Understanding and mitigating

geotechnical risk in
underground construction
20th September 2023
Nick Osborne
Major Projects Director

15 February 2023
 1 Introduction

2 Urban tunneling and challenges

3 How big a challenge is the ground?

Agenda 4 Effective design processes

5 Construction process – feedback

6 Case studies

7 Conclusion
Introduction

Mott MacDonald
Background
Experiences, learning and diversity

Channel Tunnel Jubilee Line - Nicoll highway DTL2 - Singapore

Westminster station collapse

KL MRT Line 1 Jakarta MRT Line 1 JTC Caverns Changi Airport T5

Mega-spine
Mott MacDonald
Urban tunnelling
and challenges

Mott MacDonald
Urbanisation
Key driver of Infrastructure
100
• Countries need to invest in their
infrastructure 90

• Congestion & public satisfaction 80

70
• Drives business investment
60
• Role of the engineer
50

40

30

20

10

0
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040

Malaysia Thailand Vietnam Indonesia SEA

Mott MacDonald
“Civil Engineering is the art of
directing the great sources of power
in nature to improve society”
Institution of Civil Engineers
Underground
congestion:
an increasing
problem
Urban tunnelling
is a challenge
 More Challenging Projects - North South Corridor Singapore

Soldier pile wall

Permanent
bored pile

DTL Tunnels

GI Treatment

D-wall

Key Engineering Statistics

▪ More than 2,500 boreholes
▪ 20no. 3D models
▪ 70No. interfaces with existing MRT or
road Viaducts
▪ 4.4km running closely adjacent to MRT
▪ 13 Historical structures in close
proximity
▪ Over 180no. stages of traffic diversion
▪ More than 170no. utility interfaces EXISTING UNDERPASSES
TO BE DEMOLISHED

Mott MacDonald
What is the Consequence of loss?

Average
• US$ 32.5 million
• 14 months

Munich LA UK Korea Taipei Shanghai Singapore Spain Taipei

Heathrow Taipei Italy Italy Sydney
Mott MacDonald Taipei
What is the Consequence of loss?
Minor underground
collapse on Melbourne's
West Gate Tunnel project
- ABC News

Mott MacDonald
What are the key The Design
challenges faced Ground Approval
in underground
construction?

Achieving
the Stakeholder
programme engagement

Volume of
Safety
Information

Interfacing Operations
How big of a
challenge is the
ground?

Mott MacDonald
 What is the biggest source of risk?

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
Geotechnics Contamination Obstructions Services Detailed Design Miscallaneous
Geotechnical sources of Construction problem (source Clayton et al 2001)

Mott MacDonald
Cause of global collapses – Bored/mined tunnel

26%

25% Launching (in challenging ground)

Breaking in (in challenging ground)
Stable/Unstable soil interface
10% Mixed rock /soil interface
Head access
Mechanical Failure
Others
7% 8% Sample size > 150

7%
17%

>85% of all collapses ground related

Mott MacDonald
Getting the geological model correct
170 m

4 boreholes
Soft = 30m
Mixed = 30m
Rock = 110m

15 boreholes
Soft = 60m
Mixed = 95m
Rock = 15m
Mott MacDonald
Do not underestimate issues driven by ground water flow

Mott MacDonald
Sophisticated leapfrog – Ground model

Mott MacDonald
Effective design
processes

Mott MacDonald
 Geological processes

The geotechnical triangle: Site Investigation

All 6 parts and software/processes

to be linked together Ground
stratigraphy &
water conditions 1

6 5
Monitoring, 4 Construction
tests and site processes
observations Empiricism
Case histories

2
Knowledge 3
Idealisation
Modelling analysis
Validation
Ground Appropriate
Behaviour Model

Measurement
Lab & field testing
Observation
Mott MacDonald
What tools do we have available?

• Geotechnical model (derived from high quality SI)

• Geotechnical (Interpretative) baseline report
• Codes of practice/guidelines
• Workshops
• Method statements and risk registers
• Collaborative working
• Digital tools
• Peer review and review boards
• Experience and knowledge

Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald
Digital design leads to carbon reduction

2000 tonnes
Reference design of C02 saved Approved design

Mott MacDonald
Carbon calculation
Moata Carbon Portal

The amount of carbon saved was

quantified through the Moata
Carbon Portal, by adopting the
emission factor for a concrete class
of C40/50 which was used for the
bored piles.

The total concrete saved was

estimated at 10.6 million kilograms.
This is equivalent to 4400 m3 of
concrete. The total carbon
emission saved is equivalent to
1685 tonnes of CO2.

Mott MacDonald
Construction
processes - feedback

Mott MacDonald
Verification of the Design
Essential component of the process

Approved Design

Approved Design Construction works

Monitor the works

• Inclinometer
• Piezometer or standpipe
• Strain gauge load cell
• Settlement or building marker
• Prisms manual or automated
• Tiltmeter or electro level
• Crack meters
O M O P P O R T U N I T Y – D T L 2 B A C K A N A LY S I S
O R I G I N A L C 9 2 1 D E S I G N A N A L Y S I S

▪ T2/T3 Sections - Standard Analysis with C921 parameters

Mott MacDonald
Case studies

Mott MacDonald
Case study 1 – Singapore river crossing

Mott MacDonald
The Project

Mott MacDonald
Major concerns

• Program risk
• Construction risk
• Environmental impact
• Public and tourist perception
• Safety
• Impact on adjacent structures – CTE
• Potential obstructions

Mott MacDonald
33
Potential obstructions

Mott MacDonald
34
Key design considerations

• Hydraulic flow analysis

• Temporary river diversion
• River dam embankment
• SCL works to remove river wall
• Bored tunnelling

Mott MacDonald
Construction sequence
Back fill
Construction of Construction of Launching of
Ground Improvement
Canal (42m) Coffer Dam TBM
Removal of Anchor

Complete
replacement of river
42m

Mott MacDonald
Construction sequence
Back fill
Construction of Construction of Launching of
Ground Improvement
Canal (42m) Coffer Dam TBM
Removal of Anchor

Coffer Dam to
create dry
working using
geo bags

Mott MacDonald
Construction sequence
Back fill
Construction of Construction of Launching of
Ground Improvement
Canal (42m) Coffer Dam TBM
Removal of Anchor

Backfill for obstacle

removal

Ground Improvement
for TBM Driving

Mott MacDonald
Construction sequence
Back fill
Construction of Construction of Launching of
Ground Improvement
Canal (42m) Coffer Dam TBM
Removal of Anchor

TBM Driving

Mott MacDonald
River crossing site

Mott MacDonald
Obstructions

Mott MacDonald
River wall obstructions

Mott MacDonald
 Noise & dust

Mott MacDonald
Key reasons for success

• Risks clearly identified & mitigation put in place

• Logical design process
• All parties worked together to drive the solution

Mott MacDonald
 Jakarta Metro
Pemuda Statue -
Engineering the
Risk Out

Mott MacDonald
Conclusion

Mott MacDonald
Conclusion
Lessons learned from my experience

1 2 3 4 5
Risk Processes Team Learn Experience
• Geotechnical risk • Identify risk • Work as a team – • Learn from yours Large number of tools
is the largest • Mitigate risk pulling in the right and team member available but nothing
challenge to major direction mistakes beats experience
underground • Monitor risk
• Communication
infrastructure • Understanding • lessons learned
and understanding
contractual reviewed as a team
of team skillsets
• Problem solving obligations - so everyone
risks and turning • Health, safety and learns together
them into wellbeing, at the
opportunities forefront of every
team

Mott MacDonald
Q&A
Thank you