BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr.

BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

HIGHWAY DRAINAGE
EFFECTS OF MOISTURE ON:

HIGHWAY SURFACE
Stagnant pools of water on the road can:
- slow down traffic
- cause accidents due to skidding and low visibility
Chapter 6
Highway Drainage HIGHWAY STRUCTURE
Surface run-offs and subsoil moisture can reduce the strength of the construction
materials:
- High moisture content in the subgrade will reduce the stability of the soil, leading to
pavement failure.
- Prolonged contact with water can cause stripping of aggregates from the bituminous
pavement, leading to the formation of potholes which slows down traffic and causea
damages to vehicles.

SOIL
Excess moisture content in the underlying soil can increase the weight of the soil and
increase stress conditions. These are the two main reasons for failure of slopes and
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embankment foundations. 3

BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

HIGHWAY DRAINAGE HIGHWAY DRAINAGE

Highway Drainage is a process which Flexible Pavements are prone

• diverts and removes water from the pavement surface to waves and corrugations due Rigid Pavements are prone
• controls and directs sub-surface water into proper channels to poor drainage: to failures caused by mud-pumping:
in order to protect the road from damage.

A well maintained drainage system

• enhances safety to motorists by removing water away from the road and pavement
surface
• prevents highway surface water from flooding neighbouring properties
• reduces the risk of water damage to the highway

Poor drainage can cause water spraying on the windshield, thus reducing visibility, and
reduces the grip between the tyre and the road which can lead to skidding.

Sources of water on highways:

(1) Surface Run-off – eg. from rain, snow and sleet
(2) Subsurface Run-off – eg. from streams and ground water

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

CATEGORIES OF HIGHWAY DRAINAGE SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Highway drainage can be categorized as TRANSVERSE SLOPE

1) Surface Drainage – removes surface water

2) Subsurface Drainage – removes subsurface water
3) Cross Drainage – allows flow of water from a stream crossing the path of a road

Surface Drainage
To facilitate the removal of surface water from the pavement surface in the shortest
possible time.

Roads have a slightly convex profile – the middle is higher than the edges.

Cross Drainage The slopes are known as the camber or cross-slope.

The inclination of the slope depends on the type of pavement and amount of rainfall.

The cross-slope for the pavement is typically 2.0 – 2.5%.

Shoulders should also be sloped, usually 4.0%.

Subsurface Drainage 5 7

BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Surface drainage for rural highways should include adequate transverse and LONGITUDINAL SLOPES
longitudinal slopes on both pavement and shoulder to ensure positive runoff.

Besides this, it should also include longitudinal channels (ditches), culverts and
bridges to provide for the discharge of surface water.

Storm drains and inlets are also provided on the median.

For urban highways, adequate transverse and longitudinal slopes are needed.
Longitudinal drains are usually underground pipe drains.
To prevent water from accumulating on the surface.

Transverse Slope To facilitate the removal of water along the longitudinal channels that run along the
side of the road.

Curbs and A minimum gradient in the longitudinal direction is provided at cut-sections.

Surface Drainage Longitudinal Slope
Gutters
Slopes not less than 0.2% are provided for highways in very flat terrain and 0.3% on
suitably crowned pavement. A minimum of 0.5% is recommended for curbed
Longitudinal pavements.
Channels 6 8

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

LONGITUDINAL CHANNELS GULLY AND SCUPPER DRAIN

Longitudinal channels or ditches are constructed along the sides of highways to collect
and transport surface water to nearby drainage channels or natural waterways
(streams or rivers).

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

CURBS AND GUTTERS SUBSURFACE WATER SOURCES

The sources of subsurface water are as follows:

(1) Seepage from higher grounds

(2) Seepage
from road (3) Surface water that permeates through
shoulders cracks and joints in the road pavement

Curbs help to control drainage by restricting the flow of surface water and transporting
the water into underground channels.
Subgrade
(Curbs are generally built to prevent encroachment of vehicles on adjacent areas and
to delineate pavement edge)

(4) Groundwater that moves up as a result of capillary action

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

TRANVERSE DRAINS
Subsurface drainage plays an integral part in the overall highway drainage system.

Subsurface drainage should operate together with surface drainage in order to provide
an efficient drainage system for highways.

Longitudinal drains
Transverse drains are placed transversely below the pavement, usually in a direction
perpendicular to the centreline of the highway.
Well systems Transverse drains
Subsurface
Drainage The function is to remove the groundwater that has infiltrated through the joints of the
pavements.

Drainage blanket Drainage layer

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM

LONGITUDINAL DRAINS DRAINAGE LAYERS

Consists of pipes laid in trenches within the pavement structure parallel to the
centreline of the highway. Drainage layers consist of coarse material which allows water to flow from fine grain
material of subgrade soil to the coarse drainage layer, and finally to permeable pipes
The function of these pipes is to lower the water table below the pavement structure by laid within the layer.
removing any water that is seeping through.
The size and spacing of this subsurface drainage depends on the quantity of water
The water table should be 1.2 m below the subgrade. discharge, type of soil and type of drains used.

If the soil is permeable, construction of longitudinal drainage trenches with filter sand is However, one disadvantage is that the fine soil may be transmitted to the coarse soil
advisable. and eventually clogging the voids of the coarse soil.
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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM CROSS DRAINAGE SYSTEM

DRAINAGE BLANKET CROSS DRAINAGE CULVERT

A drainage blanket is a layer of material that is highly Types of culverts:

permeable.

