RAILWAY FORMATION

Basic of
Embankment Design

SANJAY KHARE
Sr. Prof.(Works) IRICEN
 RDSO Guidelines
“Comprehensive Guidelines and
Specification for Railway Formation”
(Specification No. RDSO/2020GE: IRS-0004, Sept-2020) Dt 17/09/2020

Supersede earlier guidelines/ instruction

• GE-1(July-2003),

• GE:14( Nov-2009),

• RDSO Letter dt 19.10.2015 /26.10.2016, and

• Specification No. RDSO/ 2018/GE:IRS-00004(D) Part-IV (July-

2019)
 RDSO Guidelines
“Comprehensive Guidelines and Specification for Railway Formation”

(Specification No. RDSO/2020GE: IRS-0004, Sept-2020) Dt 17/09/2020

Application of these guidelines

• Will apply to new works.

• May be explored in ongoing works also.

• Any deviation can be permitted with approval of PCE/ CAO(C)

only based on logic/ local condition.
Stress Distribution
Stress Distribution
TRACK & FORMATION
 STABLE RAILWAY
FORMATION
Should be able to retain the track
geometry under anticipated traffic
densities and axle loads during service
under most adverse conditions of
operations and weather

8
 RAILWAY FORMATION
BEHAVIOUR

• not only dependent on axle loads but also

on traffic density & pattern of traffic.

 simple bearing capacity formula not

applicable.
 DESIGN OF RAILWAY
FORMATION
For stable formation
 Subgrade in bank/cutting should be
structurally sound – not to fail in shear
strength –dead and live loads

 any settlements of sub grade and sub soil

should be within limits.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Main function is to provide a stable foundation for the
blanket & ballast layers.
• The influence of the traffic induced stresses extends
downward as much as five meters below the bottom of
the sleepers.
• Subgrade should be designed to be safe against shear
failure and large deformations.
• Adequacy of subsoil should also be examined against
shear strength and settlement.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil
leads to:
o Bearing capacity failure of sub-soil, resulting into cess / toe heave.
The collapse ht. of embankment Hmax is determined from consideration
of bearing capacity failure
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil
leads to:
o Bearing capacity failure of sub-grade, resulting into cess and crib
heave. Deep ballast pockets are formed as a result of such failures.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil :
o Inadequate cess width is also responsible for initiation and
enhancement of bearing capacity failure of subgrade.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil leads to:
Interpenetration failure or mud pumping failure, resulting
into vitiation of clean ballast cushion, and
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil leads to:
Slope failure, if factor of safety against slope stability is not adequate.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil
• Deficient Shear Strength of Sub-Grade &/or Sub-Soil leads to:
Slope failure, if factor of safety against slope stability is not adequate.
 Design aspects for a Sub-Grade &
Subsoil

• Large Deformation without Shear Strength Failures of

soil can be due to:
o Poor compaction
o Settlement and heave due to shrinking and swelling
characteristics of subgrade and/or sub-soil.
o The swelling and shrinkage characteristics of sub-
soil shall be significant in cases where bank height
is less than 1m or it is in cutting.
Components of Railway Formation

 Top Width
 Height above G.L.
 Side Slope
 Cross Slope
 Fill Material- Sub-grade/ Prepared subgrade
Blanket layer
 Erosion Control
 Execution -Compaction
Factors Governing Formation Width
 Length of Sleeper
 Cess Width > 900 mm + additional on curve
 Side Slope of Ballast
Angle of Repose – 45⁰ for Crushed Stone
During service- Flatter (1:1.5 to 1:1.75)
 Current Width = 7.85m (S/L) 13.16m (D/L)
(Earlier Width (BG)= 6.85m (S/L) 12.16m (D/L))

 Track Centre = 5.3 m between double lines.

