Case Histories on the Application of Vacuum Preloading and Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Structures in Indonesia

Abstract

Geosynthetics technology has been applied in Indonesia as early as 1983 where a high strength geotextile of 200 kN/m was laid to help stabilize the highway built on swampy land toward Jakarta International Airport. Since then, geosynthetics have been gaining popularity in solving various geotechnical problems, e.g., slope stabilization, construction of retaining walls, acceleration of consolidation, lining of ponds, construction of breakwaters and shore protection works, etc. Six case histories on the application of geosynthetics technology are presented in this paper. Three case histories on the application of prefabricated vertical drain with vacuum preloading to accelerate consolidation process of very soft clay are discussed. The first case is a vacuum preloading on lowland area, just a few km from seashore. The second case was vacuum preloading on high ground of about 700 m from sea level. The third case was vacuum preloading combined with surcharging. Another three case histories discussed the application of geosynthetic-reinforced soils in slope stabilization where, instead of granular material, cohesive materials were utilized as backfill. The first was its application for river embankment stabilization. The second was a back-to-back 13-m-high reinforced soil to support a railway on top of it. The third was a 25–37 m high retaining structure developed on a problematic clay shale for a runway support. Despite the difficulties encountered, each of the projects was finally executed safely and successfully.