternative

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reinforcement.

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(b) If steel fibre reinforcement is used for segmental lining it shall comply with EN 14889
2

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and have a minimum tensile strength of 1100 N/mm .
(c) Manufacturer’s production certificates shall be supplied.
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(d) Reinforcement bar welding shall be carried out by certified welders in accordance with
Standard EN 17660, EN 15609-01, EN 15614-01 and EN 15614-12. The welding
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quality shall be certified through EN 287-01/A2.

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10 Fasteners, fixings and fittings screws and bits

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(a) Specifications for all temporary and permanent fasteners and cast-in fixings shall be
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provided. All permanent inserts shall be stainless steel.

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11 Segment identification
(a) The following information shall be cast in to the internal (concave) surface of all
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segments or shall be incorporated on a bar code fixed permanently to the inside face
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of the segment:
QR – followed by the Contract Number
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(i)
(ii) Date of production
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(iii) Mould number

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(iv) Ring type e.g. left hand taper or right hand taper
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(v) Segment type

(vi) The Contractor shall number the concrete rings in sequential order between the
stations, clearly stencilled in clear large durable black numbers on completion of
each tunnelled drive.

12 Tests and Checks during Construction

(a) The concrete mixture shall be regularly checked for conformity with the laboratory
concrete mix design. The total water-cement ratio shall be in the range prescribed in
the laboratory concrete mix design.
(b) In addition, chloride penetration tests shall be performed according to NT Build 492.
The tests reports shall be available to the Engineer at all times.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 25
Part 04: Tunnel

(c) The compressive strength test shall be performed in accordance to EN 45001 and all
other tests with EN 206.

13 Tests on the Production Line

(a) Prior to the beginning of the full-scale production of lining rings, three trial rings shall
be built and assembled to check that the required tolerances have been met.
(b) At least 1 in every 20 segments produced from each mould shall be checked for
compliance with the casting tolerances. Checks shall continue throughout the
production period and shall be performed on segments selected at random by the
Engineer for the control of the production of segments to the required tolerances.

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(c) All segments shall be systematically checked for surface defects and repaired if

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required.
(d) Dimensional control of segments shall be made on a daily basis to meet the tolerance
ranges. The internal diameter of the completed ring, during tunnel lining construction,

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will be checked on Site.

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14 Repair of Segments
(a) A special methodology for the repair of defective segments, addressing all types of
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repairs shall be provided. The repairs shall include all the methods related to the
surface preparation, the work sequence, the appropriate repair materials (depending
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on the type of defect), the equipment to be used, and the checks to be carried out at
each phase of repairing. This methodology shall be submitted to the Engineer for a
SONO.
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(b) With reference to the repair of segments, two cases of repair are distinguished. The
first case relates to the repair of segments located either in the production plant, or the
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construction Site area before their final placement in the tunnel. The second case
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relates to segments that have already been incorporated in a ring within the tunnel. A
methodology statement for each of these cases shall be prepared for a SONO from
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the Engineer.
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(c) Categories of segment defects are defined as minor, medium and major.
(i) Minor defects on the segments are defined as a broken edge smaller than 25
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mm and/or holes due to air bubbles between 5 and 8 mm in diameter. Defects

of this category may be repaired.
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(ii) Medium defects on the segments are defined by a crack with width less than
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0.1 mm or depth less than 20 mm and/or a surface depression with depth less
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than 20 mm. Where a medium defect occurs prior to the final placement of the
relevant segment in the tunnel it shall be rejected.
(iii) Major defects on the segments are defined by a crack with width more than 0.1
mm or depth more than 20 mm and/or a surface depression with depth more
than 20 mm and / or a broken edge larger than 25 mm. Where a major defect
occurs prior to the final placement of the relevant segment in the tunnel it shall
be rejected.

15 Tolerances of Segmentally Lined Tunnels

(a) Tunnels supported with segmental concrete lining, as part of the Permanent Works,
shall conform to each of the following tolerances by reference to the axis:
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 26
Part 04: Tunnel

(i) Segment width: +/- 0.5mm;

(ii) Segment thickness: +/- 3.0mm;
(iii) Segment arc length: +/- 0.6mm;
(iv) Inner radius of a single segment: +/- 1.5mm;
(v) Deviation of the ‘AS BUILT’ diameter of the inner face of the segments: 1.0mm
and from a perfect circle: 5.0 mm;
(vi) Width of segment grooves: +0.2 mm – 0 mm;
(vii) Depth of segment grooves: +0.2 mm – 0mm;

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(viii) Axis of segment grooves: +/-1.0 mm;

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(ix) Longitudinal joint evenness: +/- 0.5 mm;
(x) Ring joint evenness: +/- 0.5 mm;

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(xi) Unevenness of joints causing stress on the section: not permitted;

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(xii) Outer diameter of the constructed ring: +/- 10 mm;

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(xiii) Inner diameter of the constructed ring: +/- 10 mm;
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(xiv) Outer perimeter of the constructed ring: +/- 30 mm;
(xv) Torsional angle in the longitudinal joint: + 0.04°; and
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(xvi) Angle of longitudinal joint conicity: + 0.01°.

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4.8 GROUTING FOR SEGMENTAL LINING, CONTACT GROUTING AND

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FILLING OF VOIDS
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4.8.1 General
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1 This specification concerns the provision of labour, materials, installations and equipment for
filling all voids, including karst voids.
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2 This specification applies to tunnels excavated either by TBM or by conventional methods.

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3 All voids between the excavation profile and outer limit of the theoretical temporary lining (in
sprayed concrete lining (SCL) tunnels) or the segmental lining (in tunnel boring machine
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(TBM) tunnels) shall be filled with cement grout.

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4 Any other voids encountered ahead of the tunnel excavation face shall be filled with cement
grout, if their presence prevents or otherwise obstructs the advancement of the excavation
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face.

5 Grouting for filling karstic voids may require primary and secondary grouting. Primary
grouting is the initial grouting which is applied immediately after a unit of lining has been
built. Where primary grouting does not completely fill all voids, secondary grouting shall be
carried out.

6 Grout shall remain effective for the design life of the tunnel. The grout shall not degrade,
shrink or lose strength to an extent that the tunnel would be damaged or become
unserviceable as a result.

END OF PART
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

5 CUT AND COVER STRUCTURES SPECIFICATIONS ................................. 2

5.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES ............................................................................... 2
5.1.1 General 2
5.2 TEMPORARY WORKS .................................................................................. 2
5.2.1 General Principles 2
5.2.2 Design of Temporary Excavation Support 2
5.2.3 Excavation Base Stability 3
5.2.4 Ground Movements 3

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5.2.5 Construction Dewatering 3
5.2.6 Dewatering and Groundwater Control Systems 3

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5.2.7 Design Methodology 4
5.2.8 Analysis Methodology 4

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5.3 GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ............................................................... 5

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5.3.1 Minimum Requirements 5

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5.3.2 Execution 6
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

5 CUT AND COVER STRUCTURES SPECIFICATIONS

5.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

5.1.1 General

1 Cut and cover structures shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:
(a) EN1990 Basis of structural design
(b) EN1991 Actions on structures

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(c) EN1992 Design of concrete structures

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(d) EN1993 Design of Steel Structures
(e) EN1997 Geotechnical design

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5.2 TEMPORARY WORKS

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5.2.1 General Principles

1 In general Temporary Works shall be designed in accordance with the same design
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standards as the Permanent Works. However, the Temporary Works design may take into
account the limited duration over which such temporary works are expected to function. The
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calculations and drawings shall make clear where provision for limited duration has been
allowed for, particularly where this may have a substantial influence on the stability of the
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Temporary Works.
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2 The design of Temporary Works shall take account of all the applied external forces and
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imposed structural deformations and, where applicable, the effects of the removal of load
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from the ground.

5.2.2 Design of Temporary Excavation Support

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1 Excavations for cut-and-cover structures in soft ground or rock shall be supported by suitable
retaining structures. Design of these elements shall include full step-by-step analyses of the
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progressive change in the loading and required temporary support conditions as the
excavation proceeds.
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2 Braced or anchored excavations shall be analysed by finite element or similar methods, in

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which the changes in ground stresses are properly related to the deflections which occur in
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the structural elements, by the use of appropriate stiffness and other parameters. Simplified
analytical models and methods shall be employed to calibrate and support the finite element
analyses of the various permutations of structure geometry and loading.

3 Temporary Works shall be designed as far as possible to be removed when no longer

required, and shall not be left in the ground. Temporary Works which are viewed as being
impossible to remove on completion of the Permanent Works shall be dismantled to a
minimum depth of 2 metres below the finished ground surface and designed so that there
will be no risk of ground settlement or other deleterious effects as a consequence of decay
and/or collapse of these Temporary Works.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

5.2.3 Excavation Base Stability

1 The design shall include adequate precautions against any failure of his excavations during
construction. The stability of the excavation bases shall be checked in accordance with a
method of analysis acceptable to the Engineer, which shall allow for all reasonable loads
within and outside of the excavation.

2 The design shall include calculations demonstrating the contribution made to the base
stability of the excavation by his proposed method of construction and shall state the
factor(s) of safety used in the design. The factor(s) of safety shall relate to the method of
construction and to the particular location of the Works, and shall be submitted to the

14
Engineer for a SONO.

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5.2.4 Ground Movements

1 The Temporary and Permanent Works designs shall limit ground movement and distortions

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around the Site to avoid damage to adjacent existing building structures.

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2 The Contractor shall carry out a risk assessment for all existing building structures within the

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zone of influence of the Works. The analyses for the Temporary Works shall be properly
related to the conclusions of this risk assessment.
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5.2.5 Construction Dewatering
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1 Temporary dewatering of construction excavations will be required to provide an

undisturbed, stable and dry subgrade to permit construction and backfilling of the Permanent
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Works under dry conditions.

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2 The Contractor shall prepare and submit the design of his construction dewatering system to
the Engineer for a SONO. The construction dewatering design shall include determination of
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subsurface conditions and geotechnical design parameters, analyses to establish feasible

methods and system definition in sufficient detail to demonstrate that the general objectives
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can be achieved without adverse effect on adjacent existing building structures. The selected
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system shall generally provide for continuous (24-hour-per-day) operation, adequate reserve
equipment, and standby power.
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3 In general, the groundwater within the excavations shall be maintained at a level that permits
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achievement of the above and avoids any failure of the excavation.

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4 The Contractor shall ensure that the groundwater level inside the excavation pit is at least
1000 mm below the current excavation level at any time during the relevant construction
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stages.

5 The effects of settlements, distortion or loss of ground due to dewatering shall be considered
in the design. For adjacent existing building structures these effects shall be considered in
the assessment of impact on these existing building structures.

5.2.6 Dewatering and Groundwater Control Systems

1 Description
(a) This specification refers to the design of dewatering, pressure relief systems and of
seepage cut offs for all open deep excavations as well as tunnel excavations for the
Project.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

(b) According to the local groundwater conditions, the Contractor shall design, install and
monitor a dewatering system or other groundwater control systems.
(c) The design of these systems shall consider at a minimum:
(i) The in-situ groundwater conditions and the related types of seepage flow;
(ii) The stratification and permeability characteristics of the geomaterials below the
groundwater table into which the excavation extends or which are underneath
the excavation;
(iii) The location and the geometrical characteristics of the excavation;

14
(iv) The type of the excavation (i.e. open-cut or tunnel); and
(v) The existence of nearby structures and especially their current serviceability

20
conditions and foundation systems.
(d) The design of dewatering or water control systems, shall propose measures for

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controlling the risk of damage that may occur to the excavations, in the event of failure

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of the dewatering system or other water control systems during the construction
period.

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5.2.7 Design Methodology an
1 The Contractor shall submit to the Engineer for a SONO, the design of dewatering or other
water control systems.
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2 The design shall include but not be limited the following:

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(a) A brief description of anticipated geological - geotechnical conditions. The

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geotechnical design models to be adopted shall be compatible with the GIRs;

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(b) The groundwater or piezometric pressure characteristics, which shall include but not
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be limited to the groundwater and artesian pressure levels, the elevation of the
groundwater table and its variation with changes in seasonal effects, pumping from
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other nearby wells;

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(c) The permeability of the geomaterials which shall be determined by field and laboratory
tests;
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(d) The availability, reliability and capacity of the power system at the site;
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(e) Consideration of nearby construction activities of the Contractor and of third parties;
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(f) A detailed description of the necessary monitoring and instrumentation program;

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(g) Calculations, which shall fully account for any variability in geotechnical parameters
and groundwater conditions;
(h) Construction drawings; and
(i) All other technical information required for safe construction works.

5.2.8 Analysis Methodology

1 The analysis of dewatering or other groundwater control systems shall consider the following
as a minimum:
(a) Sources of seepage;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

(b) Boundaries of seepage flow due to the characteristics of the ground formations within
and surrounding the Works;
(c) The number, size, spacing and depth of wells; and
(d) The rate at which the groundwater must be extracted, in order to achieve the required
groundwater levels or pressure relief.

