A Review of the Literature on the Rolesand Features of SMART Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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International Journal of Research and Review www.ijrrjournal.com E-ISSN: 2349-9788; P-ISSN: 2454-2237 Review Article A Review of the Literature on the Roles and Features of SMART Tunnel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Nuhu Isah1, Maimunah Binti Ali2 1Department of Technology, 2Management Faculty of Technology, Management and Business University, Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia. Corresponding Author: Nuhu Isah Received: 18/06/2015 Revised: 11/07/2015 Accepted: 13/07/2015 ABSTRACT The city of Kuala Lumpur is plagued with two serious problems; flooding and traffic congestion. The SMART project is an innovative solution to both of these problems. This paper involves the discussion on the features and roles of SMART tunnel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. SMART is an acronym for “Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel”. The SMART tunnel plays a very vital role in flood management as well as the traffic congestion in the city center of Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. SMART is the only kind of tunnel in the world because it is a dual purpose tunnel, it contains wet and dry sections. The project is undertaken as a joint venture projects between the government and the private sector corporation and SMART tunnel receives many accolades due to its unique feature and distinct roles in managing flood disaster in the Klang Valley. Keywords: Tunnel, feature, SMART, Flood, Traffic, Malaysia, Klang valley. INTRODUCTION type of tunnel in the world that combines the A tunnel is an underground wet and dry system. The tunnel is used as a passageway, completely enclosed except for pathway to transport vehicle and also a openings for entrance and exit, commonly at channel for storm water diversion from each end. [1] A tunnel is a passage way that Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. [2] The system is carries people or vehicle across a destination very unique as the tunnel is built using two that shortens the travelling time. Tunnels in Slurry Shield TBM machines that allows the the olden days are used for mainly mining drilling and tunnel lining work to be done works. As a result of technological continuously without setbacks. The machine development with time, tunnels construction also eliminates the hazard of tunnel stability had become more commonly used as during construction and also the ground transport routes that links places, rails links, water drawdown that cause sink holes. The vehicles and also as canals for water entire paper is about the tunnel construction diversion. Tunnels are constructed all over method, technology used, tunnel design, the world. This paper will focus on the purpose and efficiency of the tunnel. SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. This tunnel is very unique because it is the International Journal of Research & Review (www.gkpublication.in) 465 Vol.2; Issue: 7; July 2015 Tunnels the purpose of generating electricity such as Underground tunnels in early days the hydroelectric or as sewers for major are used especially in mining. Tunneling and cities to ease the flooding problems and for mining are together since beginning of the telecommunication cables. Brunel‟s great industry. Before mining, tunnels in ancient Thames Tunnel is the first tunnel that was history were used for water carriage. In ever built to cross under a tidal river and the cities such as ancient Rome, tunnels were first shield driven tunnel. [4] designed to carry water supply from Tunnels are usually constructed in aqueduct nearby. The technology of different type of ground soil layers that tunneling developed from ancient days until varies from soft clay to hard rock layer. In now. Sometimes tunneling becomes soft clay layer the tunnel digging are done solutions to so many challenges, but using New Austrian Tunneling Method constructing tunnels are still under major (NATM) and in hard layers Tunnel Boring studies because we need to upgrade the Machine (TBM) are used widely. [5] design according to time and needs. Tunnel Design: The development rock tunneling is In a contemporary situation, tunneling is influenced by these major parts. There are one of the common solutions to solve the rock drilling machine, drill bits, and design problems in existing cities with a lot explosives. [3] When the scientist from China of obstruction or heritage path, in nature invented the gun powder, it gave way to new such as mountain areas, cross the channel or methods for tunneling work to presume. ocean. [6] All this had an influence on the Gunpowder since that has developed into development of tunneling technologies in more severe usage in the tunneling industry. the recent years. There are some Gunpowder gave way to much more characteristic features that had to be powerful nitro-glycerine, quickly followed considered when considering the area of by dynamite, introduced by Nobel in 1967. tunneling. The entire factor below will [3] In rock drilling, compressed