Analysis of the effect of sand replacement as a counterweight towards stability of embankment in Belawan Port reclamation

Abstract

Abstract Soil improvement with preloading and PVD on large area has a side effect, where the load received by soft soil does not quickly release soil pore water. Due to the nature of soft soil which has low permeability and low internal friction angle, the soil will experience lateral deformation, this causes the soil around the preloading embankment to be lifted. In this project, sand replacement is carried out at a location adjacent to other constructions as a counterweight so that the subgrade is not lifted. This analysis aims to determine the effect of installing a sand replacement in the sand key area on the stability of the preloading embankment structure in the reclamation area. The method used in this research is the analytical method as well as numerical method using finite element method program. It was found that using a sand replacement as a counterweight was able to prevent the lifting of the soil, to maintain the stability of the embankment structure and to prevent the subgrade lift in the shipping channel. Sand replacement is able to balance the lateral ground pressure so that it does not increase the surface of the shipping channel. Preloading construction without using a counterweight on soft soil will collapse due to lateral deformation of the preloading pile load.