INGENIEUR
Figure 7. Author and his team carrying out inspection of Tunnel and Cross-Passage Adit
as good as the input and coding. For example,
taking results of analysis from a 3-D finite element
analysis blindly and treating it as a black box
could potentially be disastrous. Therefore, a good
understanding of the fundamental mechanics at
hand, coupled with in-depth knowledge on the
analyses’ limitations is critical. Ultimately, the
engineering tool or computer is not the engineer
nor should it be substituted for sound engineering
judgement.
The usage of fundamental engineering
principles helps engineers to develop their own
analysis and design methodologies that suit
local conditions and challenges at site. One
example of an innovative design proposed by
the author was used in the construction of the
Maluri underground station of KVMRT SBK line.
Tight regulatory requirements for rock blasting
were extremely challenging given the close
proximity of pre-existing and temporary steel and
reinforced concrete structures. The innovative
design developed by the author allowed blasting
to be successfully carried with only a 1m blasting
exclusion zone from the temporary king posts
supporting a steel traffic decking. The innovative
design was combined with an observational
approach with vibration monitoring to verify the
design, followed by detailed on-site inspection of
the steel decking after each rock blasting to ensure
that the integrity and safety of the structures
were not compromised. This innovative approach
expedited the construction progress with minimal
traffic disruption and allowed completion on time.
Figure 8 shows the steel decking in the MRT Maluri
underground station during construction.
Another example of innovative design is the use
of a circular shaft in the irregular karstic limestone
formation for the underground shaft excavation.
The MRT Line 2 Intervention shaft 2 (IVS2) was the
deepest, at a challenging depth of 57.5m below
ground level. Harnessing the rock strength to
support itself, shafts constructed in the rock were
designed to be carried out without the need for
temporary support structures. A combination of
ground improvement via deep soil mixing/curtain
grout and rock stabilisation methods allowed for
28 VOL 81 JANUARY-MARCH 2020