A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1982

The general practice of foundations for tall buildings in Hong Kong is described and reviewed in the first part in relation to the relevant literature available and through extensive investigation among the practitioners concerned. These include the execution ranging from site investigation, selection, design consideration and procedure, tests on foundation, methods of construction and monitoring. It has been revealed that most of the tall buildings are built on reclaimed land in Hong Kong and supported on deep foundations extending to either a dense completely weathered igneous rock or a bedrock formation. Empirical design methods have been adopted with advanced construction techniques derived from local experience. Three cases have been studied to reflect and e valuate through analyses, comparisons and discussions of the current geotechnical aspects on the driven cast-in-situ piles, large diameter bored piles and caisson foundations. Construction difficulties under complex site conditions and methods to overcome such difficulties and the appropriate monitoring scheme have been cited. Details review and construction aspects of the hand dug caisson in Hong Kong have been included. Finally, conclusions with recommendations for future research have been delineated with the anticipation that this study will make some contribution to the geotechnical aspects of tall building foundations.