SOIL & MATERIAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR

HIGHWAY PROJECTS

by:
BARNALI ROY, JGM/HW
8/10/2023 Emp No. : 10876 1
 INTRODUCTION
Soil & Material Investigations are very important
component of any DPR project of Highway.
It involves:
 Soil investigations for embankment/subgrade;
Material Investigations for pavement and structures.
Subgrade is the founding layer of road pavement. The wheel
load on the top of pavement is finally transferred to the
underlying subgrade. It is very important to assess strength
of soil to be used as subgrade/embankment.
Similarly, materials used for construction of pavement layers
(subbase, base and surface course) need assessment of their
suitability for use.

8/10/2023 2
 OBJECTIVE
• TO ASSESS THE STRENGTH OF SUBGRADE SOIL FOR DESIGNING OF
PAVEMENT.

• TO DETERMINE THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL FOR

DESIGN OF EMBANKMENT.

• TO FIND OUT THE POTENTIAL SOURCES OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION

MATERIALS AND ASSESS THEIR SUITABUILITY FOR USE IN
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, BRIDGES, ROBS AND FLYOVERS ETC.

8/10/2023 3
 SOIL & MATERIAL INVESTIGATIONS
The work involves:
1.Desk Study;
2. Reconnaissance Survey;
3. Sub-grade Investigation along the existing road by digging trial
pits;
4.Borrow area investigations for borrowing earth for construction of
new embankment/subgrade;
5. Investigation for road construction materials which includes finding
out potential sources of construction materials within the vicinity of the
project area, collection of representative samples in sufficient quantity,
6.assess their suitability
Investigation for use in road
of Manufactured construction;
Materials like cement, steel, bitumen, HT
strands.

8/10/2023 4
 CODES & STANDARDS TO BE FOLLOWED:
IS Codes:
i) IS: 2720 (Part 1,2,3,4,5,6, 8, 16)
ii) IS: SP:36 (Part – 1 & 2)
iii) IS: 2386 (Part-1,2,3,4,5)

IRC Codes:
i) IRC:SP-19
ii) IRC:75
iii) IRC:121
MoRT&H Specifications for Road & Bridges

Relevant ASTM standards

8/10/2023 5
DESK STUDY

Review of existing soil data/reports/documents, if available for the

project road concerned;

 Study geology of the project area;

 Collection of toposheets and trace out the possible quarries, water

resources, thermal power plants, if any, within the vicinity of the project
area;

 Preparation of formats for field investigations (trial pit investigations),

collection of borrow area soil samples and quarry samples;

 Preparation of formats for laboratory test results.

8/10/2023 6
 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY

Reconnaissance survey of the project road and near by areas are

required to:

• Collect information about the maintenance of the existing road;

• Have an idea of the soil strata of that area, if it is a green field

alignment/bypass;

•Collect records of past construction;

•Collect the information about the borrow areas within the economic
lead from the project road;

•Collect the information about Govt. (PWD) approved Quarries.

8/10/2023 7
EXISTING SUBGRADE INVESTIGATION
Field Investigations:
Existing sub-grade investigations are done along the
existing road through trial pits;

Trial pits of size 1m x 1m are dug at specified interval

alternatively left and right edge of the existing road. Depth of
trial pits shall be up to the sub-grade level;

Pits are to be dug such a way that half

of the pit shall be on carriageway and
other half shall be on shoulder;

Trial Pit
8/10/2023 8
  Study and record the existing pavement compositions of
three sides of the pit and make average of them;

 After reaching to the subgrade level following field tests

are done:
• Field Dry Density test using core cutter method / sand replacement
method;
FDD by
FDD by Sand Core
Replacement Cutter
method Method

• Field moisture content by Rapid Moisture meter;

8/10/2023 9
 DCP CBR Test (TRL Road Note 31)

DCP CBR test is an in-situ test to have a preliminary idea of the strength
of the subgrade. Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) is an instrument
designed for rapid in-situ measurement of strength of the subgrade
material. Reading of penetration of the cone through the layer for each
blow is recorded.

