Excess Pore Water Pressure Ratio Comparison from Empirical and Numerical Methods to Determine Liquefaction Potential in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Penulis/Author
Prof. Ir. Teuku Faisal Fathani, Ph.D., IPU. (2); Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Wahyu Wilopo S.T., M.Eng., IPM. (3)
Tanggal/Date
2025
Kata Kunci/Keyword
Abstrak/Abstract
Background: Palu is a city in Central Sulawesi Province with a very high level of seismic activity. The seismicity in
Central Sulawesi is associated with the active movement of the Palu Koro fault. One of the most severe events
occurred on September 28, 2018, which triggered liquefaction and a tsunami. This is also related to the lithology of
Palu, which consists of alluvial deposits predominantly made up of sand.
Objective: This study compares excess pore water pressure values analyzed empirically and numerically to identify
liquefaction potential. It aims to provide additional perspectives for engineers in designing buildings around the study
area that are resistant to liquefaction.
Methods: Excess pore water pressure was analyzed using empirical and numerical methods to determine
liquefaction potential. The empirical method used the equation by Yegian and Vitteli (1981), while the numerical
method involved finite element analysis using the Plaxis 2D application and nonlinear analysis using DEEPSOIL v7.
Results: The results from the three methods of analyzing excess pore water pressure to determine liquefaction
potential at the four borehole points showed differences. For the empirical method, using the equation by Yegian and
Vitelli (1981), the results indicated that the layers with a pore pressure ratio (ru>0.8) were deeper than the finite
element and non-linear methods.
Conclusion: The differences in methods result in varying outcomes in analyzing excess pore water pressure to
identify liquefaction potential. The empirical method uses the peak value of Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) to
evaluate the entire soil profile, leading to a more generalized assessment. In contrast, the non-linear and finite
element methods consider each layer's behavior under the applied seismic load, providing more detailed and similar
results.