The blanket can be used to facilitate the flow of sub-

surface water away from the pavement.

It also facilitates the removal of water that has

permeated through cracks in the pavement, as well as
subsurface water originating from artesian sources. Pipe culvert Box culvert

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Arched culvert Beam culvert 19

BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

CROSS DRAINAGE SYSTEM DRAINAGE DETERIORATION

CROSS DRAINAGE CULVERT There are no specific drainage deterioration types in highways.

Cross drainage culverts allow water from a stream to move from one side of the road Damages to the drainage system is usually due to:
to the other without crossing the road surface. (1) Improper maintenance
Crushed pipe
(2) Low quality of material used
These culverts should be placed at regular intervals along grades, below banked
seepages, and where water will run directly onto log landings or forest roads and trails.
Damages can be triggered by heavy loads imposed, for example, heavy machinery
in construction works may impose load pressure to a subsurface drainage, causing the
The advantage of culvert installation is that it can move drain pipes to be crushed or slightly damaged.
water from one side of the road to the other without
eroding the surface. Gully blocked by
Common drainage maintenance problems include:
debris and vegetative
- Vegetative growth around pipe outlets growth
Culverts are expensive to install and require frequent - Mowing clippings
maintenance. - Rodents’ nests
- Sediment collecting on rodent screens
Culverts need to be kept free of debris at all times. Otherwise, they will clog up and
become innefective.

Damaged gully
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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE

One of the many tasks in Highway Maintenance is maintaining and repairing Surface Drainage Maintenance
drainage systems.
Surface drainage maintenance works include:
DRAINAGE INSPECTION
1) Mark and correct areas where pending (delayed runoff) occurs on surfaced
The objectives of drainage inspection are: areas.

a) To ensure that all drainage channels and structures are unobstructed. 2) Correct water-logging problems by filling or raising depressions, and by
providing outlets for water blocked by high shoulders.
b) To check culverts and drainage lines for structural damage.
3) Control entry of storm water through pavement by sealing joints and cracks.
c) To inspect check dams for debris and excessive erosion.
4) Keep unpaved roads crowned (provide camber/cross-slope) to prevent water
from remaining on the road.
d) To investigate water ponding on or adjacent to surfaced areas.

5) Maintain crowns and superelevations with graders or drags.

e) To inspect the drainage system during or after every storm.

6) Sweep and clean roads to prevent collection of debris in gutters and inlets,
which could cause delay in the removal of surface water
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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE Shoulder Maintenance

Defective or inadequate drainage causes most pavement failures and deterioration. Shoulders should be smooth and graded to ensure the water drains from the surfaced
areas towards the ditch.
Pending or delayed runoff of surface water allows seepage into the pavement structure
unless the surface is tightly sealed. Eroded shoulder material should be replaced with new material.

Typical maintenance activities include: It is important to keep shoulders bladed flush to the edge of the pavement (or slightly
below).
a) Annual inspection (minimum maintenance)
Slope away from the pavement to prevent water seepage into the
b) Minor to major structural repairs subgrade.

c) Replacement of materials or structures when needed

d) Erosion control

e) Logjam or obstruction removal

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE HILL ROAD MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE OF HILL ROADS

Drainage Ditch Maintenance

Hills are subject to intermittent to continuous rains, sometimes

To maintain the drainage ditch, it is important to keep it clear of weeds,
throughout the year, therefore the risk of slips and landslides
sediment, and other debris that obstruct water flow.
is high for hill roads.

It is essential to maintain ditches as to line and grade, and also correct sags and minor
Hill road pavements must be constructed of impervious material,
washout as they occur.
as moisture can undermine the structure and cause failure. Drainage is also an important
consideration for hill roads to safeguard the pavement.
Side ditches can be usually maintained with graders.

To reduce risks associated with swelling soils under or near hill roads, several
maintenance works should be done as mentioned below:

(1) Slope Maintenance

Maintain a positive slope in the backfill area next to the road.

The recommended slope is 1 ft within the first 10 ft of the foundation.

Plant trees on the slopes to prevent soil erosion caused by rains.

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BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel BFC 3042 HIGHWAY ENGINEERING Lecturer: Mr. Basil David Daniel

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE HILL ROAD MAINTENANCE

(2) Drainage Maintenance

Culvert Maintenance

Catch-water drains, side-drains, catch-pits and culverts should be cleared of blockages
at regular intervals.
Culverts should be clear from debris and sediment to prevent water from undermining
the culverts. (3) Gutters and downspouts Maintenance

Gutters and downspouts should be inspected regularly.
Culvert inspection must be done frequently to determine whether they are functioning
Debris should be removed and defects should be repaired.
properly.
Maintain the slope of gutters to prevent debris collection and subsequent rusting of metal
materials.

Downspouts should be clear of debris.
Cleaning by hand is usually necessary after heavy rains.
Direct the water flowing through the downspouts away from the foundation.

(4) Splashblocks Maintenance

Splashblocks should be long enough and sloped enough to carry all the water away from
the foundation.

(5) Subsurface Drainage Maintenance

Avoid covering or obstructing the drain where it discharges.

Need to be installed correctly in order to function properly and therefore require little
maintenance
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