Abstract
A methodology has been developed for producing zones of karst cavity distribution based on a geotechnical database containing data from boreholes drilled for a newly developed tunnel, the 9.7 km long Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART tunnel), where it is predominantly routed in karstified limestone. Preparation of such maps will provide some insight into the characterization of karst, as much of the commercial center of Kuala Lumpur is founded on heavily karstified limestone of the Kuala Lumpur Limestone. For the analysis, the three nearest boreholes were used to represent the percentage of karst in one unit triangle of area and one unit triangle of volume of ground along the tunnel alignment. This reveals the complex nature of the ground that appears to align generally in the heavily karstified limestone at the northern section and in massive, good quality limestone at the southern section of the study area. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of dissolution features is explained mostly by the structural domains, the mineralogical composition, and topography.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdullah K (2004) Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) a lateral approach to flood mitigation works. In: International Conference on Bridge Engineering and Hydraulic Structures, Selangor, Malaysia, pp 59–79
Chan SF, Hong LP (1985) Pile foundations in limestone areas on Malaysia. In: Proceedings of 8th Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference, Kuala Lumpur, vol 1, pp 4/17–28
Gobbett DJ (1964) The Lower Paleozoic rocks of Kuala Lumpur. Malays Fed Mus J NS 9:67–79
Klados G, Yeoh HK (2004) Uniqueness of SMART project in the logistic and construction challenges encountered during TBM North and South Drive. In: International Conference and Exhibition on Tunnelling and Trenchless Technology, Subang, Selangor, Malaysia, pp 1–14
Krause RF, Bonsch WE, Waschkowski K (2004) SMART-Project, Kuala Lumpur Tunnelling with hydro-shield analysis of the logistic, pp 1–8
Tan BK (1986a) Geological and geotechnical problems of urban centres in Malaysia. In: Tan BK, Rau JL (eds) Landplan II Conference; Role of geology in planning and development of urban centres in Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Proceedings: Association of Geoscientists for International Development, pp 10–14
Tan BK (1986b) Use of standard penetration test of ground interpretation—some examples form peninsular Malaysia. In: 5th International Congress, International Association Engineering Geology, Buenos Aires, proceedings, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, pp 839–846
Tan BK (1987) Geology and urban development of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In: Whiteside PGD (ed) The role of geology in urban development—proceedings of Landplan III, Hong Kong, proceedings: Geological Society of Hong Kong, Bulletin no. 3, pp 127–140
Waltham AC, Fookes PG (2003) Engineering classification of karst ground conditions. Q J Eng Geol Hydrogeol 36:101–118
Waltham T, Bell F, Culshaw M (2005) Sinkholes and subsidence, karst and cavernous rocks in engineering and construction. Praxis Publishing, Chichester
Zabidi H (2008) Studies of karst in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ph.D. dissertation. Imperial College, London, England
Zabidi H, de Freitas MH (2010) Re-evaluation of rock core logging for the prediction of preferred orientations of karst in the Kuala Lumpur Limestone Formation. Eng Geol 117(3–4):159–169
Zabidi H, de Freitas MH (2011) Preferred directions of karst in the Kuala Lumpur Limestone Formation: a comparison of predictions with reality. ASEAN Eng J 1(3)
Acknowledgments
This research project is funded by a grant from the Service Department of Malaysia and University Sains Malaysia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zabidi, H., De Freitas, M.H. Geospatial analysis in identifying karst cavity distribution: The SMART Tunnel, Malaysia. Carbonates Evaporites 28, 125–133 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-013-0148-3
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-013-0148-3