2 Settlement calculations due to groundwater lowering shall be provided by the Contractor for
all structures inside the influence zone of the drawdown curve. The settlement values
resulting from these calculations shall be added to those for the excavations, the total of
which shall meet the requirements of the Design Specification.

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3 Design requirements for dewatering or other groundwater control systems operation and

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performance control. Monitoring and Instrumentation.

4 The Contractor shall provide in its design the description of a pumping test to be performed

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immediately before the installation of the dewatering or other groundwater control system.

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5.3 GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

5.3.1 Minimum Requirements

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1 This section includes the control of groundwater during execution of the Works.
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2 Where required the Contractor shall design, provide, install, maintain, operate and remove a
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complete temporary dewatering system for lowering and controlling groundwater levels and
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hydrostatic pressures to permit excavation, construction and backfilling to be performed in

dry conditions.
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3 Before commencing dewatering, the Contractor shall submit the method statement, including
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installation details of the dewatering system including testing to the Engineer for his SONO.
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4 The Contractor shall install a pumping system that is available for use at all times and which
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shall be connected to the dewatering system to allow immediate use.

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5 The Contractor shall obtain all necessary permits from the appropriate authorities
independently and at his own expense. This also includes compliance with all requirements
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given by the authorities including but not limited to discharge.

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6 The control of groundwater shall be such that softening of the bottom of excavations does
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not occur.

7 The dewatering system shall be designed and operated so as to prevent removal of the
natural soils.

8 The dewatering system shall maintain the groundwater level at 1000 mm below the
excavation level.

9 The Contractor shall implement a dewatering system that shall have the necessary capacity
and backup.

10 The dewatering system shall be able to dewater and dispose of water without causing
damage to public or private property and without causing a nuisance or danger.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 05: Cut and Cover Structures

11 The dewatering system shall be designed, installed and operated so that the groundwater
level outside the pit is not reduced to an extent which would cause damage to or endanger
adjacent structures or buildings.

12 The Contractor shall supply, install and monitor observation wells/piezometers to monitor
and observe the groundwater level outside the pit. For location and length of the
wells/piezometers the Contractor shall consider the requirements given in the geotechnical
report.

13 The Contractor shall keep the Site free from flood water.

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5.3.2 Execution

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1 The dewatering system shall only be decommissioned after obtaining a SONO from the
Engineer.

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2 Records shall be maintained containing elevation readings and groundwater water levels in

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the observation wells and piezometers.

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3 Observation wells and piezometers that become inactive, damaged or destroyed, shall be
repaired or replaced within 24 hours.
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4 Observation wells/piezometers shall be removed and/or backfilled when no longer required.
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5 Sumps and settling basins shall be backfilled with suitable materials when no longer
required.
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END OF PART
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

6 EARTHWORKS AND ROADWORKS SPECIFICATION ............................... 2

6.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES ............................................................................... 2
6.1.1 General 2
6.2 EMBANKMENTS ........................................................................................... 3
6.2.1 Foundations 3
6.2.2 Slope Stability and Erosion Control 3
6.2.3 Cuts 4
6.3 EXECUTION .................................................................................................. 4

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6.3.1 General 4

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6.3.2 Excavations 4
6.3.3 Excavation for Structures 5
6.3.4 Backfill 5

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6.3.5 Compaction 5

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6.4 EARTHWORKS FOR EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION

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(INCLUDING SUB BASE OR PROTECTION LAYERS) ................................ 5
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6.4.1 Excavations for Embankment Foundation 5
6.4.2 Construction equipment 7
6.4.3 Compaction of the base of the embankment 7
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6.4.4 Compaction of the embankment 7

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6.5 ROADWORKS ............................................................................................... 8

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6.5.1 General 8
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6.5.2 Execution 8
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6.6 GROUND IMPROVEMENT ........................................................................... 8

6.6.1 General 8
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6.7 EARTHING AND BONDING .......................................................................... 8

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6.7.1 General 8
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

6 EARTHWORKS AND ROADWORKS SPECIFICATION

6.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

6.1.1 General

1 This chapter is applicable for the design of earthworks bearing the railway track, either with
sloping side slopes or with vertical slopes supported by retaining walls, and shallow cuts for
the foundation of bridges. Deep cuts for the construction of cut-and-cover structures and
various types of tunnels are covered in other sections of this specification.

14
2 Earthworks Construction Specifications

20
(a) All project related earthworks shall be according to QCS - Section 12 and EN 1997.

3 Method Statement

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(a) The Contractor shall submit a method statement giving full details of proposed
materials, plant and operations involved in the construction of earthworks to the

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Engineer for a SONO. It shall include but not be limited to
(i) Type of the excavation;
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(ii) Sequence of excavation and placing of material;
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(iii) Methods of ground water handling within and outside of the excavations and
disposal of groundwater; and
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(iv) Methods of testing, monitoring and reporting on the performance of the

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earthworks.
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(b) The Contractor’s method statement shall include the construction objectives (target
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compaction, density, moisture content, lift thickness, etc.) and the methods
(procedures, tests, frequency etc.) used for ensuring that the target objectives are
achieved. This document shall also specify the corrective measures to be taken if the
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target objectives are not achieved.

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4 Reinforced earth embankments shall not be used to support railway tracks.

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5 Embankments and similar structures shall be designed in accordance with the following
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standards:
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(a) EN1990 Basis of structural design;

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(b) EN1991 Actions on structures;

(c) EN1997 Geotechnical design; and
(d) UIC 719R Earthworks and Track-bed layers for Railway Lines.

6 Issues not covered in sufficient detail by the above standards shall be designed according to
the relevant British Standards (BS):
(a) BS 6031 : Code of Practice for Earthworks;
(b) BS 1337 : Methods of Test of Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes; and
(c) UIC Standards.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

7 Protection of the slope surfaces from storm-water erosion shall be provided at Temporary
and Permanent Works.

6.2 EMBANKMENTS

6.2.1 Foundations

1 The embankments’ foundation conditions shall be assessed on the basis of the shear
strength and deformability characteristics of the local subsoil conditions, and design
considerations shall be made for the embankments’ construction materials

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2 Design considerations related to foundation drainage and / or groundwater lowering shall be
determined on the basis of the evaluated long-term groundwater conditions.

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3 The design of the embankments’ foundations shall include but not be limited to:

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(a) Short – term and long-term settlement estimation;

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(b) Measures to accelerate settlement;

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(c) Ground improvement techniques;
(d) Liquefaction checks of potential subsurface fully saturated loose granular soils.
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6.2.2 Slope Stability and Erosion Control
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1 The design of embankments shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
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(a) Ultimate width of top of embankment;

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(b) Loading on top of embankment;

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(c) Geotechnical properties of the foundation and fill materials;

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(d) Restrictions on width of land available; and

(e) Special conditions to which the embankment would be subject to. This includes for
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example, tidal waters, active mining operation and natural cavities, and environmental
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and other economic factors which may influence the final choice of cross section.
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2 The inclination of the slopes of embankments shall be adequate to ensure safety against
slope stability failure, long-term deformations and erosion.
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3 The proposed anti-erosion protection measures shall consider but not be limited to:
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(a) Planting;
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(b) Installation of geosynthetics (e.g. geocells, geogrids) with hydroseeding, etc.

4 If the embankment is founded on relatively impermeable materials and the groundwater table
is high, both undrained and drained conditions shall be checked in the slope stability
analyses.

5 Both local and global stability shall be checked. Local stability checks the embankment slope
while global stability also considers potential failure surfaces passing through the foundation
soils.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

6 Adequate drainage shall be provided at the gutters of the top of the embankment to prevent
uncontrolled flow of rain-water towards the slopes of the embankment and thus invigorating
surface erosion processes.

6.2.3 Cuts

1 The inclination of the cut slopes shall be adequate to ensure safety against slope stability
failure both in the short – term and long – term, as well as control of ground deformation, Cut
stability checks shall include but not be limited to:
(a) Permanent Cuts

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(i) Long – term static conditions, assuming the worst case groundwater conditions
(ii) Long – term earthquake conditions

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(b) Temporary Cuts
Short – term static conditions, assuming the corresponding groundwater

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(i)

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conditions

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2 In case of rock cut slopes where stability is controlled by the existence of unfavourably
oriented discontinuities, the frequent mapping of the exposed surfaces is necessary.
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Possible modifications in the cut slopes design shall be considered (if necessary) on the
basis of the evaluation of the mapping results.
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6.3 EXECUTION
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6.3.1 General
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1 The Contractor shall carry out all earthworks in such a manner as to prevent erosion or slips
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and shall limit working faces to safe slopes and heights. The Contractor shall ensure that all
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surfaces have at all times sufficient gradients to enable them to shed water without causing
erosion.
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2 The Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment to keep the earthworks free from
water.
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3 Construction traffic on the final formation level shall be minimized to prevent damage and/or
softening of the subgrade.
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4 Surfaces of excavations or filling shall be protected against erosion and climatic influences.
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5 Surfaces of excavations or filling, on which plain (unreinforced) or reinforced concrete will be

formed, shall be prepared with a layer of lean concrete or in such other manner to provide a
suitable surface.

6.3.2 Excavations

1 Demolition materials shall not be used for backfilling.

2 The final level of all excavations shall be free from mud and water, trimmed clean, thoroughly
compacted and consolidated.

3 Trench excavation shall be executed by the use of suitable equipment, in such a manner so
as to minimise disturbance to the required finished sides and bottom of the excavation.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

6.3.3 Excavation for Structures

1 This work shall consist of all excavation for structures, culverts, headwalls, catch basins,
manholes, inlets, and retaining walls and shall include all necessary clearing and grubbing,
all necessary bailing, drainage, pumping, sheeting, strutting and the construction of coffer
dams or cribs, also the disposal of all material obtained from such excavation and backfilling;
it shall include the removal of that portion of existing structures below the ground which is
necessitated by the construction of the new structure.

2 Any loose or improperly compacted soil below the structural foundation levels, shall be
completely removed, and the void backfilled with suitable material as determined by BS

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1377. Any previous excavations shall be excavated and backfilled.

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3 All rock or other hard foundation material shall be cleaned of all loose material and cut to a
firm surface, either level, stepped, or serrated. All open cracks and discontinuities shall be
cleaned and grouted. All loose rock shall be removed.

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6.3.4 Backfill

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1 Top soil shall not be used for structural backfill.
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2 When the weather conditions would adversely affect the placing of backfill, all such work
shall be stopped.
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6.3.5 Compaction
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1 Backfilling around structures shall be made by selected filling material as per EN 1997,
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thoroughly compacted in layers.

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2 Except in the vicinity of structures, excavations shall be backfilled with suitable material,
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compacted in layers of 300 mm maximum loose thickness to achieve a density of at least

95% of the maximum dry density.
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3 Field density shall be carried out by in-situ tests in accordance with

EN 1997-2.
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6.4 EARTHWORKS FOR EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDING SUB

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BASE OR PROTECTION LAYERS)

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6.4.1 Excavations for Embankment Foundation

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1 Required excavation for the foundation of embankments shall include:

(a) Materials classified as A-7 or A-6 according to AASHTO Specifications;
(b) Unstable materials incapable of being compacted to the specified density at optimum
moisture content using ordinary compaction methods for the equipment being used for
compaction. Such materials may include, but not be limited to, organic and highly
compressible soil;
(c) Material too wet to be compacted and prevented from drying in place prior to
incorporation into the Works. Such materials may include mud from tide flats and
coastal marshes; and
(d) Materials which are otherwise unsuitable for use in or under the embankment.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

2 Where embankments are constructed across wadis, marshlands, tidal flats, or wet ground,
which is soft and compressible and will not support the weight and forces of hauling and
compacting equipment, the lower part of the embankment may be constructed by placing
successive loads in a uniformly distributed layer (bridging lift) of a thickness not greater than
necessary to support hauling equipment, and the placing and compacting of subsequent
layers. Such supporting layers shall not be subjected to the compaction requirements
specified in the below sections. The remainder of the embankment shall be constructed in
layers as specified in this specification.

3 Suitable embankment materials shall meet the following requirements:

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(a) Materials classified as A-5 or better according to AASHTO Specifications; and
(b) In areas subject to flood and prolonged inundation of the embankment, the material

20
used in the embankment shall be either rockfill or earth materials classified as A-1-a,
A-1-b or A-2-4 according to AASHTO Specifications. The same types of material shall
be used for the reinforced embankment and reinforced earth structures.

