Dinuka Gunasekara

Importance of Temporary works, Earth Compaction
Equipment and Soil Tests in Large-Scale Civil

Engineering Projects
Civil Engineering Surveying
DINUKA MALINTHA GUNASEKARA
Student No: @00321311

15th April 2016
Importance of Temporary works, Earth Compaction Equipment and Soil Tests in Large-Scale Civil Engineering Projects | Student No: @00321311
Importance of Temporary works, Earth Compaction Equipment

and Soil Tests in Large -Scale Civil Engineering Projects
Introduction
In any type of civil engineering project, temporary works, earth compaction
equipment and soil tests play important role in the way of successful
completion of the project. And also it has a significant impact on the final cost
of the project. Generally temporary works are essential for the construction of
permanent wor k but not incorporated or visible in the final structure. It will
include access bridges, temporary -platforms for plant/machinery, formwork,
shoring, cofferdams, etc. In this report Im going to discuss about the role of
temporary work, equipment and soil test in large-scale bridge and tunnel
projects constructed in Sri Lanka while clarifying the impact of those activities
towards final cost of the project.
Temporary works : - Temporary works play vital role in construction as no
construction can be made wit hout any sort of temporary works being involved.
According to (Illingworth, 2000) and (Holems, 1995) cost and design of
temporary works will represent significant part or high portion of total contract
price submitted. Therefore when tendering, its really important to conduct
adequate studies on temporary works to choose an appropriate method of
construction and to make sure that its not underpriced. Majority of the
temporary works are responsible for safety provisions of the site, therefore
underpricing could lead to cost savings through taking shortcuts or reducing
the quality of work which may result fatal consequences or damages which
could far outweigh the cost savings made earlier. Proper supervision of
erection, maintenance and removal of any tempor ary work is also equally
important. As an example If the materials use for formwork more than once, It
should be carefully checked before the use since there might be chance of
weakened the material by its initial use.
Earth Compaction Equipment : -According to (MOR, 2005) Soil compaction is
commonly known as densifying the soil through external compacti on effort to
enhance the properties and performance of it. There are no. of earth
compaction equipments/machinery available in the industry and use of those
equipments depends on type and moisture condition of the soil. And also (MOR,
2005) states that 15 -30% of the final project cost accounts for the
machinery/equipment of civil engineering projects like highways, bridges and
tunnels. Earth compaction equipment can be categorized into two groups as
bellow (Mishra, 2016).
Light compacting equipment
Rammers:- used for earth compacting in small areas by impact load to

earth. Base size can be 15cmx15cm or 20cmx20cm.
Vibrating Plates:- Suitable for compaction of coarse soil containing up to

8% of fines. Plate size can be 0.16m2 -1.6m2.
F i g u r e 1 - R a m m e r ( s o u r c e - c o n s t r u c t o r . o rg )
2.
F i g u re 2 - V i b ra t i n g P l a t e
Heavy compacting equipment
Smooth-wheeled roller: - used for crushing and compaction of earth

consists of sand, gravel, metal, asphalt, etc. Gross weight could be 8 -10
tons and 3 -6 kmph is the most suitable speed for this roller.
Vibrating drum smooth -wheeled roller:- Higher degree of compaction up

to greater depth could be achieved and gives more output and
performance than conventional roller. Most recommended compaction
equipment in modern construction.
Figure 3- Smooth-wheeled roller (source-constructor.org)
Figure 4- Vibrating smooth wheeled roller
1.
Sheep-foot roller:- Suitable for fine grained soil types with clay. Use for
damp construction, embankment, pavements and rail -way construction
projects. Up to 14kg/cm pressure can be applied.
Pneumatic tired roller: - Can be used for fine -grained soils and generally
they are used to compaction of both earth and bituminous work in road
projects. Gross weight could be 11 -25tons.
Grid/mesh Rollers:- Typically used for compaction of rocky soils, gravel

and graded coarse soils in road construction. But not suited for clayey
soils. Net weight is about 5.5tons and it can be increased up to 15 tons
by ballasting concrete cubes.
F i g u r e 5 - S h e e p - f o o t r o l l e r ( s o u r c e - c o n s t ru c t o r. o rg )
F i g u re 6 - P n e u m a t i c r o l l e r
With the invention of modern compaction equipment/machinery, builders able

