Underground Singapore 2014

Tale of 2 deep Singapore basements and how 3D modeling

led to a leaner design and keener construction programme.
J. Tan, J. Austin, J. Pang, L. Dan
Arup Pte Ltd, Singapore

S.S. Soh (QP Geo)

Arup Pte Ltd, Singapore

3D analysis is being increasingly used on major projects to refine traditional analyses to facilitate
leaner design and keener construction programmes. This paper presents two recent projects, still un-
der construction at the time of writing where 3D analyses has been used in just this way. Capitol De-
velopment in downtown Singapore comprises a 6 level (25m) deep top down basement constructed
with contiguous bored pile walls with superstructure up to 12 storeys high and the conservation of
Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and Stamford House. Two underground connections are also made
to nearby MRT City Hall MRT and the new Stamford Hotel. The second, Tanjong Pagar mixed use
development will stand as Singapores tallest tower at 290m high once complete (due in 2016) and
comprises an 18m (3 level) deep basement immediately adjacent to raft founded Tanjong Pagar MRT
station. Both developments have in common a proximity to high profile neighbours, sensitive to
ground movements, making it important to understand with accuracy the anticipated ground move-
ments that would be caused by the developments. Consequently top down construction methodology
was selected for both sites, which also allowed faster progress of the above ground structures. This pa-
per outlines the challenges experienced during the ground investigation works on both projects, the
subsequent design and its verification through the use of 3D finite element modeling, with some com-
parison with initial construction/field monitoring.

1 INTRODUCTION
Tanjong Pagar Tower and Capitol Development are two major mixed use building developments
which started formal design in early 2011. Capitol is set for completion in 2014/2015 with Tanjong
Pagar following just behind in 2016, artistic impressions of each development are shown in Figures 1
and 2.
Both projects offered significant design and construction challenges for the project teams. Both have
significant basements to be constructed within close proximity to sensitive existing and high profile
structures including MRT stations, historic and iconic buildings. Arup were the geotechnical design-
ers for both projects.
PLAXIS 3D v2011 was used by Arup on each project to confirm suspected behaviour due to 3D ef-
fects of the excavation that could not be well modeled by other 2D software or easily through manipu-
lation of output from 3D software. This paper will detail lessons learnt in using the Plaxis 3D finite
element software to verify ground movements estimations to lend for leaner design decisions, gain
confidence from authorities and push construction programme.
Figure 1: Capitol Development Artists impression Figure 2: Tanjong Pagar Artists impres-
sion

2 TANJONG PAGAR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

2.1 Overview of the project

Tanjong Pagar Mixed Use Development is located at the corner of Peck Seah Street and Choon Guan
Street, adjacent to Tanjong Pagar MRT station, Singapore. Figure 3 shows the site location. The de-
velopment comprises the construction of a 290m tall mixed-use residential and office tower with an
18m deep three level basement. Direct links will also be made to connect with the existing under-
ground MRT station. A full top-down construction method was adopted for the basement excavation
works.

Figure 3: Tanjong Pagar Site location Figure 4: Tanjong Pagar Site Geology (DSTA
2009)

The development will tower over the other buildings in the vicinity with its 64 storeys, making it the
tallest building in Singapore. Figure 5 shows the detailed site plan showing the surrounding buildings
and boundaries. The main tower is founded on a 4m thick raft supported on 1.8m diameter bored piles,
extending about 40m below the base of the raft.
Figure 5: Tanjong Pagar Site location and surrounding buildings

2.2 Ground Conditions

The project area is underlain by the Jurong Formation. The geological map indicates that the site is lo-
cated where the Queenstown Facies and the Rimau Facies meet, with the Queenstown Facies at the
western end and the Rimau Facies on the eastern end of the site. An extract of the DSTA map relevant
to the Tanjong Pagar site is given in Figure 4. The approximate site location has been highlighted for
clarity.

The geotechnical investigation was carried out for the development in mid-2011. The drilling of 20
boreholes to depths up to 60m was carried out using rotary drilled (wash bored) methods. In-situ soil
testing included Standard Penetration Testing (SPT), falling head permeability testing and pressure-
meter testing. Undisturbed samples were obtained using thin walled tubes and a mazier sampler. Some
of the undisturbed samples recovered generally appeared disturbed and due to the interbedding of Ju-
rong Formation S-IV and S-V. Groundwater monitoring using standpipes and Casagrande-type pie-
zometers positioned in the Residual Jurong soils stratum and in the completely weathered Jurong For-
mation rock stratum. Laboratory testing was conventional and included moisture content, Atterberg
limits, particle size distribution, specific gravity, unconfined compressive strength, point load index
and chemical testing.