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(c) Unsuitable rockfill materials include water-soluble rocks, or other types of rocks, which
can be either easily disintegrated after their exposure to local weather conditions, or

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crushed during compaction.
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4 Suitable non-compacted rockfill materials shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Low strength rocks: Microdeval Index (resistance to wear) with the presence of water
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MDE>40; Los Angeles index (resistance to fragmentation) LA>40;

(b) Medium strength rocks: Microdeval Index (resistance to wear) with the presence of
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water 25<MDE≤40; Los Angeles index (resistance to fragmentation) 30<LA≤440;

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(c) High strength rocks: Microdeval Index (resistance to wear) with the presence of water
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MDE≤25; Los Angeles index (resistance to fragmentation) LA≤30;

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(d) The percent passing by weight from the sieve of 22.4mm shall be less than 25% and
the percent passing by weight from the sieve ISO 565 of 0.063 mm shall be less than
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7%;
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(e) The maximum size of the used rock particles (D) shall not exceed 50% of the
thickness of the compacted layer. No rock particles having D>500mm shall be used as
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rockfill materials;
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(f) The granulometric curve of the rockfill materials shall meet the requirements of the
following Table:
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Table 6.1
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Requirements for rockfill material

Particle size (Sieve opening) Percent passing by weight (%)

D 90 – 100
D/4 45 – 60
D/16 25 – 45
D/64 15 -35
Where D is the maximum size of the rockfill particles
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

5 For reinforcing materials, in reinforced embankments, their quality certificates together with
their long term tensile strength and durability shall be provided to the Engineer for SONO. An
appropriate certificate shall be submitted proving that the materials are not affected by
biological and chemical actions as well as UV radiation. In case of steel reinforcement, all
necessary certificates assuring its long term anti-corrosion and durability performance shall
be provided to the Engineer for a SONO.

6.4.2 Construction equipment

1 The Contractor shall provide all types, sizes and numbers of equipment which are necessary
for loading, hauling, spreading, mixing, watering, compacting and finishing material to form

14
the embankment in accordance with his plans and specifications.

20
2 Compacting operations shall include adequate blading with motor graders to insure
uniformity of the layers of embankments being compacted. The number of blades and rollers
in use shall be sufficient to blade and compact adequately all materials being delivered to the

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embankment.

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3 When construction of rock embankment is required, the Contractor shall propose details of

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the plant and equipment to be used, and include these details in the method statement.
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4 The Contractor shall propose the speed of compression rollers and number of passes etc.
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6.4.3 Compaction of the base of the embankment

1 When the embankment height is less than 600 mm and the original sub-ground consists of
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suitable material, the original ground shall be scarified to a depth of 200 mm, watered or
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dried to obtain uniform moisture content and compacted to 95% of maximum Modified
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Proctor Density (or equivalent relative density values). If the top 300 mm of original ground
does not meet the suitability requirements or there is excessive moisture present, the top
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300 mm shall be removed and replaced with material meeting these requirements. This
material shall be compacted to 95% of maximum Modified Proctor Density (or equivalent
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relative density values).

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2 When the embankment height exceeds 600 mm, any unsuitable material below the
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embankment footprint shall be removed up to the necessary depth, until suitable material
shall be found. This depth shall not exceed the final embankment height, if no ground
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improvement techniques are used. After removal of any unsuitable material, the foundation
base shall be scarified to a depth of 200 mm, watered or dried to obtain uniform moisture
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content and compacted to 95% of maximum Proctor Density (or equivalent relative density
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values).

6.4.4 Compaction of the embankment

1 The Contractor’s method statement for the embankment construction methodology shall
include construction method, material types to be used, layer thickness, compaction
equipment, compaction objectives, minimum number of roller passes, wetting methodology,
compaction control procedures, type and frequency of tests to be performed as well as
characteristics required for ensuring compaction sufficiency.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

2 Prior to the commencement of any embankment construction work, a test embankment shall
be constructed using the same materials as those to be used for actual embankment
construction. The objective of the test embankment shall be to validate that the construction
methodology proposed by the Contractor in his method statement meets the Employer’s
Requirements.

6.5 ROADWORKS

6.5.1 General

1 Only materials which achieve the requirements given in the QCS shall be used.

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6.5.2 Execution

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1 All related roadworks shall be executed in accordance to the QCS.

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6.6 GROUND IMPROVEMENT

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6.6.1 General

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1 Ground improvement may be required:
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(a) In underground works in order to improve stability of the excavation faces and/or
walls, reduce ground subsidence due to excavations and its potential adverse effects
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on surface structures and utilities, reduce the ingress of groundwater in the tunnel,
improve the foundation soil of buildings and generally any other related to excavation
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operations for the needs of the Project;

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(b) In surface works (embankments and elevated railways) in order to found

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embankments on weak soils and to alleviate the liquefaction potential; and

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(c) Around pile foundations to improve against liquefaction and/or improve lateral capacity
of pile foundations.
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2 Based on the provisions herein, a detailed specification and method statement shall be
submitted for any ground improvement Works to the Engineer for a SONO.
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3 Ground improvement Works may include, but are not limited to:
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(a) permeation and compaction grouting;

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(b) soil stabilization injections of all kinds (cement grout, chemicals etc.);
(c) jet grouting;
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(d) compensation grouting;

(e) lime or cement improvement of embankment foundations; and/or
(f) dynamic compaction, vibro-compaction or vibro-replacement of embankment
foundations or around pile foundations.

6.7 EARTHING AND BONDING

6.7.1 General

1 This Section includes the materials and workmanship for the earthing and bonding system.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 06: Earthworks and Roadworks

2 All earthing and bonding shall be in accordance with EN 50122.

3 The earthing and bonding system shall ensure that continuous operation of the rail way is
not jeopardised by lightning strikes.

4 All technical rooms shall be equipped with an earth circuit connector.

5 The earthing system shall include but not be limited to:

(a) outdoor lighting;
(b) pipe systems for heater, gas, water, fire fighting water, sewage water, cooling shafts,

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etc.;
(c) escalators, elevators;

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(d) railway earthing;

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(e) cathodic anti-corrosion protection.

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END OF PART

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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7 CONCRETE STRUCTURES ......................................................................... 3

7.1 BRIDGE SPECIFICATION ............................................................................. 3
7.1.1 General Principles 3
7.1.2 Design Principles 3
7.1.3 Deck displacements 5
7.1.4 Vibration 5
7.1.5 Fatigue 5
7.1.6 Collision load on piers or decks 5
7.1.7 Temporary Works 5

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7.1.8 Foundations 5
7.1.9 Turnout on Elevated Sections 5

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7.1.10 Safety Railing 6
7.1.11 Privacy Screening 6

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7.1.12 Noise Barriers 6

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7.2 BUILDING DESIGN STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATION .................................. 6

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7.2.1 General Principles 6
7.2.2 Design Principles an 7
7.2.3 Civil and structural design statement 7
7.3 STRUCTURAL CONCRETE .......................................................................... 8
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7.3.1 General Requirements 8

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7.4 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE ....................................................................... 9

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7.4.1 General Requirements 9

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7.4.2 Materials 10
7.4.3 Handling and Storage 10
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7.4.4 Surface condition 10

7.4.5 Straightness 10
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7.4.6 Post-tensioning 10
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7.4.7 Pre-stressing Tendons 10

7.4.8 Grouting of Pre-stressing Tendons 11
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7.4.9 Preparation for Casting 11

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7.5 SHOTCRETE ............................................................................................... 11

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7.5.1 General 11
7.5.2 Mix Reports 11
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7.5.3 Production 12
7.5.4 Quality control 12
7.6 FORMWORK ............................................................................................... 13
7.6.1 General Requirements 13
7.6.2 Formed finishes 13
7.6.3 Unformed finishes 13
7.7 WATERPROOFING ..................................................................................... 13
7.7.1 General 13
7.7.2 Waterproofing classes 14
7.7.3 Waterproofing for Cast in Situ Concrete Tunnel Linings 14
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.7.4 Waterproofing for Precast Concrete Segmental Tunnel Linings 15

7.7.5 Waterproofing for Cut and Cover Structures and Open Troughs 15

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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7 CONCRETE STRUCTURES
7.1 BRIDGE SPECIFICATION

7.1.1 General Principles

1 This section shall be applied for the structural design of temporary and permanent structures
of all kind of bridges related to the project, including all bridge substructures such as piers
and their foundations, abutments, culverts etc.

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2 Bridges and other similar structures shall be designed in accordance with the following

20
standards:
(a) EN 1990 Basis of structural design;

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(b) EN 1991 Actions on structures;

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(c) EN 1992 Design of concrete structures;

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(d) EN 1993 Design of steel structures; an
(e) EN 1994 Design of composite steel and concrete structures;
(f) EN 1997 Geotechnical design;
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(g) EN 1998 Design of structures for earthquake resistance; and

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(h) EN 1337 Structural bearings.

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7.1.2 Design Principles

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1 The design of bridges and their foundations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
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(a) The selection of the structural system for the bridge structure, the piers and
foundations;
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(b) Aesthetics;
(c) Clearances;
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(d) Evacuation and emergency access;

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(e) Accidental impact from roads;

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(f) Footbridges-environment within e.g. temperature control, lighting, appearance;

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(g) Method of bridge construction, including Temporary Works and construction

sequence;
(h) Ground/structure interaction, including the effects of Temporary Works;
(i) Dynamic, seismic loads and displacements;
(j) Deflection and rotation of bridge structures;
(k) Ground pressure (including swelling), shear force and bending distribution on
structural members during construction and in the long-term;
(l) Short and long-term ground and groundwater response;
(m) Other changes in static loads such as excavation, surcharge, live loads, traffic
loadings and others;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 07: Concrete Structures

(n) The variation in ground conditions along the alignment;

(o) All dewatering and groundwater cut-off systems required to maintain dry and stable
conditions within all excavations required for these Works;
(p) The magnitude of ground and existing building structures settlements, movements,
distortions and changes in loading conditions of existing building structures expected
as a result of the Works and how these shall be mitigated;
(q) The presence of existing building structures;
(r) Maintenance of traffic flows along roads including access to adjoining properties and
roads;

14
(s) Control of heave, swell, piping and instability of the excavations related to the Works

20
(e.g. excavations required for bridge foundations);
(t) The effects of vibration so as to minimise disturbance to existing building structures;
and

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(u) Effects caused by creep and shrinkage of concrete and the resulting effects (including
secondary effects). These effects shall be regarded as permanent loads.

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2 Vertical clearance to roads shall be in accordance with the relevant local regulations; the
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minimum vertical clearance to existing and planned roads shall be 6.50 m.
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3 Decks end rotations
(a) Vertical end rotation angle of the decks caused by live load, temperature gradient,
n

creep and shrinkage shall be limited to Ɵ = 0.002 rad at abutments and Ɵ 1 + Ɵ 2 =

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0.003 rad between two consecutive decks, refer to figure 7.1.

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(b) Horizontal end rotation of the decks caused by impact, wind, centrifugal force (if any),
hunting force, and effect of transverse temperature gradient across the deck shall be
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limited to 0.0035 rad. Horizontal deformation includes the deformation of bridge deck
and substructure, refer to figure 7.1.
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Figure 7.1
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Vertical end rotation angle of the decks

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Figure 7.2

Horizontal end rotation angle of the decks

EQUAL OR SMALLER
3.5/1000
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.1.3 Deck displacements

1 Cyclic movements between adjacent span ends (or expansion joints) shall be limited to ± 3
mm vertically and ± 2 mm horizontally at the running rail centre line;

2 Under braking and traction forces the relative displacement of the individual bridge deck
under normal (non-seismic) conditions shall not be more than 5 mm in longitudinal direction.
This requirement can be eased if a detailed rail structure interaction calculation demonstrate
that the allowable rail stress is within the limits given in UIC 774-3;

3 Under seismic actions the deck shall be designed to satisfy the fundamental requirements of

14
EN 1998, including no-collapse and damage minimisation requirements; and

20
4 Under seismic actions (including temperature creep and shrinkage effects) the gap between
adjacent decks shall be wide enough to prevent contact of adjacent decks.

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7.1.4 Vibration

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1 The limits of vertical and horizontal vibration shall be as stated in EN 1991.

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7.1.5 Fatigue an
1 Fatigue calculations shall be in accordance with the requirements of EN 1991.
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7.1.6 Collision load on piers or decks

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1 Vehicular collision against the pier shall be considered as per EN 1991.

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2 Vehicular collision against the deck shall be considered as per EN 1991.

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7.1.7 Temporary Works

1 In general, Temporary Works shall be designed in accordance with the same design
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standards as the Permanent Works. However, the Temporary Works design may take into
on

account the limited time they are expected to function. The calculations and drawings shall
make clear where provision for limited duration has been allowed for, particularly where this
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may have a substantial influence on the stability of the Temporary Works.