7.8 m between pair of double lines.
 Formation Width
C C
L Figure 3
L
3925
1074 SLOPE 1.5:1
1
1:

1:
2:1

1
1 IN 30 1 IN 30 1 IN 30 1 IN 30
B

1376
1127
1074
300
300
600
300

350
BANKS SINGLE LINE
DIAGRAM 1
B1
CL CL CUTTING SINGLE LINE
DIAGRAM 3
S
987 C
L C
L SLOPE 1.5:1
2:1
1 IN 30 1 IN 30 3930
100 1

1:
B 1:

600 300
1 IN 30 1 IN 30
BANKS DOUBLE LINE

1219

1376
300
300

300
987

350
DIAGRAM 2
B1
CUTTING DOUBLE LINE
NOTES: DIAGRAM 4
1. ALL DIMENSIONS SHOWN IN THE DIAGRAMS ARE IN mm.
2. ON BG AND MG DOUBLE LINES, THE MINIMUM FORMATION MINIMUM FORMATION WIDTHS
WIDTH IS BASED ON DISTANCE (S) BETWEEN TRACK CENTRES (B1)
IN BANKS (B)
OF 5.30m AND 3.96m RESPECTIVELY. GAUGE
3. IN FLAT TERRAINS THE HEIGHT OF BANK/DEPTH OF CUTTINGS SINGLE LINE DOUBLE LINE SINGLE LINE DOUBLE LINE
SHOULD PREFERABLY BE NOT LESS THAN 1m FOR ENSURING BG 1676
GOOD DRAINAGE, FORMATION STABILITY AND TO AVOID 6.85m 12.16m 6.25m 11.55m
(for existing lines)
TRESSPASSING.
BG 1676
4. THESE DIMENSIONS ARE BASED ON A BALLAST CUSHION OF 35cm. (for all doublings,
gauge conversions 7.85m 13.16m 7.85m 13.16m
5. THESE DIMENSIONS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE IN CASE OF ALL & new lines)
NEW LINES BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF USE OF
CONCRETE SLEEPER AT A LATER DATE. MG 1000 5.85m 9.81m 5.25m 9.21m
6. ON CURVES THE FOLLOWING INCREASE IN FORMATION WIDTHS SHALL BE MADE:-
(1) FOR EXTRA BALLAST CUSHION ON OUTERSIDE OF THE CURVE 0.15m ON Research Designs & Standards Organisation
SINGLE LINE AND 0.30m ON DOUBLE LINE (INCLUDING 0.15m INCREASE
GUIDELINES FOR EARTHWORK IN RLY. PROJECTS
IN TRACK CENTRES).
(2) FOR EXTRA CLEARANCE REQUIRED ON DOUBLE LINE DUE TO EFFECT OF MINIMUM RECOMMENDED
SUPER-ELEVATION ETC. AS STIPULATED IN APPENDIX TO THE SCHEDULE FORMATION WIDTHS FOR
OF DIMENSIONS FOR BG./MG. BANKS/CUTTINGS FOR
7. FORMATION WIDTH HAS BEEN CALCULATED ASSUMING A BALLAST SIDE SLOPE OF 1.5:1. CONCRETE SLEEPER TRACK
8. WIDTH OF CUTTING WILL HAVE TO BE ADEQUATELY INCREASED TO ACCOMODATE DESIGNED
FILL OF BLANKET MATERIAL. DRG.NO: GE/SK/GL/128/Rev.2/2015
NOT TO SCALE
Min Recommended Formation Width
For Concrete Sleeper Track

7.85

7.85
Min Recommended Formation Width
For Concrete Sleeper Track
5.30

13.15

13.15
 Height above Ground Level

Minimum Height of Embankment

 Above ground level / HFL -Not less than 1m
 To ensure proper drainage, and to avoid trespassing.

 Total thickness of formation layers (blanket

+prepared subgrade+ subgrade) –
Uniform thickness depending on combination based
on effective stress dispersal
 Side Slope
 Characteristics of Fill Material and Sub-soil – Design Aspect

 Side slopes of High Embankment and Cuttings should be

analyzed & designed in detail with realistic soil parameters
and drainage conditions, using standard method of slope
stability analysis/ software.

