PUNJAB WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Research Office, Lining Circle No. 1, Faridkot

(ropwrmdcc1fdk@gmail.com)

(Through Email Only)

No._______ /RO/PWRMDC/FDK Date:____________

To

The Superintending Engineer

Lining Circle No 01
PWRMDC, Faridkot.

Subject - Quality enhancement points in the construction of watercourses.

Refer No.- No-3086/PWRMDC/L.C-1/Faridkot; Date 21/10/2022

In compliance with the above-cited subject and letter under

reference, the Quality of watercourses can be improved by implementing the
following points:-

A. Quality sustained points for Watercourses made of Bricks

1. Bricks should be inspected before use to ensure A-class bricks are used in
the construction of the watercourse by the concerned.
2. All brickwork should be laid in plumb.
3. Bricks required for use should be thoroughly soaked in clean water. Bricks
shall be saturated in the water for at least a day before being used in the
watercourse. The practice of curing bricks in the subgrade/laying bed area
must be avoided.
4. The outer wall joints must be plugged properly with the proper equipment.
5. Bonds between bricks shall be proper and as per estimate to ensure the
brickwork is strong and durable.
6. The filling of brick frogs shall be done properly.
7. Alignment of the watercourse must be straight except when there is a
boundary dispute and curves are unavoidable.
8. The overburnt, non-uniform and pilla bricks should not be used in the
watercourse and if any bricks are found in the already stacked bricks then
the same must be separately stacked immediately and strictly restricted for
use.
9. Walking over the bed masonry when fresh is strictly prohibited. In addition,
skilled labour is used for the construction of watercourses. The mortar for
plaster work on the bed must be thoroughly mixed in the mixing tank, not
on the bed.
10. The curing of plaster must be ensured for at least 7 days.
11. In the case of cracking on plaster, it should be replastered.
12. The testing of bricks ( Water absorption test, Compressive Strength of
bricks and Efflorescence ) must be ensured by the concerned officer before
use for construction of the watercourse.

B. Quality sustained points for watercourse made of Pipeline

1. In the case of pipeline works and Culverts, there must be proper handling of
pipes to prevent breakage of pipe edges while placing them in the trench.
2. The curing of pipe joints should be done with jute bags soaked in water.
3. The internal diameter of the pipe, class of pipe, Date of manufacture &
Name of the manufacturer or his registered trademark or both shall be
marked on each pipe.
4. The testing of pipes (Hydraulic test, Three edges bearing test, Absorption
test) shall be ensured before laying in the watercourse.
5. The dimensions of pipes and collars (internal diameter, barrel wall
thickness) must be checked as per provision in the estimate /Code 458
before laying in the watercourse by Junior Engineer and the same is to be
ensured by Sub Divisional Engineer.
C. Quality sustained points for watercourse made of Precast
Concrete Parabolic Segments (PCPS) works

1. In the case of PCPS ( Precast concrete Parabolic Segments ), the Alignment

of Segments must be straight and in the case of curves, bricks are to be
used.
2. The alignment of PCPS joints must be filled properly and in specific
proportions as per the estimate to avoid leakage of joints.
3. The dimensions of Segments must be checked consistently by the JE &
randomly by the SDE concerned to ensure that the joints of segments fit
appropriately.

D. General Instructions for Quality Enhancement

1. All loose material, roots, and slumps have to be removed from the place of
earthwork where the watercourse is to be constructed.
2. Since the work is spread longitudinally so the mortar should be mixed less
than required for the 5-10 mtr construction of the watercourse.
3. Sand must be properly screened before use. The Sand and Cement shall be
mixed ( in specific proportions) as per provisions of the estimate. Water is
to be added only after sand and cement are properly mixed and prepared
mortar must be consumed within 30 minutes ( Initial setting time of
cement).
4. The plaster thickness must be maintained at 10 mm/ specified in the
estimate and a wooden screed of 10 mm must be used to maintain the
uniform thickness of the plaster.
5. The earthwork is to be watered up to optimum moisture content, to get the
maximum dry bulk density. The JE must maintain the DBD register and the
same is to be checked by the Sub Divisional Engineer.
6. 50% backfill of earthwork to be laid at least after 3 days when initial curing
is completed and balance Earthwork to be completed after 7 days.
7. The bed surface for laying bed masonry must be properly dressed and the
complete subgrade shall be properly watered before laying the mortar for
laying masonry. Wetting of subgrade shall be continued in advance of laying
bed masonry.
8. Testing of materials must be done before executing the work.
9. In the construction of the watercourse, clean water must be used. It must
be ensured that a water tank is available on the site of the watercourse. The
practice of using water with high silt content must be prohibited.
10.A mixing tank and soaking tank must be used for mixing mortar & soaking
bricks respectively.
11.The picturisation/videography of the watercourse shall be done by the
concerned regularly.
12.There must be a proper survey done by the Junior Engineer /Sub Divisional
Engineer before the construction of the watercourse.
13.Regular inspection is to be ensured by the concerned Divisional Engineer.
14.The site registers for the Quantity of cement bags available and used must
be maintained by a Junior Engineer which is to be checked regularly by the
concerned Sub Divisional Engineer.
This is for your information and necessary action, please.

Research Officer
Lining Circle No. 01
PWRMDC, Faridkot