5.

2 HIGHWAY
CONSTRUCTION
2 Phases:
Earthwork &
preparation of
subgrade
Construction of pavement
5.3 EARTHWORK AND PREPARATION
OF SUBGRADE
5.3.1
EMBANKMENT
(i) Soil Survey and
Investigations
(i) Soil Survey and Investigations
a. To evaluate the general suitability of the site for
the proposed project.
b. To enable an adequate & economical design to be
made.
c. To disclose and make provision for difficulties that
may arise during construction due to ground and
other local conditions.
 Phases of a Soil Investigation

Phase I Phase II Phase III

Collection Preliminary Detailed

of available reconnaissance soil
information or a site visit exploration
 Phase I

Collection
of available
information
Phase a. To determine the geological structure,
III which should include the thickness,
sequence and extent of the soil strata.
b. To determine the groundwater
conditions.
c. To obtain disturbed and undisturbed
samples for laboratory tests
d. To conduct in situ tests.
SOIL BORING
 LIQUID LIMIT TEST the liquid limit test of a
soil is that water content, as determined in
accordance with the testing procedure at which
soil passes from plastic to a liquid state.

PLASTIC LIMIT TEST is the lowest water content

determined in accordance with the testing procedures
at which the soil remains plastic. The PLASTICITY
INDEX of a soil is the range in water content,
expressed as percentage of the mass of the oven-
dried soil, within which the material is in plastic state.
It is the numerical difference between the liquid limit
of the soil. The higher the plasticity index the lower
the permeability.
 SETTING OUT
OF
CONSTRUCTION
LIMITS
MARKING THE ALIGNMENT
Transit points 20 25 m from the CL
CENTERLINE set out with a theodolite
pegs are established

INTERMEDIATE PEGS fixed along the CL

BATTER PEGS marks the limit of

embankment on both sides
fixed 0.5 m away from
the edge
Illustration of batter pegs for defining the limits
of embankment
CONSTRUCTION
( Operations )

Clearing and Grubbing

Stripping and storing top
soil
Placing of Embankment
Rolling
Finishing
CLEARING AND GRUBBING
 to provide adequate sight
distance
to improve landscape
to remove obstructions for
drainage
to level the surface
 stripping and storing top soil
COMPACTING ORIGINAL
GROUND
 0.6 m minimum height of
embankment

It should be loosened, watered and

rolled in layers of 250 mm up to
0.5 m for SUBGRADE
(rel. compaction of 100%
proctor density)
 GENERAL GUIDE TO THE SELECTION OF
COMPACTION PLANT FOR DIFFERENT TYPES
OF SOIL
Type of soil

 Clayey Soil

Clayey soil has incredibly small particles. This means that clay has little space between
individual particles, allowing for virtually no drainage.
 Sandy Soil

Sandy soil have rapid drainage. This are granular soils and contain small rock and
mineral particles. The texture of sandy soils is usually gritty . This soil feels course
whether it is dry or wet.
 Silty soil

Silty soil one of the most fertile, with rich nutrients and good drainage. It is slightly
smaller in size than sandy soil. This is generally quite dark and pungent.
* Types of compaction plant
* Smooth-wheeled roller

Smooth-wheeled roller
* Self propelled or towed steel rollers from
ranging 2-20 tonnes.
* This best suited for rolling weaker aggregates,
proof rolling of subgrades and in compacting
asphalt pavements.
 *Smooth-wheeled roller
* Suitable for: well-graded sands and gravels silt and clays of low plasticity.
* Unsuitable for: uniform sands, silty sand, soft clays
 *Pneumatic-tired roller

Pneumatic-tired roller
* Usually a container on two
axles, with rubber-tired wheels.
* Wheels aligned to give a full
width rolled back
* Dead loads are added to give
masses of 12-40 tonnes.
 *Pneumatic-tired roller

* Suitable for: most coarse

and fine soils.
* Unsuitable for: very soft
clay, highly variable soils.
* Vibratory roller

Vibratory roller
* Have two smooth wheels plus vibrators. One is
fixed at the front and the other is on the rear side
of vibratory roller.
* Vibrators are also fixed with smooth wheel rollers.
* Vibratory roller

* Suitable
for: most soils with low
to moderate fines content
* Unsuitablefor: large volume
work, wet clayey soils
 *Sheep foot roller

Sheep foot roller

* Also known as tamping roller
* Self-propelled or towed units, with
hollow drum fitted with projected
club-shaped feet
* Mass range from 5-8 tonnes
 *Sheep foot roller

* Suitable for: fine grained soils, sand and gravels, with >20% fines
* Unsuitable for: very coarse soils, uniform gravels
*Power rammer

Power rammer
* Also called a trench tamper
* Hand-guided pneumatic tamper.
*Power rammer
* Suitablefor: trench back-fill,
work in confined areas
* Unsuitable for: large volume
work
*The End