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| Tjokorda Raka Sukawati, a Balinese inventor | Wacaberita, GridOto |
For decades, Bali has stood as one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations, enchanting travelers with its breathtaking natural beauty and a rich, vibrant cultural heritage that feels both timeless and uniquely immersive.
However, not many people know that Bali is also home to an inventor who made a significant contribution to the world by revolutionizing elevated road technology.
Early Life and Background
Tjokorda Raka Sukawati was born in Ubud, Bali, into a family of royalty. As a member of the noble Puri Ubud family, he grew up surrounded by Balinese culture and tradition. Despite his royal lineage, Tjokorda Raka developed a deep passion for science and technology, which led him to pursue a career in engineering—a field far removed from the traditional responsibilities of the Balinese nobility.
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| Sukawati was born and grew up in Ubud | David Vaughan via Flickr |
Sukawati’s interest in problem-solving and innovation shaped his path from an early age. After completing his early education in Bali, he pursued a formal education in civil engineering, graduating from the prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), one of Indonesia's top engineering institutions. He soon established himself as a visionary thinker, ready to contribute to the development of modern infrastructure in Indonesia.
As an engineer, Sukawati began his career working with Hutama Karya, one of Indonesia's leading state-owned construction companies. His role in the company placed him at the forefront of large-scale infrastructure projects, where he quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to engineering challenges.
The 1980s marked a pivotal point in his career. Indonesia, particularly its capital Jakarta, was experiencing rapid urbanization, leading to severe traffic congestion. As Jakarta grew into a major metropolitan hub, the need for elevated roads became evident.
Elevated highways were proposed to ease traffic, but constructing them without worsening the traffic situation was a significant challenge. Existing construction methods were either too slow or too disruptive to be feasible in Jakarta's heavily congested environment.
The Invention of Sosrobahu
The turning point in Sukawati’s career came with the invention of Sosrobahu, a revolutionary technology that would forever change the way elevated roads were built. His groundbreaking idea stemmed from an everyday occurrence.
While fixing his car in a sloped garage, he observed that the car rotated around a jack due to a misalignment in the wheels. This simple observation sparked a moment of inspiration: if a car could pivot around a jack, why couldn’t large structures be rotated in a similar way?
Driven by this idea, Sukawati began experimenting with ways to rotate large concrete arms used in elevated road construction. Applying Pascal’s Law, which explains how pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted equally in all directions, he developed a system that allowed heavy structures to be rotated with minimal disruption to their surroundings.
This invention, later named Sosrobahu (meaning “a thousand shoulders”), enabled engineers to rotate precast concrete beams horizontally during construction, allowing them to be installed without blocking traffic.
How Sosrobahu Works?
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| Overpass construction with Sosrobahu | Sindonews |
During his experiments, Sukawati discovered a formula that had never been discussed before. He named it the Sukawati Formula. From this point, he combined the law of friction to rotate the load and Pascal's law to lift the load. In addition, he successfully developed a cylindrical rotating tool to turn heavy loads.
The results of these experiments led to the creation of a rotating foundation for the concrete arm, which was named the Landasan Putar Bebas Hambatan (Frictionless Rotating Base, LBPH). It consists of two iron discs with a diameter of 80 centimeters stacked on top of each other. Despite their thinness, these iron plates are capable of withstanding a load of 625 tons.
This technique positions the elevated road's arm parallel to the road below. Once the arm of the pier head and its formwork are released, a gentle push will rotate the massive concrete arm 90 degrees. When it is in the correct position, oil is slowly pumped out, and the concrete arm settles securely onto its supporting column.
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| Step 01: Constructing pillars on the road |
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| Step 02: Concrete arms for the road are built between two lanes, parallel to the busy road below |
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| Step 03: The concrete arms are rotated 90 degrees. The elevated road is then constructed on top of these arms |
Sosrobahu was first used in the construction of the Cawang-Tanjung Priok elevated toll road in Jakarta. The technology's success quickly garnered attention, both nationally and internationally.
In November 1989, during the installation of the 85th pier, President Soeharto personally witnessed the use of Sosrobahu and officially gave it its name, symbolizing the immense strength and support provided by the technology.
Impacts
Elevated road construction in Wuhan, China with Sosrobahu | SinoCa
The impact of Sosrobahu extended far beyond the nations. After its successful implementation in Jakarta, the technology was adopted for use in major infrastructure projects around the world. Countries such as China, the United States, and the Philippines utilized Sosrobahu in their elevated road construction, with projects in cities like Wuhan, Seattle, and Manila benefiting from this innovation.
Interestingly, during the project in Seattle, American engineers adhered to the oil pressure specification of 78 kg/cm², which, according to Sukawati, was a mysterious number he had encountered during the early development of the LBPH Sosrobahu.
To further investigate this, he built a laboratory and conducted research on the matter. The subsequent calculations resulted in a technical pressure of 78.05 kg/cm², almost exactly the same as the original number he had intuitively discovered.
According to him, the mystery of this number was the will of Achintya (God) guiding the success of the Sosrobahu.
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| Sukawati with a replica of his invention | Infrastruktur.co.id |
Internationally, Sosrobahu became a symbol of Balinese innovation. It continues to be studied in engineering programs and has been highlighted in numerous journals and conferences as a groundbreaking advancement in construction technology.
Sukawati passed away on November 11, 2014, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, humility, and dedication to the greater good. His invention of Sosrobahu revolutionized elevated road construction and continues to be used in major projects worldwide. Sukawati's contributions to engineering and infrastructure have left a lasting mark on both Bali and the world.
Even after his passing, his work lives on through the countless roads and highways built using his Sosrobahu technique. His life serves as an inspiration to engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers everywhere, demonstrating the power of creativity, observation, and dedication to solving real-world problems.
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