COURSEWORK II BQS514-GROUP 8-AP2243I

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING

ASSIGNMENT 2: LITERATURE REVIEW & REFERENCING/ CITATION

SEMESTER OCTOBER 2021-FEBRUARY 2022

COURSE : RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (BQS514)

COURSE CODE : BQS514

DATE OF ISSUE : WEEK 8

DATE OF SUBMISSION : WEEK 10 (23rd DECEMBER 2021)

PREPARED FOR : PROFESSOR DR PADZIL @ FADZIL BIN HASSAN

TITLE:
A Study On The Factors That Contribute Construction Failures That

Causes Tanjung Bungah Construction Site Incident In 2017

PREPARED BY: NAME
STUDENT ID NURUL QARIRAH BINTI RASDAN
2021459586

2021491982 NUR IZYAN BINTI HAMZAH
2021467676 SYED MUHAMMAD NAIM BIN SYED MOHD ARIS

TABLE OF CONTENT

NO CHAPTER 2:
A STUDY ON THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE CONSTRUCTION FAILURES
THAT CAUSES TANJUNG BUNGAH CONSTRUCTION SITE INCIDENT IN 2017

2.1 Introduction:
• Purpose of literature review
• The key themes reviewed
• The literature sources

2.2 Factors that Contribute to Construction Failures
• What are the types?
• Why it happens?
• When the construction failures happened?
• How to avoid the construction failures?

2.3 Construction Failures
• What is the definition?
• Who has to take action?
• Why did the construction collapse?

2.4 Tanjung Bungah Construction Site
• What is Tanjung Bungah Construction Site?
• When had it happened?
• Where is the construction site located?
• Who are the parties involved?

2.5 Site Incident
• What is the definition?
• Why the site incident happened?
• Who got involved?

2.6 Issues (Problem Statement)
• Massive development in Penang
• Replacement of absorbing forest
• Urbanized places
• Non-approved projects

2.7 Chapter Summary
• Summary of the literature review

2.8 List of References

2.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter is representing the starting line of the literature review of the research. It represents
the review of literature on the study on the factors that contribute construction failures that
causes Tanjung Bungah construction site incident in 2017.

The purpose of this review is to examine the relevant or applicable reports and literature
to set the circumstance of this research for the reader.

It starts by presenting the literature discussing the factors that contribute to construction
failures, construction failures, Tanjung Bungah construction site and site incident.

The chapter concludes with a summary of the literature review by ascertaining the
issues and problem statement that based on the reviews.

2.2 FACTORS CONTRIBUTE CONSTRUCTION FAILURES
According to (IJIR, 2017) there are two types of factors that may contribute to construction
failures which are controllable factors and uncontrollable factors. Controllable factors are
factors or causes which can be prevented and be avoided by having through detail inspection
during the construction of the project and also taking proper preventive measures before
construction starts. However, uncontrollable factors which are out of our control of human
beings and usually natural disasters. For example, unpredictable factors to construction failure
are earthquake, tsunamis, flooding and etc.

To be specific, there are several factors that could contribute to construction failures
happen which are site selection and site development errors, geotechnical failure, design
deficiencies, material deficiencies and etc. (H.S Lew, 2008) stated that poor construction
practices and lack of communication between designer and builder could be the main factors
to construction failures.

Construction failures could be avoided from the beginning, which to perform soil test,
then comply with statutory building regulations as well as follow consultants’ specifications
and hire competent building contractor like stated by (Lolu Akinbobola, 2016).

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2.3 CONSTRUCTION FAILURES
(Oxford dictionaries, 2010) defined the word ‘’construction’’ as the work of building or making
something, especially buildings, bridges and etc. According to (Farlex, 2003) the word
“failures” is defined as the condition or fact of not achieving the desired end or ends. (H.S Lew,
2008) said Construction failures is structural failures occurring during or after the course of
construction project. Construction failures of Tanjung bungah retaining wall were because this
construction area had experienced heavy rainfall from the evening before until the next
morning stated by (Warta Geologi, 2019) and the fill material for the road platform was highly
permeable that led to saturation and increased pore water pressure in the embankment
according to (JMG, 2017). Other than that, according to (Keith Schneider, 2018) Penang has
undergone massive development and increasingly facing floods, landslides, environment
problems that may lead to construction failures happen.

Based on news by (Sundaydaily.com, 2017) reported that Citizens Awareness Chant
(Chant) Group has urged the Penang City Council (MBPP) be responsible to do a quick action
and a proper inspection also protection of the failures retaining wall and a road of houses in
Taman Ratu, Tanjung Bungah.

2.4 TANJUNG BUNGAH CONSTRUCTION SITE
The proceeding literature is devoted to the literature review of Tanjung Bungah construction
site.
(Warta Geologi, 2019) emphasised that the Tanjung Bungah construction site is a residential
project named Beverly Hills that consists of 20 units of 3-storey semi-detached houses that was
still awaiting the approval for a Certificate of Completion and Compliance when the retaining
wall in front of the houses including the road structure above it collapsed.

