📋 Case Study
High-Rise Foundation Design on Residual Lateritic Soil
Highly variable residual soil depth (2–12 m), low bearing capacity, and potential for post-construction desiccation cracking
🏗️ Project Overview
42-story mixed-use tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
🎯 Challenge
Highly variable residual soil depth (2–12 m), low bearing capacity, and potential for post-construction desiccation cracking
🔧 Design Approach
Deep dynamic compaction + grouted micropiles socketed into bedrock; continuous moisture monitoring during construction
📐 Design Diagram
📐 Key Calculations
Allowable bearing capacity (qₐ)
qᵤ / FS = cNc + qNq + 0.5γBNγ
Result: 245 kPa
Micropile group spacing optimized
Settlement prediction via Schmertmann method
δ = Σ(Δσᵢ × Iᵢ × zᵢ / Eₛᵢ)
Result: 18 mm
Met serviceability limit of 25 mm
Shrink-swell potential index (PI × %clay)
PI × Clay Content
Result: 128
Triggered moisture control protocol
📊 Results
Measured settlement: 16.2 mm at 12 months; no distress observed in superstructure💡 Lessons Learned
- •Residual soils require site-specific N-values—not generic correlations
- •Moisture control during curing prevented surface cracking
✅ Key Takeaways
- 1Residual soils require site-specific N-values—not generic correlations
- 2Moisture control during curing prevented surface cracking