to complete huge amount of work in short period of time (early completion)
with good quality and economically.
Soil Tests: - Geotechnical engineer is the person who conduct the soil testing
to determine and examine the properties of soil which bare the whole load of
the structure. Most common types of site exploration or soil testin g methods
are trial pits (suites for small scale projects) and drilling boreholes (For
medium and large scale projects). Also there are some geophysical surveys
such as ground probing radar, seismic surveys, magnetic surveys and
electromagnetic surveys. Wo rkability of the site soil can be determined by
conducting series of boreholes and detailed report with further assistance can
be obtained by sending over soil samples for laboratory test. According to that
soil test report structural engineer will be desi gned the suitable foundation
type with suitable depth (Civil, 2014) . Even though costs incorporated with soil
tests have significant impact on total cost of the project, it makes sense to
having soil test since it reduce the ri sk significantly. Because costs of
damages, liabilities, insurances and repairs that could be arise in future due
to failure of structure will far outweigh the cost of conducting soil test.
Temporary Works, Equipment and Soil tests in Bridge Construction project in

Sri Lanka
The bridge I selected for this report is new bridge constructed in
Raththanapitiya junction along the Pamankada to Kesbewa road in 20132015. This bridge was only a part of Rehabiltaion/Improvements to B084
(North) road section project of Road Development Authority (RDA). Super
structure of this 25m bridge was constructed with pre -tensioned precast
concrete beams while the foundati on consists of 26 bored piles at both ends.
This bridge construction project had two separate working stages, Pamankada
end of the bridge called stage 1 and Kesbewa end called stage 2. Total cost
of this bridge project was Rs. 98.658 million.
Figure 7- Raththanapitiya Bridge(Source - google.com)
Figure 8- Piling in construction
There were three major temporary works are carried out in this bridge
construction. First, shoring work was carried out at both end of the bridge
using steel sheet piles in order to prepare temporary platform and scour
protection of foundation (see appendix A for detail drawings). Second,
Temporary working platforms were constructed at both ends inside the shori ng
area by earth filling up to the ground level in order to facilitate the bored pile
driven machine (see appendix B for detail drawings). Third, Removal of working
platform and demobilization by excavating the temporary earth filling up to the
foundation level (MSL -1m) and hack the piles at this level. And smooth
formwork was done at super structure in order to support the concrete deck.
When comparing cost in relation to the all the temporary works of this project,
it can be displayed as follow according to the priced BOQ (see appendix C as
an example).
Therefore we shouldnt underestimate the importance of soil test i n any type

of civil engineering project.
According to those details cost of temporary works had been accounted for
25% of the total project cost and it has significant impact on it.
Soil investigation for this project was conducted by Geotechnical Company in
2013. Upon investigation, geo engineering crew had conducted by drilling 6nos
of boreholes in the both side of the stream bank to ascertain the
characteristics of soil and engineering properties of each soil layer to design
the foundation through Geo technical investigation report submitting.
Hydraulically operated rotary drilling machine was used for the drilling work
on this project. (See the appendix D for detail report and borehole log data)
Cost of this soil testing according to the BOQ is 12,645.00 for 1 linear meter
and for the total of 60 meters its Rs.758,700.00. Its nearly 0.8% of the total
project cost.
When considering the equipment/machinery used for the above
Raththanapitiya Bridge project, no. of different types of ma chines used for
different types of tasks. First, for the shoring work, 25 ton mobile crawler crane
and Pneumatic hammer were used to drive sheet piles. Then to preparation of
temporary working platform excavator is used to load soil to the 8T dump truck
which was transport soil to the site. Then 10T vibrating smooth wheeled roller
used to light compaction and mini loader was used to material spreading.
Finally, the removal of working platform consists excavation of earth material
up to the bottom level of f oundation using 0.8 cu.m excavator, and disposal
material was transported using 8T dump truck. After removing the working
platform sheet piles were removed and then crawler crane was demobilized
using low loader. Cost of all the equipments used for above mentioned works
was Rs. 3.159 million and it accounted 3.2% of total cost of the project. (See
appendix C for complete cost breakdown for the equipments)
The tunnel I chose for this report is new Hatton Kotagala tunnel which is
constructed in 2014 2016, under Improvement of Hatton Nuwara Eliya
Road [A07] Project. It was the first ever tunnel which is under passing live
railway track, totally constructed by Sri Lan kan engineers. This 75.35m long
tunnel excavation was commenced simultaneously at both end of it. Hatton
end (HE) of the tunnel consists of hard rock surface and Nuwara eliya end
(NEE) of it had weak rock surface. This tunnel has working height of 6.5m and
road width of 7.1m which could facilitate two 40ft. long vehicles to cross the
tunnel both ways at same time. Total project cost of this large scale tunnel is
about Rs. 552 millions.
Figure 9- Hatton-Kotagala Tunnel (Source- elslanka.com)
Figure 10- Hatton-Kotagala Tunnel (Source- keangnam .ltd)
There were no. of special temporary works carried out in this tunneling project.
First, since the NEE of the tunnel had weak rock surface soft grou nd tunneling
techniques were practised to progress the excavation of that end. Therefore
lattice arches and 12m long fore -poles were used as temporary support to the
soft ground tunneling. Second, Special formwork was fabricated by means of
C channels, H iron and special board called Euroform (imported from
korea) to support the 600mm thick permanent concrete lining of the tunnel.
(See appendix E for detail drawings) Third, when rock blasting was carried out
in the tunnel, shield which built up using sheet piles was handled by crane as
an additional precaution to prevent fly -rocks as there were houses at the
vicinity of the HE portal. Additionally benches and scaffoldings were fabricated
in order to facilitate drilling of blast holes at higher elevatio ns and installation
of waterproof membrane. Cost of those temporary works according to the BOQ
was Rs. 66.28 million and it accounted about 12% of total project cost.
(Dr.Samaradieakara, 2016)
Temporary Works, Equipment and Soil tests in Tunnel Construction project in

