EARTHWORK FOR ROAD EMBANKMENTS

Presentation by Dr. Vasant G. Havanagi

INTRODUCTION
Pavement failures due to settlement of embankment fill and subgrade Need for suitable fill materials and proper quality control during execution Adoption of MORTH specifications

Types of soil in India

Alluvial soils Fine sands Coastal soils BC soils Red gravelly soils

Types of soil in India

Desirable properties of soil

Stability Incompressibility Permanency of strength Minimum changes in volume & stability Good drainage Ease of compaction

Undesirable types of soil

Highly plastic soils Soils which favour capillary rise of water Frost susceptible soils Organic and sulphatic soils Permissible limits
Sodium sulphate - 0.5 per cent maximum Organic matter - 1.0 per cent maximum

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 within 500mm of metallic items Borrow pits max.depth 1.5m, offset from toe min. 10m.

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

Density requirements for Embankment and Subgrade (Section 305.2.1.5)

S.No. Type of work Maximum laboratory dry unit weight when tested as per IS: 2720 (Part 8) Not less than 15.2 kN/cu.m

1.

Embankments up to 3 metres height, not subjected to extensive flooding Embankments exceeding 3 metres height or embankments of any height subject to long periods of inundation Subgrade and earthen shoulders/verges/backfill

2.

Not less than 16.0 kN/cu.m

3.

Not less than 17.5 kN/cu.m

Construction operations (MORTH specifications-305.3)

Clearing and grubbing Setting out Dewatering Stripping and storing top soil Compacting ground supporting embankment/subgarde. Spreading material and bringing to appropriate moisture content.

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 (AASHTO T-217) 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

Objectives of soil compaction

Increase in strength
Reduction in compressibility

Reduction in tendency for subsequent changes in moisture content

Reduction in erodability Reduction in frost susceptibility

Factors influencing compaction

Type of soil

Gradation (Well-graded/Uniformlygraded) Clayey soil

Silty soil

Sandy soil
Gravel

Moisture-density relationship for different types of soils

Factors influencing compaction

(contd.)
Moisture content
Dry of optimum
Optimum Wet side of optimum

Compactive effort
Energy applied per unit weight of soil

Weight of rammer, height of fall, number of blows Weight of roller, number of passes

Moisture-density relationship

Effect of compaction on soil properties

Unconfined compressive strength California Bearing Ratio (C.B.R)
Unsoaked C.B.R

Soaked C.B.R

Permeability Settlement

Relation between density and unconfined compressive strength

Relation between density and CBR for a heavy clay

Variation of CBR of silty clay with compaction

Compaction-permeability relation for clay

Effect soil content & size of aggregate on CBR

Field compacting machinery

(Contd)
Smooth wheel roller
Used for compacting subgrade, base and asphaltic surfaces Suitable for compacting gravels, sand, and crushed rock 8 to 10 tonne rollers Appropriate speed of the roller should be 3 - 6 km/h.

Conceptual structure of compacted material using static roller

Field compacting machinery

(Contd)
Sheepsfoot roller
Used in road and earthen dam works
Suitable for compacting heavy clays and silty clays Important parameters affecting compaction
Weight of roller Area of each foot Number of foots/lugs in contact with the ground at any time Contact area of the foot

Field compacting machinery

(Contd)
Pneumatic tyred rollers
Used for both earthwork and bituminous works
Suitable for compacting cohesionless gravel, sand and cohesive soils

Important parameters affecting compaction Tyre inflation pressure Area of contact

Field compacting machinery

Vibratory rollers

(Contd)

Higher compaction level can be achieved with minimum work Compaction can be done up to greater depths Output is many times more than conventional rollers Suitable for compacting sand and gravels Important parameters affecting compaction
Dead load
Frequency Amplitude Area of contact

Vibratory roller

Conceptual structure of compacted material using vibratory roller

Effect of frequency on compactions of gravel

Density depth relationship with various compaction unit

Field compacting machinery

(Contd)
Vibratory plate compactors
Useful for small road works and narrow areas such as trench
backfilling Suitable for compacting thin layers Can be tractor-towed

Rammers
Provide impact load

Suitable for compacting small areas, back filling of trenches

in foundations Suitable for compacting cohesive as well as non-cohesive soils

Operated manually (driven by petrol engines)

Small vibratory roller

Plate compactor

Lift thickness during compaction

Depends on different factors
Type of roller
Weight of roller

Type of soil
Number of passes

Prevailing moisture content

Degree of compaction required

Dozers

JCB

(Backhoe cum Loader)

Motor grader

Tractor as grader

Tractor as plough

Construction in urban areas

Need of survey of underlaying Cables, Water pipe lines, and Sewer lines etc. Shifting the same as per requirement.