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2 The design of Temporary Works shall take into account of all the applied external forces and
imposed structural deformations.
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7.1.8 Foundations

1 The top of the foundation surface or pile cap shall be kept at least 1.0 m below the road or
ground level.

7.1.9 Turnout on Elevated Sections

1 Turnouts shall not be placed over expansion joints between adjacent decks of the viaduct.
The following minimum distances shall be kept:
(a) Expansion joint to begin of turnout (BT) 2.0 m; and
(b) End of turnout (ET) to expansion joint 0.6 m.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 07: Concrete Structures

Figure 7.3

Turnout

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20
7.1.10 Safety Railing

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1 Safety railing shall be provided at all locations where the level difference is more than 1.0 m,
unless specified in other regulations.

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2 Safety railing shall have a minimum height of 1.10 m above finish floor level.
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7.1.11 Privacy Screening
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1 Privacy screening shall be provided at certain locations. The Contractor shall coordinate the
needs for privacy screening with the relevant authorities.
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7.1.12 Noise Barriers

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1 Noise barriers shall be provided at certain locations. The Contractor shall coordinate the
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needs for noise barriers with the relevant authorities.

7.2 BUILDING DESIGN STRUCTURAL SPECIFICATION

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7.2.1 General Principles

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1 This section shall be applied for the structural design of temporary and permanent structures
of all kind of buildings related to the project, which are not already covered under sections
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above.
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2 The design shall be in accordance with:

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(a) Qatar General Organization for Standards and Metrology

(b) EN 1990 Basis of structural design;
(c) EN 1991 Actions on structures;
(d) EN 1992 Design of concrete structures;
(e) EN 1993 Design of steel structures;
(f) EN 1994 Design of composite steel and concrete structures;
(g) EN 1997 Geotechnical design; and
(h) EN 1998 Design of structures for earthquake resistance.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.2.2 Design Principles

1 The design of buildings and their foundations shall include, but not be limited to, the
following:
(a) The selection of the structural system;
(b) Aesthetics;
(c) Clearances;
(d) Evacuation and emergency access;
(e) Method of building construction, including Temporary Works and construction

14
sequence;

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(f) Ground/structure interaction, including the effects of Temporary Works;
(g) Dynamic, seismic loads and displacements;

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(h) Ground pressure (including swelling), shear force and bending distribution on

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structural members during construction and in the long-term;

da
(i) Short and long-term ground and groundwater response;
(j) Other changes in static loads such as excavation, surcharge, live loads, traffic
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loadings and others;
(k) The effects of vibration so as to minimise disturbance to existing building structures;
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and
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(l) Effects caused by creep and shrinkage of concrete and the resulting effects (including
secondary effects). These effects shall be regarded as permanent loads.
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7.2.3 Civil and structural design statement

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1 Prior to the design of the buildings, the Contractor shall submit a civil and structural design
statement which shall include:
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(a) All relevant applicable codes, regulations and specifications;

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(b) Design assumptions;

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(c) Loads and load combinations;

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(d) Applicable safety factors;

(e) Deformation and tolerances;
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(f) The proposed structural and foundation system;

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(g) The proposed construction methodology; and

(h) Materials.

2 The civil and structural design statement shall be submitted to the Engineer for a SONO.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.3 STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

7.3.1 General Requirements

1 Materials and Production

(a) All concrete aggregates, additives aggregates, spacers, precast elements and other
concrete related construction materials shall be produced and delivered with a
certification and CE-mark.
(b) Detailed specifications for all types of concrete shall be provided to the Engineer for
SONO.

14
(c) Special provisions shall be made for pre-stressed concrete elements with respect to

20
aggregate gradation, spacers for tendon placement and concrete quality near anchor
locations, as specified in the design.

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2 Concrete

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(a) Testing of concrete shall be performed in a laboratory conforming to the requirements

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in EN 45001.

3 Aggregates: Cement
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(a) All cement shall comply with the requirements of EN 197.
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4 Aggregates: Fly Ash

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(a) Fly ash shall comply with the requirements of EN 450.

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5 Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBFS)

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(a) GGBFS shall comply with the requirements of EN 15167.

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6 Aggregates: Silica Fume

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(a) Silica fume for concrete shall comply with EN 13263.

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7 Aggregates: Fine Aggregate

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(a) Fine aggregates shall be natural or crushed rock sand in compliance with EN 12620.
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(b) In case of change of the source of supply, the Engineer shall be notified in advance.
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8 Aggregates: Coarse Aggregates

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(a) Coarse aggregates shall be crushed aggregate from an approved natural source in
compliance with EN 12620.
(b) In case of change of the source of supply, the Engineer shall be notified in advance.

9 Aggregates: Water
(a) Water for concrete mixing, ice, washing and cooling of aggregates as well as curing
shall comply with EN 1008.

10 Additives: Admixtures
(a) The admixtures shall conform to the general and specific requirements of EN 934-2,
EN 934-4 and EN 934-6.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 07: Concrete Structures

(b) Admixtures shall be delivered to the concrete production site in original sealed
packing, clearly marked and labelled to EN 934-2.

11 Concrete Mix Design

(a) All concrete mix designs shall be submitted to the Engineer for SONO.
(b) The Contractor shall calculate the temperatures of the freshly produced concrete,
based on the input temperatures of the components of the mix design.
(c) It shall be documented by an automatic recording system that the batched quantities
for each batch are in accordance with the mix design.

14
12 Fresh Concrete Properties

20
(a) The testing shall comply with EN 206-1.
(b) Freshly mixed concrete shall be sampled in accordance with EN 12350-1.

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(c) Tests shall bet in accordance with the following standards:

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(i) Slump Test: EN 12350-2

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(ii) Vebe Test: EN 12350-3 an
(iii) Compaction test: EN 12350-4
(iv) Flow Test: EN 12350-5
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13 Hardening and Hardened Concrete Properties

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(a) The testing shall comply with EN 206-1.

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14 Curing
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(a) Curing and protection shall comply with the requirements of QCS - Section 5.
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15 Execution of Repair Works

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(a) Execution of crack injection using epoxy or acrylic shall be in accordance with the
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manufacturer's instructions and EN 1504-5.

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7.4 PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

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7.4.1 General Requirements

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1 This document contains minimum requirements for pre-stressed and post-tensioned

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concrete.

2 Detailed records of the stressing and grouting including steel tests and materials certificates,
shall be available for inspection at all times.

3 The minimum quality requirements for materials and workmanship shall be determined by
the following documents listed in order of precedence:
(a) Qatar Construction Specifications (QCS - Section 5, Part 18)
(b) EN 1992, EN 13670 Pre-stressing Tendons.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 10
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.4.2 Materials

1 Steel Wire: Steel wire shall comply with BS 5896.

2 Cold worked high tensile alloy steel bars for pre-stressing shall comply with the requirements
of BS 4486.

7.4.3 Handling and Storage

1 All pre-stressing tendons shall be stored in such a way as to avoid damage of any kind.

14
2 Each cable shall be tagged with its number from which the coil numbers of the steel used
can be identified.

20
7.4.4 Surface condition

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1 Stressing tendons anchorages, blocking devices and internal and external surfaces of ducts

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shall be clean and free from pitting, loose rust, loose scale and chloride contamination at the
time of incorporation during the Work.

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2 Slight rusting of the steel, which can be removed by moderate rubbing, is acceptable, but the
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surface shall not show signs of pitting. Tendons showing pitting are not to be used and shall
be removed from Site.
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7.4.5 Straightness
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1 Pre-stressing bars shall be straight.

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2 Bars bent in the threaded portion shall be rejected.

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7.4.6 Post-tensioning

1 Anchorages and deflected Tendons

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(a) Anchorages shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of EN 13391.

(b) Proprietary anchorages shall be handled and used strictly in accordance with the
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manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.

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2 Tensioning procedure
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(a) Full and detailed records shall be kept of all tensioning operations, including the
measured extensions, pressure-gauge or load-cell readings, and the amount of draw-
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in at each anchorage. These records shall be available for inspection at all times.

7.4.7 Pre-stressing Tendons

1 Protection and Bond

(a) The exposed tendons at the anchorages and the anchorages shall be protected from
both mechanical damage and corrosion.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 11
Part 07: Concrete Structures

2 Ducts for bonded tendons

(a) Ducts for longitudinal, transverse or vertical tendons embedded into the concrete shall
be of flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid galvanized, ferrous metal capable of withstanding
concrete pressures without deforming or permitting the entrance of cement paste
during casting of the member.
(b) Ducts shall retain their shape and be capable of transferring bond stresses.

7.4.8 Grouting of Pre-stressing Tendons

1 General Information

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(a) All ducts shall be thoroughly cleaned and all anchorages shall be sealed before
grouting.

20
2 Ducts

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(a) All ducts shall be thoroughly cleaned before grouting.

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(b) All surplus water shall be removed.

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3 Grouting Equipment an
(a) The mixing equipment shall produce grout of homogeneous consistency and shall be
capable of providing a continuous supply to the injection equipment.
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4 Injecting Grout
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(a) The method of injecting grout shall ensure complete filling of the ducts and complete
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surrounding of the steel.

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(b) The Contractor shall keep full records of grouting, including the date each duct was
grouted, the proportion of the grout and any admixtures used, the pressure, details of
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any interruptions and topping up required. These records shall be available for
inspection at all times.
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7.4.9 Preparation for Casting

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1 General information
(a) Pre-stressing steel for post-tensioning which is installed in members prior to placing
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and curing of the concrete, shall be continuously protected against rust or other
corrosion, until grouted.
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7.5 SHOTCRETE

7.5.1 General

1 This specification concerns the provision of materials and workmanship for the production
and application of shotcrete.

7.5.2 Mix Reports

1 Reports of each shotcrete mix shall be produced and copies made available on Site for
inspection by the Engineer.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 12
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.5.3 Production
1 Cement
(a) Cement used in shotcrete laying and maintenance works shall meet the requirements
of EN 197-1. The minimum required content in
3
Type CEM I 42,5 cement shall be 400 kg/m .
2 Aggregates
(a) Aggregates used in shotcrete application and maintenance works shall be either
natural or crushed and shall comply with EN 12620.

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3 Admixtures
(a) All admixtures used in shotcrete laying and maintenance works shall comply with EN

20
934-2, EN 934-5 and EN 934-6.

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4 Reinforcement

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3
(a) if steel fibres are used, the minimum quantity shall not be less than 30 kg/m ;

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(b) steel fibres shall comply with the requirements of Annex B of EN 14487-1;
(c) any fibres for shotcrete reinforcement shall be sufficiently small to ensure their uniform
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spreading in the mass of the shotcrete and avoid the formation of lumps.
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5 Application of fibre reinforced shotcrete
(a) Fibre reinforced shotcrete shall be applied in accordance with EN 14487-1, EN 14889-
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1 and EN 14889-2.
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6 Curing of Shotcrete
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(a) The shotcrete curing method shall comply with EN 14887-02.

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7.5.4 Quality control

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1 In situ checks
(a) The thickness of any applied shotcrete shall be verified.
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2 Shotcrete quality tests

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(a) For each shotcrete mix design, at least three (3) test panels for performing tests shall
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be prepared, as described below:

test panels as well as the Contractor’s sampling method shall be in accordance
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(i)
with EN 14488.01;
(ii) one (1) test panel shall be taken for each day of shotcreting;
(iii) upon initial setting, test panels shall be transferred to the laboratory;
(iv) the number of cores taken from each test panel, their dimensions and
compliance control shall be in accordance with EN 14487.01;
(v) the strength of shotcrete panels shall be checked in accordance with EN
14488.02. The required cylinder strength for 24 hours shall be class J2, as per
paragraph 4.3 of EN 14487.01 and minimum value of 10 MPa;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 13
Part 07: Concrete Structures

(vi) testing of shotcrete already applied shall be performed in accordance with EN

12504.01; and
(vii) if test results for shotcrete already applied fail, immediate measures shall be
taken to preserve the safety and stability of the Works, and the Engineer shall
be notified.

7.6 FORMWORK

7.6.1 General Requirements

14
1 This section includes the design, production and installation of formwork in accordance with
QCS - Section 5, Part 9.

20
2 All material for formwork shall be of a quality capable of providing a dense concrete surface.

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3 Drawings and calculations shall be sufficiently detailed to document adequate strength,

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rigidity, and stability to meet all load combinations during the erection of the Permanent
Work.

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7.6.2 Formed finishes an
1 Formed surfaces shall be according to QCS - Section 5, Part 9.
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7.6.3 Unformed finishes

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1 Unformed surfaces shall be according to QCS - Section 5, Part 9.

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7.7 WATERPROOFING
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7.7.1 General

1 This section refers to the supply and installation of the waterproofing systems in concrete
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structures.
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2 The purpose of the waterproofing systems is to prevent leakage of groundwater into the
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structures and to protect the concrete against deleterious chemical influences.

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3 All waterproofing works shall be executed in accordance with BS 8102.

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4 All the materials to be used for waterproofing shall be compatible with each other, as well as
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with any bordering materials such as concrete. Any harmful chemical influences shall be
prevented.

