INSPECTION AND STABILIZATION OF THE MID-LEVELS CLIFFS, HONG-KONG

Since 1976 the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Hong Kong Government has had a landslip preventive measures (LPM) programme unde r which man-made features comprising cut slopes, fill slopes and retai ning walls are investigated in priority order and upgraded to modern s afety standards where necessary. During 1991-1992 the programme includ ed work to improve the stability of selected rock outcrops and very la rge boulders on a natural cliff face in the Mid-levels area of Hong Ko ng Island. This unusual site, with a near-vertical often densely veget ated terrain, posed a number of design and contractual challenges whic h had to be tackled in a limited time frame due to the climatic condit ions prevalent in Hong Kong. Detailed aerial and ground inspections we re made, and the need for improvement work determined. Contract tender ing took place, and a contract to carry out improvement work was let. Work was completed in mid-1992 at a cost of HK$2.5 million.