Generally the stratigraphy of the site appears relatively consistent across the footprint of the proposed
structure with some localised deepening of more weathered Jurong Formation. Figure 6 gives an ex-
ample cross section of the stratigraphy. In general, the soil profile starts with around 3m Fill, under-
lain by residual soils of the Jurong Formation and completely weathered Jurong Formation. The Ju-
rong Formation soils to 97mRL are typically residual soil to completely weathered rock with an SPT N
value of between 50 and 100. Below 97mRL, SPTs Increased to indicate completely weathered rock
has an SPT N value consistently above 100 (extrapolated).
Figure 6: Example geological cross section

2.3 Key risks to the project

The site is located immediately adjacent to the existing underground Tanjong Pagar MRT station that
is supported by raft foundations. One of the biggest challenges of this project was to control the
movement of the MRT structures keeping within the stringent criteria set by the LTA. There are two
other buildings founded on shallow foundations located less than 20m away from the proposed devel-
opment Maxwell Chambers and shop house at 76 Peck Seah Street. These adjacent sensitive struc-
tures necessitate the needs to understand likelihood movement.

2.4 Why 3D modeling was employed

Initially 2D Plaxis analysis was used to size the wall elements and for early predictions of ground
movement behind the new basement structures. Due to the complex soil-structure and structure-
existing structure interaction, a full 3D finite element model was employed to study the effect of exca-
vation and long- term settlement of the structure itself.
To better control the retaining wall deflections, sequential excavations of zones was proposed by the
Contractor excavation works were divided into four phases :
- Office/residential (Phase 1)
- Hotel (Phase 2)
- MRT link (Phase 3 and 4)

This phasing was expected to significantly impact on predicted movements around a non-regular
basement and simpler analyses software was not deemed appropriate for estimation of the resulting
wall deflections and movement of soils surrounding the new basement. For this reason 3D Plaxis was
used to better capture the complexity of the 3D behavior

3D modeling was employed in a number of different ways for the project:

- To investigate proposed excavation sequence
- To investigate soil structure interactions (for both the new structure and existing MRT box)

3D modeling was employed part way through the project when addressing anticipated movement at
the MRT structures.
2.5 Approach to the 3D model

Geometry and construction sequence

A top-down construction method has been proposed for the basement excavation works. The typical
construction sequence begins with the installation of Contiguous Bored Pile (CBP) and Secant Pile
Wall (SPW). The basement columns and foundation piles (steel plunge in columns/king posts) will
then be constructed before any excavation works commence. For each side of the excavation, the floor
slab (L01) will be constructed first, with at least one construction hole left open to allow for the re-
moval of the excavated soil. Further excavation down the opening will take place only when the L01
slab has gained the sufficient strength. The openings will be left open within each newly formed base-
ment floor slab and the procedure will repeated for subsequent basement levels.

The finite element mesh

The soil is modeled using 10- node tetrahedral elements with the wall and slab modeled as a 6 node
triangular plate element.
Ground conditions
Section 2.2 of this paper discusses the ground conditions. In the 3D model, all layers are modeled as
drained. The ground water table is at 2m below ground level.
Constitutive modelling
A Hardening Soil model was adopted for all soil layers. The Hardening Soil model is an elastoplastic
type of hyperbolic model, formulated in the framework of shear hardening plasticity. Specifically the
model involves compression hardening to simulate irreversible compaction of soil under primary com-
pression.

3 CAPITOL MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

3.1 Overview of the project

Capitol mixed use development is located in the centre of Downtown Singapore. The development
comprises a 6 level (25m) deep top down basement constructed with contiguous bored pile walls with
superstructure up to 12 storeys high and the conservation of Capitol Theatre, Capitol Building and
Stamford House. Two underground connections are also made with a 110 m long B2 level connection
to City Hall MRT to be excavated beneath the busy North Bridge Road and a three level deep base-
ment linkway connecting the main basement to the new Stamford House hotel. Once complete, the 12
storey Capitol Development will boast one of the deepest basements of its size in Singapore. Figure 7
shows the buildings surrounding the site and highlights the different elements.

Figure 7 : Capitol Surrounding buildings Figure 8: Model of basement layout incl. MRT
tunnel, 3 and 6 level basement
3.2 Ground Conditions
The DSTA geology map (Figure 9) indicates that the Capitol Site sits over the Kallang Formation.
Ground Investigation was carried out in 2 stages early 2011 by AGA with supplementary holes drilled
by Kiso Jiban later in the year. Together the Ground Investigations comprised 27 boreholes spread
across the site up to depths of 80mbgl. It was discovered that the Fort Canning Boulder Bed extends
under the site, and a number of boulders were identified at approximately 70mbgl. The established
stratigraphy is summarized in schematic form in Figure 11.

