Certification Course on Engineering Geology for Piling Works

BCA UEN: T08GB0005B

EVENT CODE: 81045

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About the Course

The Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) has established criteria for the certification of Specialist Builders (Piling Works) to enhance the professionalism and quality of piling works in the construction industry. As part of these requirements, geologists involved in piling works must possess specific competencies and qualifications to support the technical aspects of piling projects effectively.

This certification course is designed to meet the competency requirements specified for the geologists in the field of piling works, as outlined in the SAC Criteria for Specialist Builders (Piling Works) CT 32. The course addresses the role of geologists in ensuring the quality, safety, and efficiency of piling projects in Singapore's complex geological environment.

According to the SAC CT 32 document, geologists play a crucial role of “soil & rock identification” in bored piling works, barrette, and diaphragm wall construction. Their expertise is essential for:

Soil and rock identification during the site investigation and piling process
Interpreting geological data to inform piling design and execution
Assessing the suitability of soil and rock for pile socketing and termination
Identifying potential geological hazards, such as cavities in limestone formations

The course aims to fulfil these requirements, recognise and certify the geologists so that they can perform their role more effectively.

1. Stratigraphy Framework of Singapore & Soil/Rock Identification

This topic aims to provide participants with an understanding of the key geological features of different rock types in Singapore's updated geological framework, and to recognize the distinctive characteristics of each geological unit.

a) New stratigraphy framework of Singapore 2021

b) Soil and rock classification based on BS 5930:2015 and ISO 14688-1:2017 standards

c) Description of soils and rocks

d) Borehole logging techniques

e) Interpretation of the soil/rock investigation reports

f) Submission of reports in required format to BCA

2. Engineering Geology for Piling Works

This topic aims to provide participants an understanding of geological and geotechnical aspects crucial for bored piling and diaphragm wall works.

a) Overview of bored pile and diaphragm wall construction processes & design principles

b) Understanding the key role of soils and rocks properties in pile design

c) Soil sampling and rock coring methods during site investigation

d) Identification of soils and rocks during coring process

e) Engineering characteristics of soils and rocks such as Strength & Permeability, and their laboratory tests

f) Sampling techniques: Disturbed and undisturbed soil sampling and rock coring

g) Rock weathering grades and their implications based on BS 5930:2015 and Eurocode 7

h) Defining competent rock layers for bored piling/D-wall works and assessing them on-site.

i) Determination of limestone formations and cavity detection methods in core-log and during boring process

j) Boring records for engineering purposes

k) Advanced technologies used in the engineering geology for piling works.

l) Practical case studies on engineering geology in piling works

• Challenges encountered in soil identification and pile toe socketing and lessons learnt

3. Practical Hands-on Training Session: Soil/ Rock Identification in Borehole Drilling & Rock Core Logging

Objectives of the hands-on training includes:

Identify key geological features in various rock types
Understand rock characteristics within each geological unit
Develop skills for consistent and accurate rock description
Recognize engineering properties of soils and rocks relevant to piling design and construction