5 The waterproofing system used shall be suitable for the Works and the local conditions of
ground and groundwater. Any expected movement of the structural elements caused by
shrinkage, temperature changes and settlements, should not result in the waterproofing
system losing its waterproofing properties.

6 All waterproofing systems shall be installed and tested in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions or recommendations. Testing shall be undertaken as necessary
to ensure satisfactory functioning of the system at each stage of the installation. Defective
waterproofing systems shall be repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
or replaced.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 14
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7 Waterproofing system shall be applied only after effectively sealing of all cracks on exposed
surfaces of the external structural members as per the manufacturer’s instructions or
recommendations.

7.7.2 Waterproofing classes

1 Waterproofing classes are defined in the following table:

Table 7.1
Waterproofing classes

14
Definition for
Characteristic of the waterproofed inner
Waterproofing impermeability
soffit
Class on the inner

20
General
soffit
The inner soffit shall not show any moisture

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areas.

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1 Completely dry
Acceptable amount of water in the tunnel

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structure: no water.
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On the inner soffit, weak moisture penetration
shall only appear on max. 10% of each
structure’s section surface (visible as a dark
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colour change on the concrete surface).

On dry hands contacting weak moisture areas,
no evident marks of water shall be visible
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afterwards. Disposed blotting paper or

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2 Largely dry
absorbent newsprint shall not change in colour
due to moisture absorption.
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Acceptable amount of water in the tunnel: any

quantity less than the acceptable amount of
waterproofing class 3.
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On the inner soffit, weak moisture penetration

shall only appear on 10% of each structure’s
section surface (visible as a dark colour
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change on the concrete surface).

3 Slightly wet
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Acceptable amount of water in the tunnel:

general 0.02 litre/m²/d, for less than 50 m of
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tunnel length 0.1 litre/m²/d.

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7.7.3 Waterproofing for Cast in Situ Concrete Tunnel Linings

1 Watertightness
(a) Cast in situ concrete linings for tunnels, cross passages and shafts shall be
waterproofing class 1.
(b) Cast in situ concrete linings for underground plant rooms shall be waterproofing class
1.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 15
Part 07: Concrete Structures

7.7.4 Waterproofing for Precast Concrete Segmental Tunnel Linings

1 Watertightness
(a) Precast concrete segmental linings shall be of waterproofing class 1
7.7.5 Waterproofing for Cut and Cover Structures and Open Troughs
1 Watertightness
(a) Cast in situ concrete linings for cut-and-cover and open troughs shall be waterproofing
class 1.
END OF PART

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20
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 08: Steel Structures

8 STEEL STRUCTURES .................................................................................. 2

8.1 STRUCTURAL STEEL .................................................................................. 2
8.1.1 General 2
8.1.2 Products 2
8.1.3 Execution 2
8.1.4 Protection and repairs 3
8.1.5 Bolted connections 3
8.1.6 Welding 3

14
8.2 REINFORCEMENT........................................................................................ 4
8.2.1 General 4

20
8.2.2 Execution – Wire Mesh 4
8.2.3 Execution – Bar Bending Schedules 5
8.2.4 Execution – Bending 5

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8.2.5 Execution – Fixing 5

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8.2.6 Execution – Reinforcing Steel Testing 5

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8.2.7 Steel Fibres 5
8.2.8 Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GRP) an 5
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 08: Steel Structures

8 STEEL STRUCTURES
8.1 STRUCTURAL STEEL

8.1.1 General

1 This Section includes the production and erection of structural steelwork, as shown on the
Contractor’s drawings.

2 All project related steelworks shall be according to QCS - Section 16. Workmanship and
materials shall be in accordance with EN 1993 (which shall have priority), EN 10025 and

14
relevant standards.

3 Shop drawings shall include connection designs, complete details and schedules for

20
fabrication and assembly of structural steel members, procedures, diagrams, and erection
plans.

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8.1.2 Products

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1 Materials
(a) All structural steelwork, including structural fasteners and welding consumables etc.
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shall comply with the EN 1993 and EN 10025.
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2 Fabrication
(a) All structural steel, before and after fabrication, shall be straight unless otherwise
n

specified, and shall be free from twists. The fabrication tolerances shall comply with
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EN 1993.
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(b) Appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent internal corrosion of hollow structural
steel members.
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3 Testing
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(a) The tests shall be in accordance with EN 1993. Test certificates for the materials and
welding shall be maintained.
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4 Tolerances
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(a) The tolerances for erected steelwork shall comply with EN 1993.
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5 Galvanizing
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(a) Galvanising shall be in accordance with EN ISO 1461.

(b) Cold formed or cold worked steel sections shall not be hot dip galvanised.

8.1.3 Execution

1 Erection
(a) Structural steelwork shall be distinctly marked before delivery.
(b) Permanent bolts shall not be used as service bolts during erection, where such use is
liable to cause damage to the protective treatment provided to the bolt.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 08: Steel Structures

(c) Welds shall be kept free from slag or other inclusions. All adhering slag shall be
removed immediately after the completion of each run. Slag and weld spatter shall be
removed from surrounding surfaces after welds have been completed.

2 Surface preparation
(a) All surfaces shall be clean before protective treatment is commenced and shall comply
with EN 1993.
(b) Blast-cleaned steelwork shall be free from dust.

8.1.4 Protection and repairs

14
1 General
(a) Protective work shall be carried out in accordance with EN ISO 12944, and all damage

20
shall be repaired.
(b) Protective treatment shall be carried out in the steelwork fabricator's works after

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fabrication. Shop treatment shall be carried out in a weather-proof structure under

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clean, dry conditions.

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(c) All protective paint systems to structural steel shall have full compatibility between
coats and with the metal substrate. There should be adequate adhesion to substrate
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and between coats over the operating temperature range and there should be no
under-softening to cause lifting, wrinkling or bleeding through of stains. All
components of a specific paint system shall be from the same manufacturer.
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(d) All paints and coatings shall be non-toxic and shall not produce toxic fumes or other
n

toxic substances during application and/or when exposed to fire.

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(e) Structural steel shall be degreased prior to painting. Where steelwork is partially
embedded in concrete, the steelwork shall be coated over an area extending to at
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least 100 mm beyond the exposed area.

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2 Paints
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(a) All paints shall comply with EN ISO 12944.

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8.1.5 Bolted connections

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1 Bolts shall be threaded only over the length of shank which is outside the parts bolted
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together. The bolt shall protrude by at least two complete threads and not more than four
complete threads beyond the outer face of the tightened nut.
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2 Holes shall not be distorted or enlarged by the use of drifts.

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3 High strength friction grip bolts shall be fitted in accordance with BS 4604, Part 2.

8.1.6 Welding

1 Welding of structural steelwork shall comply with EN 1011-1.

2 All welders shall possess valid test certificates in accordance with EN 287-1. These test
certificates shall be appropriate to the type of work being carried out and shall be always
available for inspection.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 08: Steel Structures

3 Testing of Welds
(a) Facilities, equipment and qualified personnel shall be provided to carry out any testing
and visual inspection of welds. The type of testing shall include but not be limited to
the following:
(i) Magnetic particle flaw detection test (to EN 1290);
(ii) Penetrant flaw detection test (to EN 571-1);
(iii) Ultrasonic examination (to EN 1714); and
(iv) Radiographic examination (to EN 1435).
(b) The quality of welds shall be assessed in accordance with the acceptance levels given

14
in EN 15614-1. The visual inspection of fusion welds shall be carried out in
accordance with EN 970. All inspection records and test results shall be available on

20
Site for inspection.
(c) Where failures are identified in the weld tests, the Engineer may require any additional

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testing.

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4 Welding procedure

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(a) Details of the proposed welding procedures together with diagrams showing the build
up of all main welds shall be included in the Contractor’s method statement.
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(b) No distortion shall be allowed.
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8.2 REINFORCEMENT
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8.2.1 General
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1 This specification sets out the minimum standards, including but not limited to materials and
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workmanship as follows:
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(a) the steel shall be produced and classified in accordance with EN 10080;
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(b) spacers shall be in accordance with BS 7973-1, Product performance requirements

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and BS 7973-2;
(c) binding wire shall not stain the concrete surface;
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(d) wire mesh shall be constructed of transversal and longitudinal wires using B500A
quality steel according to EN 1421-2;
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(e) mechanical couplers may be used;

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(f) galvanised reinforcement shall be hot dip galvanised, after cutting to length and
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bending;
(g) galvanising shall satisfy the requirements according to standards EN ISO 1460 and
EN ISO 1461;
(h) stainless steel reinforcement shall comply according to EN 10088.

8.2.2 Execution – Wire Mesh

1 Wire mesh shall be installed in Sprayed Concrete Lining (SCL) tunnels embedded in
shotcrete.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 08: Steel Structures

2 In cases where, during the installation of the wire mesh its extension is required, the
overlapping of the mesh shall, at a minimum be as follows:
(a) At least equal to 300 mm, concerning extension of the main reinforcement (strength)
of the mesh; and
(b) At least equal to 150 mm, concerning extension of the secondary reinforcement
(distribution) of the wire mesh.

3 The overlapping edges shall be tightly fixed together through wires, or held by means of
standard couplers.

8.2.3 Execution – Bar Bending Schedules

14
1 The minimum lap lengths and effective anchorage lengths for bars under stress shall be full
tension lap lengths in accordance with EN 1992-1-1.

20
8.2.4 Execution – Bending

1 Bars shall be bent in accordance with the provisions of standard EN 1992-1-1.

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2 Any reinforcement showing signs of damage shall be rejected and removed from the Site.

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3 The reinforcement shall be accurately cut and bent to the form shown on the bending
schedules in accordance with standard EN ISO 3766.
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8.2.5 Execution – Fixing
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1 The steel for stainless steel tying wire shall be grade 1.4404 in accordance with standard EN
10088-1.
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8.2.6 Execution – Reinforcing Steel Testing

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1 The methods of testing and the methods of attestation of conformity shall be as defined in
standard EN 10080.
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8.2.7 Steel Fibres

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1 The steel fibres shall comply with standard EN 14889-1.

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2 The minimum properties of the steel fibres shall be:

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(a) the steel fibres shall be made of low carbon, cold drawn wire (EN 14889: Group 1),
have a circular cross section with hooked ends.
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(b) Tensile strength of the wire shall be minimum 1100 N/mm².

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(c) Nominal length of the steel fibres shall be between 40 and 60 mm.
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(d) Aspect ratio (L/D) shall be between 50 and 70.

(e) The steel fibres shall be distributed evenly within the concrete mix.

8.2.8 Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastics (GRP)

1 The design of GRP soft eye structures shall be produced and classified in accordance with
standard QCS – Section 8, Part 7.

2 The design of GRP soft eye structures shall be in accordance with standard EN 1992-1-1.

END OF PART
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 09: Drainage

9 DRAINAGE .................................................................................................... 2
9.1 DRAINAGE SPECIFICATION ........................................................................ 2
9.1.1 General 2
9.1.2 Tunnel Drainage 3
9.1.3 Drainage on Elevated Sections 3
9.1.4 TRACK WORK DRAINAGE 3

14
20
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 09: Drainage

9 DRAINAGE
9.1 DRAINAGE SPECIFICATION

9.1.1 General

1 All water entering the completed structures comprising the Works shall be drained into the
public drainage systems.

2 Separate drainage systems shall be provided for the following:

14
3 Tunnel drainage shall deal with water originating from:

20
(a) Tunnel condensation;
(b) Tunnel washing;

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(c) Testing and discharge of the fire mains;
(d) Condensate from train air-conditioning;

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(e) Water in case of fire fighting; an
(f) Water from the emergency exits and ventilation shafts;
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(g) Rain water blown into the tunnel or brought into tunnel by wet rolling stock; and
(h) Any other water ingress.
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4 Station drainage shall deal with water originating from:

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(a) Tunnel condensation;

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(b) Tunnel washing;

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(c) Testing and discharge of the fire mains;

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(d) Condensate from train air-conditioning;

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(e) Condensate from Environmental Control System (ECS) associated plants;

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(f) Water tank overflow and drainage;

(g) All clean water in the station;
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(h) All clean water brought into the station;

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(i) Water in case of fire fighting; and

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(j) Any other water ingress.

5 Drainage of elevated sections shall deal with water originating from:

(a) rain water;
(b) testing and discharge of the fire mains; and
(c) washing water.

6 Storm water drainage shall deal with all rainwater falling on the station roofs and external
areas and shall be directed into the public drainage system.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 09: Drainage

9.1.2 Tunnel Drainage

1 Pump sumps shall be located at the lowest points of the tunnels.

2 The discharge pipes from the tunnel pump sumps shall be routed via the stations, ventilation
shafts or emergency exits to the public drainage system.

3 Tunnel drainage sumps shall be monitored at the nearest station.

9.1.3 Drainage on Elevated Sections

14
1 All water collected by structures shall be drained into the road drainage system if possible.