(Warta Geologi, 2019) also mentioned that the completion date of residential project is
at the end of 2017 but the collapse of the retaining wall occurred on 5th of November 2017. The
collapse is located at Persiaran Tanjung Bungah 4, Beverly Hills, Penang (Arnold Loh, 2017).
(NST, 2017) mentioned that there is no death or injuries due to no occupants or workers
available during the incident and was confirmed by the local Authority, Majlis Bandaraya
Pulau Pinang (MBPP). The developer of the project is Taman Ratu Sdn Bhd.

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2.5 SITE INCIDENT
The proceeding literature is devoted to site incident that relating to the construction failure in
Penang.

In the construction world, site incident can be defined as unplanned event that does not
result in personal injury but to resulting to property damage. As in this case, which is the newly
built housing area in Taman Ratu, Tanjung Bungah that led to the hillslope collapses following
the continuous rain. (Embun Majid, 2017)

The important causes that can be focused on are first, the failure of retaining wall that
caused the sinkhole. This would be the general reason of why the failure happened. Apart from
that, the incident happened due to slippage of reinforcement which is caused by the slip circle
in the structure. (Jeffery Jim, 2018)

The incident was taken place on the 5th of November of 2018, and it was happening
during the continuous rainy days. (Embun Majid, 2017). The people who got involved in
injuries was none due to the weekend day. The residential has also faced loss in terms of the
price which involved houses that cost RM 1.6 million to RM 2.3 million each. However, the
incident only affects the area of the road that should be massive concerns to the contractors,
developers, and consultant firms. (Jeffery Jim, 2018)

Moreover, the site incident happened not only because of the nature’s opposition but
some of other reasons that should be concerned are the negligence that caused by the workers.
Workers could have failed to obey the work procedures given and it also comes from the poor
site management including the bad management by the superior parties. (Abdul Rahim Abdul
Hamid, 2008).

2.6 ISSUES (Problem Statement)
Considering all the issues including the massive development matter, flood issues, building on
steep slopes, replacement of water absorbing forest with roads and buildings, urbanized places
and plenty of non-approval projects, the report suggests that massive development and failure
of good town planning has caused the Tanjung Bungah Construction Site Incident. (Keith
Schneider, 2018)

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2.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY
This chapter has summarized that the failure of good town planning has never been doubted
with the issues of landslides, floods, and other natural disasters. The government and
authorities play a major role in solving the issues that happened in most construction sites
located in Penang Island.

This literature review has highlighted all the concerns including the issues that should
be centralized in the discussion of climate change and the changes that happened in the town
especially in the urban areas. A good planning and strategies should be taken into account as
climate change may lead to more natural disasters.

As in this case, Tanjung Bungah Construction Site has experienced extensive property
damage due to the lack of management by superior including the approval of the project which
throughout the literature review we can conclude that the project may surpassed the load
capacity of Penang Island as mentioned by (Gurmit Singh, 2018).

Page | 4

A Study On The Factors That Co
That Causes Tanjung Bungah C
201

Factors that Contribute Construction Tanju
to Construction Failures Failures Cons

WHAT ? WHAT? -Re
1. CONTROLLABLE FACTORS DEFINITION : Hil
Factors that can be controlled by taking proper 1. CONSTRUCTION sem
preventive measures and through inspection -The work of building something, -Re
during the construction of the structure. especially buildings, bridges, etc. roa
2. UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS (Oxford dictionaries, 2010) Sti
Factors that out of control of human beings. Eg; 2. FAILURES for
Earthquake, tsunamis, etc which are termed as -The condition of not achieving the Co
unpredictable causes of failure. (Ijir, 2017) desired end or ends. (W
(Farlex, 2003)
WHY? 3. CONSTRUCTION FAILURES -Co
- Site Selection & Development Errors Structural failures occur during the -In
- Geotechnical Failure course of construction. (W
- Design and Material Deficiencies (H.S Lew, 2008)
- Administrative Deficiencies -Lo
- Fundamentaal Errors In Concept (Ijir, 2017) WHO HAS TO TAKE Ta
- Poor Construction Practices ACTION? Hi
- Lack of communication between builder & (A
designer (H.S Lew, 2008) -Penang City Council (MBPP) to
do a proper check and protection -No
WHEN? of the collapsed retaining wall and -Au
- Nov 5, 2017 a road for a new row of houses in (NS
-While the project waiting for the Certificate Taman Ratu, Tanjung Bungah. -De
of completion & compliance (CCC), a (Citizens Awareness Chant Bh
newlybuilt housing area collapsed early Group, 2017)
Sunday morning
(Warta Geologi, 2019) WHY ?
-The area had experienced heavy
HOW TO AVOID ? rainfall from the evening before
- Comply Statutory Building Regulations until the next morning.
-Hire Competent Building Contractor (Warta Geologi, 2019)
(Lolu Akinbobola, 2016) -The fill material for the road
-Effective construction supervision platform was highly permeable that
(Dov Kaminetzky, 1976) led to saturation and increased pore
water pressure in the embankment.
(JMG, 2017)

