NIST-2659 Earthworks and Drainage Rev 2
NIST-2659 Earthworks and Drainage Rev 2
NIST-2659 Earthworks and Drainage Rev 2
1. PURPOSE
This Standard describes the requirements for the design, construction and maintenance
of earthworks and drainage.
2. SCOPE
The Standard applies to all earthworks and drainage managed by V/Line Passenger
under the Regional Infrastructure Lease.
3. HISTORY
Replaces NIPR-2659 Rev 01.
4. DEFINITIONS
Please refer to NIMG-2600, Infrastructure Definitions and Terminology for abbreviations
and terms used in this Document..
Batter Slope – is the gradient of a cutting or embankment when viewed as a cross
section. It is expressed as a ratio of vertical to horizontal unit of distance (i.e. A 1:1.5
slope means 1 unit vertical to 1.5 units horizontal).
Capping Layer – The layer of uniformly compacted material, upon which the ballast is
laid, purpose of transmitting loads from the ballast to the material below and for the
prevention of material migration into the ballast.
Cess – The shoulder of the formation outside of the ballast profile.
Earth – Earth is defined to include all materials such as soil, clay, sand, gravel,
weathered or loose rock which can be removed by ripping with a bulldozer of 290 kilowatt
brake power (382 h.p.) with heavy duty tynes.
Earthworks – Is a term used to describe all the natural and made earthen / aggregate
structures. The main purpose of earthworks are to provide a structure of sufficient
strength and size to adequately support the track and of appropriate gradient to allow the
full range of rolling stock to operate on that line section. Earthworks must be designed to
ensure the rail corridor is free draining.
Formation – The formed, graded and compacted material, including fill material, capping
layer material (often referred to as sub-ballast) and any drainage layers or materials, on
which ballast is laid.
Geotextile – A strong synthetic fabric incorporated into the formation design to assist the
capping layer filtering function by acting as a barrier and a drain. Geotextiles are used in
situations where the material below the subgrade contains a high proportion of fine
particles and a high moisture content.
Rock – Rock is defined as material that can only be removed by means of continuous
drilling, blasting, pneumatic tools or ripping by a bulldozer with greater than 290 kilowatt
brake power (>382 h.p.) and includes boulders greater than 1 cubic metre in volume.
Subgrade – Is all material below the formation, made up of either the natural ground and
any ground stabilising materials or suitable fill material.
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Document Number: NIST-2659
STANDARD Date of Issue: 25/03/2010
Revision Number: 2
6. EARTHWORKS
There are a range of structures and activities that are covered by the term earthworks,
from site preparation to the construction of engineered earth structures, either cuttings or
embankments. All earth structures, subject to railway superimposed loads, are to be
designed to withstand 300 LA railway traffic loading, as defined in AS 5100 Pt2.
6.1. Earthworks Typical Profiles and Features
The following standards are minimum standards and under various circumstances
(known or suspected ground water flows, swamps, environments subject to flood
conditions, steep or unstable slopes etc.) geotechnical and hydrology investigations
should be carried out to confirm that the:
soil has sufficient bearing capacity
slopes are stable
track will not be subject to erosion/flooding etc
Typical profiles and features for earthworks construction are shown in Figure 1
(embankment) and Figure 2 (cutting) with formation surface finishes indicated in
Table 5 and typical batter slopes indicated in Table 1.
Where the embankment or cutting height / depth is greater than 3m (the difference
between the surrounding ground level and the formation level) the cess width must be
extended to provide maintenance access on one side of the track. In this instance,
an additional drainage ditch may be required adjacent to the access track. Where
more than two tracks are provided, maintenance access may be needed on both
sides of the track.
For determination of the required overall width of the ballast profile, refer to NIPR:
2650 – Use and Laying of Rail, and NIPR: 2654 – Use of Ballast. A diagram showing
dimensions and volumes of common ballast profiles is given in NIPR: 2654 – Use of
Ballast, Attachment 1.
