THE UNIVERSITY OF LAHORE, LAHORE.

Design of Superstructure of Blue Line Metro Project for Lahore

 

MSCE THESIS PROPOSAL 
 
NAME OF STUDENT:  Amar Wadood
REGISTRATION NO.:  MSCE01153002
DATE OF REGISTRATION: FALL‐2015
SUPERVISOR:  Prof. Dr Muhammad Afzal Javed

 
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
 
 

Table of Contents
1.  INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 3 
2.  OBJECTIVE ................................................................................................................................ 4 
3.  SCOPE OF STUDY ..................................................................................................................... 4 
4.  LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................ 4 
5.  RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 9 
6.  RESEARCH OUTCOMES .......................................................................................................... 11 
7.  RESEARCH DURATION ............................................................................................................ 11 
8.  REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 12 
 

1. INTRODUCTION

Pakistan is the 36th largest country in terms of area (around 881,913 sq. km), and is
ranked as the sixth most populous country in the world (around 207.8 million people in 2017)
(Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2017; The World Bank, 2017). The population distribution in the
country itself is unique; the largest province in terms of area (Baluchistan) holds the smallest
proportion of people, while the second largest province Punjab is the most populous among all
provinces (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2017). Lahore, known as the "cultural heart of Pakistan”
the capital city of Punjab is the second largest metropolis of the country in terms of population
(around 11 million people) (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2017). Greater Lahore is a mega city
that covers 1772 sq. km. area. It is fast emerging as the hub of IT/ITES, Biotech, Pharma and
Tourism sectors. The city hosts various historical monuments, buildings and gardens. A walled
city during the Mughal era (1524–1752) and British colonial rule, has grown as a hub of commerce
and trade in the region. The built-up area almost doubled and is expected to grow at a similar or
even higher rate, hence increasing pressure on the city administration in terms of managing
infrastructure. Challenges such as lack of integrated urban development policies, unchecked urban
growth, overlapping jurisdictions of land governing authorities and ineffective building control
further aggravate the situation. Despite the recent positive developments, Lahore still needs
dynamic and structured institutions with technical, legal and regulatory support for managing the
ever-increasing population.

 Its population stands at 11 million+ and is projected to touch 13.6 million by 2021. [7] [10]
 Currently, over 5 million personalized vehicles moves on Lahore roads, with an addition of
0.50 million vehicles every year. [8]
 8 million motorized trips are made every day, of which, only about 3.2 million or 40% are made
by the Public Transportation System (PTS) i.e. buses and wagons. That means the rest of the
trips are made by personal vehicles leading to traffic bottlenecks, high pollution levels and a
steep increase in fuel consumption. [8]
An efficient, safe, reliable and comfortable public transportation system is one of the pre-requisites
of good living. The increasing pressure of the burgeoning population is putting Lahore's
Transportation System under constant pressure. The need of the hour is a robust system that is
dependable, comfortable, affordable and sustainable. The answer lies in Mass Rapid Transit System
(MRTS). Accordingly, the development of Metro Rail was approved for 83 km. (Three Metro
Lines), covering three high density traffic corridors of Lahore, of which the Orange Line is under
construction. Punjab government after the initiation of Orange Line Project is looking to introduce
Blue and Purple line train in Lahore. Feasibility study and presentation of the Blue and Purple line
projects have already been completed. The Blue line train will cover 24 kilometers of distance
starting from Chauburji via Qartaba Chowk Kalma Chowk, Akbar Chowk and will end at Green
Town. Whereas, the Purple line project will comprise of 32 kilometers long train route which will
start from Data Darbar via Punjab Assembly, Mall road, Askari 10, Airport and will end at Bhatta
Chowk. The Blue line train would cost around 1 trillion and 25 billion rupees, whereas the Purple
line train would cost 1 trillion and 50 billion rupees.

2. OBJECTIVE

The objectives of research are:

 To economically design the Piers, Transoms & U-Shape Girders for the construction of Blue
Line.
 To establish the appropriate software for the design of structural element mentioned above.
 To recommend a convenient criteria and procedure for the design of these components.

3. SCOPE OF STUDY

1- In this research we will design the Pier, Transom & U-Shape Girder for the Blue Line Train
Project on CSI (Computer and Structures, Inc.) SAP2000 with the help of following codes,
manual & specifications.
 American Concrete Institute (ACI) ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete hereinafter referred to as ACI 318-14.
 AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.
 American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual
for Railway Engineering.
 International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), Uniform Building Code (UBC),
and or International Building Code (IBC).
 Pakistan Building Code, Seismic Provision ed-2007.
2- Theoretical analyze and design the Pier, Transom & U-Shape Girder.
3- Comparison of the designed components with the already designed Orange Line Metro
Components.