2 If road drainage is not available, soakaways shall be provided for drainage

20
3 Surface drains at deck level shall be constructed along the viaduct route. Run off shall be

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collected through surface drains that shall lead to down drains.

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4 Provision for silt removal shall be made.

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5 Particular attention is required where pipes pass through the structure, particularly at
an
abutments where relative movement is anticipated between the deck and the sub-structure.

6 Drainage pipes shall be concealed and maintainable.

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9.1.4 TRACK WORK DRAINAGE

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1 All water entering the completed structures comprising the Works shall be drained into the
drainage systems of tunnel, elevated and at-grade structures.
ct
tru

2 Drainage of Trackwork sections shall deal with water originating from:

(a) rain water;
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(b) condensate from train air-conditioning;

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(c) fire fighting water;

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(d) washing water; and

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(e) any other water ingress.

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3 Drainage pipes shall be concealed and maintainable.

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END OF PART
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 10: Railway Track

10 RAILWAY TRACK.......................................................................................... 3
10.1 TRACK WORK SPECIFICATION .................................................................. 3
10.1.1 General 3
10.1.2 Rail Inclination 3
10.1.3 Track Stiffness 3
10.1.4 Rail Fastener Spacing 3
10.1.5 Clear Distance between Slab Surface and Rail Bottom 4
10.2 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN ........................................................... 4

14
10.2.1 General 4
10.3 RAIL STRESS AND TRACKWORK – STRUCTURE INTERACTION............ 4

20
10.3.1 General 4

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10.4 TRACKFORMS FOR VIBRATION MITIGATION (MASS-SPRING

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SYSTEMS) .................................................................................................... 5

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10.4.1 General 5
10.5 RAILS ............................................................................................................ 5
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10.5.1 General 5
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10.6 GUARD RAILS............................................................................................... 6
10.6.1 General 6
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10.7 RAIL FASTENERS ........................................................................................ 7

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10.7.1 General 7
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10.7.2 Direct Fixation Systems 8

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10.7.3 Indirect Fixation Systems 8

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10.8 INTERFACE LAYER FOR AT-GRADE SLAB TRACKS ................................ 9

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10.8.1 General 9
10.9 TRACKFORMS FOR VIBRATION ATTENUATION ....................................... 9
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10.9.1 General 9
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10.9.2 Noise and Vibration Prediction Report 10

10.9.3 High Resilient Base plates (HRB) 11
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10.10 TRACK SLAB CONCRETE ......................................................................... 12

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10.10.1 General 12
10.11 INFILL CONCRETE ..................................................................................... 12
10.11.1 General 12
10.12 EMC, STRAY CURRENT PROTECTION AND EARTHING ........................ 12
10.12.1 General 12
10.13 TRANSITIONS ............................................................................................. 13
10.13.1 General 13
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 10: Railway Track

10.14 CLOSURE OF SPACE BETWEEN AT-GRADE TRACK SLABS ................. 13

10.14.1 General 13
10.15 DERAILMENT CONTAINMENT................................................................... 13
10.15.1 General 13
10.16 BUFFER STOPS ......................................................................................... 14
10.16.1 General 14
10.17 INSULATED RAIL JOINTS .......................................................................... 14

14
10.17.1 General 14
10.18 RAIL EXPANSION JOINTS ......................................................................... 14

20
10.18.1 General 14

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10.19 CABLE CROSSINGS AND RECESSES...................................................... 15

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10.19.1 General 15

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10.20 TRACKSIDE LUBRICATION ....................................................................... 15
10.20.1 General 15
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10.21 PERMANENT MARKERS ............................................................................ 16
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10.21.1 General 16
10.22 GRATINGS .................................................................................................. 16
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10.22.1 General 16
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 10: Railway Track

10 RAILWAY TRACK
10.1 TRACK WORK SPECIFICATION

10.1.1 General

1 All tracks for the Network are slab track systems according to the requirements as described
herein. The Contractor shall propose an integrated system, which allows the use for tunnel,
elevated and at-grade sections, on railway track and in turnouts/rail expansion joints.

14
2 Where necessary, the slab track shall be modified for noise and vibration mitigation, for High
Resilient Fasteners (HRF), Light Mass-Spring-Systems (LMSS) and Heavy Mass-Spring-

20
Systems (HMSS).

3 Exceptions shall be for vibration mitigation systems with special rail fasteners and of the type

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LMSS and HMSS, which shall be similar to the standard (turnout) trackform, but additionally

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equipped with bearings for vertical and horizontal support.

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4 Trackwork shall be designed in accordance with the following standards:
(a) EN 1990 Basis of structural design;
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(b) EN 1991 Actions on structures;
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(c) EN 1992 Design of concrete structures; and

(d) EN 1993 Design of Steel Structures.
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10.1.2 Rail Inclination

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1 The rails shall be inclined towards the centre line of the track at 1:40.
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10.1.3 Track Stiffness

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1 The Track Stiffness Ctr is defined as the vertical force that creates a unit deflection of the
on

continuous rail. Throughout standard tracks, turnouts and crossings the Track Stiffness shall
be
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.
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10.1.4 Rail Fastener Spacing

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Table 10.1
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Rail fastener spacing

Distance d
Track Geometry Standard Exceptional*
[mm] [mm]
Straight and curved with radius R≥500m 700 800
Curved with radius 500>R≥300m: 650 750
Curved with radius R<300m 600 700
(*) Exceptional with mean spacing = d over 5 distances (e.g. at structural expansion joints).
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 10: Railway Track

10.1.5 Clear Distance between Slab Surface and Rail Bottom

1 In at-grade sections the clear distance between slab surface and rail bottom shall be 100
mm.

2 On elevated sections the clear distance between slab surface and rail bottom shall be not
less than 50 mm and not more than 100 mm.

3 In all other sections the clear distance between track slab surface and rail bottom shall be 50
mm.

14
10.2 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

20
10.2.1 General

1 The reinforced concrete design shall be based on EN 1992.

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2 The track slab shall be designed for crack prevention. In areas with embedded anchor
devices the calculated crack width shall not exceed 0.1 mm.

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3 Notwithstanding the Contractor’s calculated minimum reinforcement, the Contractor shall
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provide the following minimum longitudinal reinforcement content (as percentage of the
cross sectional area):
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(a) Elevated and at-grade sections: 0.80%;

(b) Tunnel and other underground sections: 0.50%.
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10.3 RAIL STRESS AND TRACKWORK – STRUCTURE INTERACTION

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10.3.1 General
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1 The Contractor shall check Additional Rail Stress according to EN 1991-2.

st
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2 In calculating Additional Rail Stress the following load cases (including their combinations)
shall be considered:
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(a) elevated structure temperature variation;

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(b) braking and/or traction; and

(c) elevated structure end rotation from vertical axle loads including impact.
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3 Unless the Contractor verifies other temperature variations, the following maximum
temperature changes shall be considered for prestressed concrete superstructures:
(a) maximum temperature drop = 35K; and
(b) maximum temperature rise = 20K.

4 For calculating Additional Rail Stress the Creep Resistance – Displacement diagram shown
herein shall be used.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 5
Part 10: Railway Track

10.4 TRACKFORMS FOR VIBRATION MITIGATION (MASS-SPRING

SYSTEMS)

10.4.1 General

1 The overall layout of vibration mitigation measures shall be based on the Contractor’s
vibration mitigation prediction report and vibration mitigation design.

2 The natural frequency f0 of mass-spring systems shall be calculated taking into account the
permanent mass “m” consisting of rails, fasteners, sleeper/bearer and slab concrete:

14
√

20
where is the dynamic stiffness of the bearing material.

3 The discontinuity at expansion joints of mass-spring system slabs shall be minimized.

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4 Transition zones shall be inserted between track slab systems of different stiffness. A
gradual change shall be provided.

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5 Displacement limitations of mass-spring system slabs shall be as follows:
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Table 10.2
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Allowable displacement differences

Type Limit Remarks

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Caused by
Total transverse displacement 5 mm centrifugal force
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and impact
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Vertical displacement difference at expansion joint

2 mm
under normal track
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Vertical displacement difference at expansion joint

1 mm
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under turnout and/or crossing

Angular change in vertical plane from slab end
0.003 rad
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rotation
Transverse displacement difference at expansion
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2 mm
joint
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Angular change in horizontal plane from slab end

0.003 rad
rotation
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10.5 RAILS

10.5.1 General

1 All running rails shall be 60E1 profile manufactured and supplied according to EN 13674-1.
The minimum length of rail supplied shall be 25 m. The minimum closure rail length to be
installed in the system shall be 6.0 m.

2 The Contractor shall verify an optimal rail – wheel profile compatibility.

QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 6
Part 10: Railway Track

3 All running rails for straight tracks and for curved tracks with radius equal or greater 500m
shall be supplied as standard Grade R260. For curved tracks with radius less than 500m
running rails shall be of Grade 350HT heat treated or head hardened.

4 Rails to be used for turnouts, crossovers and crossings shall be of Grade 350HT according
to EN13674-1.

5 The whole surface area of all rails shall be corrosion protected to cover shipping, delivery
and storage. The corrosion protection shall be maintained until completion as far as possible.

6 Rails shall be supplied undrilled unless specified otherwise and be marked in accordance

14
with EN13674-1 and EN13674-2.

20
7 Rails shall be prepared by flash-butt welding to form Long Welded Rails (LWR).

8 The Contractor shall submit the LWR schedule to the Engineer for review.

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9 The Contractor shall prepare the LWR schedule with the objective to minimise the number of
joints of Grade 350HT rails, for which aluminothermic welding must be carried out.

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10 The minimum length of one LWR shall be 125 m. In exceptional cases the minimum length
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may be revised to fit local conditions.
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11 The LWR shall be connected by mobile flash-butt or aluminothermic welding.

12 Rail straightness, surface flatness and twist shall be in accordance with EN13674-1.
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10.6 GUARD RAILS

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10.6.1 General
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1 Guard rails shall be installed to avoid collision of derailed vehicles with major structural
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elements:
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(a) steel truss bridges with distance track axis to truss diagonals smaller 3.50m; and
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(b) single columns in a clear distance from track axis of less than 3.20m.
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2 Guard rails shall be of 60E1 profile in Grade R260 according to EN 13674-1.

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3 The guard rail fastening system shall be independent of the running rail fasteners.
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4 Removal of the running rail shall be possible without removal of the guard rail.

5 The clear spacing between running rail and guard rail shall be 180 to 300 mm.

6 At the end of guard rail sections the guard rails shall be installed such that they are able to
catch an already derailed vehicle and guide the wheels into the 180 to 300 mm flange way.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 7
Part 10: Railway Track

10.7 RAIL FASTENERS

10.7.1 General

1 The Contractor’s attention is drawn on the local conditions under which rail fasteners have to
o
perform. Surface temperatures up to 84 C have been recorded and it is likely that rails in at-
grade and viaduct tracks may reach such temperatures. Therefore, the Contactor shall
demonstrate that non-metallic materials of rail fasteners are suitable to retain their specified
properties in the local climate.

2 Rail fasteners shall be supplied by original manufacturer, who shall have a supply record of

14
similar rail fastenings installed for more than five (5) years with a minimum length of 10 km.

20
3 In order to facilitate maintenance procedures fastening assemblies and their components
shall be single type and delivered by one supplier to the highest possible standard.

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4 Rail fasteners shall ensure support and guidance, secure track gauge and rail inclination,

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provide resilience as required to maintain the specified track stiffness, electrical insulation

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and adequate creep resistance.

5 The rail fasteners shall be categorized as a “Category B Fastener” according to EN13481-1.

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6 Rail fasteners shall comply with EN 13481-1, EN 13481-2, EN 13481-5, EN13146-1 to
St

13146-9 as appropriate.
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7 Rail fasteners shall be designed to provide a high degree of electrical insulation. As a

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minimum the Contractor shall demonstrate that the proposed fastening system is suitable to
meet the requirements of EN 50122-2.
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8 The fatigue resistance of the rail clips shall be tested with 2mm amplitude and 3 million
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cycles in accordance with EN 13 146-4 dynamic fatigue test and to international recognized
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quality control tests. After testing the clip force shall not be reduced more than 10% of the
initial force.
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9 If the Contractor proposes fastening systems with components for which records of five (5)
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years satisfactory performance cannot be submitted, acceptance may be granted based on

satisfactory type test results. Test programme and laboratory shall be submitted to the
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Engineer for review.

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10 To achieve the specified track stiffness the vertical static secant stiffness of one fastening
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assembly shall be 22.5 ± 2.5 kN/mm. The static secant stiffness shall be determined from the
vertical deflection of the assembly measured under 18 and 68 kN test loads.

11 The toe load exerted by the fixed rail clips shall be 18±2 kN (per fastener).

12 The rail fasteners shall have a minimum creep resistance of 9.0 kN. The creep resistance
(longitudinal restraint) shall be measured in accordance with EN 13146-1.

