The applications of surveying techniques in Kuala Lumpur Smart Tunnel Project

Abstract

Underground survey, a branch of Geomatic engineering, is done practically in underground environment. The important applications of underground survey are tunneling and mining surveys. Recently, a special tunnel called SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) was successfully constructed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. SMART is the first tunnel in the world which combines two systems, i.e. a motorway system to reduce traffic congestion in Kuala Lumpur and a stormwater system to reduce flash flood in the city centre. Underground survey is an integral part of SMART Tunnel Project. This study examines the applications of surveying techniques in SMART tunnel project in various construction stages (i.e. pre-construction, during construction and post-construction). The following surveying techniques were used: control survey via GPS, total station and precise leveling; detail survey with total station; underground survey using total station; monitoring survey with total station and leveling; and specialized technique for real time survey during the construction.