The Evaluation of Pipeline Protection Influenced by Causeway Embankment Using the Finite Element Method (FEM)

Abstract

The construction of embankments over very soft to soft clay, such as reclamation projects, is on the rise. One such development is the reclamation project in the District Manyar, Gresik region of East Java. The seabed in this area is predominantly composed of soft clay. Reclamation involves the construction of a causeway that intersects with a gas pipeline at a depth of 5 m from the seabed. The embankment construction will undoubtedly impact the surrounding area. This study focuses on analyzing the impact of embankment in a reclamation area on soft soil on the underlying pipeline and designing pipeline protection. As a result of this study, the safety factor at each construction stage exceeds the planned safety factor of 1.5. The maximum settlement that occurs in the soil beneath the pipe is 26.91 mm. The maximum stress sustained by the corrugated steel plate (CSP) is 35,499.79 kN/m2, with a lateral deformation of 41.37 mm. The maximum stress occurring on the concrete footing slab is 123.40 kN/m2, which is smaller than the allowable bearing capacity of 128.61 kN/m2.