Several infrastructures and ground surfaces were destroyed by earthquake-induced soil liquefaction in Indonesia, particularly during the 2009 Padang Earthquake. The pore water pressure dissipation method (PWPDM), such as vertical drain implementation, is one of the countermeasures for liquefaction. The discharge capacity and water absorption can be approximately integrated into individual elements using the macro-element method in the numerical model. The comprehensive assessment and engineering insight of ground under dynamic simulations are required for the disaster mitigation strategy. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the vertical drain through the macro-element method in LIQCA2D. The finite element model was implemented using an elasto-plastic constitutive model with soil-coupled u-p formulation program based on a two-phase theory as an effective stress-based analysis. The 2D and 1D analyses were performed to assess the effect of the coarse mesh. The results show that the vertical drain behavior beneath the embankment was simulated appropriately through the macro-element under dynamic conditions. This work captures the effect of water-flow suppression as a liquefaction mitigation measure and provides comparisons between 2D and 1D mesh models, the recommended threshold for drain spacing, and the limitations of 1D mesh simulation. The strong relationships among excess pore water pressure, shear strain, effective stress, and ground deformation, both under unimproved and improved conditions, were highlighted and discussed in this research. The comprehensive evaluation served as the basis for engineering and practical consideration, leading to resilient infrastructure to prevent earthquake-induced liquefaction hazards, especially in the 2009 Padang Earthquake case.
Fitri et al. (Fri,) studied this question.