 Not to be Steeper than 2H:1V

 Semi-mechanized System of Maintenance

 Surface Water Run off - Erosion

 Cross Slope

 For drainage of Surface Water

 Design Value 1 in 30
 Tolerance (1 in 28 to 1 in 32)
 TYPE of FILL Material

• Unsuitable soils for construction

 Organic clay, silts & peat; chalks, dispersive soils and
soil containing soluble material (e.g. rock salt or
gypsum).
 Poorly graded gravel and sand Cu<2
 CH and MH in top 3 m bank
 TYPE of FILL Material
Unsuitable soils for construction
• There may be some typical situations in construction of formation &
cuttings, where it is not possible to avoid conditions, for economical or
any other reason, when
– Cuttings passing through unsuitable soils
– Construction of embankment on subsoil of
unsuitable types of soils.
• Then Railway may decide special investigations and other
measures to formulate suitable scheme of construction.
 BORROW PITS
• Keep borrow pits sufficiently away from the toe of the
embankments as far as possible at the extreme of Railway
land.
• Normally not less than 3m plus height of the embankment
to prevent base failures.
• Existing borrow pits, close to the toe of bank may be filled or
its depth should be taken into account in analysing slope
stability of the bank.
 CHARECTERISTICS OF SOIL
Coarse grained soil
 Particle shape and size cubical
 Angle of internal friction high
 Gradation – important
 Well graded, Poorly graded
 Cohesion less
 Permeability high
 Pore water pressure- generally not important

30
 CHARECTERISTICS OF SOIL
Fine grained soil
 Particle shape - generally flaky
 Cohesion – generally cohesive
 Angle of internal friction low
 Permeability low
 Arrangement of soil particles – important
 Sensitive to in-situ condition
 Water absorption – high
 Results into development of Pore water pressure

31
 CLASSIFICATION IS:1498 - 1970

BOULDERS COARSE SILT & CLAY

GRAVEL 75>PS>4.75mm SAND 4.75>PS>75μ

Fines<5% Fines>12% Fines<5% Fines>12%

GW GP GM GC SW SP SM SC

Fines between 5% to 12% Fines between 5% to 12%

GW- GP- GW- GP- GW- SW- SP- SW- SP- SW-
GM GM GC GC GP SM SM SC SC SP
 BLANKET

The layer between the ballast and the sub

grade over the entire width of formation
BLANKET
Good design Practice-
• Max. Pressure on top of
formation at bottom of
Ballast should not exceed
3kg/cm2 (30t/m2)

• Pressure on subsoil
should not exceed
1kg/cm2 (10t/m2)
FUNCTIONS OF BLANKET LAYER
 Stress Reduction Function - It reduces the traffic induced
stresses on top of sub-grade to a tolerable limit.

 Separation Function: prevents penetration of ballast

into sub-grade also prevents upward migration of fine
particles, thus prevents mud pumping by checking
attrition of sub-grade particles by ballast.

 Deformation reduction : it results in increased track

modulus and thereby reduces the track stresses &
deformations.
FUNCTIONS OF BLANKET LAYER
 Drainage Function: intercept water coming from
ballast away from sub-grade and facilitates drainage of
surface water and reduces moisture variation in
subgrade.
 It facilitates dissipation of excess pore water pressure
developed in subgrade on account of cyclic loading and
leads to increase in shear strength of subgrade soil.
 Typical Values for soil types
Soil Type Ev2
(N/mm2)
CBR (%) σ z perm
(N/cm2)
Soft Clay 15 3 2.5-3.5
Semi-Solid Clay 25 5 3.5-5.0
Uniform sand 50 10 4.5-6.0
Good subsoil 100 6.0-7.5

σ zperm is Permissible Compressive stress

0.0006 Ev2
= --------------------
1+0.7 log n
 Specification No. RDSO/2018/GE: IRS-004 Part IV

• Soil exploration to be done for soil classification as laid

down in GE-1para 3.0.

