PART K- TUNNELING WORKS

ITEM SS900 GENERAL TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION

1.

GENERAL TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

The construction of the Tipo Tunnel shall be accomplished using Sequential Excavation Method
(SEM). The principles and requirements of this method shall be strictly adhered to during the
execution of the work. The Contractor shall employ competent personnel with expertise and
experience with SEM for tunnel works. The Contractor shall assure that all personnel responsible for
the tunneling works are familiar with the concepts and requirements for the tunnel construction using
SEM. The specifications, requirements and details set-forth in the contract documents are intended to
provide information and requirements to personnel with knowledge and experience with this specified
method. The Contractors lack of knowledge and/or experience in the specified tunneling methods
shall not relieve him of his contractual obligations, and requirements and liabilities.
The Contractor shall carry out all work in accordance with applicable Labour, Safety, Hygiene and
Environmental Protection requirements and laws for the work being performed, contract requirements
of Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) and the laws and regulations of Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
2.

TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION CONCEPT

Tunnels shall be constructed in accordance with the concepts of SEM which is defined as a method
where surrounding rock or soul formations of a tunnel or underground opening are integrated into an
overall ring-like support structure. The following principles must be observed:

3.

The geotechnical behaviour must be taken into account

Adverse states of stresses and deformations must be avoided by applying appropriate means
of support in due time
The completion of the invert gives the above mentioned ring-like structure the static
properties of a tube
The support means can/should be optimized according to the admissible deformations
General control, geotechnical measurements and constant checks on the optimization of the
pre-established support means must be performed.

TUNNEL SECURITY AND ACCESS

The Contractor shall be responsible for the security and tunnel entry in and around all tunnels work
areas. Tunnel security and exit/entry procedures and controls shall be detailed in the Contractors
Safety plan for the Works. The Contractor shall co-ordinate and plan tunnel security and entry with
others having access to the tunnels, including all interfacing contractors, so as not to disrupt or
interfere with their operations.

3.1

TUNNEL ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURES

The Contractor shall establish a procedure for recording all tunnel entry and exits, preventing
unauthorized tunnel entry. This procedure, as a minimum, shall incorporate name cards and
entry/exit records at all tunnel portals to record the entrance and exit of all personnel.
The Contractor shall set up and operate a system whereby only those persons entitled to be on the
Site and/or in the tunnels can enter the Site and/or tunnel(s). The Contractor shall provide specific
points of entry through a security fence or barricade. The Contractor shall provide gates and barriers
at such points of entry and maintain a twenty-four hour security guard or other security personnel as
necessary to maintain security and prevent unauthorized entry.

Special Provisions and Supplemental Specifications

NLEX Segment Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX)
Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for Road Widening

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PART K- TUNNELING WORKS

3.2

TUNNEL SECURITY
The Contractor shall provide and maintain fences and barricades in first class condition. Notice
signs shall be displayed at intervals (as consented by the Engineer) around the Site and portal areas
to warn the public of the dangers of entrance.
During the progress of the Works the Contractor shall maintain such security patrols over areas of
the Works as may be necessary to protect the work and prevent unauthorized entry.

3.3

TUNNEL COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide and maintain both a complete wired and a wireless telephone
communication system capable of providing clear and concise communication between all tunnel
work and the tunnel portals. The communication systems shall also provide for communication
between the tunnel works, Contractors site office, and Employers and Engineers site offices.
The Contractor shall maintain at all times both wired and wireless communication systems in full
working order. The communication systems and equipment shall be suitable for use in all area(s),
providing clear and dependable communication. This shall be subject to approval by any/all relevant
authority(s) prior to use.
The communication systems shall incorporate underground communication stations (telephone
receptacle with bell and Indication lamp) within 50m of any work and at 100-meter intervals along
the driven tunnel. The Contractor shall provide and maintain communication systems until the
completion and acceptance of all tunnel work or as otherwise required by the Engineer.

4.

DAILY TUNNEL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

a

The Contractor shall prepare daily records and reports of all work that shall include, but not
necessary be limited to the following information and data:

duration of sequential excavation,

all personnel working in tunnel areas,
any and all tunnel work stoppages, with reason(s) for stopping work,
all instrument recordings with appropriate graphs,
weather conditions,
tunnel work equipment,
any/all tunnel water inflows,
size of excavated sections,
length of advance,
station numbers,
photographs (not less than 12 Megapixels) of all tunnel faces after excavation, before
support system installation,
the location and number of supports system members etc. for each round, and
reports and records required under specific specification requirements.

(a)

The Contractors daily records/report shall be submitted to the Engineer before 10 AM on the
following working day, and

(b)

During tunnel excavation operations, the Contractor shall, as witnessed in the presence of the
Engineer, record in detail geological conditions and prepare geological maps with necessary
photographs attached to evaluate the suitability of excavation methods and supports. These
details and maps shall serve as the basis for anticipating geological conditions ahead of the
excavated tunnel face.

Special Provisions and Supplemental Specifications

NLEX Segment Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX)
Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for Road Widening

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PART K- TUNNELING WORKS

5.

6.
6.1

6.2

6.3

GENERAL REPORTING ASSISTANCE AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

a

The Contractor shall immediately notify the Engineer in case of substantial difference between
actual geological conditions and anticipated ones, or when severe changes in geological
conditions are observed.

For the recording of geological data by the Engineer, the Contractor shall give all necessary
assistance, and provide all labour, facilities and equipment as may be required by the Engineer.