DCP CBR

Field CBR using TRRL DCP CBR method.

8/10/2023 10
 DCP - CBR Relation as per ASTM D 6951-03

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

8/10/2023 11
Laboratory Testing:
Following laboratory tests are performed on subgrade samples collected from
trial pit:

 Soil Classification as per IS:2720 part 4 & 5 respectively;

Sp Gravity for all the subgrade samples as per IS: 2720 – Part 3;
Swelling Index as per IS:2720 – Part 40;
Maximum dry density and moisture content relationship on soil samples at 2
km interval as per IS:2720-part 8;
 Laboratory CBR (Both unsoaked and 4-days soaked, compacted at three
energy levels) at FDD and 97% MDD on subgrade soil samples.

8/10/2023 12
 Laboratory Test Results Sample:
Grain Size Distribution Atterberg Limit Laboratory CBR
Silt ( Soaked (%)
Sand Clay Plastici FDD DCP CBR
Location Type of Gravel 0.075 Liquid Plastic NMC MDD
(4.75 to (< ty (mg/m3 OMC (%) as per
(Km) Soil (>4.75 to Limit Limit (%) (mg/m3 97%
0.075 0.002 Index ) (%) FDD TRL,UK
mm) 0.002 (%) (%) ) MDD
mm) mm) (%)
mm)
91+500 ML 0 9 85 6 24 19 5 19.73 1.61 - - - - 8
92+000 ML/CL 0 17 79 4 23 17 6 10.35 1.83 2.01 8.6 4.3 1.7 5
92+500 ML 2 13 78 7 22 17 5 6.35 1.62 - - - - 28
93+000 ML 0 12 82 6 23 19 4 6.9 1.84 - - - - 10
93+500 CL 0 3 91 6 26 19 7 20.54 1.63 - - - - 17
94+000 ML 0 4 90 6 24 NP - 2.86 1.85 1.92 11 4.8 4.7 8
94+500 CL 1 4 86 9 27 19 8 4.84 1.98 - - - - 10
95+000 ML/CL 0 4 90 6 24 18 6 9.55 1.74 - - - - 13
95+500 ML/CL 2 13 81 4 25 19 6 8.59 1.58 - - - - 10
96+000 ML/CL 3 6 85 6 24 18 6 10.29 1.88 2.01 9 5.8 4.9 17
96+500 CL 0 4 89 7 26 19 7 4.94 1.65 - - - - 10
97+000 ML 2 18 76 4 24 19 5 7.73 1.85 - - - - 13
97+500 ML 0 2 92 6 22 17 5 7.58 1.96 - - - - 13
98+000 ML/CL 2 7 87 4 24 18 6 15.95 1.58 1.95 11.3 2.9 2.1 10
2+200(BY) CL 1 6 87 6 27 19 8 - - - - - - -
4+200(BY) CL 0 4 89 7 26 19 7 - - - - - - 5
104+000 CL 3 12 79 6 27 19 8 3.33 1.89 1.94 11.7 2.8 2.9 20
104+500 ML 0 18 78 4 24 19 5 17.54 2 - - - - 8
105+000 ML/CL 0 12 82 6 25 19 6 3.71 1.76 - - - - 8
105+500 CL 0 7 87 6 27 19 8 4.64 1.67 - - - - 8
106+000 CL 0 8 86 6 26 18 8 7.61 1.61 1.79 12.5 3 2.5 17
106+500 CL 0 4 90 6 27 19 8 4.22 1.59 - - - - 17
107+000 CL 0 6 87 7 26 19 7 4.22 1.71 - - - - 10
107+500 CL 2 11 78 9 32 22 10 3.97 1.59 - - - - 17
108+000 ML 1 9 87 3 25 NP - 9.08 1.56 1.94 12 4.8 4.5 20
108+500 CL 0 4 89 7 30 21 9 5.34 1.76 - - - - 22
8/10/2023
109+000 ML 1 7 88 4 27 NP - 6.8 1.58 - - - - 8 13
 Interpretation of Test Results
From laboratory test results following interpretations to be
done:

Study the classification and plasticity of existing subgrade soil.

