Material Specifications, Field and Laboratory tests for

Subgrade, Earthwork for Embankments,

Presentation by
R.K.Swami
Senior Principal Scientist
Geotechnical Engg Division
CRRI, New Delhi
 INTRODUCTION

• Pavement failures due to settlement

of embankment fill and subgrade

• Need for suitable materials and

proper quality control during
execution

• Adoption of MORTH specifications

 EARTHWORK FOR
EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE
• SUITABILITY OF MATERIALS
 Free from peat, perishable and other organic
material
 Should not be spontaneously combustible
 LL  70, PI  45
 With salts are not suitable
 Free Swell Index  50 % should not be used
 Total sulphate content (  0.5 %) must be
avoided
 EARTHWORK FOR
EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.)

• SIZE OF MATERIAL
 Size of coarse material  75 mm in
embankment fill
  50 mm in subgrade
 Max. particle size  2/3 of compacted
layer thickness
 COMPACTION
Embankments Under 3m–Soil Compaction
Max. Lab. Dry Unit Weight Min. Field Compaction
kN/m3 * (%)
Less than 14.4 Unsuitable
14.4 or more 95
Embankments Over 3m–Soil Compaction
Max. Lab. Dry Unit Weight Min. Field Compaction
kN/m3 * (%)
Less than 15.2 Unsuitable
15.2 or more 95
Expansive Clays
Subgrade and 500 mm
Not allowed
portion below subgrade
Remaining portion of
Not less than 90%
embankment
Density requirements for Embankment and Subgrade

S.No. Type of work Maximum laboratory dry

unit weight when tested as
per IS: 2720 (Part 8)

1. Embankments up to 3 metres Not less than 15.2 kN/cu.m

height, not subjected to
extensive flooding

2. Embankments exceeding 3 Not less than 16.0 kN/cu.m

metres height or
embankments of any height
subject to long periods of
inundation

3. Subgrade and earthen Not less than 17.5 kN/cu.m

shoulders/verges/backfill
 EARTHWORK FOR
EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.)
• Spreading of material in layers and
bringing to appropriate moisture content.
 Max. compacted thickness = 20 cm
 Moisture content (-2 % + 1% of OMC)
Expansive soils (@ OMC or on wet side of
optimum)
 Pan drying method
 Oven drying method
 Speedy moisture meter
 Microwave oven method
 EARTHWORK FOR
EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.)
• Compaction
 Smooth wheel rollers
 Sheep foot rollers
 Pneumatic tyred rollers
 Vibratory rollers

• Other compacting equipments

 Small vibratory rollers
 Plate vibrators
 Rammers
 Index properties of soil

• Grain size analysis

• Liquid limit
• Plastic limit
 Grain size analysis

 Important for classifying and

identifying soil
 Dry sieve analysis - for particles
larger than 75 micron
 BIS specifies a set of 12 sieves
 Mechanical shaker or manual
shaking as per availability
 Grain size analysis (Contd)
 Sedimentation analysis for particles
finer than 75 micron sieve
 Types of gradations - well graded,
poorly graded and gap graded
 Coefficient of uniformity - shape
parameter Cu = D60/D10
 Poorly graded soils Cu = 2 or 3, well
graded soils Cu = 15 or more
 Coefficient of curvature
Grain size analysis (Contd)
 Testing of soils

Atterberg Limit and Indices

Significance : To know the plasticity characteristics (P.I) of

soils

Tests : Liquid Limit (LL), Plastic Limit (PL) and

Shrinkage Limit
Liquid Limit Test

 Liquid Limit is the minimum water content at which

soil would flow under the application of very small
shearing force
2-11-2016 13
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Casagrande’s Liquid
Limit Apparatus

Uppal’s Cone Penetrometer

 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Liquid Limit Test (Contd.)