Figure 9 : Capitol extract from Figure 10: Updated FCBB Figure 11: Schematic of ground
geology map (DSTA, 2009) locations (Shirlaw 1990) model

3.3 Key risks to the project

There were a number of key geotechnical challenges on the project. The shallower ground conditions
made it difficult to ascertain the geology (distinguishing between Jurong Formation and FCBB), deep-
er GI was required to establish this.
Additionally there was a large number of existing H piles which had supported the old car park build-
ing which obstructed the new works and required removal.
To add to this, the basement layout was complex, irregular in plan shape and of varying levels. The
main basement was 6 levels deep with a large area it connected to 2 other structures including the
MRT and Stamford House via a 2 level deep passageway and 3 level deep L shaped basement respec-
tively.
The Capitol site is surrounded by sensitive buildings such as St Andrew Church, Capitol Theatre, Cap-
itol Building and Stamford hotel. Furthermore, it is located close to the City Hall MRT station and its
two running tunnels. Top down construction method was adopted for capitol project to better control
ground movement and allow for both superstructure and basement construction at the same time.

3.4 Why 3D modeling was employed

3D modeling was employed part way through the project when addressing anticipated movement at
the MRT structures and the model was extended to include the 3 level linkway.

An acceptable and accurate prediction of excavation-induced movement and associated damage as-
sessment for the adjacent sensitive buildings was essential for the feasibility of this project. Initially
2D Plaxis analysis was used to size the wall elements and for early predictions of ground movement
behind the new basement structures. Oasys XDisp was used to superimpose these results to estimate
the 3D effects. Unfortunately, the superposition did not work well possibly due to the geometry of
the excavation (complex plan shape and varying excavation levels). It was felt the 2D results were
over predicting actual movement that would be experienced by the neighbouring structures, 2D finite
element analysis was considered inadequate to predict movement at the structure location. Therefore,
to more realistically predict the ground behaviour under applied loading, 3D finite element analysis
was proposed.

Later in the programme, once piling was progressing on site, the Contractor wanted to adjust their con-
struction sequence to release pressure on the construction programme, the Main Contractor was opti-
mising construction sequence to shorten the Main basement construction period through progressing
excavation in the floor below before the casting of the slab for the floor above was complete. For
basement construction, it was proposed to cast A1 area slabs by two phases. First phase is to cast half
slab, second phase is to excavate under this first half slab while the second half slab is being cast. 3D
finite element analysis is essential to capture this two phases slab casting and excavation process to
validate the optimized construction sequence.

3.5 Approach to the 3D model

3.5.1 Constitutive modeling
To model the soil behaviour, the elastic perfectly plastic Mohr-Coulomb model is adopted for all soil
types. Different element models were adopted to simulate structural members. Retaining walls, perma-
nent slabs and temporary struts as well as MRT tunnels were modelled as linear elastic plate element,
while kingpost in A2 area was modelled adopting beam element. In addition, embedded pile element
was used to simulate all foundation piles. Structural members and its corresponding material element
are illustrated in Figure 1 below.
Mixed ground conditions are sometimes found in the Central Business District in Singapore. Materi-
als which are similar to the residual soil of Jurong Formation are encountered above the Fort Canning
Boulder Bed, occasionally. In some locations the material so described may form part Fort Canning
Clay, but without the characteristic quartzite boulders. In other locations, it may form part of the Old
Alluvium. (quoted from CP4 2.2.1.3.3). Given the variability of these Mixed ground conditions, the
Mohr Coulomb soil model was adopted as it is generally considered more conservative for estimation
of ground movement and therefore would better accommodate local variation in soil properties without
adversely impacting on design.

Figure 12 Model geometry, structural members and corresponding material properties

General design water level is at 103mRL which is 2m below ground level. For the soil clusters below
excavation area, the water pressure is generated by implying a water head according to the excavation
level. Due to the complexity of the 3D modelling, no water flow calculation is performed in this analy-
sis, and the water pressure within clusters is generated by its phreatic level.

The proposed excavation is surrounded by existing buildings with various types of foundations. In or-
der to capture the effects of the existing building loads on the proposed excavation, surcharges are ap-
plied around the excavation to simulate the loading effects from above mentioned existing structures.