13 The maximum creep resistance of one rail fastener shall not exceed 13.0 kN. The creep
resistance shall be measured in accordance with EN 13146-1.

14 The resistance against effect of severe environmental conditions shall be determined in

accordance with EN 13146-6.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 8
Part 10: Railway Track

15 Rail fastening systems shall have provisions to raise and lower the rail with a total vertical
adjustment of at least +30 mm, and a lateral adjustment of each rail of at least ±5 mm. The
Contractor shall not use this adjustability for his installation method, and the full adjustability
shall be available after completion of the track.

16 Rail fastening systems shall be designed to prevent corrosion. Clips and all other steel
components shall be coated. The Contractor shall propose coating material to the Engineer
for review.

10.7.2 Direct Fixation Systems

14
1 Direct fixation systems are fastening systems for prefabricated concrete components
(sleepers, prefabricated slabs), which are formed to allow direct transfer of lateral forces

20
(without anchored base plates).

2 If the Contractor proposes a trackform with direct fixation fasteners, all standard trackforms

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shall be equipped with direct fixation fasteners.

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3 The main components of direct fixation fasteners are

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(a) HDPE rail pad; an
(b) steel spreader plate;
(c) elastic rail pad;
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(d) insulating elements;

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(e) tension clamps (rail clips);

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(f) sleeper screws or similar; and

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(g) embedded inserts/shoulders.

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10.7.3 Indirect Fixation Systems

st

1 Indirect fixation systems are fastening systems with base plates that are separately
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anchored with embedded bolts or with bolts and embedded inserts.

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2 If the Contractor proposes indirect fixation fasteners, all standard trackforms shall be
equipped with indirect fixation fasteners.
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3 The main components of indirect fixation fasteners are:

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(a) HDPE rail pad;

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(b) steel spreader plate;

(c) elastic rail pad;
(d) insulating elements;
(e) tension clamps (rail clips) with fixing bolts or similar;
(f) steel base plate (SG casting);
(g) insulation and adjustment pads;
(h) helical springs; and
(i) anchor bolts separated by insulation bushings.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 9
Part 10: Railway Track

4 The base plates shall have two to four anchor bolts depending on track geometry and the
Contractor’s design.

5 Anchor bolts, which are designed for bending from horizontal rail forces, shall be checked to
have satisfactory fatigue resistance. For this purpose the possible play between bolts and
insulation bushings and between insulation bushings and base plates shall be taken into
account. Unless the Contractor can verify that his design does not allow for any play, it shall
be assumed that in case of a 2-bolt base plate one bolt takes at least 75% of the horizontal
force to be transmitted. In case of a 4-bolt plate one bolt shall take 40% of the total horizontal
force.

14
6 High Resilient Fasteners (HRF) shall be fasteners of the indirect fixation type.

20
10.8 INTERFACE LAYER FOR AT-GRADE SLAB TRACKS

10.8.1 General

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1 The Contactor shall place an interface layer between track slab and the top surface of the

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protection layer to prevent any over-stressing of the protection layer due to dynamic forces
from train operation. an
2 The Contractor shall propose thickness and type of interface layer.
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3 The Contractor shall design the type and distance of joints (crack inducers) in order to avoid
detrimental cracks.
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10.9 TRACKFORMS FOR VIBRATION ATTENUATION

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10.9.1 General
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1 For areas with vibration sensitive receptors, the Contractor shall propose vibration mitigation
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trackforms suitable to reduce the vibration impact as required.

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2 So far areas of vibration sensitive receptors were identified in the Employer’s Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) Report. After award the Contractor shall review and update this
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information on vibration sensitive receptors.

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3 The Contractor shall undertake further investigations to identify the sensitivity categories of
all areas along the alignment, such as hospitals, schools, residential buildings etc. which
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require the measurement for noise and vibration protection.

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4 Depending on the required level of vibration attenuation for a classified area, the Contactor
shall propose one of the following vibration mitigation systems:
(a) standard track with high resilient fasteners;
(b) light mass-spring system (LMSS); or
(c) heavy mass-spring system (HMSS); or
(d) other suitable .
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 10
Part 10: Railway Track

10.9.2 Noise and Vibration Prediction Report

1 In coordination with and under guidance of the Employer’s Environment Consultant, the
Contractor shall submit for the Engineer’s review a Noise and Vibration Prediction Report to
identify type, location and dynamic properties of required vibration mitigation trackforms.

2 Measurements for verification of assessed transmission functions shall be performed. The

Contractor shall propose possible procedures (e.g. simulations). A test plan shall be
prepared that defines method, including specification of test equipment, test sites, and
number and distances of measurement points. The test plan shall be in accordance with the
EIA targets as agreed by the MOE.

14
3 The Contractor’s Noise & Vibration Prediction Report that shall be based on the procedures

20
outlined in “United States of America Department of Transport – Transit Noise and vibration
Impact Assessment Handbook” (May 2006).

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4 Acceptance criteria in terms of vibration velocities and ground borne noise levels, as

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specified in the “United States of America Department of Transport – Transit Noise and
vibration Impact Assessment Handbook”, are given in Table 10.3.

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Table 10.3an
Acceptance criteria for vibration and ground borne noise
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Frequent events Infrequent events
(>70 events per day) (<30 events per day)
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Vibration Vibration
Receptor type 2 2
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velocity Lmax(fast) velocity Lmax(fast)

limit limit
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[mm/s] [dB(A)] [mm/s] [dB(A)]

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Residential (Urban) 0.1 35 0.254 43

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Residential (non-urban) 0.1 35 0.254 43

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Commercial 0.143 40 0.359 48

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Industrial N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Rural N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Schools and mosques 0.143 50 0.359 58

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Category 1 buildings where

vibration would interfere
with internal operations;
research and manufacturing
0.045 N/A 0.045 N/A
facilities, hospitals with
vibration sensitive
equipment; university
1
research departments

Concert halls, TV studios

0.045 25 25
and recording studios
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 11
Part 10: Railway Track

Frequent events Infrequent events

(>70 events per day) (<30 events per day)
Vibration Vibration
Receptor type 2 2
velocity Lmax(fast) velocity Lmax(fast)
limit limit

[mm/s] [dB(A)] [mm/s] [dB(A)]

Auditoriums and theatres 0.1 35 43

14
Note 1: The criteria will depend on the use; a detailed assessment shall be carried out at such
facilities.
Note 2: Ground borne noise levels

20
(Source: Qatar Integrated Rail Project – Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Addenda – Noise
and vibration (13. September 2012)

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10.9.3 High Resilient Base plates (HRB)

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1 To avoid potential derailments, the two ends at a fracture gap should remain in similar level

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under approaching wheels. HRF fasteners are softer than standard fasteners and need
special features to restrict vertical deflection under accidental conditions. HRB fasteners
an
shall have suitable features to restrict possible vertical steps of rail fracture gaps to 30mm.
St
2 HRBs shall have a static secant stiffness as specified in the Contractor’s noise and vibration
design, but not less than 6 kN/mm.
n

3 HRBs shall have a minimum creep resistance of 9.0 kN. The creep resistance (longitudinal
io

restraint) shall be measured in accordance with EN 13146-1.

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4 The maximum creep resistance of one HRB shall not exceed 13.0 kN. The creep resistance
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shall be measured in accordance with EN 13146-1.

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5 HRBs shall be designed for high damping (impact reduction > 30%), which shall be
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measured in accordance with EN 13146-3.

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6 The effect of repeated loading shall be tested in accordance with EN 13146-4. Test loads
and positions are:
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at
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7 As alternative to high resilient fasteners the Contractor may propose a bi-block booted
sleeper track system with direct fixation fasteners and soft elastomeric pads below the
sleepers blocks.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 12
Part 10: Railway Track

10.10 TRACK SLAB CONCRETE

10.10.1 General

1 Minimum concrete quality of slab/plinth concrete is C30/37 in accordance with EN 206, with
maximum aggregate size 20 mm.

2 Track slabs/plinths shall be reinforced as proposed and verified by the Contractor.

3 Surface finish of track slab/plinth shall be:

14
(a) upper surfaces: levelling the compacted concrete and steel towelling under firm
pressure; gradual irregularities < 5 mm in 2 m; and

20
(b) formed surfaces: sealed plywood; abrupt irregularities < 1 mm.

4 In tunnels track slabs with sleepers shall be cast in lengths not exceeding 30m.

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5 For water runoff track slabs shall be separated by a 150mm wide gap at drainage inlets.

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6 Cast in-situ plinth tracks or slabs without sleepers/bearers shall be cast in lengths not longer
than 5600 mm with 100 mm gaps between consecutive slabs/plinths. This requirement
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applies to all track areas.
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7 On elevated sections track slabs with sleepers shall be cast in lengths not exceeding 8000
mm with 100 mm gaps between consecutive slabs.
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8 For at-grade sections the Contractor shall propose the maximum length of slabs with
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sleepers.
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9 For at-grade sections the Contractor shall design and implement anchorage provisions for
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free slab ends.

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10.11 INFILL CONCRETE

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10.11.1 General
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1 Infill concrete for tunnel track base shall be of grade C25/30.

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10.12 EMC, STRAY CURRENT PROTECTION AND EARTHING

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10.12.1 General

1 All trackforms shall include a stray current protection system in accordance with EN 50122-2
and EN 50162.

2 The Contractor shall demonstrate that the leakage between rails and track slab cross section
is  0.1 S/km per track under new built condition.

3 The Contractor shall design electrical insulation provisions suitable to limit leakage of the
system in operation and during design life to 0.5 S/km per track.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 13
Part 10: Railway Track

4 For calculation of stray currents and failure currents and for the design of conductors inside
structures (e.g. stray current earthing conductors, reinforcement or other structural elements)
the following shall be considered:
(a) maximum operational current;
(b) maximum short circuit current;
(c) leakage rails to ground: 0.7 S/km per track (2 rails); and
(d) the Contractor shall calculate with full current along the slab track body.

5 Stray current transfer between Trackwork to and from other systems (including gas and

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water pipelines) is prohibited.

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6 All earthing and bonding measures shall be based on standards EN 50122 group and EN
50162.

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7 The return current path shall be strictly separated from other conductors.

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8 In the upper layer of the concrete slab structure a minimum of six (6) continuous reinforcing

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bars with a minimum diameter of 16 mm shall be placed in the vicinity of the running rails (3
pieces per rail).
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9 At slab/plinths ends the continuous reinforcing bars shall be connected by flat steel plates
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with a minimum of 120 mm cross sectional area. The steel plates shall be connected by
2
welds of a minimum of 20 mm cross sectional area per connected reinforcing bar. The steel
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plates shall be bolt-connected to earthing terminals according to EN 20122-2, which shall be

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preferably located at the lateral edges of slabs/plinths.

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10 The Contractor shall connect the earthing terminals of the slabs/plinths by insulated copper
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wires with a minimum cross sectional area of 80 mm .
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10.13 TRANSITIONS
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10.13.1 General
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1 Transitions are required to assure a gradual change of the track stiffness in all cases where
there are changes in the type of track carrying structures (for example change of bridge deck
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and earthwork).
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10.14 CLOSURE OF SPACE BETWEEN AT-GRADE TRACK SLABS

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10.14.1 General

1 The Contractor shall provide and install a water-permeable gravel-sand mix in order to fill the
space between parallel tracks in at-grade sections.

10.15 DERAILMENT CONTAINMENT

10.15.1 General

1 Derailed trains shall be prevented from tilting, running into the structure gauge of the
opposite track and from colliding with bridge/tunnel equipment. For that reason derailment
containment is required for all tracks.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 14
Part 10: Railway Track

2 Derailment containment may be provided by reinforced concrete upstands that are integral
part of the track slab or by guard rails.

10.16 BUFFER STOPS

10.16.1 General

1 The Contactor shall install buffer stops at the ends of all main lines, siding and depot access
tracks.

2 Buffer stops shall be designed to be capable stopping trains of 384 t mass and with 15 km/h

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residual speed at impact without major damage to the train or to the stopping device.

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3 All buffer stops shall be positioned such that the required braking length can be safely
achieved.

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4 The Contractor shall prepare a painting specification and submit to the Engineer for a

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SONO. The painting specification shall ensure a design life of 10 years before repainting.

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10.17 INSULATED RAIL JOINTS an
10.17.1 General
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1 Insulated rail joints are required for all depot access tracks.

