A Comparative Study of Top-Down and Cut-and-Cover Methods in Tunnel Construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58344/jws.v5i8.1695Keywords:
Jakarta MRT Phase II, Top-down method, Cut and cover method, Tunnel construction, Excavation volume, Construction duration, Resource efficiency, Urban constructionAbstract
This study compared the top-down and cut-and-cover construction methods for tunnel construction in the Jakarta MRT Phase II project. The objective was to evaluate the differences in excavation volume, construction duration, and labor efficiency between the two methods. This study employed a descriptive-analytical case study approach using secondary data, including project drawings, work quantities, equipment productivity data, and construction schedules. The analysis involved calculations of excavation volume, duration of each construction phase, and labor efficiency for both construction methods. The results showed that the top-down method required an excavation volume of approximately 179,162.15 m³ with a construction duration of approximately 2,007.5 days (±66 months), whereas the cut-and-cover method required an excavation volume of approximately 9,714.62 m³ with a duration of approximately 562 days (±18.5 months). The difference in construction duration between the two methods was 1,445.5 days, indicating that the cut-and-cover method enabled faster completion. However, the cut-and-cover method requires a larger construction area and may cause greater environmental disturbances, whereas the top-down method provides better excavation stability and is more suitable for densely populated urban areas. In conclusion, neither method can be considered universally superior; instead, the selection of a construction method should be based on site conditions and project requirements. The top-down method is more appropriate for dense urban environments where structural stability and limited surface disruption are priorities, while the cut-and-cover method is more suitable when rapid construction is required and sufficient working space is available.
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