Assessment of Ground Movement at Cigombong Bridge by Using Finite Element Analysis: A Case Study in West Java, Indonesia

Ground movement phenomena were detected at abutment A2 of Cigombong Bridge, causing the abutment to hit a girder. A thorough investigation has been performed by inspecting the structure condition and nearby landslide occurrences directly on site. Additional borings with Standard Penetration Test (SPT) were also conducted to evaluate the actual soil condition in the abutment area. Moreover, monitoring of subsurface movement was performed regularly with inclinometers. Such additional borings and inclinometers were located at the road elevation beside the wing wall and the existing ground surface near the abutment footing. During the installation of inclinometer pipes, soil identification and SPT were conducted. Consequently, the soil condition and SPT N-value profiles can be obtained. It was established that the original soil condition is very soft clay with an SPT N-value of 1 to 4 blows/30 cm. Furthermore, the inclinometer monitoring results showed that lateral displacements were identified in both inclinometers. Based on these findings, a 3D finite element analysis was then performed to investigate the effects of ground movement on the abutment and the foundations. The results showed a possibility of pile crack and overstressed pile due to the ground movement induced by compression of soft soil.

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