 Soil passing 425 micron IS sieve

 Adjust free fall of cup to 10 mm
 Max. depth of soil sample in cup 10 mm
 Dividing the soil in the cup
 Rotating of the crank at the rate of 2 rev./sec.
 Noting down the number of blows when the bottom of
the groove meets along a distance of about 10 mm
 Determination of moisture content
 Repeat the test with number of blows between 10 and
40 blows
 Soil specimen with
the groove cut

Determination of LL
M.C (%)

25 blows

No. of blows (S.Log scale)

Liquid limit is the M.C at which 25 blows of the L.L apparatus
would just close the std. Groove of soil of std. dimensions
 Testing of soils (Contd.)
Plastic Limit Test
Apparatus: Glass plate, Rod of 3 mm dia., Oven

 20 gm of soil passing 425 micron IS sieve

 Formation of soil ball
 Rolled between finger and the glass plate
 Rate of rolling between 80 and 90 strokes/min.
 Rolling contd. Till the dia. Of the thread 3 mm
 Soil kneaded back and rolled again
 Procedure contd. till the thread crumble at a dia. Of 3 mm
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Practical application

Plasticity Index : Liquid limit – Plastic limit

PI : LL - PL

 For Earthwork LL < 70, PI < 45

 For sub-bases, LL < 25, PI < 6
 For Bases (WBM/WMM), PI < 6
 For backfill material, LL < 40, PI < 20
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Standard/Modified Proctor
Compaction Test

Significance
To determine:
 Optimum quantity of water (OMC) with which soil
shall be compacted in the field
 Maximum achievable density (MDD) in the field
Two types of Test
 Standard Proctor compaction test
 Modified Proctor compaction test
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

4.89 kg hammer

1000 c.c mould 2250 c.c mould

Mould and Hammer used for compaction Tests

 Comparison of Compaction Tests
Standard Test Modified Test

Soil passing 20 mm/37.5 mm IS Soil passing 20 mm/37.5 mm IS

sieve sieve
Soil compacted in 3 layers, 25 Soil compacted in 5 layers, 25
blows/56 blows blows/56 blows

Soil compaction by 2.6 kg Soil compaction by 4.89 kg

hammer, 31 cm ht. Of fall hammer 45 cm ht. Of fall

- Adopted by MORTH
specifications
Used for Internal roads in Urban Used for NH, SH, MDR and ODR
areas and village roads
depending upon the traffic
 Testing of soils (Contd.)
Calculations
Type of test : Standard/Modified
Weight of mould :
Dia of mould :
Height of mould :
Volume of mould (V) :
Sl.No Wt.of Wt. Of Bulk Moisture Dry
mould + soil density = content density
soil Wt. Of (gbulk)/
soil/V (1+w)
(gbulk)

3
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

OMC/MDD with Standard and Modified Compaction Tests

Moisture density curves for different type of soi
Dynamic pressures at different depths
with vibratory compactors
Effect of frequency on compactions of gravel
Density depth relationship with various
compaction unit
 Vibratory
roller(L&T)

Vibratory
roller
(Escorts) &
water
tanker
Vibratory roller
 Small
vibratory
roller

Plate
compactor
Close view of impact roller
Use of impact roller in sandy terrain
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

California Bearing Ratio (CBR)

 Measure of resistance of a material to penetration of
standard plunger under controlled density and
moisture conditions

Apparatus
Cylindrical moulds : 15 cm dia., 17.5 cm ht., 4.77 cm spacer disc
Height of sample : 12.73 cm
Compaction : Static/Dynamic
Loading Machine : 1.25 mm/min.
Plunger : 5 cm dia.
CBR Test Apparatus
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

CBR Test (Contd.)

 Passing 20 mm IS sieve
 Static compaction – at MDD/OMC or as
specified
 Dynamic compaction – Light/Heavy compaction
 Collection of samples for M.C determination after trimming
 Filter paper on top of sample with perforated plate
 Placing of Annular weights 2.5 kg each
 Soaked for 4 days
 Sample allowed to drain for 15 minutes
 The mould with annular weights placed under the
penetration plunger
 Arrangement of Proving ring, and dial gauge
 Application of seating load of 4.0 kg
 Application of load through Pen. Plunger at 1.25 mm/min.
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

CBR Test in Progress

 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Project
CBR Test (Contd.)
:
MDD/OMC of soil :
Type of compaction : Static/Dynamic
Moisture content (@prep) :
Density of test sample :
Penetration (mm) Load (Kg.)
CBR (%) =
0
Load car. by soil at 2.5 / 5 mm pen.level x 100
0.5
1.0 Load car.by std.stones at 2.5/ 5 mm pen.level
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
4.0
5.0
12.5
 Testing of soils (Contd.)
CBR Test (Contd.)

