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Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award

2014 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award

[Group-1]

1. Design and Construction of "Tsunami Protection Wall" at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station : One of Tsunami Countermeasures, 1.6km-long huge Wall with 22m high above Sea Level

・Chubu Electric Power Co.,Inc.(CEPCO)
・Civil & Architectural Engineering Dept.

CEPCO have been engaging tsunami countermeasures including tsunami protection wall at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station since the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. In the design of the wall, the innovative structure type integrated L-shaped wall sections of SRC and steel structure on RC underground wall foundations implanted into solid bedrock was developed. This structure gives an extra safety margin to seismic-resistant and tsunami-resistant design. Moreover CEPCO achieved to shorten the construction term by shifting from field work to fabrication in advance. Therefore, the innovation on this wall is recognized as a significant contribution to improvement on safety and represents maturity of Japanese civil engineering.

 

2. Construction for the Junction of the Large Shield Tunnels by the Advanced Tunnel Enlargement Method - Ohashi Ramp Tunnel Works for the Shinagawa Line of the Central Circular Route -
・Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd.
・HAZAMA ANDO Corp.
To construct the junction of the main and ramp tunnels in deep underground for the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, the new method have been developed and achieved practical use that was to connect the two shield tunnels with segmental linings of arch shape without excavation from the surface. By using this method, the deep junction was built economically and efficiently.
The advantages of this method are no negative effect on surrounding environment, lightweight structural members, high waterproofness and durability, shortening work periods by pre-fabrication, cost reduction and so on. This method is the epoch-making technology for developing civil engineering business that also can be applied to the construction of deep and large underground space.

 

3.  A Novel Technique for Harmonizing Both the Flood Controland Environment in Rapid Rivers -Bank Protection Technique Using Natural Sandbars with Boulders
・Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
・Toyama Office of River and National Highway, MLIT
・Fukuoka Unit, Research and Development Initiative
・Chuo University
Concrete revetments against bank erosion which have been commonly used in the stony rivers are useful, while they cause serious bed erosion by flow concentrated along the revetments and tend to lead to levee breaches.
Therefore, a novel nature-friendly technique of bank protection has been desired for a long time. We developed a new bank protection work using natural sandbars which assured flood control and riverine environment. Boulders were installed to protect frontal portion of sandbars from the erosion by flow attack. This technique has been proved to be effective for bank stabilization and formation of riverine environment in stony rivers.

 

4. Combination of Small Shield Tunnels for A High Way Ramp-Off Structure in “Higashi Kanto Highway Yatsu-Funabashi Interchange Off-Ramp Project”
・East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
・Obayashi Corp.
Higashi Kanto Highway Yatsu-Funabashi Interchange Off-Ramp structure is constructed underneath a main highway with an overburden of 3m. Utilizing high standards of engineering through design/construction phases, the following technological approaches are adopted to minimize adverse impacts on the main high way during the construction.
(1)Octagonal tunnel section for structural efficiency 
(2)A composite tunnel of small shield tunnels for adaptability to complexity of alignment, change in tunnel section and less impact on ground surface.
(3)Combination of small shield tunnels to build a large tunnel structure
(4)Development of a new grouting technology for a shorter curing time to remove unforeseen obstructions in ground due to a change to open-mode shield excavation.  
Furthermore, the above-mentioned approaches make a tunnel cross section smaller, which reduces excavation volume and environmental impact.

 

5. Project for Construction of Grade Separation at the Crossing of Fuchu Route 3・4・7 and Keio Railway Line
・Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction
・Keio Corp.
・TAISEI Corp. Keio Construction Co.,Ltd. JV
This project was planned to transform an existing grade crossing at Keio Railway Line and Urban planning road, Fuchu-Kiyose Route 3・4・7, into a culvert underpass. The main technical challenge of this project was to construct the underpass right under the operating railway tracks while controlling uplift of two existing main sewer lines (OD=7,600mm) due to excavation, which were less than 1.0m apart from the planned underpass. In order to solve it, a new construction method was adopted with success; a combination of a non-open-cut method called “Harmonica tunneling method” and the traditional open-cut method.

 

6. The construction of the 44.6km longest water transfer tunnel in South-East Asia crossing Malay peninsula-Pahang-Selangor Raw Water Transfer Tunnel-
・Shimizu Corp.
・Nishimatsu Construction Co., Ltd.
・Tokyo Electric Power Services Co., Ltd.
Pahang-Selangor water transfer tunnel will aim to relieve the shortage of water supply for daily life and industries of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor State in the future (Supplying Approximately 1.89 million m3/ day). The 44.6km length of tunnel is the longest tunnel in South-East Asia. The main part of tunnel 34.6km length was excavated by 3 numbers of Tunnel Boring Machine. The results and knowledge as obtained in this project will broaden the applicability of the Tunnel Boring machine and will contribute to the infrastructure development in Japan and overseas.

