Geology and Its Impact on the Construction of Singapore MRT Circle Line

Abstract

The Circle Line (CCL) is a fully underground railway line in Singapore connecting the inner suburban areas of the city. It is 39.5 km long with 34 stations and built in six separate packages. Site investigations comprising boreholes, CPTs and geophysical surveys for the project were carried out in various phases to reveal ground conditions along the route and decide on the construction methods. Extensive field and laboratory testing were also carried out to establish geotechnical design parameters. This paper summarises geological conditions encountered along the CCL route and highlights the effect of geology on selected construction methods.