Justify its suitability as subgrade as per MoRT&H specification;

Find out the relative compaction level and compare the soaked
CBR at FDD and 97% MDD.

If CBR at 97% MDD is much more than that at FDD and the
relative compaction level is less, then loosening and re-
compaction of existing subgrade may be recommended;

8/10/2023 14
  If CBR of subgrade at 97 % MDD is too less (less than 5%),
treatment of subgrade or subgrade replacement is required;

 If free swell index of existing subgrade soil is more than 50%,

i.e expansive soil, the same shall be replaced with suitable
material.

Subgrade Replacement

 Replacement of subgrade can be done with suitable

borrowed earth satisfying the criteria of MoRT&H
specifications and Design CBR value;

8/10/2023 15
 Replacement of subgrade with sand or other suitable material
like pond ash – sand mix in specified ratio can be used in case
suitable borrow area is not available within near vicinity of the
project corridor ;

 Stabilisation of poor subgrade soil can be done with lime or

cement in specified proportion as per IRC guidelines in case
sand is not available for replacement or thermal power plant is
not located within the vicinity of the project road.

However, treatment of sub-grade will be project specific and be

decided in consultation with Client.

8/10/2023 16
INVESTIGATION ALONG NEW ALIGNMENT

Trial Pit along new alignment shall be done at 5 km interval

and samples shall be collected in sufficient quantity.

Following laboratory tests are done:

I.Sieve Analysis-Hydrometer Analysis, Establishment of Clay content (as per IS:
2720 Part 4
II.Atterberg Limit (LL, PL, PI) as per IS: 2720 – Part5
III.Shrinkage Limit (Volumetric) – IS:2720 Part 6
IV.Sp Gravity as per IS: 2720 – Part 3
V.Swelling Index as per IS:2720 – Part 40

8/10/2023 17
Hand Auger Boring along Realignment/New alignment/ Bypass

Hand Auger Boring at every 2 km interval or at closer interval wherever change

in soil strata is visually observed on virgin/uniform ground along the project road
(left/right/symmetrical);

 Carryout boring for a depth of 2m;

 Terminate at earlier depth when refusal/rocky strata is encountered;

 Collect undisturbed sample at every change in the soil strata or minimum 3

samples at depths 0.5m, 1.0m and 2.0m for uniform strata;

 Carryout various laboratory tests on the undisturbed/disturbed samples.

8/10/2023 18
Laboratory test requirements on Auger Boring Samples:

•Grain size analysis (IS: 2720 part IV-1975), double hydrometer method;

•Natural moisture content (IS: 2720 part II-1973) and dry density;

•Liquid limit and plastic limit (IS: 2720 part V-1970);

•Cs, Cv and Pc (pre-consolidation pressure) from consolidation test (IS: 2720

part XV-1965);

• C and φ from unconsolidated, undrained (UU) triaxial test (IS: 2720 part XI-
1971), bulk density, void ratio and moisture content before/after UU test
should be determined for cohesive soil.

• Direct Shear Test in case of cohesion less soil.

8/10/2023 19
INVESTIGATIONS OF BORROW AREA
Generally barren land / open areas within the vicinity of
project road are selected for borrowing earth for constrcution
of embankment / subgrade. Investigation of borrow areas
involves:

During reconnaissance survey information of the possible borrow areas

within economic lead (generally within 5.0km from the project road) of the
project road are collected either from local PWD office or local construction
sites.

 Possible borrow areas are identified during field investigations.