Sri Lanka
Figure 11- Placing of latice arch (Source -keangnam.ltd)
Figure 13- Sheet pile shield with crane
Figure 12- Placing of Formwork for lining
Figure 13- Temporary scaffolding to water proofing installation
Soil investigation of this tunnel had been done by conducting 5no. of bore
holes in 2012. Those boreholes were drilled, one close to the HE portal,
another close to the railway track and remaining three at NEE. Borehole
locations and cross section which demonstrate hard rock spread in the
tunneling area can be show as follows. ( See appendix F for detail drawing) Also
some pull-out tests were carried out at site for weak -rock soil nailing and hard rock dowelling. According to the Dr. Sa maradiwakara who was the project
manager of Kotagala tunneling project, those soil investigations had
significant impact on total project cost.
Figure 14- Borehole Locations (Source -keangnam.ltd)
Figure 15- Hard Rock Distribution
F i g u re 1 7 - R o c k - d o w e l p u l l - o u t t e s t
There were no. of special equipment/machinery brought in to the action for

this project for variety of special tasks. When construction was progressed
from HE, horizontal drilling, charging and blasting techniques were used to
advancement of excavation. For the tunnel drilling, rock -dowel drilling and
blast hole drilling, YT -23 jack hammer was used with pusher legs. For the soft
ground tunneling, soil-nailing and fore-poling, SM-400 crawler mounted rig
machine was specially brought for this project. Also MANITOU crane was the
most helpful machine to advancement of tunnel and front wheel loader was
used for removal of muck from the blast operation. For the shotcreting of the
weak-rock REED wet shotcreting pump was especially imported to this project.
Finally, diesel powered generators provided sufficient illumination, facilitating
night shift operation. (Dr.Samaradieakara, 2016)
Figure 18- YT-23 Jack-hammer
F i g u re 1 9 - S M - 4 0 0 C r a w l e r m o u n t e d r i g
Figure 16- Soil nail pull-out test
Figure 20- MANITOU crane
F i g u re 2 1 - H a rd r o c k b l a s t i n g
Conclusion
Temporary works, soil investigation and equipment/machinery used in bridge
construction is totally different from the tunneling construction. In bri dge
construction lots of temporary works are form of false -work, formwork or
temporary working platforms or retaining structures. But in tunnel
construction, high technological knowledge and expertise involving with
temporary works. Also in bridge construc tion low initial cost and shorter lead
time to construction can be expected opposed to the tunneling construction
due to complexity and high end technology. Also the special
equipment/machinery used in tunneling project accounts more cost than the
equipment used in bridge project. By critically analyzing the above mentioned
facts and points, total cost tunneling project has greater impact comparing to
the bridge construction project.
Civil, M. (2014, 04 15). The Importance of Soil Testing During a Building

Inspection.
Retrieved
from
ML
Civil:
http://www.mlcivil.com.au/importance -soil-testing-building-inspection/
Dr.Samaradieakara. (2016, January 15). IESL Public Lectures and Panel

Discussions. Retrieved from IESL.com: http://www.iesl.lk/DS -22-IESLPublic-Lecture/
Holems, R. (1995). Introduction to Civil Enginering Construction.

Berkshire: College of Estate Management.
Illingworth, J. R. (2000). Construction Methods and Planning. London: E

& FN Spon.
Ministry of rail ways (2005). Study Report on Compaction Equipments

and Construction Machinery. Lucknow: Research Designs & Standards
Organization.
Mishra, G. (2016, 04 11). Soil Compaction Equipments - Roller Types.

