ONE SMART Engineering

Geotechnical, Civil & Structural Engineering

Singapore | Malaysia

IES Academy Course 7-8 Apr 2022

Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

BCA Regulatory Framework for Supervision of Deep

Excavation Projects Illustrated with Case Histories (1h)

Trainer:
Er. Ng Chew Chiat, David
Co-Founder of One Smart
IES Council Member
Day 1 (4pm to 5pm)

Part 2: BCA Regulatory Framework for Supervision of Deep Excavation Projects Illustrated with
Case Histories (1h)

There are many current underground projects in Singapore such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Thomson
East Coast Line (TEL), North South Corridor (NSC) highway, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS),
Singapore Power Underground Substation (UGSS), underground drainage, sewerage and water
pipelines projects. Hence it is very important to have a comprehensive and clear regulatory framework to
ensure deep excavation underground projects are carried out in a safe manner and the supervision of
deep excavation underground projects are well managed. This session will illustrate the BCA regulatory
framework in Singapore for design submission approval and construction supervision and management
of deep excavation projects. This session will use some case histories to illustrate some of the more
commonly encountered regulations to be complied with and it will also highlight some of the latest
guidelines for supervision of deep excavation projects..

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S/No Description Duration
1. Introduction of current underground projects in Singapore such as Mass Rapid Transit 10min
(MRT) Thomson East Coast Line (TEL), North South Corridor (NSC) highway, Deep
Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), Singapore Power Underground Substation (UGSS),
underground drainage, sewerage and water pipelines projects
2. Understanding of regulatory framework to ensure deep excavation underground 10min
projects are carried out in a safe manner
3. Understanding of supervision procedures of deep excavation underground projects 10min
4. Discussion of Case Histories to illustrate BCA regulatory framework in Singapore for 15min
design submission approval and construction supervision and management
5. Discussion of Case histories to illustrate BCA regulatory framework for supervision of 15min
deep excavation projects.

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 IES Academy Course
Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

1) Introduction of current underground projects in Singapore

such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Thomson East Coast
Line (TEL), North South Corridor (NSC) highway, Deep
Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS), Singapore Power
Underground Substation (UGSS), underground drainage,
sewerage and water pipelines projects

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MRT Line in Singapore

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 Singapore MRT
Network

Underground Large Diameter Bored Tunnels

Cross Island Line

Jurong Regional Line

Elevated Viaduct with Segmental Box Girder
Transportation - MRT
Underground Tunnels
Cable tunnel in Singapore
Singapore Cable Tunnel

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Drainage Project in Singapore
Map of completed, ongoing and new
projects, to improve Singapore's
drainage system

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Singapore Expressway
& Road Network
Introduction of TransportationSingapore North-South
Infrastructures Corridor NSC -
in Singapore
Underground Road Tunnel

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Singapore Underground Water Tunnel - Murnane Water Pipe Project
Singapore Changi Terminal 5
Subterranean Master Plan
for underground city
Master Planning for
Underground Space
 Main Agencies & Authorities for
Undergrpound Rail Infrastructure in
Singapore

Building Plan Submission Authority to ensure

Authority for master planning and planning
design adequacy and construction safety
approval for development planning

Developer of underground water Developer of underground Developer of underground

Developer of Rail
pipeline and sewerage pipeline cable laying Infrastructure for Changi
Infrastructure and
Infrastructure and Development Infrastructure and Airport Terminal 5 and
Development Control of
Control of Projects within water Development Control of other underground airport
Projects within Railway
pipelines and sewerage Projects within cable infrastructure facilities
Protection Zone
pipelines protection Zone protection Zone
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Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Excavation Works in Close Proximity to Buildings

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2) Understanding regulatory framework to ensure deep

excavation underground projects are carried out in a safe
manner

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 IES Academy Course
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Nicoll Highway Collapse in 2004 in Singapore

Nicoll Highway collapse was a construction accident that occurred on 20
April 2004 in Kallang, Singapore when a tunnel being constructed for
use by MRT trains collapsed

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New Regulation set in after NCH Collapse:

(these requirements & procedures will be elaborated in the case histories to be
presented later)
New Requirements: New Procedures:
1) Specialist PE Geo and AC Geo 1) New advisory notes for soil
was introduced investigation
2) Deep excavation more than 6m 2) New advisory notes for limiting
deep would be classified as wall deflection
GBW and subject to be 3) New guidelines for the
designed by PE (Geo) and procedures of permit to
checked by AC (Geo) commence deep excavation
3) GBW drawings each will have 4 4) New guidelines for procedures of
endorsement by PE(CIvil), permit to commence bored
PE(Geo), AC & AC(Geo) tunneling works
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Build Design
Only & Build
Contract Contract
28 Sep 2008 – BCA Circular on GBW
 2 Apr 2009 – BCA Circular on
Advisory Notes on ERSS

a) Allowable wall deflection limits

b) Ground improvement

c) Control Strategies

d) Instrumentation and monitoring

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Supervision Framework for Construction of Deep Excavation Project

Building & Construction Authority (BCA)

QP(D)
Client (Developer) QP(Geo) (D)
AC
AC(Geo)

QP Supervision (QSS) Team

QP(S), QP(Geo)(S)
SRE, RE, RTO

Contractor
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 IES Academy Course
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3) Understanding of supervision procedures of deep

excavation underground projects

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Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Supervision Procedures for Deep Excavation Project

Apply for Permit to commence work

from BCA by QPS and Builder

QPS to endorse Annex C & D prior to

commencement of excavation for each stage

QPS to endorse Annex E and submit to

BCA monthly before 7th of each month
to report instruments readings

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Process of deep excavation management

Before commencement of excavation, to check all retaining wall No If not done properly, need to
and required instruments have been installed and initialised rectify the retaining wall and
install all instruments and
Yes initialise readings

Submit Annex C & D for QPS endorsement and commence Yes

excavation to first level of strut and install strut

Yes If not done properly, need to

Before commencement of excavation to next strut level, to No rectify the strut installation
check instruments readings and strut installation in order and carry out mitigation
measures
Yes
Yes
Submit Annex C & D for QPS endorsement and commence
excavation to next strut level and install strut
Yes
Repeat above until excavation to final excavation level 33
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Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Process of Instrumentation & Monitoring management

No Continue with excavation work
When the instruments readings breach Alert
Level
Yes
No QPS to advise the site condition and
Inform QPS and QPD to review if inline with
design assumptions and predictions QPD to review and revise Work
Suspension Level (WSL) if necessary
Yes

Continue with excavation work

Yes Inform QPS and QPD and confirm to QPD to

Yes stop work on site at the affected area, Yes revise
When the instruments readings breach and carry out investigation if the WSL
Work Suspension Level (WSL) readings is correct or erratic
If erratic reading
Continue with excavation work 34
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Supervision Procedures for Deep Excavation Project

Once any critical instruments breach WSL,

QPS to stop work on site for affected area

QPD to review and propose mitigation measres

QPD to propose revised WSL to BCA for approval

QPS to apply for SWO to be lifted and resume

work on site and carry out the approved
mitigation measures
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 IES Academy Course
Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

4) Discussion of Case Histories to illustrate BCA regulatory

framework in Singapore for design submission approval and
construction supervision and management

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Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Case study on deep excavation project for metro (DTL C937B) to show the
BCA regulatory framework for design, submission & approval for deep
excavation work for metro project

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Buildings & structures settlement markers is considered as

critical instruments and Work Suspension Levell (WSL) is
required to be set for each of them

WSL for buildings are usually set at 15mm

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C937B TSFB

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Kim Chuan C937B TSFB

Depot

Hougang Ave 3

Ba
rtl
ey
Ro

De
ad

pt
h=
Length=295m

20
m
Width=52m

d
oa
De

tR
fu

or
La
ne

rp
12

Ai
DT

d
L

Ol
3

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Site Location of C937B

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Ground Conditions

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Original Deep
excavation support
for the construction
of the TSFB was by
using conventional
steel strutting and
bottom up
construction method

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Construction Method

Bottom up Partial Top Down Bottom up

Construction Construction Construction

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 ERSS LAYOUT IES Academy Course
Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)
Type 2 CBP Wall 1.2m Ø with 2m spacing
Supported by Temporary Removable GA

North Wall

South Wall

Type 1 CBP Wall 1.5m Ø with 2m spacing

supported by temporary removable GA

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ERSS Design (Semi-Top-Down)

South Wall North Wall

Key Plan
A1

Section A1-A1
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A1 48
CBP Wall with Ground Anchors IES Academy Course
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Wall Deflection Criteria Satisfying BCA Requirement & LTA Contract Requirement
North Wall (<140mm based on 0.7%H as per BCA Advisory Notes)

North Wall

South Wall

South Wall (<50mm based on LTA Contract Requirement) 50

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South Wall

Existing Viaduct

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Abandoned Bored Piles of Kim Chuan Sewerage Treatment Plant

Abandoned bored piles of Kim
Chuan Sewerage Treatment Plant

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Key Plan
A1

A1

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5) Discussion of Case histories to illustrate BCA regulatory

framework for supervision of deep excavation projects.

