NATURE OF PROJECT: INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL REVIEW REPORT OF PROPOSED MIXED DEVELOPMENT OF LAND
CLIENT: EK INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTION SDN BHD
DURATION: MAY 2018 – CURRENT
INTRODUCTION
Independent technical review report was prepared by Geomapping Technology Sdn. Bhd. for the used of EK Integrated Construction Sdn. Bhd. to review the foundation design and construction of proposed mixed development of residential areas located at Kepong, Selangor.
Dispute in construction is triggered due to technical disagreement of pile foundation that shows subsequent settlement issues on post-construction phase.
The preparation of the technical report was produced based on the existing documents received from the Client.
ARBITRATION ACTS IN MALAYSIA
Arbitration Act 1952 had been governed for a long period of time until it is replaced by the Arbitration Act 2005 which enforced on 15th March, 2006. Latest Arbitration Act recognised the requirement of minute court interference and the need for finality of the dispute resolution.
In addition, arbitration is regarded the ultimate mechanism to resolve dispute accompany by some attractive features such as confidentiality, fast, elasticity and selection of the arbitrator.
CONSTRUCTION ISSUES
The settlement of foundation structures at the study area may occur due to the formation of cavities beneath the soil layers. The placement of the pile structure above the cavity parts may induce instability of the pile foundation. The strength of the roof segments in cavities may not able to withstand the overburden loads from the soils and foundation structures.
Figure 1: Placing of pile structure on cavity.
Inclined bedrock surfaces may lead to the pile foundation failure. Distortion, bending, and breakage are several examples which related to the driving of pile into karstic bedrock surface. The damage of the pile tip and poor placing of the pile tips into the bearing layer also may occur during piling works due to uneven substratum surface.
Figure 2: Formation of karstic bedrock surface in Kuala Lumpur area (after Yeap, 1985).
CONCLUSION
The design and construction of pile foundation in limestone formation pose great challenges which may affect the integrity of the pile structure. Proper site investigation procedure and good geological and geotechnical interpretation must be implemented into practice to avoid post-construction failures.