Retrieved
from
Theconstructoe.org:
http://theconstructor.org/geotechnical/soil -compaction-equipmentsroller-types/9389/
References
10
Appendices
11
Appendix A:
Shoring Detail of Raththanapitiya Bridge Project
Appendix B:
Temporary Working Platforms of Bridge (Stage 1/Stage 2)
Appendix C:
Rate Analysis for S horing, Preparing and Removing of

Temporary Platform (Stage1/Stage2)
Appendix D:
Detail Borehole Report & Borehole Logs of Bridge
Appendix E:
Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch & Tunnel Formwork
Appendix F:
Detail Drawing/Cross Section of Boreholes of Kotagala

Tunnel
A.1. Shoring Arrangement
Appendix A: Shoring Details of Raththanapitiya Bridge

Project
12
A.2. Scour Protection with steel sheet pile
13
Appendix B: Temporary Working Platforms of Bridge

(Stage1/Stage2)
14
15
Appendix C: Rate Analysis for Shoring, Preparing and

Removing of Temporary Platform (Stage1/Stage2)
16
17
Appendix D: Detail Borehole Report & Borehole Logs of

Bridge
D.1. Borehole Report
18
D.2. Borehole Logs
19
20
21
Appendix E: Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch & Tunnel

Formwork
E.1. Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch
E.2. Detail Drawing of Tunnel Formwork
22
23
Appendix F: Detail Drawing/Cross Section of Boreholes of

Kotagala Tunnel

Dinuka Gunasekara

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Importance of Temporary works, Earth Compaction

Equipment and Soil Tests in Large-Scale Civil

DINUKA MALINTHA GUNASEKARA

Student No: @00321311

Importance of Temporary works, Earth Compaction Equipment

Light compacting equipment

Rammers:- used for earth compacting in small areas by impact load to

Vibrating Plates:- Suitable for compaction of coarse soil containing up to

Heavy compacting equipment

Smooth-wheeled roller: - used for crushing and compaction of earth

Vibrating drum smooth -wheeled roller:- Higher degree of compaction up

Figure 3- Smooth-wheeled roller (source-constructor.org)

Figure 4- Vibrating smooth wheeled roller

Grid/mesh Rollers:- Typically used for compaction of rocky soils, gravel

With the invention of modern compaction equipment/machinery, builders able

Temporary Works, Equipment and Soil tests in Bridge Construction project in

Figure 7- Raththanapitiya Bridge(Source - google.com)

Figure 8- Piling in construction

Therefore we shouldnt underestimate the importance of soil test i n any type

Figure 9- Hatton-Kotagala Tunnel (Source- elslanka.com)

Figure 10- Hatton-Kotagala Tunnel (Source- keangnam .ltd)

Temporary Works, Equipment and Soil tests in Tunnel Construction project in

Figure 11- Placing of latice arch (Source -keangnam.ltd)

Figure 13- Sheet pile shield with crane

Figure 12- Placing of Formwork for lining

Figure 13- Temporary scaffolding to water proofing installation

Figure 14- Borehole Locations (Source -keangnam.ltd)

Figure 15- Hard Rock Distribution

There were no. of special equipment/machinery brought in to the action for

Figure 18- YT-23 Jack-hammer

Figure 16- Soil nail pull-out test

Figure 20- MANITOU crane

Civil, M. (2014, 04 15). The Importance of Soil Testing During a Building

Dr.Samaradieakara. (2016, January 15). IESL Public Lectures and Panel

Holems, R. (1995). Introduction to Civil Enginering Construction.

Illingworth, J. R. (2000). Construction Methods and Planning. London: E

Ministry of rail ways (2005). Study Report on Compaction Equipments

Mishra, G. (2016, 04 11). Soil Compaction Equipments - Roller Types.

Shoring Detail of Raththanapitiya Bridge Project

Temporary Working Platforms of Bridge (Stage 1/Stage 2)

Rate Analysis for S horing, Preparing and Removing of

Detail Borehole Report & Borehole Logs of Bridge

Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch & Tunnel Formwork

Detail Drawing/Cross Section of Boreholes of Kotagala

A.1. Shoring Arrangement

Appendix A: Shoring Details of Raththanapitiya Bridge

A.2. Scour Protection with steel sheet pile

Appendix B: Temporary Working Platforms of Bridge

Appendix C: Rate Analysis for Shoring, Preparing and

Appendix D: Detail Borehole Report & Borehole Logs of

D.1. Borehole Report

D.2. Borehole Logs

Appendix E: Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch & Tunnel

E.1. Detail Drawing of Lattice Arch

E.2. Detail Drawing of Tunnel Formwork

Appendix F: Detail Drawing/Cross Section of Boreholes of

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