air became finally decide the suitable construction the accepted motive power, although the method in that area to complete the tunnel usage of the hydraulic powered machines project. [7] The key factors are: was preferred for a time period commonly in i. The environmental condition, Europe. geotechnical and hydrogeological The use of explosive in hard layer is characteristics of the soil layers. common in order to blast through the hard ii. The impact of the construction of tunnels surface. Blasting is the easiest methods in to the underground utilities and on the constructing tunnel, but there are weakness surface such as streets and buildings. such as the safety and problems of excessive iii. Availability of possible surface traffic caving in of the layer. There are different for all vehicles or traffic control. types of tunnels constructed from different iv. The cost of tunnel, the technical aspect, soil layer or location, such as: Hard Rock; and the construction time schedule of the Underwater; and Soft ground. tunnel. Tunnels also are the major solution for the purpose of pedestrian crossing, road Cut and Cover Tunnel: traffic, for the usage of the vehicles, railway In constructing tunnel using the cut and links and also for canals. Most of the tunnels cover method, the shape of tunnel will are designed and constructed specifically for usually be rectangular and stations and the carrying water for daily consumption, for International Journal of Research & Review (www.gkpublication.in) 466 Vol.2; Issue: 7; July 2015 followings are the basic technologies been (Jelapang) and currently SMART Tunnel. used: Penchala Tunnel is the first breakthrough in i. Reinforced concrete walls with steel tunneling technologies in Malaysia, when struts, pre-stressed tie-backs or self- the government joint ventured with supported. GAMUDA Berhad to construct the 710m ii. The ground water in the soil is lowered long tunnel. by introducing the water well systems. Tunnel as Stormwater Sewers: The diaphragm of the tunnel Stormwater sewers are defined as installed using machineries and the bottom storm filter. Most major cities around the depth ranges from 20-30m below ground world are using sewer system to transport surface. Then the well is to eliminate water, rainwater to nearby outlet such as stream or it will be placed inside or outside the rivers. Storm sewers are pipes that transport excavation. [8] water runoff from streets to natural water The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) source such as stream and rivers. Commonly was introduced in 1975. The transport and catch basins are provided in order to store evacuation of the excavated mucks and the the water before gradually releasing it to mounting the reinforced concrete lining was rivers. The catch basin also functions as the done using this machine. Since then the trap for water floating debris such as technology has developed widely. For rubbish, sands and other unwanted materials instance for 1m tunnel, the technology that not supposed to be in the natural rivers. comprises; Some storm sewers are treated and i. The excavation phase and the TBM some are not treated. This depends on area advance. and jurisdiction. Treatment of water helps to ii. The pre-casted concrete segmental lining clean and purify the water in order to release is erected. in the natural rivers. This is very important iii. Soil grouting and water proofing works as every engineering structures or planning outside the lining ring. have to consider the environmental issues as The TBM is launched in larger tunnels that one of the priority status. later were used as the water pumping station History of Storm Sewers: or ventilation shafts. [9] The earliest sewer that was found Underground Road Tunnel: was in the Indus Valley civilization. In Development of some countries brought ancient Rome, the Cloaca Maxima was about new technologies particularly on considered a marvelous engineering design engineering. Innovation in engineering also and construction. In the medieval European plays a vital role in upgrading existing cities, small natural waterways are built to services and invention of infrastructures channel wastewater and as time passes this such as tunnels, long bridges etc. were upgraded to cover channel that is Development of road tunnels is widely known today as sewer systems. [11] known in Europe compared to Asia. [10] But currently it is getting more attention in Asia Tunnel versus Bridges: as there are numerous advantages from this The development in construction type of development. technologies have resulted in development In Malaysia, the use of road tunnels of major structure such as skyscrapers, are very less compare to other European roads, highways, airports, ports, tunnels countries. There are numerous tunnels such bridges and etc. The main reason bridges are as The North-South Expressway Tunnels more preferable because of the cost and the International Journal of Research & Review (www.gkpublication.in) 467 Vol.2; Issue: 7; July 2015 simplicity of the design and construction. and covers method for the Long Island Rail Simplicity doesn‟t mean that bridges are Road.