Capping layer
Cess C
L
1000 3000 min 1m *
nom min
1:60 Ballast
150 min
Structural Fill
.5
1:1 General Fill
1:2 Subgrade
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Maximum Slope
Material
(Vertical : Horizontal)
Sand, wet clay, loose gravel 1:2
Sandy clay, boulders and clay, compact
1:1.75
gravely soil
Poor rock 1:1.5
Shale, tightly cemented gravel, ordinary
1:1
rock
Rock 1:0.25
Table 1 – Guidelines for Cutting Typical Maximum Batter Slopes
6.4. Excavation for Cuttings
The excavated faces shall be neatly trimmed and the top edges of the cuttings neatly
rounded. Overhanging, loose or unstable material likely to slip should be cut back,
removed or stabilised. Batters in cuttings shall be carried around curves in an even
and regular manner.
Finished batters shall not have a slope steeper than that specified in Table 1. Batter
slopes in rock cuttings in excess of 1m high shall be determined on the advice of the
nominated V/Line Geotechnical representative. Excavation shall be carried out in
such a manner as to prevent erosion or slips. Working faces shall be limited to safe
heights and slopes, and surfaces shall be drained to avoid ponding. The location of
the finished construction must be no closer to the railway tracks than the agreed
design. It should also consider top of cutting construction requirements and these
should be no less than the dimensions shown in Fig 2.
6.5. Embankment Preparation & Construction
Where a drainage blanket is to be provided at the base of an embankment, it will
comprise of a geotextile laid along the base and around a layer of free draining filter
material to a depth of 300mm, with spall protection at the outlet. The free draining
filter material shall be crushed rock, river gravel or slag composed of hard, strong
and durable particles, and complying with the properties listed in Table 2.
The material shall be spread in uniform layers to give the specified compacted
thickness in such a manner as to avoid damage to the fabric. If unstable areas are
encountered (eg seepage or springs) during embankment preparation, additional
treatment may be required, and the advice of the V/Line nominated Geotechnical
representative should be sought.
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General Fill Material CBR (%) Depth of Structural Fill Material Required (mm)
2–3 1000
3–5 500
5–7 300
>7 200
Table 3 – Depth of Structural Fill Material
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Situation Tolerance
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Bridge abutment and 2m wide for full height Hand held compaction equipment for full
wing walls structure height for a distance of 2/3 H
(H = 0verall height of structure)
Pipe Culverts 300mm width each side Hand held compaction equipment for
and above top pipes distance D from pipe to top of pipe (D=
diameter of pipe)
Box culverts & culvert H/3 wide for full height Hand held compaction equipment for full
wing walls & retaining (H = overall height) structure height for a distance 2/3 H from
wall wall (H = overall height)
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7. DRAINAGE
7.1. General
Sound formation is necessary for retention of good track geometry and the best way
to achieve this is to have a good drainage. Drainage can take two forms:
1. Surface drainage – are cut into the surface of the earthworks, thereby
influencing the earthworks surface profile and are used to incept and convey
surface runoff.
2. Subsurface drainage
Porous Pipes – laid in trenches, backfilled with free draining gravel with
catchpits placed at regular intervals. They intercept surface and
subsurface water flow and convey to an outlet or collection point.
Stormwater Pipes – used to convey drainage water from one area to
another only.
The principal functions of the drainage system are to:
Intercept water from surrounding areas and prevent it from flowing onto the
formation; and
Remove water rapidly from the formation.
Drainage must be designed so as to limit the erosion effects of the drained water,
whilst ensuring the drains do not become blocked with silt.
7.2. DRAINAGE DESIGN
7.2.1. Site Investigation
The design process should commence with a site investigation. The main objective
of a site investigation is to establish the requirements of the drainage system and
any restrictions that may be imposed on the system.
The procedure for carrying out a thorough site investigation is as follows:
a. Identify the problem; and thus the area to be drained and the reason.
b. Determine the information required.
c. Collect and study all existing information available. Available information
from surrounding sites and locality should be studied before embarking on
field work. This may highlight particular problems or aspects that should
receive special attention. This stage should include a full services search.
Types of information that may be sourced include: aerial photographs and
maps (topographic, geological, soil, etc); charts; meteorological and
hydrological information.
d. Site inspection. A check list should be prepared prior to the field investigation
to ensure efficiency in gathering information. (See Form NIFO-2659.1). Items
to be investigated during the site inspection include:
i. Access to and from site, including restrictions.
ii. Type, function and location of existing drainage systems.
