Construction Methodology for Capillary

Cut-off layer / Clay crack Sealant layer

Project Name:
 Four Laning of Cholopuram - Thanjavur from km 116.440 to
km 164.275 Section of NH-45C in the State of TamilNadu
under NHDP Phase-IV on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

 Four Laning of Sethiyahopu - Cholopuram from km 65.960 to

km 116.440 section of NH-45C in the state of Tamilnadu
under NHDP Phase-IV on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

Client National Highway Authority Of India (NHAI)

Rev: R0 & Date Issue: 26.06.18
Prepared by: J Marees kumar DPM
Independent Engineer Theme Engineering Pvt. Ltd
Patel Sethiyahopu - Cholopuram – Thanjavur
Concessionaire
highway Pvt. Ltd
EPC Contractor Patel Infrastructure Ltd.,

Checked & Approved by: GM / PM

Purpose of Issue: Review

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 Construction Methodology For Capillary cut-off / Clay Crack Sealant Layer

1. Objective:
Method Statement cover the construction of capillary cut-off / clay cray seal layer.

2. References:
 MORTH 5th revision
 CA
 IRC 34
 IRC 36
 IRC SP 58

3. Materials & Machinery Requirement:

 Fly Ash / Pond Ash /
 Trucks
 Grader
 Water tanker
 Compactor
 Auto level & FDT Equipment’s.

4. Background of Scope:
As per the Site inspection done on the sethiyathopu bye pass following observation are made

1. Existing ground nature of the setiyathopu entire by-pass is agriculture land and dry
BC soil is existed on the OGL Ground.
2. OGL Ground having large number of clay crack due to the nature of soil presented in
the ground. And also it is prone to bulkage and shrinkage of clay during the water
runoff and water table raise.
3. Water table of the area is also high and further during the rainy seasons possibility of
water stagnation around embankment is also notified

Hence it is mandatory to provide the suitable remedy to arrest the capillary raise below and
around the OGL ground and to arrest the clay cracks for the subsequent embankment
formations.
 Construction Methodology For Capillary cut-off / Clay Crack Sealant Layer

5. Technical Proposal:
As Per the IRC 34 – 2010, it is mandatory to find the suitable capillary cut-off layer and to find
the adequate thickness of layer to be provided. It shall be find out by the formula given on
cl.7.1 of IRC 34-2010. Further the same layer shall act as the clay crack sealant layer on the
OGL ground. As per IRC SP 58 2010 Cl.4.5.1, At locations where water table is high and the
soil has potential for rapid and relatively great migration of moisture by capillarity, a granular
layer, impervious membrane or a barrier of approved medium shall be inserted so that
moisture is not able to rise to the subgrade level. Sand blanket of adequate thickness over full
width of embankment can be adopted as an effective capillary cut-off. Medium grained sand
can be used for this purpose. This will provide a working platform for the construction of
fly ash fill and function as capillary cut-off.

Hence it is proposed to use the fly ash with proper soil cover to act as capillary cut-off / clay
crack sealant layer on the sethiyathopu bye-pass.

6. Calculation for adequate thickness of Capillary cut-off / clay sealant layer:

Sand blanket of adequate thickness over the full width of embankment is recommended as
an effective capillary cutoff. The thickness of the sand blanket needed to intercept capillary
action depends on the particle size of sand and may be determined from the following
formula (IRC 34-2010 cl.7.1).

.
≈ 50 cm

Where

t = thickness of sand layer in cm

d = mean particle diameter in mm =

d1 = aperture size of sieve (mm) through which the fraction passes

d2= aperture size of sieve (mm) on which the fraction is retained.

As per the available fly-ash near the project area the grain size analysis has been conducted
(reports enclosed) and the value of d1 & d2 is obtained. Further minimum thickness of sand
layer (capillary cut-off/clay crack sealant layer) is found out.

Min. thickness of sand layer (capillary cut-off/clay crack sealant layer) is 50 cm.
 Construction Methodology For Capillary cut-off / Clay Crack Sealant Layer

7. CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE:
1. Existing ground will be prepared in accordance to the methodology started
in QAP and MORTH Cl. 300.
2. After compacting the existing ground, specified standard density tests will
be carried out to table 300.2(2). Where necessary, to facilitate compaction of
the ground/Subgrade to 97% relative compaction, a further depth of 250mm
thickness shall be loosened, watered and compacted to not less than 97% of
MDD. Where the ground supporting embankment is found to be unsuitable
(material mentioned in clause 305.2.1.1) the same will be removed up to 500
mm and will be placed with approved material as per clause 305.3.4.
3. The side soil cover of required width (1m to 2m) shall be provided along with
the core (flyash) and mechanically compacted as the embankment progresses
upwards. The cover soil and fly ash should be laid simultaneously and
compacted (Ref. fig)

4. Filling shall be carried out in layers of to give a compacted thickness of not

more than 250mm per layer(If it is established that compaction to the
required density is achievable up to 250 mm depth in trial stretches).
Materials shall be tipped from dump trucks and spread to the required
thickness using motor grader or bulldozer. Moisture content of each layer of
soil shall be checked if necessary at site of placement prior to commencement
of compaction and brought to greater than OMC with allowance for
evaporation losses at the time of compaction. The water thus required shall
 Construction Methodology For Capillary cut-off / Clay Crack Sealant Layer

be uniformly sprayed on heaps before leveling and on surface after leveling

so that the moisture level is achieved before compaction is started.
5. Field Density tests to be conducted as per specification i.e 95% of MDD for
Embankment Fill.

8. DAILY PROGRESS REPORTS SHALL RECORD

 Date and location of works
 Labour, plants and machinery used
 Weather Condition
 Testing carried out
 Materials used

9. QUALITY CONTROL
Routine testing to be carried out as stipulated under clause 900 of MORT&H and IRC SP 58

TABLE 1 : INSPECTION PLAN AND TESTING FOR EMBANKMENT WITH FLY ASH

Inspection Tests
S.No Activity Remarks
Required required
Field density
Approval of base of
1 Yes Yes test/levels jointly
embankment layer
recorded
Spreading/fill
2 Yes Method control
layers
Joint survey and
3 Final Layer Yes Yes
record
Top soil to instructed
4 Dumping area Yes ---
areas
Upon completion of
5 Density checks Yes Yes
compaction operation