• Results of soil exploration to be reviewed and approved

at the level of CAO(c) & equivalent officers in PSU
 Description of Soil Quality Class
For Design of Railway Formation, the soils for their use in Indian Railway
Embankment have been grouped based on % of fines present-

Soil Description w.r.t. % Fines Soils as per IS classification

confirming to referred soil
Type ( size < 75 micron) type

SQ1 Soils containing fines > 50% CL, ML, CL-ML,CI, MI, CH,
MH

SQ2 Soils containing fines from 12% to GM, GC, SM, SC, GM-GC,
SM-SC
50%
SQ3 GW, GP, SW, SP, GW-GM,
Soils containing fines <12% GW-GC, SW-SM, GP-GM,
GP-GC, SP-SM, SP-SC
 Requirement of Blanket Layer

• The provision of blanket layer shall not be needed when

formation/ earth fill embankment have :
(i) Rocky beds except those, which are very susceptible
to weathering e.g. rocks consisting of shales and other
soft rocks, which become muddy after coming into
contact with water.
(ii) Soils conforming to specifications of blanket
material.
 SPECIFICATIONS & THICKNESS OF
BLANKET LAYER
• Based on availability of local soils/materials and on economic
considerations, Formation may be constructed with Single Layer system
/ Two Layer System

Single Layer Blanket Layer over Blanket

System Embankment fill E/Fill

Two Layer Blanket + Prepared Blanket

system subgrade over Prepared Subgrade
Embankment fill Earth Fill

• The thickness of the prepared sub-grade and blanket layer are rationalized
based on UIC-719R calculation for ballast cushion of 350 mm.

• Different thickness for 25 T and 32.5 T ( both for Single Layer system / Two Layer
System)
SPECIFICATIONS BLANKET LAYER
• Cu > 7 and Cc between 1 and 3.
• Fines (passing 75 microns) : 3% to 10%.
• Los Ángeles Abrasión valué < 40%.
• Minimum Soaked CBR value compacted at
100% of MDD (MDD achieved in Lab) >/= 25
• Minimum EV2 (Modulus of deformation) on top of compacted
blanket layer –
100 MPa (for 25 T AxleLoad) and
120 Mpa (for 32.5 T AxleLoads).
 SPECIFICATIONS BLANKET LAYER
• Size gradation – more or less within specified
range or enveloping curves

Enveloping Curve for Blanket Material

SPECIFICATIONS BLANKET LAYER

SL IS sieve Size % passing ( by Weight)

1 40 mm 100
2 20 mm 80-100
3 10 mm 63-85
4 4.75 mm 42-68
5 2 mm 27-52
6 600 micron 13-35
7 425 micron 10-32
8 212 micron 6-22
9 75 micron 3-10
 SPECIFICATIONS BLANKET LAYER
• Filter Criteria should be satisfied with prepared
subgrade/subgrade layer just below blanket layer, as :
o Criteria–1: D15 (blanket) < 5 x D85 (sub-grade)
o Criteria–2: D15(blanket) > 4 to5 D15 (sub-grade)
o Criteria–3: D50(blanket) < 25 x D50 (sub-grade)
• Filter criteria is optional, if Non-woven Geotextile is used
as as a separator layer below the blanket.

• Field Compaction : min 100% of MDD acheived in Field

compaction trial (MDD in field trial should not be < 98% of MDD in
Lab)
 Thickness of Formation Layers
Table 2: for 25 T axel Load

SL Soil Type Prepared Sub-grade Recommended Remarks

in Sub- Soil type Thickness Blanket Thickness
grade (mm) (mm)

1 SQ1 - 550 SINGLE LAYER

2 SQ1 SQ2 500 400 TWO LAYER
3 SQ1 SQ3 500 300 TWO LAYER
4 SQ2 - 400 SINGLE LAYER
5 SQ2 SQ3 350 300 TWO LAYER
6 SQ3 - 300 SINGLE LAYER
Thickness of Formation Layers for 25 T axel Load