The extent of borrow areas shall be such that the requirement of earth work in
filling may be fulfilled.
8/10/2023 20
Details of Borrow area shall be collected in the following format:
NAME OF PROJECT:
QUARRY/BORROW AREA DETAILS

Project Road: Date:

Section: Location Map

Borrow Area/Quarry Location:

Name of Quarry/Village:
Sample No:
1. Type of Material: 2. Quarry is Government/Private & Name:
3. Lead Distance: 4. Description of Material:
5. Quantity of Material (L= B= D= V=
6. Puprose of using material
a. Basic cost of material = b. Tax= c. Royalty=
Reported By: Checked By:
8/10/2023 21
Flow Chart of Borrow Area Investigations
Desk Study

Collection information about

Borrow Areas during
Reconnaissance

Investigation of Borrow Areas

Collection of
Digging borrow pit Borrow Area Laboratory Tests
Samples

Recommendation

8/10/2023 22
Borrow Pits:

Borrow pits shall be dug as per IRC:10-1961

 Size of borrow pits shall be 1m square;

 Depth of borrow pits shall not exceed 450mm;

 After removing top 150 mm soil, representative samples shall be collected

from 300 mm depth;

 Generally, test pits are dug at 200 m interval. It may vary depending upon
the change of soil type as per visual observations;

 Representative samples in sufficient quantity are collected from borrow pits

to assess its characteristics by performing laboratory tests.

8/10/2023 23
 After collection of sample from borrow pit the same is
labelled as following manner:

i) Sample No.

ii) Location/ Chainage ,

iii) Name of Area,

iv) Side of Roads

v) Type of Sample

8/10/2023 24
 PHOTOGRAPHS OF BORROW PITS & SAMPLES

8/10/2023 25
 SCHEMATIC PRESENTATION OF BORROW AREA

8/10/2023 26
Laboratory Tests of Borrow Area Samples

Following laboratory tests are done on borrow area samples:

Sieve Analysis-Hydrometer Analysis, as per IS:2720 – Part 4

Atterberg Limit (LL, PL, PI) as per IS: 2720 – Part 5
Sp Gravity for all the subgrade samples as per IS: 2720 – Part 3
MDD & OMC (Heavy Compaction) as per IS: 2720 – Part 8
Laboratory soaked (4 days soaked) CBR at 97% MDD
Swell Index as per IS:2720 – Part 40
Shrinkage Limit (Volumetric) as per IS:2720 – Part 6

8/10/2023 27
 Laboratory Tests Results of Borrow Area Samples:

Grain Size Distribution Atterberg Limit CBR

Is
Location MDD OMC
Sample ID Gravel Sand (4.75 Silt ( 0.075 Clay Liquid Plasticit Classificati
( Km) Plastic Soaked (mg/m3) (%)
(>4.75 to 0.075 to 0.002 (< 0.002 Limit y Index on
Limit (%) (%)
mm) mm) mm) mm) (%) (%)

ULS/01 93+250 1 3 89 7 25 18 7 CL 4.10 1.93 11.20

ULS/02 96+650 0 3 91 6 26 18 8 CL 5.30 1.91 12.60
ULS/03 103+250 0 10 78 12 25 17 8 CL 5.00 1.95 12.00
ULS/04 106+950 0 17 83 0 23 NP ML 5.00 1.93 11.20
ULS/05 111+200 0 1 84 15 45 25 20 CI 6.00 1.95 11.20
ULS/06 115+900 0 3 86 11 27 17 10 CL 6.50 1.94 11.80
ULS/07 120+200 0 4 89 7 24 20 4 ML 7.00 1.95 11.20
ULS/08 125+700 0 1 71 28 32 20 12 CL 7.00 1.90 13.60
ULS/09 131+850 0 5 88 7 26 21 5 ML 6.10 1.93 11.60
ULS/10 134+600 0 5 95 0 25 NP ML 6.70 1.93 12.60
ULS/11 140+600 0 9 84 7 25 17 8 CL 8.10 1.94 12.40
ULS/12 145+400 1 9 83 7 26 18 8 CL 4.70 1.95 12.00
ULS/13 149+300 1 4 95 0 26 20 6 ML-CL 4.20 1.93 11.50
ULS/14 152+700 0 2 92 6 27 19 8 CL 5.00 1.94 11.30

8/10/2023 28
 Interpretation of Test Results of Representative Samples of
Borrow Areas:

Laboratory test results of borrowed earth samples are

compared with the requirement for use in Embankment and
Subgrade as per MoRT&H Specification.