2 For the insulated rail joints the Contractor shall propose a design suitable for main line track
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conditions and in accordance with the following requirements:

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(a) All insulated rail joints shall be factory-made and welded into the track;
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(b) The prefabricated rail joint shall be manufactured from rail, which has been cut in its
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centre for the insulated rail joint, matching profile and rail type of a length >5 m;
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(c) Insulated rail joints shall be of a glued design with fishplates of approximately 1000
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mm length and six high strength bolts; and

(d) The rail head shall be suitably treated to reduce wear.
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3 The Contractor shall submit a proven insulated rail joint design to the Engineer for review.
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10.18 RAIL EXPANSION JOINTS

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10.18.1 General

1 Rail Expansion Joints are required for the following cases but are not limited to:
(a) elevated superstructure temperature variation;
(b) braking and/or traction; or
(c) elevated superstructure end rotation from vertical axle loads including impact.

2 The Contractor shall perform Trackwork structure interaction analyses according to EN1991-
2 to determine structural expansion joints of elevated structures where rail expansion joints
need to be installed.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 15
Part 10: Railway Track

3 The required movement capacity of rail expansion joints shall be based on the following load
cases:
(a) movement of superstructure from temperature;
(b) movement of superstructure from creep and shrinkage;
(c) movement from braking and/or traction; and
(d) movement of the rail ends from temperature.

4 If rail expansion joints are required, expansion joint types shall be used that are suitable to
bridge the variable expansion joint gap of the bridge superstructure. The function shall follow

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the work principle of movable stock rails/fixed switch rails according EN 13232-8.

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5 Continuous welded rail (CWR)

6 Closure welds shall be made while the rail temperature is within the Neutral Temperature

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Range.

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7 The Neutral Rail Temperature Range shall be defined such, that rail temperature variations

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after closure will not exceed ±45 K. an
8 Unless the Contractor verifies other maximum and minimum rail temperatures, the following
rail temperature limits shall be considered:
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(a) maximum rail temperature in open air is +83 C;
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(b) maximum rail temperature in tunnel is +50 C; and

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(c) minimum rail temperature is +7 C.
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9 The Contractor shall define the Neutral Rail Temperature Range and submit to the Engineer
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for review.
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10.19 CABLE CROSSINGS AND RECESSES

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10.19.1 General
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1 The Contractor shall provide cable crossings in track slabs with pipes supplied by Interfacing
Parties and reviewed by the Engineer.
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2 The Contractor shall implement in his design and provide recesses in slab concrete for other
system components, as instructed by Interfacing Parties and reviewed by the Engineer.
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10.20 TRACKSIDE LUBRICATION

10.20.1 General

1 For curves with radius smaller 300 m the Contractor shall propose suitable means to reduce
wear and noise. The Contractor shall consider the permanent presence of fine sand in the
local environment that might obstruct certain types of lubrication.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 16
Part 10: Railway Track

10.21 PERMANENT MARKERS

10.21.1 General

1 Permanent markers shall be manufactured from aluminium plates with a thickness of 3mm.
The background colour shall be washable reflective yellow with the characters in matt black.

2 The permanent markers shall be connected to the relevant surfaces as described below,
using suitable provisions.

3 Permanent markers are required for:

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(a) chainage markers at distances of 100 m;

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(b) turnout markers at every switch toe; and
(c) fouling point markers at all locations where tracks converge.

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4 The Contractor shall propose positions for fixing permanent markers to the Engineer for
review.

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5 The Contractor shall provide holes in rails as required for cable connections.
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10.22 GRATINGS
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10.22.1 General
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1 The Contractor shall design, deliver and install gratings including appropriate support
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structures for inspection chamber covers and for covers of space beside mass-spring system
trackforms in tunnels.
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2 Gratings and support structures shall be made of steel and galvanised.

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2
3 As a minimum, gratings shall resist 5 kN/m uniform load or 1.0 kN point load at any position,
whichever produces worse effects.
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4 Gratings shall be fixed to avoid unintended dislocation

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5 Fixing devices shall be suitable for easy removal of gratings for maintenance purposes.
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END OF PART
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 11: Monitoring and Instrumentation

11 MONITORING AND INSTRUMENTATION .................................................... 2

11.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................... 2
11.1.1 General 2
11.1.2 Instrumentation Personnel and Resources 2
11.1.3 Monitoring database 2
11.1.4 Zone of Influence 3
11.1.5 Warning and Alarm levels 3
11.1.6 Automated monitoring system of real time total displacements (3D) 4
11.1.7 Instrument specifications 4

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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 11: Monitoring and Instrumentation

11 MONITORING AND INSTRUMENTATION

11.1 INTRODUCTION

11.1.1 General

1 The objectives of the instrumentation and monitoring of the Works are to determine ground
movements and the effects on existing structures, services and utilities in a form that will
allow direct comparison with the Contractor’s performance criteria and design expectations.

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2 Instrumentation and monitoring system that covers all aspects of the Works (surface, tunnel
structure, bridge structure, embankment and surrounding ground) shall be designed and

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implemented.

3 A computer database for the integration, storage, analysis, recording and processing of all

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monitored data shall be established. The computer database shall be stored on a web based

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server

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4 Real-time remote access to all monitoring data shall be provided.

5
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The instrumentation and monitoring system shall include the real-time information on
buildings/structures within the zone of influence of the Works.
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6 An automatic data acquisition system shall be designed that captures the measured results
of all suitable instruments (above and below ground), irrespective of the type of sensor and
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the physical measurement parameters, and can be automatically viewed in real time and
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transmitted to a central station outside the settlement zone.

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11.1.2 Instrumentation Personnel and Resources

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1 A monitoring team shall be established that is responsible for the geotechnical

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investigations, monitoring and to obtain the permission of third parties and/or owners for the
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installation of the monitoring systems for the management of hazards and level of the risk to
buildings and other structures. This organization shall be staffed with experienced personnel.
A representative of the Contractor’s design engineer shall be part of the monitoring team and
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be involved actively in the analysis of data and comparison between predictions and
performance.
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11.1.3 Monitoring database

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1 The database shall include the following but not be limited to:
(a) levelling of the surface;
(b) levelling of buildings;
(c) vertical and horizontal deformation of existing buildings and other structures;
(d) 3D reflectors automatic optical deformation monitoring systems;
(e) load/stress cell measurements for concrete lining;
(f) inclinometers, extensometers, and other in-ground instruments;
(g) groundwater monitoring;
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 11: Monitoring and Instrumentation

(h) construction progression and data acquisition;

(i) geometrical data;
(j) vibration measurements;
(k) Geotechnics and geology support systems.

11.1.4 Zone of Influence

1 Instruments shall predominantly be placed within the influence zone of the Works.
Consideration shall be given to the layout and spacing of instrumentation arrays, and shall
be selected with due consideration to specific site conditions with a degree of redundancy

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incorporated. The minimum geometrical requirements concerning the influence zone are
given in the following figures:

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Figure 11.1

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Influence Zone

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11.1.5 Warning and Alarm levels

1 Trigger (warning and alarm) levels shall be established based on design and allowable
values in accordance with the Contractor’s Design Documents governing failure mechanisms
assessed by the designers, enabling preventative measures to be introduced in an
acceptable time.

2 When exceeding the aforesaid values the reporting chain or alarm is activated.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 4
Part 11: Monitoring and Instrumentation

3 The warning and alarm levels shall account for the serviceability requirements of all
monitored structures. These values shall be checked according to the observations and
investigations during construction but shall not be limited to key indicator parameters of
displacement, strain or pressure which determine appropriate actions in response to these
values being exceeded.

11.1.6 Automated monitoring system of real time total displacements (3D)

1 An automated measuring system for the total displacements (3D) in real time shall be
established, to demonstrate that the Works do not impact on sensitive buildings and other
structures. Monitoring records shall be examined by the Contractors expert to detect any

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unexpected trends and to take necessary measures to compare predictions with observed
values. All monitored observations shall be provided to the Engineer.

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11.1.7 Instrument specifications

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1 All instruments and measuring devices shall be manufactured by companies with proven

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experience in the field of construction or geotechnical instrumentation, as appropriate. The
accuracy and dependability of the equipment shall not be affected by changes in

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temperature, humidity, stray currents or contaminants that may be encountered. Calibration
certificates shall be provided by an accredited testing company. Instrumentation shall be
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selected to site specific conditions, but not limited to:
(a) extrusion of ground ahead of face;
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(b) relative vertical movement;

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(c) lateral displacement;

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(d) change in inclination;

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(e) change in earth pressure;

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(f) change in water pressure;

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(g) crack or joint movement;

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(h) strain in structural member or lining;

(i) tunnel lining diametrical distortion;
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(j) lining stress;

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(k) lining leakage;

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(l) noise and vibration.

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END OF PART
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 1
Part 12: Survey and Setting Out

12 SURVEY AND SETTING OUT....................................................................... 2

12.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................ 2
12.1.1 General 2
12.2 SURVEY CONTROL...................................................................................... 2
12.2.1 Survey Markers 2
12.2.2 Control Observation, Adjustment and Presentation. 2
12.2.3 General Setting Out 2
12.2.4 Pre-Start Survey 2

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12.2.5 Survey during Construction 3
12.3 FINAL AS-BUILT SURVEY ............................................................................ 3

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12.3.1 Underground Works 3
12.3.2 Elevated and At Grade Works 3

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12.3.3 General 3

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12.4 MONITORING SURVEYS ............................................................................. 3

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12.4.1 General an 3
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QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 2
Part 12: Survey and Setting Out

12 SURVEY AND SETTING OUT

12.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

12.1.1 General

1 A method statement for the survey and the setting out shall be submitted to the Engineer for
a SONO. This method statement shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Surveying Equipment;

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(b) Inspection and testing regime and acceptance criteria;

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(c) Details of the pre start surveys, surveys during construction and the as built surveys
for underground, elevated and at grade works;
(d) Specific strategy for Site conditions including but not limited to:

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(e) Climatic conditions;

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(f) Dusty environment.
(g) Calibration of instruments and certification;
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(h) Details of protection and security of all survey markers.
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2 Records of all raw and processed survey data shall be kept for inspection by the Engineer.

All survey data shall be recorded and submitted in accordance with the Employer’s
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Requirements.
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12.2 SURVEY CONTROL

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12.2.1 Survey Markers

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1 Survey Markers shall be durable, appropriate to location and intended use and shall have an
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unambiguous centre point. For installation of a Survey Marker into reinforced concrete no
steel reinforcement bars are permitted.
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2 Benchmarks shall have a domed surface.

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12.2.2 Control Observation, Adjustment and Presentation.

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1 The method statement shall contain proposals for conducting regular surveys of all existing
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survey control including the benchmarks.

12.2.3 General Setting Out

1 A comprehensive level survey of the Contract area shall be conducted before any work
commences on the Site.

12.2.4 Pre-Start Survey

1 For tunnel alignment a list of coordinates (easting, northing & elevation) shall be generated
at one-meter chainage intervals along the length of the design tunnel alignment.
QCS 2014 Section 29: Railways Page 3
Part 12: Survey and Setting Out

12.2.5 Survey during Construction

1 Survey control (horizontal and vertical) shall be installed progressively along the alignment.

2 During tunnel construction the entire tunnel survey control scheme shall be re-observed from
the shaft bottom at intervals to be proposed by the Contractor in his method statement.

12.3 FINAL AS-BUILT SURVEY

12.3.1 Underground Works

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1 Upon completion of tunnelling, when the breakthrough has been made, the survey
connection shall be made and the survey misclosure determined. A survey report shall be

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prepared detailing the final adjusted values for all the survey control to remain in the tunnel
for the purpose of track laying.

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2 A final as-built survey to determine the 3D coordinates of the tunnel lining at least 8 points, at

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even intervals around the circumference of the leading edge, of each alternate ring shall be
carried out. The best-fit centre of the ring and its minimum radius shall be determined. The

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computed horizontal, vertical and radial offset of the centre of each surveyed ring relative to
the design centre shall be plotted for the entire tunnel, giving an indication of potential out of
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tolerance zones.
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3 A detailed report for each completed tunnel drive shall be submitted to the Engineer, for
SONO. Each report shall be prepared and submitted within four (4) weeks of tunnel
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breakthrough.
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12.3.2 Elevated and At Grade Works

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1 A detailed report for each completed section of works shall be submitted to the Engineer, for
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SONO. Each report shall be prepared and submitted within four (4) weeks of completion of
the section of works.
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12.3.3 General
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1 As-built surveys of all platform edges, columns and any other adjacent structures shall be
conducted to ensure that there is no infringement of the structure gauge. All out of tolerance
areas shall be highlighted.
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12.4 MONITORING SURVEYS

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12.4.1 General

1 As a minimum requirement, the design of a monitoring scheme shall take into consideration
the likely range of movements to be incurred, accuracy required, accessibility to the area of
interest, instrumentation to be used, the use of any special accessories, frequency of
monitoring, particular Site conditions, safety, data collection/processing techniques, real time
or post process, maintenance of the system, stability of the points of reference and the
presentation format.

2 All 2D and 3D monitoring schemes shall be coordinated on the Project grid and datum. All
elevation monitoring shall be conducted on the Project datum. All monitoring points shall be
clearly identified.

END OF PART