 

7. Our nation’s first box constructing technology on underpinning existing RC viaducts into long-span viaducts (Viaduct bridge construction on JR East Sobu Line between Ichikawa and Moto-Yawata stations)
・East Nippon Expressway Co.,Ltd., Kanto Regional Head Office, Chiba Construction Office
・East Japan Railway Co., Tokyo Construction Office
・Tekken-Oriental Shiraishi JV
・JR East Consultants Co.
The Chiba route of the Tokyo Outer Ring Road intersects with JR Sobu Line viaduct between Ichikawa and Moto-Yawata stations.  An underground box is planned for inner and aboveground underpasses at the intersection. By proposing a new construction plan which combined pneumatic caisson and underpinning methods, we reconstructed existing railway viaducts into long span viaducts by using caisson boxes for foundations of new piers. We effectively used existing structures and realized this construction while maintaining usual train operations. This construction method can be applied widely as reconstruction technology of railway structures in high-density operation areas.

 

[Group-2]

1. Construction of the first Underground Research Laboratory in Japan excavated to a depth of 500m in crystalline rock - The Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory Project carried out in order to develop the scientific and technical basis for geological disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste -
・Japan Atomic Energy Agency
・Obayashi-Taisei-Hazama Ando JV
・Shimizu-Kajima-Maeda JV

Japan Atomic Energy Agency at Tono Geoscience Center is managing a geoscientific research and development project, namely the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) Project, in a crystalline rock environment in order to establish the scientific and technical basis for geological disposal of High-level Radioactive Waste (HLW). The research laboratory is an underground facility consisting of two shafts and several galleries and excavation has extended to a depth of 500m. The R&D objectives of the MIU Project are as follows:
-To establish technology for investigation, analysis and assessment of the deep geological environment
-To develop a range of engineering technologies for deep underground application.
The results will be utilized to provide basic information for the final HLW geological disposal project and to draw up national safety regulation standards.

 

2. Construction of Large-Capacity Transmission Main - 20 years from start,a Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake revival project is completed -
・Kobe City Waterworks Bureau
"Construction of Large-Capacity Transmission Main" is a Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake revival project creating a water supply main having both high earthquake resistance and large-capacity drinking water retention functions in a central city area. These epoch-making technologies are being adopted nationwide.
In particular, the law "Use of deep underground" and "steel pipe for crossing fault (SPF)" as a fault displacement measure were adopted and applied for the first time in Japan.
Use of a concept assuming a disaster-affected city and the latest technologies and legal framework, together with efficient, effective construction, contributed to both the progress of civil works technology and development of regional society.

 

3. Reopening of Sanriku Railway damaged by Great East Japan earthquake
・Iwate prefecture
・Sanriku Railway Co.
・Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency
Sanriku Railway is the first joint public-private venture opened on April 1, 1984, which runs along the Sanriku coast.
Railway structures of the line were damaged by Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami (March 11, 2011) Since then, railway structures had been reconstructed and reopened step by step. It took only 3 years to reopen the whole route. The reopening of Sanriku Railway is the symbol of the recovery from the disaster.
New technologies were introduced for earthquake‐resistant construction together with reduction of costs for construction, operation and maintenance. The reopening of Sanriku Railway contributes to the development of the regions, industries and sightseeing along the Sanriku coast. Original ideas for this reconstruction were highly evaluated, and made a significant contribution to civil engineering technology.

 

4. Kyogoku Project - A Construction of the First Pure Pumped-storage Hydroelectric Power Plant in Hokkaido Conquering Heavy Snowfall and Severe Cold Conditions -
・Hokkaido Electric Power Co.,Inc.
・KAJIMA, OBAYASHI, TOBISHIMA, ITOGUMI JV
・TAISEI, SATO・HOKUDEN KOGYO, SUMITOMO MITSUI JV
・KUMAGAI, SHIMIZU, IWATA CHIZAKI JV
・MAEDA, Nishimatsu, TODA, ARAI JV
・Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
・Hokuden General Engineering Design and Consulting Co.,Inc.
・HOKUDEN KOGYO CO.,LTD.