EARTHWORK FOR EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.)

Man hole in the centre of Compacted subgrade

EARTHWORK FOR EMBANKMENT/SUBGRADE (Contd.) Field density control

Core cutter method Sand replacement method Non-destructive methods, Nuclear density gauge (AASHTO T-238, ASTM D-2922,D-3017

Relative compaction
Field dry density x 100 Laboratory density

Compaction requirements for embankment and subgrade (Table 300-2,MORTH specifications)

S.No. Type of work/material Relative compaction as percentage of max. laboratory dry densiy as per IS: 2720 (Part 8) Not less than 97 Not less than 95

1. 2. 3.

Subgrade and earthen shoulders Embankment Expansive clays (a) Subgrade and 500 mm portion just below the subgrade Remaining portion of embankment

Not allowed

Not less than 90

(b)

Quality control tests and their frequencies (Section 903,MORTH)

Sl.No Test Relevant code IS:2720 : Part - 27 Frequency of test

1.

Deleterious content

Min 2 tests per borrow area

2.

Natural Moisture content

IS:2720 : Part - 2
IS:2720 : Part - 4 IS:2720 : Part - 5 IS:2720 : Part - 8 IS:2720 : Part - 16

1 test / 250 m3

3.

Gradation

2 tests / 3000 m3

Plasticity Index

2 tests / 3000 m3

5.

Compaction tests

2 tests / 3000 m3

6.

C.B.R

1 test / 3000 m3

7.

FField density (a) Embankment (b) Subgrade/shoulders

IS:2720 : Part 28 IS:2720: Part - 29

1 test / 1000 m2 1 test / 500 m2

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 (MORTH specifications 305.4)

Compacting ground supporting

Embankment/Subgrade Earthwork over existing road surface Earthwork for widening existing road embankment Embankment construction under water

EROSION CONTROL (MORTH SPECIFICATIONS 306 TO 308

Common methods Turfing with sods Seeding and mulching with jute/geo netting Special techniques Use of geocells Slopes in cohesionless sands and black cotton soils

Erosion Control of Slopes

Use of Jute Geotextile

GEOCELL FOR SLOPE STABILIZATION AND EROSION CONTROL

CASE STUDIES

APPROACH EMBANKMENT FOR SECOND NIZAMUDDIN BRIDGE AT DELHI

APPROACH EMBANKMENT FOR SECOND NIZAMUDDIN BRIDGE AT DELHI

Length of embankment - 1.8 km Height varies from 6 to 9 m Ash utilized - 1,50,000 cubic metre Embankment opened to traffic in 1998 Instrumentation installed in the embankment showed very good performance Approximate savings due to usage of fly ash is about Rs.1.00 Crore

APPROACH EMBANKMENT FOR SECOND NIZAMUDDIN BRIDGE AT DELHI

Approach Embankment for Nizamuddin Bridge

SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS OF FLY ASH EMBANKMENT (DIFFERENT SIDE COVER THICKNESS)
Details 6 m high embankment, 1 m side cover throughout 1.5 m side cover throughout 2 m side cover upto mid height and remaining portion 1 m cover 2 m side cover throughout
Case I Fly ash saturated upto mid height

Factor of safety Case I -Case II 1.05

1.30 1.42

1.20 1.36

1.48

1.41

Case II Fly ash saturated upto top level

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

PITCHING/REVETMENT OF SLOPES
Road embankment with stone, boulders Stones in wire crates over a layer of granular material (filter)-protection against river action. Size and weight shall conform to clause 5.3.5.1 of IRC:89 Min.weight of stone 40 kg. Size of spalls min.25mm Use of cement concrete blocks (M15) when stones not available

Approach Embankment for Nizamuddin Bridge

INSTRUMENTATION
Following instruments installed for monitoring performance of embankment Magnetic settlement gauges for settlement Pressure cells for base pressure Pore pressure transducers for pore water pressure measurement

Deatails of instrumentation

Installation of pressure cells

Second Nizamuddin Bridge Approach Embankment

stallation of settlement gauge under progress

Approach Embankment for Nizamuddin Bridge

INFERENCES FROM INSTRUMENTATION DATA

No settlement of the embankment structure (fly ash fill) Development of negligible pore water pressure