4. LITERATURE REVIEW

Railway system occupies significant place in the realm of transportation. Comparing with other
means of transportation system, this particular mode has grater advantages as it can carry a large
number of passengers and large & heavy loads to long distances. Since its launch in the field of
transportation, railway underwent tremendous changes in term of shape, speed, mode of running,
distance of whatever field human mind can imagine. Among those changes, the most important one
is considered to be the emergence and spread of metro rail system.

The word metro actually comes from an abbreviation of 'Paris Metropolitan'. That was quickly
abbreviated into metro, which become common word used to designate all subway network. In
some cases metro is regarded as rapid transits train system. Until April 2014, 168 metro system in
55 countries have been listed.

World's first urban underground railway was Metropolitan railway which began its operation on
January 10, 1863. It was built largely in shallow tunnels and is now part of London underground.

In 2005, the city of Dubai had engaged the company “Aedas” to build the proposed metro line in
the city, the first system of this kind in the UAE. The project consists of 52 km in length to the Red
Line running from Rashidiya to Jebel Ali port and 22 km long Green Line extending from the
Ciudad Sanitaria (Health Care City) to Airport Free Zone of the city of Dubai, Arab Emirates. The
structure detail of overhead metro train is follows:
 Precast segmental construction:
The viaduct superstructures were typically formed as U-shaped Pre-tensioned Concrete Girders
with a span length of 20m to 36m. The precast deck segments were made by on line beds.
 Pre-Cast Post Tensioned Concrete Transoms/Pier Head were casted.
 Single central piers typically 2.2m to 2.8m diameter.
 Piles length around 20 meters and 40 meters below existing ground level, typically with 1.6m
to 1.8m diameter.

Fig.-1 Dubai Metro Infrastructure

The Riyadh Metro, Saudi Arabia is a rapid transit system under construction in the city
of Riyadh. It consists of 6 metro lines spanning a total length of 176 kilometers, with 85 stations.
The project cost $22.5 billion to build. It is scheduled to open in 2019. The 16.7 kilometer elevated
viaduct on one of the lines of the Riyadh Metro is also under construction. The precast box girders
on this project have a span of up to 35.85 meters and weigh up to 500 tones. Single piers with Pier
Head are adopted.

Fig.-2 Riyadh Metro Infrastructure

In Pakistan, The Lahore Metro was first proposed in 1991 and reviewed again in 1993 by
the Lahore Traffic & Transport Studies, funded by the World Bank. The project was subsequently
shelved. In 2005, the Ministry of Transport revisited the project and carried out a feasibility study
but the priority was shifted to other Projects. In 2007, the Asian Development Bank provided ₨.1
billion (US$9.5 million) to conduct a study on the project. The initial plan called for an 82 km
(51 mi) rail network with 60 stations to be constructed in four separate phases. The first phase
involved the construction of a 27 km (17 mi) rail line between Gajju Matta and Shahdara, with an
11.6 km (7.2 mi) section underground. Construction was expected to start in 2008 and be completed
by 2010. However, in 2008, the project was shelved again as priorities shifted to other projects. In
June 2010, Malaysia based Scomi International proposed a US $1.15 billion monorail–based
alternative, however the project was not approved.

Pakistan and China have been enjoying cordial and friendly relations since 1950. China has
generously supported Pakistan in military, missile and nuclear program, and economic sector, even
during the sanctions imposed by the US. This led to confidence building between Pakistani and
Chinese policy makers and people. As a result of this long-standing friendship, we see a big
achievement in the form China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). A vast network of highways
and railways are to be built under the aegis of CPEC that will span the length and breadth of
Pakistan. The Orange Line of the Lahore Metro is under construction and is regarded as a
commercial project under CPEC. [11] In May 2014, an agreement signed to begin construction of
the Orange Line, which is the first phase of Lahore Metro Project.

 
Fig-3 Metro Train Routes in Lahore

The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train Project is successfully heading for completion at a steady
pace under the surveillance of NESPAK-CEC joint venture. The project is estimated to cost $1.6
billion. When operational in 2018, it will become Pakistan's first light rail transit line. After the
completion of Orange Line, the rest of two phases of Lahore Metro Project will be
initiated. NESPAK in association with M/s CEC (China) have recently design the U-Shape Girder.
The main structure type is simply supported U-Shape Girder with a general span of 25m, 28m &
30m. These U-Shape Girders rest on Pre-cast post tensioned transom as shown below in Fig-04.
The single Circular Colum pier with varying heights (H=11m to 18m) and diameters (D=2m, 2.2m,
2.35m & 3m) are adopted at the common road cross section which rest on pile cap. The standard
dia. of pile is 1.2 m with a pile depth range 16m to 52m.