The Contractor shall monitor the tunnel support systems, and report any damage to the support
systems immediately upon discovery to the Engineer. If the damage is serious, temporary
remedial action shall be taken with temporary propping, including evacuating the area and
posting warning signs accordingly.
The Contractor shall submit a support remedial
program to the Engineer for review and approval as soon as possible, and perform the remedial
measures expeditiously based on the approved program or direction of the Engineer.

(c)

In addition to monitoring the support system, the Contractor shall, carry out regular
maintenance of all tunnels including but not limited to, light bulb replacement, cleaning, water
removal, water pipe maintenance, and cable maintenance. Maintenance shall be deemed to
include all repair work required to maintain all equipment in working order, and

(d)

The Engineer shall when necessary (in the opinion of the Engineer), require the Contractor to
carry out remedial work to the tunnel support system(s) and/or grouting. Such instructions shall
not relieve the Contractor of his responsibility for monitoring and repairing the tunnel support
system.

TUNNEL SURVEYING
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
a

The Contractor shall be responsible for carrying out all necessary surveying to assure that the
tunnel route, elevation and profile is in conformance with drawing requirements. Additional
requirements for tunnel surveying shall refer to Specification Section SS910 Tunnel
Concrete Lining for tunnel concrete lining tolerances, and Specification Section SS914
NATM Instrumentation for geotechnical monitoring during excavation, and

During the construction of the tunnel, the Contractor shall continuously check the tunnel
routing and locate permanent reference points.

PERMANENT REFERENCE POINTS

a

Permanent reference points shall be continuously located and installed along the tunnel route,
no later than one day after installation of the tunnel support system.

The maximum spacing of the reference points shall be no more than 100 meters along
straight sections of the tunnel, and no more than 50 meters along curved sections.

The installation of the reference points shall be to the satisfaction of and/or as required by the
Engineer. The location of the reference points shall not conflict with other parts of the work,
and

Reference points shall be rechecked and verified at one-kilometer intervals in conjunction

with the completion of the tunnel support systems.

LONGITUDINAL PROFILE SURVEY

The Contractor shall perform (and provide to the Engineer) longitudinal profile survey of the tunnel
lining, by means of closed traverse, upon completion of the tunnel work.

Special Provisions and Supplemental Specifications

NLEX Segment Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX)
Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for Road Widening

K-3

PART K- TUNNELING WORKS

7.

MATERIALS
Materials necessary for tunnel construction shall be in accordance with relevant material
specifications.

8.
8.1

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL
Tunnel construction shall comply with specification requirements for components as described in
the relevant Specification Sections.

8.2

9.
9.1

PERMANENT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

a

The permanent electrical components associated with the tunnel work shall be provided by and
installed under a separate contract, except those parts shown on the Drawings. This includes
such items as the electrical conduit and accessories.

In accordance with the requirements of Sub-Clause 4.6 Co-operation, it shall be

Contractors responsibility to fully coordinate his work, work schedule, procedures
operations with such contractor(s). The Contractor shall coordinate his work activities
construction procedures to assure the proper and timely installation of all such materials
equipment by others, and

Failure to provide all necessary and proper arrangements and coordination shall not constitute
grounds for delay of work and/or additional compensation.

the
and
and
and

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

STRENGTHENING OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND TUNNEL GROUTING
The strengthening of support systems and grouting of tunnel (as directed and or approved by the
Engineer) shall be paid for at applicable unit rates for the associated work item(s).

9.2

TUNNEL SECURITY AND ACCESS

No separate measurement or payment will be made for this work. All other direct costs incurred
under the construction of the Tipo Tunnel are deemed paid for directly or indirectly under other
direct costs shown in the Bill of Quantities.

9.3

TUNNEL DAILY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

No separate measurement or payment will be made for this work. All other direct costs incurred in
the construction of the Tipo Tunnel are deemed paid for directly or indirectly under other direct
costs shown in the Bill of Quantities.

9.4

GENERAL REPORTING ASSISTANCE AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

No separate measurement or payment will be made for this work. All other direct costs incurred
under the construction of the Tipo Tunnel are deemed paid for directly or indirectly under other
direct costs shown in the Bill of Quantities.

9.5

TUNNEL MAINTENANCE
Tunnel maintenance costs are deemed paid for directly or indirectly under other direct costs shown
in the Bill of Quantities.

Special Provisions and Supplemental Specifications

NLEX Segment Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX)
Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for Road Widening

K-4

PART K- TUNNELING WORKS

9.6

TUNNEL SURVEYING
Tunnel surveying costs are deemed paid for directly or indirectly under other direct costs shown in
the Bill of Quantities..

9.7

TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION COMMUNICATIONS

Costs incurred in providing Tunnel Construction Communications are deemed paid for directly or
indirectly under other direct costs shown in the Bill of Quantities.

10. SUBMITTALS
The following submittals shall be provided by the Contractor in accordance with requirements of
this Specification Section:
a

Tunnel security and exit/entry procedures and controls shall be detailed in the Contractors
Safety plan and be approved by the Engineer prior to the commencement of tunnel work.

The Contractor shall submit warning sign samples and a warning sign location plan to the
Engineer for concurrence. Signs shall be placed in accordance with samples and per the plan
acceptable to the Engineer, prior to the commencement of any tunnel work.

The Contractors daily records/report shall be submitted to the Engineer daily, before 10 AM
on the following working day, and.

The Contractor shall perform (and provide to the Engineer) longitudinal profile surveys of the
tunnel lining, by means of closed traverse, upon completion of the tunnel work.

Special Provisions and Supplemental Specifications

NLEX Segment Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX)
Preparation of Detailed Engineering Design (DED) for Road Widening

K-5