1. The Airport is Sinking! Valerie Burris & Julia Littlefield

2. Kansai International Airport

4. Background Information Built to reduce noise pollution from current Osaka Airport Built to reduce noise pollution from current Osaka Airport Built on Existing Landfill Built on Existing Landfill First airport built on manmade island First airport built on manmade island Island construction began in 1987 Island construction began in 1987 Terminal Construction began in 1991 Terminal Construction began in 1991 Architect: Renzo Piano Architect: Renzo Piano

5. Expected Risks Earthquakes: 1995 Kobe Earthquake nearly unscathyed Earthquakes: 1995 Kobe Earthquake nearly unscathyed Extreme High Tides Extreme High Tides Protests from Fishermen Protests from Fishermen

6. Potential Problems Total estimated sinkage: 11.5 meters over 50 years Total estimated sinkage: 11.5 meters over 50 years Two years after the island was completed, sinkage was 8 meters Two years after the island was completed, sinkage was 8 meters

7. Why? Soft clay under the ocean floor could not support the islands weight Soft clay under the ocean floor could not support the islands weight How could this have occurred? How could this have occurred? Flashback Time Flashback Time

8. Construction Timeline 1987-Start of the airport island seawall construction (January) 1987-Start of the airport island seawall construction (January)

9. 1987 Start of the airport island seawall construction (January) Start of the airport island seawall construction (January)

10. 1991 Completion of reclamation work on the airport island (December) Completion of reclamation work on the airport island (December)

11. 1994 Completion of the Passenger Terminal Building (June) Completion of the Passenger Terminal Building (June)

12. Later in 1994 Opening of the airport (September 4) Opening of the airport (September 4)

13. But Wait There is More… The Airport was sinking faster than expected. The Airport was sinking faster than expected. The airport ha reportedly sunk 10 meters after the first 3 years of its construction. This is much faster than the initial expected rate of 11.5 meters in 50 years. The airport ha reportedly sunk 10 meters after the first 3 years of its construction. This is much faster than the initial expected rate of 11.5 meters in 50 years. Total sinkage to date is 12.18 meters. Sinking has slowed. In 2003, total sinking was just 14 centimeters Total sinkage to date is 12.18 meters. Sinking has slowed. In 2003, total sinking was just 14 centimeters Another concern is that the airport is also sinking unevenly which my cause the entire foundation to buckle. Another concern is that the airport is also sinking unevenly which my cause the entire foundation to buckle.

14. What was to be done? The airport's operator is planning to spend 27 billion yen to protect the terminal buildings and refueling tanks from underground flooding. The airport's operator is planning to spend 27 billion yen to protect the terminal buildings and refueling tanks from underground flooding. Pumps will also be installed in case flooding does occur. Pumps will also be installed in case flooding does occur. To counteract the uneven sinking columns supporting the building will be raised or shortened. To counteract the uneven sinking columns supporting the building will be raised or shortened. To absorb the sink a special hydraulic cylinder was made, with an ordinary length usually calculated To absorb the sink a special hydraulic cylinder was made, with an ordinary length usually calculated

15. An intermediate support for the cylinder was made to slide, and the thimble rod is adjustable as a measure for the top clearance, since the wire rope length also varies An intermediate support for the cylinder was made to slide, and the thimble rod is adjustable as a measure for the top clearance, since the wire rope length also varies These are just some of the many actions being taken over time. These are just some of the many actions being taken over time.

16. Cool Fact! After many counter measurements against sinking were made after 1994, KIX was awarded "Monuments of the Millennium" by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1999.

17. Whats Happening Now? This is a photo of the new terminal This is a photo of the new terminal

18. Go ahead and ask! Youve got Questions? Youve got Questions? Weve got Answers… Weve got Answers…