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Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Case study on deep excavation project for water (Murmane P5) to show BCA
regulatory framework for supervision of deep excavation work for water pipeline

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Deep TBM Launching S for Murnane Water Pipeline

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IES Academy Course
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Rock Blasting

5858
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Rock blasting for P5 caisson

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Building Settlement chart

Mitigation Measures
Breached WSL - Additional Recharge Well
Received SWO from BCA - Additional Grouting

WSL
15mm

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RECHARGE WELL
As built location of Recharge wells
Boy Brigades HQ

P5-5 Shaft

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Original Grouting Plan

Jet Grouting

Fissure Grouting

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Additional Horizontal Grouting Plan

Horizontal Chemical
Groutimg

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Additional Grouting

Coring of caisson wall

Grouting pipe install

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Before After

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Incinometer reading Incinometer reading

exceeded WSL exceeded WSL

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Inclinometer readings exceed WSL due to unbalance heavy surcharge on site

3D FEM updated with application of various unbalanced surcharges on ground
Additional surcharges are applied on top of 30kPa general balanced surcharge used
in previous QP analysis
Back analyses with actual site conditions to Additional
verify15kPa
inclinometers
due
readings
Additional 10kPa due to to Tail Skin
Telescopic Excavation

Additional 25kPa due

to Middle Shield 2 Proposed P5-4 (currently Proposed P5-5 (currently
NOT excavated yet) excavated to 20.6m)

Additional 50kPa due

to Front Shield

Additional 15kPa due

to Middle Shield 1

Additional 30kPa due

to Slurry batch plant

Additional 10kPa due

to Slurry machine

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These unbalanced additional surcharge loadings causing lateral soil movements,

thus causing increased Inclinometer readings at various locations

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With above updated geotechnical 3D FEM model for back-analysis to

capture current site condition, same 3D FEM model then proceeds for
forward prediction

- to evaluate impact of unbalanced surcharges onfuture ground

movements and performance of proposed Shaft P5-4 and P5-5 after
they are to be excavated to FEL

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Subsequent 3D FEM modelling of Shaft step-by-step excavation until FEL remains

same as previous QP analysis resulting in the final 3D FEM mesh with both P5-4 &
P5-5 excavated to FEL
Additional 10kPa due to Additional 15kPa due
Telescopic Excavation to Tail Skin

Additional 25kPa due

to Middle Shield 2
Proposed P5-4 to be
excavated to FEL

Additional 50kPa due Proposed P5-5 to

to Front Shield be excavated to FEL

Additional 15kPa due

to Middle Shield 1

Additional 30kPa due

to Slurry batch plant

Additional 10kPa due

to Slurry machine

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Final Shafts movements of about 45.9mm

Induced Ux at I2

Induced Ux at I4

Additional 30kPa due

to Slurry batch plant

Additional 10kPa due

to Slurry machine

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Additional Inclinometers I7 and I8 are proposed to install adjacent to Shaft P5-5 and
I9 adjacent to P5-4
For additional inclinometers, I7, I8 & I9, induced “incremental” soil movements in forward
analyses will be used as reference for setting WSL & AL, amendment submission was made to
BCA for approval and restart work

I9 I8

I7

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Mitigation measures taken to seek approval from BCA to

restart work:

- After additional grouting and recharge wells operation,

ground settlement and building settlement of Boy
Brigade HQ stabilise

- New Inclinometers installed and new WSL set for the

inclinometers based on actual site heavy surcharge
layout

- BCA lifted SWO in Apr 2018, total 4 months of SWO

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6) Discussion of Case histories to illustrate New BCA

regulatory framework for Observational Method

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Case study on observational approach (DTL C922) to show the new guideline
given by BCA on allowance for observational approach to optimise deep
excavation design

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Design Parameter:
Characteristics vs Most Probable

