As part of Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TMCLKL), a strategic link that will connect Hong Kong, Golder Associates was tasked with designing and constructing a 5-kilometer dual two-lane subsea tunnel. The link shortens travel time by 20 minutes and ensures economic growth in the area. The $2.33 billion tunnel will be the deepest and longest subsea road tunnel ever built in the country.
Complex geotechnical risks were identified early in the project as the ground conditions were investigated and understood. To support the complex geotechnical conditions and high-water pressure on this project, Golder Associates used Bentley’s geotechnical applications. gINT, HoleBASE, MicroStation, PLAXIS to model and analyze the complex interactions between the ground conditions, design considerations of the tunnels and geo-structures, and the construction processes.
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Plaxis 3D modeling involved a 450m long tunnel, gINT was used for managing a vast amount of borehole data, while HoLeBASE was employed to interpret and plot compressed geological profiles and field test results for ground risk management.
To mitigate the risks of potential long-term tunnel ovalisation (deformation of the tunnel rings, with impacts on stability and serviceability) due to dissipation of excess pore pressure and long-term creep of the alluvial clay at the newly reclaimed ground, barrette panels were constructed adjacent to both sides of the tunnels to stiffen the ground and tunnel lining response.
With PLAXIS 3D, barrette design was optimized by using 52 less barrettes, shortening 46 of them by 2.8 meters. The result was to save $16 million, reduce construction time by two months and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,500 tons.
Sources: Bentley Systems Announces Winners of Year in Infrastructure 2020 Awards, Golder Associates Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link (TM-CLKL) Project, Golder Uses PLAXIS 3D in Tunneling Construction Project
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