400 BK/M 300 BK/M

BK/M 550
500 SQ3
500 SQ2
SQ1
SQ1
SQ1

300 BK/M 300 BK/M

BK/M 400
350 SQ3 SQ3
SQ2
SQ2
 Thickness of Formation Layers

Table 3: for 32.5 T axel Load

SL Soil Type Prepared Sub-grade Recommended Remarks

in Sub- Soil type Thickness Blanket Thickness
grade (mm) (mm)

1 SQ1 - 700 SINGLE LAYER

2 SQ1 SQ2 500 550 TWO LAYER
3 SQ1 SQ3 500 450 TWO LAYER
4 SQ2 - 550 SINGLE LAYER
5 SQ2 SQ3 350 450 TWO LAYER
6 SQ3 - 450 SINGLE LAYER
Thickness of Formation Layers for 32.5 T axel Load

550 BK/M 450 BK/M

BK/M 700
500 SQ3
500 SQ2
SQ1 SQ1
SQ1

450 BK/M 450 BK/M

BK/M 550
350 SQ3
SQ2 SQ3
SQ2
 Thickness of Formation Layers
Embankment with fine grained fill material
If SQ2 / SQ1 soil used in Prepared subgrade / Subgrade
Para (7.5) :

• To prevent upward mitigation of fines from these layers

and causing contamination of layer on top of it.
• To prevent penetration of coarse particles of layer on
top of it

A suitable non-woven Geo-textile layer may be used as

“separator” layer below blanket layer.

* Specifications of Non-woven Geotextile Separator given in Appendix -C

 Thickness of Formation Layers
Embankment with fine grained fill material
Thickness of Formation Layers
Specification for Single layer system
 Thickness of Formation Layers
Specification for Single layer system
Sub-grade/ Embankment fill:
Top Layer (100 cm)–
• SQ1 to be used only with dispensation of PCE/CAO.
• CBR >/= 6 (soil compacted to 98% of MDD)
• for SQ1, CBR >/= 4 (soil compacted to 98% of MDD)
• Minimum EV2 = 45 MPa (for SQ1)
= 60 MPa (for SQ2/SQ3)
• Field Compaction : min 98% of MDD

Lower Fill –
• CBR >/= 3 (soil compacted to 97% of MDD)
• Field Compaction : min 97% of MDD
Specification for Two layer system
 Specification for Two layer system
Prepared Sub-grade/:
• CBR >/= 8 (soil compacted to 98% of MDD)
• Minimum EV2 = 60 Mpa, Plasticity Index </= 12
• Field Compaction : min 98% of MDD

Sub-grade/ Embankment fill:

Top Layer (50 cm)–
• SQ1 to be used only with dispensation of PCE/CAO.
• CBR >/= 5, CBR for SQ1 >/= 4 (soil compacted to 97% of MDD)
• Minimum EV2 = 30 MPa (for SQ1), 45 MPa (for SQ2/SQ3)
• Field Compaction : min 97% of MDD

Lower Layer –
• CBR >/= 3 (soil compacted to 97% of MDD)
• Field Compaction : min 97% of MDD
 Thickness of Formation Layers

SPECIFICATIONS for SUB SOIL:

• EV2 (modulus of elasticity(also deformation) at the second
step loading during plate load test) >/= 20MPa.
• Cu (Undrained shear strength (cohesion)) >/= 25 KPa (only
for soils having particles finer than 75 micron exceeding 12%)

• N –Value (determined from Standard Penetration test) >/= 5

Other wise required ground improvement.