3.5.3 Finite element mesh and calculation stages

The ground profile adopted in the model is interpolated among 5 selected critical boreholes across the
site to capture the worst ground condition. The model was extended to a vertical dimension of 1.5
times length of the retaining wall to eliminate any boundary effect interference. As illustrated in Figure
2, boundary fixities were located along every vertical face and the bottom boundary. Ground surface is
free to move in all directions. The numerical model meshing is generated in the mesh mode automati-
cally by Plaxis 3D program with 10-node tetrahedral elements for basic soil element, 3-node line ele-
ments for beams, 6-node plate elements to simulate the behavior of plates, and 12-node interface ele-
ments to simulate the soil-structure interaction behavior. Embedded pile consists of beam elements
with special interface elements providing interaction between beam and the surrounding soil. The cal-
culation stages were built based on the scheduled construction program and sequence. Plastic calcula-
tion was performed for every stage following the initial equilibrium calculation.

4 FIELD COMPARISON
4.1 Monitoring Instrumentation
Located immediately adjacent to the existing underground MRT station and buildings, tight control
over the construction works are required. Therefore, a comprehensive monitoring scheme was imple-
mented to ensure that the construction induced movements stayed within the allowable limits.
Automatic Tunnel Monitoring System (ATMS) which consist of automated total stations and prisms to
check the lateral and vertical movement of existing tunnel structure. Monitoring prisms are installed
within monitoring zone at 3m interval within zone of influence and 5m interval before and after influ-
ence zone. MEMS Tilt Beam Sensors were installed between tracks to measure the possible twist dur-
ing the construction period. Vibration meter were installed on the tunnel wall to catch possible vibra-
tion caused by the piling or other construction activities.
Building movements and tilt were measured by building settlement marker and tiltmeter. Performance
of the ERSS walls were measured by cluster of instruments which consists of inclinometer, water
standpipe and 3 tips piezometer.

4.2 Tanjong Pagar Mixed Use Development

Figure 13 Tanjong Pagar Layout of monitoring and instrumentation

4.2.1 Inclinometer readings

Currently phase 1 excavation has been completed. Figure 14 below shows the comparison of corrected
field measurements with predicted movements of the phase 1 ERSS at each stage of excavation works.
The inclinometer readings were plotted with the adjustment at top coordinate. Inclinometer readings
could be misleading if the toes of the inclinometers were used as reference points for plotting wall de-
flections. Back analysis was carried when the excavation reaching B2 level, soil stiffness was in-
creased by 1.5 times to have a closer match between analysis and actual instrumentation readings. Due
to the nearby critical MRT structure, more onerous loading condition was assumed in the analysis,
hence actual wall movements are generally less than predicted values.
 IW4(WallichStreet) IW7(Maxwell) IW8(MRTSide)
110 110 110

105 105 105

100 100 100

95 95 95
Elevation(mRL)

Elevation(mRL)

Elevation(mRL)
90 90 90

85 85 85

80 80 80
Predicted_EXC_B1 Predicted_EXC_B1 Predicted_EXC_B1
Predicted_EXC_B2 Predicted_EXC_B2 Predicted_EXC_B2
Predicted_EXC_B3 Predicted_EXC_B3 Predicted_EXC_B3
75 75 75
Actual_EXC_B1 Actual_EXC_B1 Actual_EXC_B1
Actual_EXC_B2 Actual_EXC_B2 Actual_EXC_B2
Actual_EXC_B3 Actual_EXC_B3 Actual_EXC_B3
70 70 70
10 0 10 20 30 40 10 0 10 20 30 40 10 0 10 20 30 40
WallDeflection(mm) WallDeflection(mm) WallDeflection(mm)

Figure 14 Staged inclinometer results against predictions

Figure 15 Trend plot for cluster 7 instruments

4.2.2 Trend plot
The plot shown in Figure 15 shows the water standpipe, piezometer, ground settlement marker, build-
ing settlement marker readings and excavation depth with time for cluster 7.
There is a large reduction in piezometric readings during the excavation stage. The large reduction in
the pore pressure can be attributed to the Jurong formation and its behaviour during construction. The
stress relief during excavation causes the fissures and fractures to open and significantly increases the
permeability from its preconstruction state, a phenomena noted elsewhere in other excavations in Ju-
rong Formation, where estimated permeabilitys of 1.15x10-6m/s was observed (quoted from Ong
2006 ).

