New Solutions to Geotechnical Challenges for Coastal Cities

Coastal cities like Singapore and Jakarta have undergone rapid economic development in the past decades. There is an increasing demand for infrastructure upgrading. With climate changes and population increase, geotechnical design and construction are getting more and more challenging for coastal cities. We need to develop new technologies and new solutions to tackle the challenges and enhance our ability to fight disasters such as earthquake and flood. In this paper, four different solutions pertinent to geotechnical engineering for coastal cities are presented. The first is the establishment of a web-based 3D geological map to make better use of geological and geotechnical data and information for more reliable geotechnical design. The second is a new method for using dredged slurry or soft materials for land reclamation, as there is a shortage of granular fill materials in many cities. The third is the technology for construction of seawalls using suction caissons. The last solution is the biogas desaturation method for mitigation of soil liquefaction which is becoming the most cost-effective solution for prevention of liquefaction for a large area.