If the properties of soil samples satisfy the MoRT&H

specifications the same may be recommended for use in road
construction.

If the properties of borrow samples do not satisfy the

MoRT&H specifications the borrow area may be rejected.

8/10/2023 29
 INVESTIGATIONS OF QUARRIES
•Quarry Investigation involves identification of potential
sources of materials like Coarse Aggregates, Fine Aggregates,
Gravel/ Moorum etc.;

•Collection of representative samples in sufficient quantity to

assess their suitability in use for Road/Bridge/Structure
construction;

•Performing laboratory tests as per the requirement of MoRT&H

specifications;
8/10/2023 30
 Identification of Potential Sources of Aggregate Quarries
and Collection of Samples:

•During reconnaissance survey information regarding potential

quarry sources within the vicinity of the project corridors are
collected from local PWD or enquiry from local road
construction sites/ Crusher plants, if located nearby;

•Generally, PWD approved quarries are investigated;

•For coarse aggregates, representative samples at least three in

numbers from each quarry are collected.

8/10/2023 31
 • Representative samples are collected in accordance with IS:
2340.

• A Quarry chart is prepared showing location of Quarries and

average lead distance from Project road.

• Naturally available fine aggregate i.e sand is procured from

river-bed located within vicinity of the project road.
Representative samples (minimum three) are collected for
assessing suitability.

• If sand is not available in the near vicinity of the project road

stone dust samples from the crusher plant located in the
quarries can be collected instead of sand.
8/10/2023 32
 Aggregate Quarry Crusher

Sand Quarry
8/10/2023 33
Laboratory Tests of Aggregate samples:

Following laboratory tests are carried out on the aggregate

samples:
A.Coarse Aggregates
•Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) or Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV) as per IS:
2386 – Part 4;
•Water Absorption as per IS: 2386 – Part 3;
•Stripping Value;
•Los Angeles Abrasion Value (LAAV) as per IS: 2386 – Part 4;
•Soundness Test (Sodium Sulphate and Magnesium Sulphate) as per IS: 2386 –
Part 5
B. Fine Aggregates

• Gradation;
• Bulking of Sand;
• Fineness Modulus;
•8/10/2023
Deleterious Constituents. 34
 Laboratory Test Results Sample of Coarse Aggregates
Laboratory Test Results

Material Soundness
Quarry Name Sample ID No
collected AIV LAV WA Stripping with Sodium
Sulphate

40% 2% 95% 12%

Allowable Limit as per MoRT&H Spec 30%
33.00 0.610 97.50 2.10
Kabarai 20 mm UL-LRA-009 24.70
34.08 0.989 96.00 2.17
Kabarai 10 mm UL-LRA-010 27.45
30.66 0.847 97.00 1.57
Kabarai 5-6 mm UL-LRA-011 29.10
20.52 0.560 99.00 1.80
Kabarai 25-50 mm UL-LRA-013 18.20

Gora Machhiya 20 mm UL&LRA-014 28.72 34.20 0.776 98.00 3.89

30.79 0.635 97.00 2.81

Gora Machhiya 10 mm UL&LRA-015 22.15
21.50 0.610 98.50 1.37
Gora Machhiya 5-6 mm UL&LRA-016 18.57
33.00 0.670 98.50 2.10
Gora Machhiya 25-50 mm UL&LRA-018 27.40

