Sosrobahu Technique

In this current age, Indonesia is pushing its infrastructural development, where that includes road projects, housings, dams, etc. In some cases, constructions that we see every day may be very close to public activities which results in the disturbance of those activities. A simple example can be observed from the construction of highways or flyovers, where those constructions may result in traffic for the ongoing road activity.

This specific issue was taken into concern to the glasses of Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, an Indonesian civil engineer. Tjokorda is the man that came up with a solution for this problem. His solution was inspired from when he is fixing his car by using a hydraulic jack, when he accidentally applied light pressure on the car, which makes the car rotated with the hydraulic jack as its center of rotation. From that phenomenon, Tjokorda Raka Sukawati discovers the solution for flyover or highway constructions that disrupts the ongoing road activity, the solution is a technique called the Sosrobahu.

Not only that the basic principle of this Sosrobahu technique is applied to avoid traffic, but to also simplify the concrete casting of the components. The horizontal component of the flyover or highway is cast and placed in the direction of the existing road. Once the concrete is hardened and cured, the component would be lifted and placed on top of the vertical support. Once everything is set, an amount of pressure would be applied to the horizontal component, where this would result in a rotation. The horizontal component is rotated until it reaches the desired direction.

Technically speaking, this invention had never been tested in laboratories or whatnot, but Tjokorda is sure that his technique would succeed. Tjokorda was so sure that he dares to be responsible if the concrete arm of the structure cannot be rotated or fails. The Sosrobahu technique was first executed on the Cawang – Tanjung Priok flyover in 1988. In today’s construction world, this technique is widely used in flyovers and/or highways. This technique is one of many things that Indonesians are proud of.

Written By: Ashhabul Kahfi Pratama

Translated By: Abimanyu Satrio Ambiarto

Source: "Sosrobahu Bertumpu di Atas Piring", GATRA, 21 agustus 2004