ENG-1998 — Page 284

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

224

warning messages have been amplified by frequent TV broadcasting of two new announcements of public interest. During the year, the slope maintenance audit section assisted maintenance departments to improve their performance in discharging their slope maintenance responsibilities, and the first audit of performance commenced in June 1998.

Inspections of squatter villages continued to be made to identify dwellings which are especially vulnerable to landslips during the heavy rainfall. Up to 1998, 74 000 squatters had been cleared upon the GEO's recommendations 58 000 from urban areas and the others from some 200 more vulnerable villages and their vicinities in the mainland New Territories.

In 1998, the Hong Kong Geological Survey compiled a new 1 to 100 000-scale geological map of Hong Kong and a 1 to 20 000-scale solid geological map of Sheet 4 (Kat O Chau), as well as publishing a memoir on the geological landscapes of Hong Kong. It also completed a detailed investigation of the sub-surface geology of the area around Tung Chung New Town, assisted with several major landslide investigations, including two forensic studies, and responded to 512 requests for advice on geological matters.

Engineering geological research study of the volcanic rocks in the Tseung Kwan O area was completed in 1998 and further studies are being carried out in the Sha Tin and Kowloon areas. A study of non-destructive geophysical techniques for site characterisation was completed in 1998 and a study of borehole geophysical methods is being carried out. Research into the distribution, nature and causes of landslides on natural terrain is continuing.

The Geotechnical Information Unit (GIU) in the Civil Engineering Library houses the largest collection of geotechnical data in Hong Kong. It is open to the public and served more than 26 000 users during 1998.

The Public Works Central Laboratory at Kowloon Bay and six Public Works Regional Laboratories in various parts of Hong Kong are accredited under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) to carry out specific tests on construction materials and to provide laboratory calibration services.

During the year, a significant number of ground investigation works were undertaken to facilitate land production and infrastructure projects.

In 1998, the GEO provided specialist geotechnical advisory services to government departments. These include the provision of ad-hoc geotechnical advice and carrying out feasibility studies, detailed investigations, design and construction supervision for a wide range of public works projects such as road improvement works (e.g. Tsing Yi North Coastal Road, Castle Peak Road and Fan Kam Road), drainage improvement works in Yuen Long and Shenzhen River, site formation, slope works, landfill, reinforced fill works, reclamation, and work on rock tunnels and caverns.

Fill Supply and Mud Disposal

The Fill Management Committee (FMC), formed in 1989, is responsible for identifying, investigating and managing fill resources and marine disposal areas required for developments in the HKSAR. Technical and administrative support for the FMC is provided by the FMC Secretariat, established within the Civil Engineering Department (CED).