8/10/2023 35
Laboratory Test Results Sample of Fine Aggregates
Laboratory Test Results Grading
Zone
Material Deleterious
Quarry Name Sample ID No Fineness As per IS:383
collected Bulking (%) Constituent
Modulus (%) (Table 4)
(%)
4.2 4.56 Zone III
Betwa river Coarse Sand UL&LRS-001 2.25
3.8 2.82 Zone II
Betwa river Coarse Sand UL&LRS-002 2.34
2.7 0.92 Zone III
Ganga Ghat Fine Sand UL&LRS-003 1.85
5.2 4.18 Zone I
Kabrai Coarse Sand UL&LRS-012 4.03
Zone I
Gora Machiya UL&LRS-017 3.09 7.5 4.25
Coarse Sand

• Sand of fineness modulus varying from 2.5 -3.5 (medium

to coarse) can be used for road /concrete construction;

• Fine sand conforming to zone IV may be used in filling

of embankment/sub-grade if it satisfies the specification.
8/10/2023 36
 Identification of GSB Quaries:

Naturally occurred GSB samples may be available from river

bed or hilly area.

GSB Quarry

8/10/2023 37
If natural GSB material is not available, then Crushed
aggregates as per requirement may be used as GSB.

Following tests are done on GSB Materials:

i.Grain Size Analysis;
ii.Atterberg’s limit;
iii.Optimum Moisture Content and Dry Density Relationship;
iv.CBR tests.
From grain size analysis grading of GSB material is determined as
per MoRT&H specifications

Liquid Limit and Plasticity Index of GSB material shall be less than
25% and 6 respectively

Minimum CBR value shall be 30 % when compacted at 98% MDD.

8/10/2023 38
INVESTIGATIONS OF MANUFACTURED
MATERIALS

Investigation of manufactured materials like steel, cement

and bitumen involves finding out their plants/
dealers/suppliers nearest to the project Road.

Standard manufactured companies are referred for

Cement & Steel.

Nearest oil refineries are selected for procurement of

bitumen.

8/10/2023 39
INVESTIGATIONS OF OTHER CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS

Investigation of other construction materials involves water,

flyash/pond-ash.

Water:

Water for construction may be either natural (river/ponds etc.), if

found suitable, or from bore wells.

Water samples are collected during field investigations to assess

suitability.

8/10/2023 40
 Laboratory Tests
Generally ph value, sulphate and chloride content of water
samples are determined in the laboratory.

Test Results format:

Location of Source Parameters
Proposed Location pH Sulphate Chloride
Chainage content SO3 as content as mg/l
(km) mg/l
0+470 Near Mughal Emporium 8.0 50.00 60.00
Restaurant
1+200 Before Belepole Junction 7.8 12.00 120.00
1+900 Near Hotel Tulip Inn 7.9 20.00 145.00
2+210 Near Baksara Junction 6.9 >750.00 525.00
2+620 At Existing ROB 7.9 60.00 110.00
4+825 8.0 50.00 30.00
After Santragachi Bus terminus
5+250 Near the junction with Bankra – 8.3 70.00 125.00
Andul Road & RUB -2
5+620 Opposite to Bridge and Roof’s 8.3 >1000.00 105.00
Batching plant

8/10/2023 41
Water having ph value above 6 can be used for construction.
Water having sulphate content less than 400 mg /litre and
chloride content 500mg/ litre may be used for RCC and pre-
stressed concrete construction purpose.

Flyash/ Pond ash:

When coal is burnt in furnace of a power plant about 80% ash is

found to be very fine. This ash gets carried along with flue gases
and collected in an electrostatic precipitator or cyclone
precipitator. This is called fly ash.

The remaining ash falls down at the bottom of the furnace which
is called bottom ash. When fly ash and bottom ash are mixed and
disposed
8/10/2023
in the form of slurry to pond is called pond ash. 42
If thermal power plant exists within 100 km radius of the project
road, the fly ash/pond ash produced shall be used for construction.
During material investigation samples shall be collected from the
source and perform tests as per IRC:SP-58.

