SYNOPSIS

The Tunnelling & Underground Space Technical Division and Geotechnical Engineering Technical Division of The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) is jointly organising the Technical Visits to Singapore MRT sites and MMHE site at Johore with respect to the ground freezing work, mined tunnel construction and dry dock. This International Site Visit is supported by The Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES), which is expected provides a platform for interaction and exchange of ideas between IEM and IES members.

SINGAPORE MRT SITE VISITS

Thomson-East Coast Line - Marina Bay Station (T226)
For the first time in Singapore’s rail history, the technique of GROUND FREEZING has been chosen to stabilise the soil during construction of Singapore’s new Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) Marina Bay Station. The works are underway to build a pedestrian walkway and the two tunnels, the TEL tunnels, one on top of the other, underneath the existing lines. To do this, the team has utilised a rectangular shield tunnelling machine to cut away a section of approximately 20 existing piles that support the North-South Line (NSL)’s tunnel. The level of complexity is raised as the current live MRT lines are in use coupled with the poor soil conditions which make the project even more challenging. Contractor for the Marina Bay Station and associated tunnels – T226 – is Taisei Corporation, which was awarded the S$425M contract in February 2014.

Thomson-East Coast Line - Orchard Station (T219)
At T219 Orchard Station, a major portion of the Platform Link (MINED TUNNEL) which connects the platforms of both NSL and TEL Orchard stations is right below the existing NSL Orchard Station as well as ION Orchard (shopping mall, 7 stories) and Orchard Residences (condominium, 55 stories). The link is located approximately 25 metres below the ground level, undercrossing the NSL tunnel tracks. Platform Link works have to take place while ensuring that the NSL Orchard station and tunnels remain in operation throughout the construction period. Due to the close proximity of the proposed Platform Link to the existing underground and above ground structures, it is essential for the mining works to be carried out in a planned, incremental and co-ordinated manner without compromising the above ground activities and amenities as well as the structural integrity or serviceability of these structures. The S$498M T219 contract for the construction of Orchard Station and its associated tunnels was awarded to a joint venture between Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd and Bachy Solentanche Pte Ltd.

MMHE DRY DOCK 3, PASIR GUDANG, JOHORE, MALAYSIA

The MMHE Dry Dock 3 which is under construction, is one of the biggest DRY DOCK in Malaysia, with  a size of 350m x 80m x 14m depth. The construction of the MMHE Dry Dock 3 combines the expertise from various engineering disciplines comprising Civil, Geotechnical, Marine, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering. Currently, the Dry Dock 3 is in the foundation construction stage.