Max. Range of
Permis.va CBR
riation in values, %
CBR
values, %
3.0 Upto 10
5.0 10 to 30
10.0 30 to 60

Load-Penetration curve
 Testing of soils (Contd.)
CBR Test (Contd.)

Application/Discussion

 Test is meant for soil and granular base material

 Design of road pavement

 Higher the CBR, Lower the thickness of pavement

 Depends on dry density and moisture content

 Placement of Annular weights while testing

 Initial concavity of the curve

22 Aug 2002 40
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by core-cutter method

 Suitable for fine grained soils

 Core cutter = 10 cm dia., 13 cm long

 Steel Dolley = 2.5 cm dia., 10 cm dia
 Rammer = 14 cm dia.,7.5 cm
height, L = 90 cm, W = 9 kg
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by core-cutter method (Contd.)

 Place the core-cutter on the compacted soil
 Driven into compacted soil by a hammer
 Trimming the soil filled in the cutter
 Clean the cutter and determine the weight of the
cutter with soil

Major Limitation :
Unsuitable in Coarse grained soils (Gravel, Stones
and aggregates)
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by core-cutter method (Contd.)

Project :
OMC/MDD :
Weight of cutter :
Volume of cutter :

Sl.No. Wt. Of cutter Wt. Of Bulk Moisture Dry

+Soil,gm soil,gm density = content density
Wt. Of (gbulk)/
soil/V (1+w)
(gbulk)
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by core-cutter method (Contd.)

Relative compaction (%) =

Field dry density
------------------------- x 100
Laboratory Maximum
Dry Density (MDD)
 Testing of soils (Contd.)
Field density by Sand Replacement Method

 Suitable for Coarse grained compacted soils

Basic Principle
 Determination of in-situ volume of hole from the
weight of sand poured into the hole, with known
density filling

 Volume of hole = Wt. Of sand filling the hole

--------------------------------------
Density of sand
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by Sand Replacement Method

(Contd.)
 Sand Pouring Cylinder
Dia=11.5 cm, L=38 cm
(Suitable for soils upto 90%
passing through 20 mm
sieve)

 Metal Tray with hole (Tray =

30 cm x 30 cm, Hole dia.=10
cm)

 Calibrating container (Dia. 10

cm, Depth = 15 cm)

 Pespex glass plate (45 cm x

45 cm)
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by Sand Replacement Method

(Contd.)
 Calibration of apparatus
– Determination of density of sand
– Determination of sand occupying the cone of
the sand pouring cylinder

 Determination of Field density

Field density by Sand Replacement Method
(Contd.)
Calibration of apparatus
 Pouring of standard sand upto about 10 mm from
the top and closed with the cap
 Determination of wt. Of poring cylinder with sand
= W1 gm
 Sand pouring cylinder kept on the perspex glass,
shutter opened, allowed to fill up the cone
 Determination of weight of sand in the cone, W2 gm
 Kept on the calibrating container and sand is
allowed to fill in the calibrating container with cone
 Determination of sand remaining in cylinder, W3 gm
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by Sand Replacement Method

(Contd.)