The depth of the SBP/CBP walls does not reduce the large draw-down as the reduction is primarily
due to the stress changes in the ground. Within the excavation, the unloading caused the reduction in
the major principal stress in the soil elements and this resulted in large reduction of water pressure be-
low the formation level. Behind the retaining wall, the horizontal stress is reduced to the ka condition
from the original ko condition, i.e. a reduction in 3(confining stress).
In soft and compressible subsurface ground condition, the localised piezometric drawdown can lead to
consolidation settlements and subsequent ground settlement. However, in the vicinity of Tanjong Pa-
gar site along the Wallich Road, the subsurface ground conditions are relatively stiff residual soil un-
derlain by weathered weak rocks. Ground settlement is rather minimal due to the reduction in pore wa-
ter pressure.

4.2.3 Long Term Settlement

The performance of the pile raft will be monitored by flat cells, piezometers and strain gauges. Flat
cells and strain gauges will measure the load distribute to the raft and pile when superstructure load
coming down, piezometer will record the pore pressure build up. While writing this paper, the long
term foundation monitoring just started. Figure 16 show the predicted movements of pile-raft using
Plaxis 3D. Table 3 shows the comparison between finite element analyses with empirical calculation
method.

Figure 16 Raft settlement results

 Table 3 Comparison between finite element analysis and empirical method

4.3 Capitol Mixed Use Development

Figure 17 Capitol Layout of monitoring and instrumentation

4.3.1 Inclinometer readings

The predicted lateral deflection from the 3D Plaxis analysis for IW-21 and IW-9 is shown in red for
the final stage of excavation. The work suspension level indicated is obtained from 2D analysis. The
measured inclinometer readings are lower than the predicted deflection.
For IW-9, the adjacent building has 2 basements and is founded on bored piles. In the 3D analysis, on-
erous loading condition was assumed in each of the 6 level excavation stage and the deflection at each
stage was accumulated until the final excavation stage. The actual wall movements are generally less
than predicted values as the onerous loading conditions may not occurred.
From the measured inclinometer readings, it is likely that the stiffness of the mixed soil within the ex-
cavation above the FCBB is much higher than the values adopted in the FEM analysis.
Figure 18 Inclinometer results against predictions

5 LESSONS LEARNT
Parametric studies with 2D Plaxis was carried out to find out the sensitivities of the parameters before
3D finite element analysis was employed. Observation method is important when the excavation is on-
going, especially when the contractor changed the excavation sequence. Back analysis was performed
as part of the observation method as changing soil stiffness to reflect the measured movements.

Due to the limitation of Plaxis 3D (version 2011 at the time analysis was carried), the connection be-
tween plates to plates could be modelled as fully fixed connection, which in reality most cases are
pinned connection especially at the slab-wall connection. Therefore, the analysis results for retaining
wall reaction are not reliable for design purposes. For thickness of 1.5m base slab, it is more realistic
to be modelled as volume element instead of plate element to avoid unrealistic sudden peak in the wall
reaction. However, for simplicity purpose on Capitol project, it has been modelled as plate element.

6 CONCLUSIONS
3D Plaxis offered an effective tool for capturing 3D effects on high profile and geometrically complex
basement excavations.
The purpose of estimating ground movement induced by excavation has been achieved well with satis-
fying results at especially MRT tunnel locations and sensitive building locations, which led to more
accurate damage assessment of these existing structures. Furthermore, this 3D analysis provided effec-
tive justification for contractor proposed construction sequence which could not be captured if it is 2D
analysis. The predicted retaining wall movement during excavation stages is in reasonable order within
allowable movement limits.
References
Christian, J.T. and Carrier III, W.D. (1978). Janbu, Bjerrum and Kjaernslis chart reinterpreted, Canadian Ge-
otechnical Journal, 15, 123, 436.
DSTA (2009). Geology of Singapore 2nd edition. Defence Science and Technology Agency, Singapore.
H.G. Poulos & E.H. Davis (1980). Pile foundation analysis and design.
J.C.W.Ong and N.Osborne (2006). Piezometric changes during deep excavation, International Confer-
ence on Deep Excavation, 28-30 June 2006, Singapore.
JN Shirlaw, KB Poh, RN Hwang (1990). Properties and origins of Singapore Boulder Bed, Tenth
Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference, 16-20 April, 1990, Taipei.
Tomlinson, M. J. (Michael John) (2008). Pile design and construction practice.
Wen, D. & Lin, K.Q. (2002). The effect of deep excavation on pore water pressure changes in the Old
Alluvium and under-drainage of marine clay in Singapore. Kastner, Emeriault, Dies, Gullloux (ed.),
Geotechnical aspects of underground construction in soft ground; Proc. intern. symp., Toulouse,
France, 23-25 October 2002.