Department of Transportation(DOTr)

Good day! In compliance of our undergraduate thesis, we would like to humbly request for the following documents regarding the Metro Manila Subway Project. (1) geotechnical investigation and (2) blueprint of the Metro Manila subway project (3) construction methods used, especially the use of the tunnel boring machine Your most helpful response regarding this matter is highly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!

Good day, Ms. Mallari! Thank you po for the response. We would also like to be more specific lang po sana, we would highly appreciate if the (1) Geotechnical Investigation that we requested would include the soil type and groundwater conditions of the project. Thank you and God bless! Best Regards, Dominique Opinion Group Representative

Good day! Thank you for your patience regarding our response. The data obtained will be used for academic purposes only, in partial fulfilment of our undergraduate thesis. Stated below is a brief research proposal containing further detail about our research. If within your favor, we can also send the digital copy, endorsed by our adviser and department chairperson, through email. Thank you and God bless! Best Regards, Dominique Opinion Group Representative Title of Proposed Research: Geotechnical Impact of the Metro Manila Subway Project on Above-ground Infrastructures Proponents: Ethan Riley C. Chan Gabriel Alfonso Y. Delid John Orelle A. Mangahas Dominique S. Opinion Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Santo Tomas Research Background: Studies show that ground settlement due to tunneling in urban areas can have considerable implications for aboveground civil infrastructures. The Metro Manila Subway Project’s train alignment is known to pass underneath high-rise to low-rise buildings in the National Capital Region that might possibly affect its foundations. Once the foundations in these buildings are affected due to round settlement brought by tunneling, the structural integrity of the buildings will be compromised and the safety of the occupants in the buildings is now put into danger. As a pioneer subway project in the Philippines, it is best to support future subway or tunnel construction with appropriate studies that examine and analyze the positive and negative effects of the procedure. Through Finite Element Modeling (FEM), the tunnel design will be simulated after certain parameters are met and the area of investigation is set. The representative ground condition will be modeled using the Rocscience RS2 software and shall be tested for possible soil movement and surface settlement. Research Objectives: This study aims to investigate the geotechnical impact of the construction of the Metro Manila Subway in close proximity to an existing building. Through the use of numerical modeling and an empirical equation, the possible effects of tunneling on nearby infrastructures will be assessed. This will include the determination of ground settlements induced by tunneling and if it will introduce a small shift in the equilibrium of the soil and the building foundation close to the constructed tunnel. The specific objectives are (1) to determine the ground settlements in all phases of the tunnel construction, (2) to determine the deformation of the building’s foundation within the area of investigation, and (3) to analyze the effects of tunnel-induced ground settlements on the overall safety and serviceability of the building. Required Data: To successfully model the ground in all phases of the tunnel construction resulting in the attainment of the objectives set, the following data and information are needed. ● Plan view of the tunnel alignment ● Geotechnical report ○ Vertical cross-section of the project ○ Soil type ○ Groundwater level ● Tunnel dimensions (external diameter, thickness, and burial depth) ● The proximity of the subway to existing structure nearby Agreement: The data gathered will be used only in partial fulfillment of the group’s undergraduate research course. In the event that the group wishes to publish or present the completed project to the public, they will first seek the approval of the Department of Transportation and will omit confidential data, if ever present.