Effects of compressibility and permeability of peaty soils on the design and construction of infrastructure

SUMMARY

In practice, it is near impossible to obtain undisturbed samples of fibrous peat for laboratory testing in order to derive engineering design parameters, as its water and organic contents can be high as 1,200% and 60%, respectively. This forms the challenge that civil and geotechnical engineers have to face in the design of infrastructure on peaty soils. 2 case studies on the design and construction challenges in Sarawak peaty soils are presented. Through these case studies, it is hoped that the effects of construction on challenging peaty soils can be duly recognised so that care and due diligence are taken during both design and construction stages of any…