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8. GEOTEXTILE
8.1. Introduction
The type and nature of geotextile used, within drainage systems and earthworks is
determined by the function required (drainage, separation (CBR > 3%), stabilisation
(CBR < 3%), erosion control etc), which then allows selection of suitable fabrics the
particular application. Given the importance of the long term performance of the
earthworks, drainage and formation works, within which the geotextiles will be used,
it is essential to select the appropriate product for each environment and application.
Where several fabric types meet the required criteria then cost, availability and other
factors should be considered. Unique local environmental issues may further require
the need for a more specific and unique design solution.
The use of geotextiles under compacted fill or above Capping Layer should be
considered in the following situations:
Where poor subgrade conditions exist (i.e. where CBR value is 3 or less);
Through road crossings (refer NIPR: 2687 − Level Crossings); and
For the full length of passenger platforms.
The following criteria will provide guidance in the selection of the best geotextile in a
given situation.
Reference is made to AS 3705 - 2003 Geotextiles - Identification, marking and
general data and AS 3706 - 2003 Geotextiles - Methods of test, which must be
adopted.
8.2. Quality Control
Geotextiles must be supplied by manufacturers with quality systems in place,
certified to AS 9002 or equivalent. Product data sheets must be supplied, for all
required results to Australian Standard AS 3706-2003.
All geotextiles must be stabilised against ultra violet radiation (tested to AS 3706.11
– retaining at least 70% after the standard period).
8.3. “G’ Ratings
“G” Ratings were first publicised by Austroads in “Guide to Geotextiles – 1990”. The
“G” Rating is defined as the geometric mean of the Drop Cone and CBR Burst test
results. The Drop Cone test is used as a measure of a geotextile‟s resistance to
puncture from falling rocks, while the CBR test measures a geotextile‟s resistance to
puncture from placed and compacted aggregate. As such, the “G” Rating is
considered to provide a good measure of a geotextile‟s resistance to both static and
dynamic puncture.
Woven geotextiles have higher strength per unit mass than non-woven geotextiles,
however they are susceptible to being more easily damaged in the field. So when
selecting a woven geotextile for use, one with a higher “G” Rating is preferred to
compensate for this susceptibility. Refer Table 8 for comparison.
8.3.1. MARV Product Acceptance Criteria.
Acceptable values of “G” ratings for geotextiles, are to be determined using a
Minimum Average Roll Value (MARV) to overcome the variability inherent in
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9. REFERENCES
9.1. Earthworks & Formation
AS 5100 – Bridge Design
AS 1289 − Methods of Testing Soils for Engineering Purposes
NIPR-2650 – Use and Laying of Rail
NIPR-2654 – Use of Ballast
NIPR-2687 − Level Crossings
9.2. Drainage
Australian Rainfall and Runoff
9.3. Geotextiles
AS 3704 - 2005 Geosynthetics - Glossary of terms
AS 3705 - 2003 Geotextiles - Identification, marking and general data
AS 3706 - 2003 Geotextiles - Methods of test.
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Lined Channels
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Unlined Channels
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Determine the local soil type such that the maximum permissible velocity
and roughness can be established
Determine the slope from the preliminary investigation survey (preferably not less than 1
in 300).
Calculate the maximum flow rate for the selected channel size
(Q1)
Yes No
Is Q1 > Qpf?
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x i
x i 1
n
The standard deviation is defined by:
x x
n
2
i
S i 1
n 1
where xi the test value for an individual sample and n is the number of tests per lot, with i
= 1, 2, 3, ....n.
IV Testing Small Areas
For earthworks and pavement construction any lot which has a surface area less than
500m2 may be treated as a small area. When testing a small area as a lot and where
test requirements are based on characteristic values, acceptance of the lot shall be
based on the mean values of 3 individual tests. In this case the lot will be accepted as far
as compaction is concerned if the mean value of the individual tests exceeds by 2.0% or
more the appropriate compaction scale requirement for the characteristic value of density
ratio for a lot of six tests.
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