The Kyogoku Project, a 600 MW (200 MW per unit for 3 units), is the first pure pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hokkaido, and the No. 1 unit of which began commercial operation in October 2014.
Due to the cold and heavy snowfall at the project site, a unique composition was applied to the asphalt facing of the upper reservoir, and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) construction systems and other state-of-the-art technologies were also used in all civil engineering construction work. During the construction, continuous efforts are being made to conserve precious highland wetlands, as well as rare plants and wildlife. The project site has been visited by many observers during the construction period, and large amounts of technical information conveyed in papers published both at home and abroad.
The Kyogoku Project is proffered advanced civil engineering technologies, such as the completely new structure of the asphalt facing, and is recognized for significant contribution to the development of civil engineering.

 

5. Hiikawa River discharge channel Project
・Chugoku Regional Development Bureau
・Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
The project of Hiikawa river discharge channel is one of three large projects to control flood in Hiikawa river system. This project, which is to construct Hiikawa river discharge channel and to widen Kandogawa river, was completed in July 2013.
As the flooding of Hiikawa river has been compared to Yamata-no-Orochi, the huge eight-headed eight-tailed serpent, the flood prevention has been the earnest desire in this region.
As the river is carrying a lot of sediment, the special designs in the project have been considered to operation and maintenance in future one hundred years.

 

6. Construction of the Yamate Tunnel (Bay Shore Route to Shibuya Line) on the Central Circular Route - The First Completion of the Three Circular Routes in the Greater Tokyo Area -
・Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd.
・Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Construction

The Yamate Tunnel between Bay Shore Route and Shibuya Line Route is the south part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Central Circular Route. It is built to improve the traffic flow in Tokyo area.
The large-section long shield tunneling method and high-speed excavation technique were used in the construction to minimize the effect on traffic in existing roads and to reduce noise and vibration in the surrounding area during construction. And we could minimize the effect on the aboveground traffic and underground facilities by application of the Shield Tunnel Expansion Methods (STEMs).
The project largely contributed to the development of construction technology.

 

7. Reconstruction start from the Great East Japan Earthquake in Ishinomaki・Higashimatsushima・Onagawa, Miyagi (3-year performance by Ishinomaki Block Disaster Waste Disposal Project )
specific construction joint venture comprising Kajima, Shimizu, Nishimatsu, Sato, Tobishima, Takenaka Civil Engineering, Wakachiku, Hashimoto and Endo
Miyagi prefecture commissioned Ishinomaki Block (Ishinomaki-city , Higashimatsushima-city, Onagawa-town) Disaster Waste Disposal Project , where the greatest amount of disaster waste occurred in the affected area by the Great East Japan Earthquake , to specific  construction joint venture comprising 9 companies whose representative company is Kajima Corp. This work was completed in March 2014.
Constructing Japan’s biggest waste processing facility in Ishinomaki, they completed disaster waste disposal within 3 years of earthquake. This short-term disposal contributed to reconstruction start.
They realized disaster waste recycle (85% recycle rate) by taking advantage of both civil engineering and environmental engineering technique such as dam technology.Moreover, they valued a friendly relationship with local community.For example, they picked up and saved memorabilia including photos or held regional goodies fair.
 

 

8. Construction of Joban Expressway between Joban-Tomioka IC and Yamamoto IC (Project that has never experienced and overcome the difficulties in the nuclear disaster area)
・East Nippon Expressway Company Limited
Section between Joban-Tomioka IC and Namie IC on Joban Expressway was opened March 1, 2015 resulting full opening of 300km of Joban Expressway between Misato, Saitama Pref. and Watari, Miyagi Pref. This section is highly expected to accelerate the reconstruction of the affected areas by the Great East Japan Earthquake since it goes through the devastated areas by the accident of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. On the construction site affected by the nuclear disaster, the radiation control facilities were established for the management. For this construction, although procurement of workers, materials and equipments were difficult, it was finally completed according to the schedule while overcoming various challenges by means of our project management skills.

 

9. Minami Honmoku MC-3 Container Terminal at Port of Yokohama - Development Project of Container Terminal for the World's Mega-Ships -
・Keihin Port Office, Kanto Regional Development Bureau, MLIT
・Yokohama Port Corp.

MC-3 must have high restorability against large scale earthquake though the sea bed is 30 m depth and the supporting soil layer is soft and under the complicated condition.
In the construction of MC-3, the soft sea bed was stabilized and the steel cell of which diameter was one of the largest in Japan was adopted as the structure of the quay. Furthermore, new seismic isolator for the container crane was developed for the purpose of enhancement of earthquake-resistance of the container terminal.
Since MC-3 was constructed based on cutting-edge offshore engineering technology and its high earthquake-resistance enables the operator to restart cargo handling immediately after earthquake, MC-3 greatly contributes to Japanese life and economy.

 

 

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