 Determination of Volume of calibrating container,V

 Determination of sand filling calibrating container
= (W1 - W3 - W2 )gm
 Determination of density of sand =
(W1 - W3 - W2 )
-------------------------- = gs----------- gm/cc
V
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by Sand Replacement Method

(Contd.)
Measurement of field density
 Area of embankment/Subgrade is cleaned
 Metal tray with central hole placed on the prepared surface and
fixed to the ground with nails
 Hole is excavated upto a depth of 150 mm
 Weight of excavated soil is measured, Ws gm, moisture, w%
 The sand pouring cylinder refilled with sand, W1 gm and placed
over central hole
 The sand is allowed to fill up the hole with cone
 Sand pouring cylinder with remaining sand weighed, W4 gm
 Wt of sand filling the hole = (W1 – W4 - W2 )= Wd
 Testing of soils (Contd.)

Field density by Sand Replacement Method

(Contd.)
Measurement of field density
• Volume of hole, Vh Relative compaction (%) =
Field dry density
= Wd
------------------------- x 100
--------- c.c
gs Laboratory Maximum Dry
Density
• Bulk density of soil = Ws/ Vh = gbulk

• Field dry density of soil = gbulk

-------------------------
(1+ w)
 DISCUSSION

Compaction of ground with

underlaying Cables, Water pipe
lines, Sewer lines etc.
 EARTHWORK FOR
EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.)
• Field density control
 Core cutter method
 Sand replacement method
 Non-destructive methods, Nuclear density
gauge

• Relative compaction
Field dry density x 100
Laboratory density
Compaction requirements for embankment and subgrade

S.No. Type of work/material Relative compaction as

percentage of max. laboratory dry
densiy as per IS: 2720 (Part 8)

1. Subgrade and earthen Not less than 97

shoulders

2. Embankment Not less than 95

3. Expansive clays

(a) Subgrade and Not allowed

500 mm portion
just below the
subgrade
Not less than 90
(b) Remaining
portion of
embankment
Quality control tests and their frequencies
Sl.No Test Relevant Frequency of test
code

1. Deleterious content IS:2720 : Min 2 tests per

Part - 27 borrow area

2. Natural Moisture content IS:2720 : 1 test / 250 m3

Part - 2

3. Gradation IS:2720 : 2 tests / 3000 m3

Part - 4

4 Plasticity Index IS:2720 : 2 tests / 3000 m3

Part - 5

5. Compaction tests IS:2720 : 2 tests / 3000 m3

Part - 8

6. C.B.R IS:2720 : 1 test / 3000 m3

Part - 16

7. FField density
(a) Embankment 1 test / 1000 m2
(b) Subgrade/shoulders IS:2720 : 1 test / 500 m2
Part – 28
IS:2720:
Part - 29
 QUALITY CONTROL (Contd.)

• Tolerances in surface levels in subgrade

+ 20 mm, -25 mm

• Acceptance crireria
Mean density should not be less than
specified density +
1.65 - 1.65 times the standard deviation
(No. of samples)0.5
 EARTHWORK UNDER SPECIAL
CONDITIONS

• Compacting ground supporting

Embankment/Subgrade
• Earthwork over existing road surface
• Earthwork for widening existing road
embankment
• Embankment construction under water
• Construction of embankment over soft
soils
 DISCUSSION

Construction of embankment
over soft soils/water logged
areas
 USE OF POND ASH FOR ROAD
EMBANKMENT
(Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,
Km 17 to 72, West Bengal)
 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

AGENCIES INVOLVED
• National Highways Authority of India – Client

• M/s ICT, India and SNC-LALALIN,Canada –Consultant

• M/s Road builders (M) Shd.Bhd, Malaysia - Contractor

 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

TYPICAL ROAD FEATURES/CONDITIONS

OF THE PROPOSED ROAD
• Length of road - 60 km
• Height of embankment - 2 to 4 m
• Water logged conditions
• Soft sub-soil conditions
 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

Existing
carriage 
way

Typical Cross-section of Existing Highway

 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

EXISTING CONDITION OF ROAD

 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND

ASSESSMENT OF SITE CONDITIONS
• Medium to High rainfall
• Water table is high
• Waterlogged conditions

• Subsoil generally weak

– Silty clay or clayey soil up to 20 m depth
– SPT values in the range of 2 to 5
– C = 0.25 kg/cm2,  = 0o
 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

