Application of Gravity Survey in Urbanized City Environment

Abstract

Subsurface information and geotechnical data are required during the planning, development and design stages of all construction projects particularly where major components are supported on or in the earth and underlying rock. An understanding of the basic site geology is also necessary for the proper planning of the ground investigation works. Consequently, the geological features that will affect the design and construction of the project must be investigated and evaluated as much as possible within the allowable project timeframe to ensure successful implementation of the project. This paper presents an overview of the authors’ experiences in using Gravity Survey, as a reconnaissance ground investigation method to identify areas of enhanced ground risks, in the complex variable and unpredictable Kuala Lumpur Karstic Limestone formation during the underground reference design stage of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 (SSP Line) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This paper also presents some lessons learnt of the past in the region, and what were the specific measures that had been strictly implemented on this occasion to ensure quality results can be derived from the Gravity Survey within the urbanized city environment and meet the objectives of the survey.