Analytical study of the causes of the major landslide of Bukit Antarabangsa in 2008 using fault tree analysis

Abstract

Previous researchers have observed that imprecise design, flawed construction and non-maintenance of slopes are major contributors to Malaysian landslides. The prominent landslide of Bukit Antarabangsa in 2008 once again alarmed the Malaysian construction industry and prompted a review of their practices and standards. This study investigates the causes of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide by analyzing a pipe burst event, which according to previous studies triggered the landslide. The technique of fault tree analysis (FTA) is applied to trace factors contributing to the pipe burst. The events and their subjective probability for the FTA have been ascertained by experts in the Malaysian construction industry through survey research using a snowball sampling technique. Subjective probability derived for FTA indicates that high acidity levels in the water, improper design and a temporary extra surcharge load were more likely to be causal factors than other potential triggers. The events that are found to have the highest subjective probability in causing the pipe burst correlate with human errors which occur either as a result of negligence or as a result of several types of uncertainties. In this context, this study suggests a theoretical framework to address human errors and to mitigate the chances of slope failure.