Soil Selection Criteria - Embankment Construction

Materials:
Type 01 – For top 450mm of embankment
 Maximum dry density under standard condition of compaction not less than 1600kgm-3.
 Four days soaked CBR at 93% MDD is not less than 7%.
 LL < 50 PI < 25
Type 02 – For lower layers
 Maximum dry density under standard condition of compaction not less than 1500kgm-3.
 Four days soaked CBR at 93% MDD is not less than 5%.
 LL < 50 PI < 25.
Type 03 – Soil Upper Sub-base
 Maximum dry density under standard condition of compaction not less than 1750kgm-3.
 Four days soaked CBR less than 30%.
 LL < 40 & PI < 12%
Type 04 – Soil Lower Sub-base
 Maximum dry density under standard condition of compaction not less than 1650kgm-3.
 Four days soaked CBR less than 15%.
 LL < 40 & PI < 15%

Slightly high LL and high PI are allowed if the material passing 75 micron is less than 10%
Material Testing Reports and Soil Selection for Embankment Construction

1. Project - Rehabilitation/Improvement of 47km of Rural road in the Polonnaruwa District –

Contract 3 including performance based maintenance for 3 years [Report Number 01]
 MDD = 2123kgm-3.
 Optimum moisture content = 7.3%
 Liquid Limit = 37
 Plastic Limit = 23
 Plasticity Index = 14
 CBR at 98% of MDD (2081kgm-3) = 37.5%
 Materials passing 75 micron = 23.5

According to above soil testing results, This soil cam be recommended for top and bottom
embankment construction and lower sub-base construction but not suitable for upper sub-base
construction.
Suitable stabilizing method can be used to reduce PI in order to recommend this material for upper
sub-base construction.

Area MDD Soaked CBR LL PL

For top 450mm of embankment OK OK OK OK
For lower embankment OK OK OK OK
Upper sub-base OK OK OK NO
Lower sub-base OK OK OK OK

2. Project - Rehabilitation and Improvement of Peradeniya Badulla Chenkaladi road (A005)

 MDD = 2004kgm-3.
 Optimum moisture content = 7.8%
 Liquid Limit = 30
 Plastic Limit = 17
 Plasticity Index = 13
 CBR at 98% of MDD (1964kgm-3) = 47%

According to above soil testing results, This soil cam be recommended for top and bottom
embankment construction and lower sub-base construction but not suitable for upper sub-base
construction.
Suitable stabilizing method can be used to reduce PI in order to recommend this material for upper
sub-base construction.

Area MDD Soaked CBR LL PL

For top 450mm of embankment OK OK OK OK
For lower embankment OK OK OK OK
Upper sub-base OK OK OK NO
Lower sub-base OK OK OK OK