Registration
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https://skempton.wufoo.eu/forms/the-hong-kong-institution-of-engineers-hkie/
Abstract
In 1970s, fatal landslide incidents brought huge loss of life and damage to property in Hong Kong. The catastrophes prompted the setting up of a Slope Safety System by the Government since 1977. Increased knowledge on landslides, and application of geotechnical and information technology have brought improvement to the System in the past 33 years. The improvement has taken place in many areas of slope engineering and in the administrative framework such as establishing standards, use of information technology, natural terrain landslide risk management, upgrading and maintenance of slopes, enhancement of the slope appearance, and public education.
Since 2009, a new initiative was put forward by the Government to launch strategic planning and technical studies to facilitate planned development of underground space aiming at promoting the enhanced use of rock caverns as part of Hong Kong’s pursuit of sustainable development.
Hong Kong’s rich legacy of underground works has contributed positively to Hong Kong’s slope safety system. Constructing over 100 km of roads and railways in tunnels has significantly reduced the amount of road side slopes formed. Similarly, housing two service reservoirs within caverns eliminated the need for extensive cutting of the natural hillsides as part of the open-cut site formation option. Recently, several tunnels and shafts have been constructed to intercept storm water flow from upland catchments for direct discharge into the sea, which will reduce the amount of rain water infiltrating into the natural hillsides.
Underground works have also been specifically implemented for slope safety purposes. The hillside at Po Shan area, where a major landslide in 1972 took 67 lives, is susceptible to development of high groundwater levels and prone to large-scale, deep seated failure. An innovative and sustainable regional groundwater regulation system, comprising drainage tunnels and a network of sub-vertical drains, has improved the stability of this very sizeable hillside against the risks of major landslides and enhanced public safety.
Speaker
Ir Raymond CHAN Kin Sek – President of the HKIE.