Fig-4 Typical Viaduct Cross Section of Orange Line

Fig-5 Typical Viaduct Longitudinal Section of Orange Line

 Fig-6 Typical Precast Post Tensioned Transom of Orange Line

5. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

After the literature review, the research will concentrate to study and design of superstructure of
Metro Train of Blue Line.
Structure Type:

 Upper Structure:
The simply-supported U-shape (cross section) girder of conventional spans of 30, 33 & 35m
general span are selected in this line. The U girder is Pre-stressed concrete structure. These U-shape
girders rests on Transoms as shown in fig-07.
 Lower structure:
The single-column pier is adopted at the common road section in this line which rests on the Pile
Caps. The foundation adopted are cast-in-place bored piles.
 Fig-7 Typical Cross Section of Blue Line

Design Inputs: 
For the design of Super Structure of Blue Line Metro Project the basic design parameters with
respect to Orange Line Metro Project are as follows:

Sr. Description Blue Line Metro Orange Line Metro

No.
Soil Type from Top to Mixed fill soil, silt soil Mixed fill soil, silt soil
1.
Bottom and silt sand layer and silt sand layer
2. Seismic Occupancy Category Category-I Category-I
Basic acceleration of ground 0.16g. (Zone=2A) 0.16g. (Zone=2A)
3.
motion
4. Soil Bearing Capacity 100 kN/m2 100 kN/m2

5. Wind Load 600N/m2 600N/m2

Chinese standard Type B Chinese standard Type B
6. Type of Vehicle
train of 5-car formation train of 5-car formation
7. Number of Axle per car 4 4

8. Seating Capacity (20%) 200 Seats 200 Seats

9. Standing Capacity (80%) 800 Passenger 800 Passenger

10. Axle Load ≤15 Ton ≤14 Ton

11. Length of One Car 19 m ~21 m 19 m ~21 m

12. Width of Car 2.8 m 2.8 m

 13. Max. Height of Car ≤3.8 m ≤3.8 m

14. Max Speed of Train 80km/Hour 80km/Hour

Max empty Operation Load+ 60 Tons 56 Tons
15.
standees
16. Standard Span of U-Girder 35 m 30 m

17. Number of main lines 02 (Double Track) 02 (Double Track)

18. Pier Height 18 m 11 m ~18 m

Elastomeric Laminated Pot Bearing
19. Bearing Type
Bearings

Other Design Parameter:

 Reinforcement as per ASTM A-615 (Deformed Bar Grade-60)
 Pre-stressing Pre- tensioned Steel, 1860 Mpa (Grade 270)
Table-1: Concrete Classes
Type 28 Days Cylinder Strength fc’ Description
Concrete
C1 28 Mpa (4000 psi) Piers, Pile Caps, Piles
P1 35 Mpa (5000 psi) Transom
P2 45 Mpa (6500 psi) Precast Pre-tensioned U-Girders,
Grout
G1 41 Mpa (6000 psi) Non Shrink Grout
G2 60 Mpa (8700 psi) Leveling grout under Bearings

Once the design of super structure of the project is completed, the finalization of design & drawing
will proceed. After the finalization of this design, comparison will be made with the design of
Orange Line Metro Project Components.

6. RESEARCH OUTCOMES

Once the research is completed, it will provide insight knowledge to fore runners to understand
the basic design steps and parameters in the field of U-Shape bridge structures. It will also helpful
for the Government Authority in planning & designing of Blue Line Metro Project.

7. RESEARCH DURATION

Considering the scope of this research, minimum 06 months will be required for its completion. A
tentative break up of time is given below:
 Table-2: Research Duration

Time in days
Work Schedule Plan  Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4  Month 5 Month 6
15  30 45 60 75 90 105 120  135  150 165 180
Literature review                         
Design of Basic Structure &      
Detailing. 
Finalization of Design &                        
Drawings. 
Theoretical Analysis,                        
Comparison & Thesis
Write Up 
Seminar Preparation.                         

8. REFERENCES
1) American Concrete Institute (ACI) ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete

hereinafter referred to as ACI 318-14.

2) Design Criteria Manual, Metro Light Rail Transit Projects U.S State, January 2007

3) AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

4) American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for

Railway Engineering (1999).

5) International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), Uniform Building Code (UBC), and or

International Building Code (IBC).

6) Pakistan Building Code, Seismic Provision ed-2007

7) http://www.pbscensus.gov.pk/

8) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Pakistan

9) https://www.indiatimes.com/culture/travel/metro-rail-facts-history-313969.html

10) http://worldpopulationreview.com/world‐cities/lahore‐population/

11) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Pakistan_Economic_Corridor

12) http://www.nespak.com.pk/highway.html#cbp=ajax/projects/orange.html

13) Design of the Dubai Metro Light Rail Viaducts-Substructures, Highway & Transportation, Atkins

Epsom, UK (Page No. 4 & 5).

14) CR-Norinco Technical Proposal