Liquefaction

Maybe lately I have often heard the term liquefaction, especially after the earthquake in Palu in September
2018. In the previous article, regarding the Earthquake, we mentioned the potential for aftershocks due to
the earthquake, one of which is liquefaction. Actually what is liquefaction? What caused it? And what is the
impact on daily life? Let's look at a brief review of liquefaction.

The definition of liquefaction or soil liquefaction is the loss of strength and stiffness of the saturated soil due
to changes in soil stress. The result of this loss of soil strength can be in the form of landslides, changes in soil
texture to mud, or sudden subsidence or movement of the soil. Most of the liquefaction occurs in sand type
soils, especially loose sand types. We can see the impact of this liquefaction by the term "sinking" of
residential areas in Petobo, Central Sulawesi.

CONCEPTS

We need to know together, that the soil component that we use as a place to stand and build buildings,
consists of 3 elements, namely particles of soil, water and air. Each type of soil has a different composition of
soil, water and air particles. Have you ever heard of the term solid land or loose soil? The term solid soil is
another word for the composition of soil particles that are much larger than water and air. The term loose
soil is another word for the composition of soil particles not much different from water and air. That is
generally why the term compacted soil is done by grinding or pressing the soil, so that water and air come
out of the ground, so that what remains is purely soil particles.

Liquefaction 2

Simply put, soil is divided into 2 types, namely fine grained soil (loam / clay / clay) and coarse grained soil
(sand / sand). Clay soils are microscopic minerals that have chemical bonds in the form of cohesion between
the particles, while sandy soils are grains from erosion of igneous or sedimentary rocks. In contrast to clay
soils, sand soils generally do not contain cohesion minerals, so they form relatively large grains. relation to
soil strength, the type of clay soil relies on cohesion as a parameter of its strength, while sandy soil relies on
the contact area between the grains of sand, or scientifically known as the angle of soil shear.

The smaller the distance of the soil grains on the clay, the greater the cohesion, because the distance
between particles is inversely proportional to cohesion. Likewise with sandy soil, the smaller the distance of
the soil grains, the larger the contact area between soil particles. The way we reduce the distance of the soil
grains is by compacting the soil, by compressing it, or by giving it vibrations (especially for sandy soil).

CAUSES OF LIQUIFACTION

After we get to know the concept of land, we turn to the question, why does liquefaction occur? It has been
previously mentioned that liquefaction generally occurs in water-saturated loose sand soils. There are at
least 4 things that are conditions for liquefaction, namely:

Low density sand soils (loose sand soils)

Uniform soil / sand grain shape

Saturated water (high water level)

Earthquake (generally on a scale> 6)

It is true that the earthquake triggered liquefaction. When an earthquake occurs, the earth shakes, and
when areas with loose and water-saturated sand experience vibrations, the water that fills the pores
between the sand particles will try to push in all directions (the pore water tension increases) and push the
sand particles to become more tenuous. so that the contact force between the sand particles is lost. This is
what we will see as soil liquefaction / liquefaction.

LIQUIFACTION IMPACT

Because this liquefaction phenomenon is related to land failure, the impact that can be caused by
liquefaction is the destruction or damage of buildings on the land that is experiencing liquefaction. More
broadly, liquefaction can "drown" and "bury" an area, as happened in Petobo, Central Sulawesi.

Liquefaction is actually not a new thing, in 1964 an earthquake measuring 7.6 magnitude rocked the
prefecture of Niigata, Japan. Most parts of the city of Niigata were affected by liquefaction, more than 3000
houses were damaged, 11,000 more were reported to have suffered damage from the earthquake,
liquefaction and tsunami that occurred at that time. The Padang earthquake, 30 September 2009, also
recorded a liquefaction incident which caused several multi-storey buildings to collapse and enter the
ground.

Some of the conditions for liquefaction are loose sand and saturated water, which is why most of the
liquefaction events occur in the lowlands near watercourses, such as rivers, lakes and seas. Because the
water area contains a lot of soil deposits with low strength and loose, and is accompanied by a high
groundwater level.

Is liquefaction predictable? The answer can be. Just like an earthquake, the probability of liquefaction can
be predicted, but it cannot be predicted when and how it will take place. Liquefaction studies are generally
carried out in an area by assessing soil parameters, in the form of soil strength, soil type, soil gradation, water
level, earthquake vulnerability, and others.

Unfortunately, until now, Indonesia does not yet have a map of potential liquefaction in Indonesia. There
have been many studies on the potential for disasters in Indonesia by various institutions in Indonesia, but it
seems that no one has yet collaborated these studies into a map that can be easily understood by many
people.

in 2012, the ESDM Geological Agency conducted a study on the potential for liquefaction in the Palu area,
and resulted in the conclusion that most areas of the capital city of Palu have a high potential for liquefaction,
including the Petobo area, which is close to SIS Al-Jufrie airport, Palu city.

, with the mapping of potential disasters such as the earthquake map in Indonesia, we can assess and
measure the potential losses that will arise if a disaster occurs in Indonesia. At the same time, we can
prepare ourselves in case of a disaster in the area, so that physical and mental losses can be minimized.

scientific studies on disasters in Indonesia can be collaborated neatly, so as to produce valid, measurable
information to help Indonesians prepare for disasters. It is hoped that with valid and measurable
information, the Indonesian people can improve their preparedness for various potential disasters.

We cannot predict when disasters will occur, and we also cannot avoid them, but it is highly recommended
that we always be prepared to face possible disasters where we live. Stay healthy and safe, my friend.

Source:

https://depts.washington.edu/liquefy/html/main.html
Prof. lecture slides. Dr. Ir. Famous Irsyam MSE

Liquidation 1 https://www.swri.org/technology-today/liquefaction-consortium-earthquake-models

Liquefaction 2 Principles of Geotechnical Engineering 7th Edition, Braja M. Das.