Following laboratory tests are done:

i)Grain size analysis;

ii)Atterberg’s Limit;
iii)Moisture Content and Dry density relationship test;
iv)CBR Test (4days soaked)
v)Shear Strength Parameter (c, f) on remoulded samples

8/10/2023 43
Sample Test Results of Flyash

Grain Size Analysis (% passing is sieve) Angle

CBR (97% of
Modified of
cohesi MDD,4 days
Proctor Interna
IS Sieve Designation(mm) on soaked)
l PI(%
L.S.No (
Frictio )
kg/cm2
MDD n
OMC ) Swell
40.0 20.0 10.0 4.75 2.0 0.600 0.425 0.212 0.075 0.002 (gm/cc (degre CBR
(%) (%)
) e)

FLY ASH-
2/Triveni 100 100 100 98 97 97 96 88 55 0 25.00 1.24 0.05 31o NP 19.00 0.0
Chai khand

Fly ash may be used as embankment fill material as per IRC:SP-

58.

It may be used as subgrade material after mixing with sand in

suitable proportion.

8/10/2023 44
INVESTIGATION FOR HIGH EMBANKMENT

Approaches of Bridge and structures are generally on high

embankment. Stability and settlement check of high embankment
is utmost important. For stability analysis property of
embankment fill and the foundation soil shall be determined for
which field investigations as well as laboratory tests are required
for representative samples of borrowed earth and foundation/base
soil.

Investigation for high embankment is done as per IRC:75.

8/10/2023 45
For filling of embankment borrow area investigations are
required which has already discussed.

For foundation soil of high embankment location, subsoil

investigation is required.
Subsoil Exploration of High Embankment

Subsoil investigation of high embankment locations are done

through exploratory boreholes.

No. of boreholes
If the extent of embankment is within one km, then at least three
boreholes are done. Where extent of high embankment is more
than one km number of borehole shall be one per km in
staggered manner.
8/10/2023 46
 Depth of boreholes

Depth of borehole shall be twice of the height of embankment

or refusal strata/rocky strata whichever is less.

Subsoil Exploration in High Embankment Location

8/10/2023 47
Embankment Fill Material Investigations

For filling in embankment, selected earth from borrow area or

any selected material like flyash/pond ash satisfying the
criteria for embankment filling as per MoRT&H
Specifications may be used.

Investigations for borrow area already discussed in previous

slides.

8/10/2023 48
 iii) Optimum Moisture Content and Maximum Dry Density
Relationship by Heavy Compaction;
iv) CBR (Soaked for 4 days);
v) Free Swell Index (for LL>50%);
vi) Shear Parameter (Direct Shear for non cohesive soil &
Unconsolidated Undrained Tri axial Shear test for cohesive
soil)

8/10/2023 49
USE OF CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION
(C&D) WASTE MATERIAL IN ROAD
CONSTRUCTION
Wastes generated during construction; demolition & renovation
works can be used in road construction after processing to avoid
difficulties in disposal of the same.
Advantages of Using C&D Materials in Road Construction
 Mitigates shortage of raw material supply;
 Easily available near the project sites resulting in reduction of carrying cost
of materials;
 Conservations of natural sources of sand and stone aggregate quarries;
 Saving land for disposal of huge C&D wastes and thus saving
environment.

8/10/2023 50
8/10/2023 51
 Physical Properties of Processed C&D Material

Engineering Properties of Processed C&D Material (20-6.3 mm size)

8/10/2023 52
Engineering Properties of Processed C&D Material (Finer
than 6.3 mm size)

8/10/2023 53
Use of C&D Wastes in Embankment Construction

• Particle size shall not exceed 75 mm. If it is not possible to crush the same
to 75 mm , the maximum size can be allowed up to 300mm;
• Due to presence of voids in compacted C&D waste, vegetation cannot
grow and chance of erosion , thereby embankment failure takes place.
• Side slope shall be covered with good earth with minimum thickness of
500 m upto embankment height 1m.
• Cover thickness may vary from 1.5m to 2.0m for embankment height more
than 3.0 m;
• Crushed C&D material has higher range of angle of internal friction
(φvalue) but it shall be limited to 40 degree for stability analysis.
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