NEED FOR ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL

• Earth proposed in contract document.
 Earth requirement –approx. 2.0 million cum.
• Haul distance more than 100 km.
• High transportation cost
• Delays expected in the completion of the
project
 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

ADVANTAGES OF USING POND ASH

AS EMBANKMENT FILL
• Light weight – more suitable on weak
sub-soil conditions
• Faster rate of consolidation
• Low compressibility, Ease of
compaction
• Negligible post construction settlement
• Can be used under monsoon conditions
• Substantial savings expected
 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

RESULTS OF STABILITY ANALYSIS

Condition Fill Minimum Factor of

material safety

Unsaturated Soil 1.62

condition
Pond ash 1.92

Saturated Soil 1.36

condition

Pond ash 1.50

 Four-laning work on NH-6, Dankuni to Kolaghat,

COMPACTION OF FLY ASH OVER

GEOTEXTILE LAID ON SOFT
GROUND, (WORK ON THIS PROJECT
IS IN PROGRESS)
 Embankment on soft soil

Band drains for consolidation of sub soil

Installation of Band drain

Approach Embankment for Second
Nizamuddin Bridge at Delhi
Length = 1.8 Km, Height = 6 to 9 m,
Ash utilised = 1.5 lakh cu.m,
Savings = 1 crore
 Spreading of pond ash

Second Nizamuddin Bridge Approach Embankment

Compaction of pond ash

 Stone pitching for slope
protection

Second Nizamuddin Bridge Approach Embankment

Traffic plying on the

embankment
 Okhla Flyover Approach Embankment
Filter Medium Geogrids
Facing Panels

Length of Embankment = 59 m
Height = 5.9 to 7.8 m
Pond Ash Fill
Ash utilised = 2700 cu.m
7.8 m Opened to traffic = 1996
to 5.9 m

7.8 m
Reinforced Foundation Mattress
of Bottom ash
 Erection of facing panels

Okhla Flyover Approach Embankment

Laying of geogrids
 Rolling of pond ash

Okhla Flyover Approach Embankment

Support provided to
facing panels during
construction
Hanuman Setu Flyover Approach Embankment

– Geogrid reinforced fly ash approach embankment

– Length of embankment - 138.4 m
– Height varied from 3.42 m to 1.0 m
– Opened to traffic in 1997
Sarita Vihar Flyover Approach
Embankment
- Length = 90 m
- Max height - 5.25 m
- Opened to traffic in Feb 2001
- Polymeric friction ties used
for reinforcement
- Ash utilised = 35,000 cu.m
 Use of Geotextiles for
constructing embankment with
steep slope

Laying of
geotextile over
soil subgrade
 PAVEMENT CONSTRUCTION ON
EXPANSIVE SOILS
 Compaction at low densities and high moisture – Swell little

 Compaction on wet side of optimum

 CBR determined by compacting the soil at M.C 2% wet of

optimum and to corresponding density.

 Use of blanket course (min.225 mm thick) having PI < 5 extended

over the entire formation width.

 Alternative use of lime stabilised black cotton sub base.

 A min. height of 1m between subgrade level and HFL.

 Impermeable shoulder – Lime stabilised BC soil

 Sub surface Drainage (Contd.)

