Building the underground Singapore - Kuala Lumpur high speed rail (HSR) terminus is likely to be challenging, time-consuming and costly, mainly due to the soft soil conditions prevailing in the area, as acknowledged by civil engineer experts. Despite the difficult soil conditions, typically encountered in many other sites of the country, authorities appear confident that construction of the terminal will be eventually realized. Different soil improvement methods have so far been proposed, and detailed soil investigations will be required before actual construction begins.
The soft soil conditions encountered at the site, located very close to a lake, will require significant strengthening measures before initiation of excavation works by geotechnical and geological engineering experts, as acknowledged by Dr. Chew Soon Hoe, a council member of the Institution of Engineers Singapore. Reportedly, a 0.8m-to-1.5m diaphragm wall, having a two-fold function of offering additional support to the excavation and preventing water seepage into the terminal, would be another alternative. Of course a drainage system would still be necessary.
Associate Professor Chu Jian, from the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Nanyang Technolgical University, suggested the installation of stone columns beneath the excavated site, at a distance ranging from one to three meters, specifically stating that "You have to make the ground stronger before you build your railway track. If not, there will be vibrations when you go at full speed over a soft stretch, and passengers will not be comfortable". He alternatively suggested applying the vacuum preloading method, frequently used in land reclamation projects, in which an applied massive load upon the soil surface is used to practically "squeeze out" the water.
According to the experts, the required soil investigations may take up to a year before selecting the appropriate soil improvement method.
Source: Todayonline.com
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