TECHNO-ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES
Direct saving of about Rs.One Crore in second Nizamuddin Bridge project for PWD Additional savings to Vidyut Board, saving of precious top soil In road projects savings to the extent of 1520 per cent can be achieved Savings depend on cost of transportation of fly ash

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,

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 CONDITION OF ROAD OTHER SIDE

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

RECOMMENDATION OF POND ASH AS AN ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL

PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSTRUCTION

Alternative 1
Median cm Granular subbase Soil cover (1.5 m thick) Min. 0.5 m 1 Improved Subgrade of compacted thickness not less than 50

Existing embankment

Fly ash in compacted layers of 200 mm thickness

Rock or boulder filling

Proposed berm of pond ash after completion of embankment

Temporary pond ash bund

PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSTRUCTION

Alternative II
Median cm Granular subbase Soil cover (1.5 m thick) Fly ash in compacted layers of 200 mm thickness Improved Subgrade of compacted thickness not less than 50

2 1

Min. 0.5 m

Existing embankment

Granular material (Cu > 10)

Proposed berm of pond ash after completion of embankment

Temporary pond ash bund

PROPOSED ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSTRUCTION

Alternative III

RESULTS OF STABILITY ANALYSIS

Condition Fill material Minimum factor of safety 1.62 1.92

Soil Unsaturated condition Pond ash

Soil
Saturated condition Pond ash

1.36
1.50

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

ARRANGEMENT FOR DEWATERING OF STAGNANT WATER

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

CONDITION OF THE GROUND AFTER DEWATERING AND SCARIFYING

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

SPREADING OF GEOTEXTILE OVER SOFT GROUND

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

COMPACTION OF BOTTOM ASH OVER THE GEOTEXTILE

UTILISATION OF FLY ASH IN THE WIDENING PORTION OF EMBANKMENT

(AT SHASTRI PARK, NEW DELHI)

EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION AT SHASTRI PARK

STABILITY ANALYSIS Properties of soil

Param eter g bulk c Pond ash 15.6 kN/m3 0 33o Earth cover 20 kN/m3 15 kN/m3 28o Sub soil 18 kN/m3 0 30o

OVERALL STABILITY OF FLY AH EMBANKMENT WITH 2 M TOE-WALL

EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION AT SHASTRI PARK (CONTD.)

FLY ASH EMBANKMENT WITH TOE WALL

EMBANKMENT CONSTRUCTION AT SHASTRI PARK (CONTD.)

FILTER MEDIA BEHIND RETAINING WALL

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique

Dredging Plant used for Transporting Sand from Yamuna

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Dredging of Sand Through Pipes

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Pumping of Dredged Sand

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Drainage Pipes used for Disposal of Water

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Spreading of Dredged Sand using Dozer

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Embankment built using Dredged Sand

Construction of embankment using Hydraulic fill Technique (Contd.)

Stone Pitching on Embankment Slope

Construction of Embankment in Salt Infested Area - Runn of Kutch on Indo-Pak Border in Gujarat

The Problem
The embankment fill consists of soil excavated within Runn of Kutch

7m
India Pakistan

1.5m High salt content (0.44-1.28%)

Rills are formed on the slope, which shows highly erosive nature of soil

RD 31.975 Pak Side

Causative Factors
Overflowing of water: Wave action Piping phenomenon resulting in slope failure and subsidences. Reduction of effective stresses

The Solution (Contd)

600
150 GSB
100

Locally Available GSB Formation Height

H 380 2.25 H 300 GL 150 100 CC 1:4:8 450 35

Existing Toe Wall

Fig. 2 Proposed Measures for A2 and B1 Sections

Provision of Toe wall and GSB

The Solution (Contd)

Dry stone pitching filled with gravel on Existing slope
150

600
GSB
100

Geotextile Formation Height H

380

2.25 H 300 GL 150 100 CC 1:4:8 450 35

Existing Toe Wall

Fig 3 Proposed Measures for B2 and C1 Sections

Dry Stone Pitching Filled with Gravel
150 150

600
GSB
100

Proposed sections in water logged areas

300 150 100

380 CR Masonryof Variable Height 2.25 H Existing Toe wall 35 CC 1:4:8 450 H

Geotextile Original side slope Formation Height

GL

Fig 4 Proposed Measures for C2 Section

The Solution (Contd)

Dry stone pitching filled with gravel on Existing slope 400 H
Dry CR Masonry of Variable Height

600
150 GSB
100

Geotextile Formation Height

Original side slope 2.25 H

GL 150 100 CC 1:4:8 600 35

Fig. 5 Proposed Measures for locations having height of Toe wall > 1000mm