Silty soil
Granular material

Highest water table

Capillary
rise

Provision of granular capillary cut-off when subgrade is

within the zone of capillary saturation
 The various soil stabilisation techniques for
different soil types can broadly be grouped as
under:
• Mechanical Stabilisation
• Soil-Lime Stabilisation
• Soil-Lime-Cement Stabilisation
• Soil-Lime-Pozzolana Stabilisation
• Soil-Cement Stabilisation
• Soil-Bitumen Stabilisation
 Mechanism and Requirements of Soil Stabilization
Techniques
Technique Mechanism Application
Mechanical Blending missing fractions Sands,
stabilisation (e.g., clay with sand and moorum/
sand with clay) so as to gravel
produce a mass of having
maximum possible density missing
with plasticity within limits. fractions and
A smooth grading similar clayey soils
to that given by Fuller’s can be
grading rule is adopted to stabilised by
work out the proportion of this
the missing fractions to be technique.
blended.
Technique Mechanism Application
Lime Lime in hydrated form Medium and heavy clays having a
stabilisation reacts with the clay PI of at least 10 and containing at
minerals in the soil to least 15% of materials finer than
cause (i) immediate 425 micron are suitable. However,
reduction in plasticity and some soils though containing clay
increase in CBR fractions may not produce the long-
because of cationic term chemical reaction because of
exchange, flocculation the presence of organic matter (>
and agglomeration, 2%), or soluble sulphate/carbonate
which may be reversible (> 0.2%) etc. For lime stabilisation
under certain conditions, to be successful, it will be desirable
and (ii) long term to test the soil for lime reactivity. A
chemical reaction with soil whose 7-day unconfined
the clay minerals to compression strength increases by
produce cementitious at least 3 kg/cm2 with lime
products which bind the treatment can be considered lime
soil for increased reactive.
strength and stability.
Technique Mechanism Application
Cement The hydrated products of cement Generally, granular
stabilisation binds the soil particles, the strength soils free of high
developed depending on the concentration of
concentration of cement and the organic matter (
intimacy with which the soil particles 2% or deleterious
are mixed with cement. A high salts (sulphate and
cement content of the order of 7- carbonate  0.2%)
10% can produce a hard mass are suitable. A
having a 7-day compressive useful rule for soil
strength of 20 kg/cm2 or more, and selection is that the
this usually goes by the term soil- plasticity modulus
cement. However, a smaller (product of PI and
proportion of 2-3% cement can fraction passing 425
improve the CBR value to more than micron sieve)
25, and the material going by the should be less than
term “cement-modified soil” can be 250 and that the
advantageously used as sub- uniformity coefficient
base/base for rural roads. should be greater
than 5.
Technique Mechanism Application
Lime-flyash Lime chemically reacts with the silica Soils of medium
stabilisation and aluminium in flyash to form plasticity (PI 5-20)
cementitious compounds, which bind and clayey soils not
the soil. reactive to lime can
be stabilised with
lime and flyash.
Bitumen Bitumen binds the soil particles. Clean graded sands
stabilisation can be stabilised by
this technique.

Two-stage This generally applies to heavy Heavy clays.

stabilisation clays. The clay is treated with lime in
the first stage to reduce plasticity
and to facilitate pulverisation. In the
second stage, the resulting soil is
stabilised with cement, bitumen, lime
or lime-flyash.
 Mechanical stabilisation
• Correctly proportioned material
(aggregate and soil) when compacted,
form a mechanically stabilised layer
• Process involves
– Proportioning
– Compaction
• Successfully applied for sub-base and
base course, and also used as surface
course for low cost roads
Mechanical stabilisation
 Design of mechanically stabilised mixes
Combining two materials based on sieve analysis

Numerical Material Sieve Limits Average Material Numerical

difference A size B difference
between (Percent (Percent between
material A Passing) Passing) material B
& average & average
- 100 40 mm 100 100 100 -
8 98 20 mm 80-100 90 73 17
26 94 10 mm 55-80 68 55 13
33 83 4.75 mm 40-60 50 42 8
32 72 2.36 mm 30-50 40 35 5
83 55 600  15-30 22 21 1
7 17 75  5-15 10 9 1

Total= 139 Total = 45

A:B = 45:139 (1:3)

Combining two materials based on plasticity properties

Material A = ______SB (P – PB) ____

SB(P – PB) – SA(P – PA)
Calculation for Mixing of two
Materials

A= 45x 100/ 184 = 24.4%

say 25%
B= 139x 100/ 184= 75.6%
say 75%
 Cross Section of Salarpur-
Dadupur Rural Road

RCCP wearing course - 0.1 m

Stabilised fly ash Stabilised fly ash
base - 0.1 m Shoulder

Soil cover

Bottom ash
Better Designed and Constructed Roads
Would Lead to Economic Development
of our Country

Fly over at Mumbai City