ontribute Construction Failures
Construction Site Incident In
17

ung Bungah Site Incident Issues
struction Site
WHAT?
WHAT? WHAT? -Penang Island has undergone
esidential project: Beverly massive development since
lls of 20 units of 3-storey - DEFINITION : 1960s with plans of
mi-detached houses Unplanned event that does landreclamation megaprojects
etaining wall including not result in personal -Penang has increasingly facing
ad structure collapsed injury but resulting to floods and landslides,
ill awaiting the approval property damage. environment problems.
r a Certificate of -Islanders' affection for building
ompletion and Compliance - Newly built housing area on steep slopes
Warta Geologi, 2019) in Taman Ratu, Tanjung -Islanders replacing water-
Bungah collapsed absorbing forest and farmland
WHEN? following the continuous with roads and buildings
ompletion date: End of 2017 rain. -Places get urbanized and the
ncident date: Nov 5th, 2017 excess of water failed to
Warta Geologi, 2019) (Embun Majid, 2017) efficiently absorbed to the
ground.
WHERE? WHY? -Projects that should never be
ocated at Persiaran approved due to maximum
anjung Bungah 4, Beverly - Failure of Retaining Wall capacity of the island.
ills, Penang that caused sinkhole Keith Schneider (2018)
Arnold Loh, 2017)
- Due to global stability WHEN?
and not local stability of -Date happened: 5th
the design November 2017
-Happened during
- Slippage of reinforcement continuous rainy days
caused the soil to become (Embun Majid, 2017)
unstable and unable to
support the retaining wall PROBLEM STATEMENT
-Based on the issues above,
(Jeffery Jim, 2018) the report suggests that
massive development and
WHO? WHO? failure oPf aggoeod| 5townplanning
o death or injuries has caused Tanjung Bungah
uthoritites : MBPP - None got injured Construction Site Incident.
ST, 2017)
eveloper: Taman Ratu Sdn - Residential Housing Area
hd cost around RM1.6 to
2.3mill each

- Parties Involved
(Contractors, developers
and consultant firms)

(Jeffery Jim, 2018)

2.8 LIST OF REFERENCES
Abdul Hamid, A. R., Abd Majid, M. Z., & Singh, B. (2008, January).

Causes of accidents at construction sites. ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46480600_Causes_of_accidents_at_constru
ction_sites#:~:text=The%20main%20causes%20of%20the,equipment%20used%20in
%20construction%20works.
Arnold Loh (2017). Penang floods: Large sinkhole appears in Tanjung Bungah. The Star.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/05/penang-floods-large-sinkhole-
appears-in-tanjung-bungah/#pUIKcjLzMCtrusZz.99
Dov Kaminetzky (1976), Structural Failures and How to Prevent Them Civil Engineering-
ASCE, 1976, Vol. 46, Issue 8, Pg. 60-63
https://cedb.asce.org/CEDBsearch/record.jsp?dockey=0024874
H.S Lew (2008), CONSTRUCTION FAILURES AND THEIR LESSONS
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09613218408545283
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) (2017). Failures in Construction; Types
and Causes and Its Assessment, Vol-3, Issue-4. Online Journal.
http://www.onlinejournal.in/IJIRV3I4/144.pdf
Jim, J. (2018). Case study: Straits regency retaining wall failure. Malaysia Construction
Services.http://www.malaysiaconstructionservices.com/documentationsdiscussions/te
stimonials/casestudystraitsregencyretainingwallfailure
Lolu Akinbobola (2016). 7 Steps to Prevent Building Collapse. Builders Enquiry.
https://buildersenquiry.com/7-steps-to-prevent-building-collapse/
NST (2017). Road project near Tanjung Bungah luxury homes abandoned following a
landslide: Resident. New Strait Times.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2017/11/300087/road-project-near-tanjung-
bungah-luxury-homes-abandoned-following
SCHNEIDER, K. E. I. T. H. (2018). In Malaysia, an island drowns in its own development.
Mongabay Environmental News. https://news.mongabay.com/2018/07/in-malaysia-
anisland-drowns-in-its-own-development/
Simpson, J. (ed.). (2017). Oxford English Dictionary (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Sundaily.my (2017). Proper check, protection needed for collapsed retaining wall in Tanjung
Bungah. The Sun Daily. https://www.thesundaily.my/archive/proper-check-
protection-needed-collapsed-retaining-wall-tanjung-bungah-LUARCH503178

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Warta Geologi (2019) Vol. 45. Landslides in Penang Island, Malaysia: Insights on emerging
issues and the role of geoscience. ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338594337_Landslides_in_Penang_Island_
Malaysia_Insights_on_emerging_issues_and_the_role_of_geoscience

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RESEARCH ASSGN 2

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