Characteristic Most Probable

Likely behaviour of the ERSS during

Adopted for normal designs using EC7
construction

Cautions estimate of the value affecting Average design parameters which are
the occurrence of limit state better than characteristic

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Observational Method Approach Allowed by BCA

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Design Procedure
Step 1: Characteristic Design

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Design Procedure
Step 2: Most Probable Design

Optimisation of Design:
Good practice to explore for
potential optimisation of
existing design in Step 1
Sensitivity Study:
Ability to identify most
attributable components, where
change in its parameter can lead
to major evolution of design

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Case Study on Strut Omission using Observational Method

(Down Town Line Project C922 – Expo Station & Overrun Tunnels)

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Photo showing ORT (RF)

Plaza 8

Station Station ESS DBS Bank

RF
(T/D) (B/U) (B/U) (B/U)

78m 99m 160m 270m

Plot 61 (Changi City) Plot 60

(UE
Bizhub
DBS Bank East)

Plaza 8

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Photo showing ORT (ESS)

Plot 60

Station Station Plot

ESS 61 RF
(T/D) (B/U) (B/U) (B/U)

78m 99m 160m 270m

Plot 61
1st Base Slab Casting(A8~A15)

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Overrun Tunnel Cross Section:

S3 at 98.5mRL

S4 at 93.8mRL

S5 at 88.8mRL
Strut S6 was proposed to be
S6 at 84.5mRL
omitted as a result of better
wall performance using
observational approach

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Design Procedure
Step 1: Characteristic Design

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Design Procedure
Step 2: Most Probable Design
In view both Drained and
Undrained Analyses Conditions are
performed to assess the ERSS, the
less governing case shall serve as
the most probable design.
This enables the determination of
OM level in the review level

OM level sets the criteria for

adoption of Most probable Design
(Undrained Case) instead of
Characteristic Design (Drained Case)

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Design Procedures Day 1 - Part 2 (4pm to 5pm)

Step 2: Most Probable Design Parameters

Summary table of comparisons between parameters in characteristic design and most probable
design:
Parameters Characteristic Design Most Probable Design

Ground Level RL99.95m RL99.35m

Ground Water Table GWT at GL (RL99.95m) GWT at 3m below GL

Final Excavation Level RL79.80m RL80.81m

Soil Profile Based on original boreholes Based on additional boreholes

Soil Type Clayey Old Alluvium Clayey Old Alluvium

Soil stiffness E = 2N (MPa) E = 3N (MPa)
Unplanned Excavation 0.5m unplanned excavation assumed in the 0.5m unplanned excavation assumed in
normal case analyses (ULS FOS = 1.4) the accidental case analyses(ULS FOS =
1.05)

Number of layer of struts 4 layers of struts (S3, S4, S4 & S6) 3 layers of struts (S3, S4 & S5)

Soil Model Dained MC Undrained MC 87

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Instrumentation Results
Upon excavating down to 88.8mRL
to install Strut S5, the actual wall
deflection is much lower than
predicted wall deflection

Most Probable Parameters

7mm(L), 8mm(R)
Characteristic Parameters
15mm(L), 19mm(R)
Actual Deflection Profile
5mm < 7mm 7mm < 8mm 7mm

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Observed Level vs OM Level Section Predicted

Deflection based
Predicted
Deflection based
Observed
Deflection
on Characteristic on most
Design probable design
Section B-B
(LHS)
15mm 7mm 5mm
Section B-B
(RHS)
19mm 8mm 7mm

Characteristic Level 19mm

Most Probable (OM) Level 7mm

Actual Level 5mm

Omission of Strut is implemented as the
observed wall deflection is below the OM Level

Actual Site Condition is better than Original Design Assumption

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Observational Method Precursors

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Conclusions (1 of 2)
- Underground structures design including temporary works and
permanent works are subject to regulatory framework of URA, BCA
and other agencies
- The regulatory framework is a challenge to engineers and builders,
but it has demonstrated that this can protect the stakeholders
effectively

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Conclusions (2 of 2)
- From the case histories, it is demonstrated that it is feasible to comply
with the regulation as the regulations has been clearly set out
- Having a stringent framework for supervision of the underground
structures projects give more confidence in the quality or the
completed products
- Engineers are push to greater heights to think out of the box for their
design to overcome the challenges of various constraints of site

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