<![CDATA[The construction of access roads to Kenyamukan Port in Sangatta, East Kutai, faced a major challenge due to soft saturated soils with low bearing capacity and high settlement potential. To address this issue, a soil improvement system was implemented using a combination of Prefabricated Vertical Drain (PVD) and vacuum preloading methods. PVD functions to accelerate pore water discharge both vertically and horizontally, while vacuum preloading applies negative pressure to enhance consolidation without the need for heavy surcharge loads. This internship was conducted over ±2 months, focusing on the installation stages of PVD, perforated horizontal drains (PHD), geomembranes, and vacuum systems. Based on field observations and CPTu test data, this combined method significantly accelerated soil consolidation, increased effective stress, and reduced the consolidation period from over a year to approximately 90–120 days. The method is considered effective, efficient, and suitable for infrastructure projects on soft ground, especially in coastal areas. This practical experience also provided the student with hands-on knowledge of construction execution, technical skills, and real-world problem-solving in geotechnical engineering.]]>
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