Singapore’s Changi Airport
Singapore’s Changi Airport is renowned for being one of the best airports in the world. With over 70 million passengers passing through its doors in 2019, it is not only a busy transport hub but also an architectural wonder. However, it takes more than just a visually appealing design to create a world-class airport. A robust foundation is required to ensure the safety and stability of the airport structure, especially since it is built on reclaimed land.
The Foundation of Changi Airport
Changi Airport’s foundation is built on reclaimed land, which is essentially man-made land created by filling up marine clay or sand from the seabed. The land reclamation for Changi Airport started in the 1970s and involved extensive earthworks to create a level platform for the airport’s construction. Reclaimed land is relatively soft and weak compared to natural ground, posing significant challenges for the construction of the airport’s foundation.
The Role of Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical engineering is a branch of civil engineering that deals with the behavior of earth materials and their interaction with structures. It plays a crucial role in the design and construction of the foundation for building structures on reclaimed land. Geotechnical engineers use various techniques to investigate the ground conditions and determine the appropriate foundation design for the structure.
Ground Investigation and Testing
Before the construction of the airport’s foundation, extensive ground investigation and testing were carried out to determine the properties of the soil and assess its suitability for a foundation. The ground investigation included drilling boreholes and conducting laboratory tests on the soil samples. The tests helped geotechnical engineers to determine the strength, stiffness, and deformation properties of the soil.
Pile Foundations for Changi Airport
Considering the soft and weak nature of the reclaimed land, pile foundations were used for the construction of Changi Airport’s foundation. Pile foundations transfer the load of the structure to a deeper and stronger layer of soil or rock. The piles used for Changi Airport’s foundation were driven deep into the ground to provide a stable base for the airport’s structure.
Cement Stabilization of Changi’s Subsoil
Cement stabilization is a technique used to improve the strength and stiffness of soft soil. The technique involves mixing cement with the soil to create a stable and solid foundation. For Changi Airport, cement stabilization was used to improve the subsoil’s strength and stiffness, which is essential for the airport’s foundation to withstand the loads imposed by the airport’s structure.
Soil Improvement Methods Used
Apart from cement stabilization, other soil improvement methods were also used to improve the ground conditions for Changi Airport’s foundation. Some of the soil improvement methods used include vibro-compaction, dynamic compaction, and surcharging. These methods help to increase the soil’s density and reduce its compressibility, making it more stable for the airport’s foundation.
Conclusion: Robust Foundation for Singapore’s Changi Airport
Changi Airport’s foundation is built on challenging reclaimed land, requiring geotechnical engineering expertise to ensure its stability and safety. Through extensive ground investigation and testing, pile foundations, cement stabilization, and other soil improvement techniques, the airport’s foundation is robust and capable of supporting the airport’s structure. The airport’s success is a testament to the importance of a strong foundation in the construction of world-class structures.