Providing total thickness of
Formation layer of 1.5m
 Embankment
Total thickness of formation layers: ( A - E)
25T
axel load
F.L. A
BK 40
BK/M
GL G B SQ2 50
Pre. Subgrade
D
SQ1 50
Subgrade (top Layer)
E
Any soil
Lower Fill CBR >/= 3

Case 1
GD- confirms to pre. Subgrade ,
DE –confirms to top-layer and Below E – confirms to Lower fill,
 only Pre-Subgrade of GB depth is required to achieve EV2 at B
& blanket layer AB is required
 Embankment
Total thickness of formation layers: ( A - E)
25T
axel load
F.L. A
BK 40
BK/M
GL G B SQ2 50
Pre. Subgrade
D
SQ1 50
Subgrade (top Layer)
E
Any soil
Lower Fill CBR >/= 3

Case 2
DE – confirms to minimum required depth of top-layer and EV2 at D as specified,
Below E- confirms to Lower fill,
 Pre-Subgrade and blanket layer of specified depth is required
 Embankment
Total thickness of formation layers: ( A - E)
25T
axel load
F.L. A
BK 40
BK/M
GL G B SQ2 50
Pre. Subgrade
D
SQ1 50
Subgrade (top Layer)
E
Any soil
Lower Fill CBR >/= 3

Case 3
DE – Not confirms to minimum required depth of top-layer and also not meet
EV2 value at D as specified,
Below E- confirms to Lower fill,
 Upper layer should be removed and compacted after replacing
intermediate layer with specified quality of soil.
Embankment

Bank Height – 1m.

 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Formation Pre. Subgrade
depth C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 1
AB- confirms to Blanket material, BC- confirms to pre. Subgrade specified
CD –confirms to top-layer and Soils Below D – confirms to Lower fill,
 Ballast may directly laid over it (i.e. FL)
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Formation Pre. Subgrade
depth C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 2
AB- not confirms to Blanket material and BC- not confirms to pre. Subgrade
But CD –confirms to minimum required depth of top-layer of subgrade &
EV2 at C as specified and
Soils Below D – confirms to Lower fill,
 only Prepared subgrade and Blanket layer of specified thickness are
required
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Formation Pre. Subgrade
depth C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 3
If any intermediate layer BC and/or CD upto minimum required depth not
confirms to specification of Prepared subgrade and top-layer of subgrade
& also do not meet EV2 value at B/ C as specified (Soils Below D – confirms to
Lower fill)

 upper layer should be removed and compacted after replacing

intermediate layer with specified quality of soil
 Formation in Cuttings

Cuttings, 25T Axle Load (Single Layer System)

 Formation in Cuttings

Cuttings, 25T Axle Load (Two Layer System)

 Material for Blanket
• Naturally available sand, quarry dust or crusher run, if
available at low cost, can be used as prepared subgrade.
• Generally naturally available materials do not meet the
desired specifications, blanket material can be produced by
mechanical process from crushing or blending method or
combination of these two methods.
Mechanical production of Blanket material
Crushing: Depending on the proximity of project site from
the parent rock/boulder sources, it may be decided to crush
the rock/boulder in order to produce crushed blanket
material.
• Blending Methodology :
Blanket material could be obtained by proper blending of
two or more soils or in combination with soils and
crushed material like stone chips or quarry dust.
The photograph of the wet mix plant (Pug mill blender) :
 CBR ( Laboratory Method)
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test is a penetration test developed
by the California State Highway Department of USA for the
evaluation of sub-grade strengths for roads and pavements.
• is empirical measures of stiffness and the shear strength of material.
• CBR values and allowable bearing capacity are being used in
formation design practices globally.

Force per unit Area required to penetrate a soil mass with a circular
plunger of 50 mm diameter at the rate of 1.25 mm/minute
CBR% = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That required for corresponding penetration of a standard material.

70
 CBR ( Laboratory Method)

Load (or pressure) sustained by the specimen at 2.5 or 5mm penetration

CBR%= --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Load (or pr.) sustained by standard aggregate at the corresponding level

• CBR values will be calculated for penetration of 2.5mm and 5mm

after 4 days soaked soil sample.

• Generally, the CBR value at 2.5 mm penetration will be greater than

that at 5mm penetration and it is taken as the CBR value for design
purpose.

• If the CBR value corresponding to a penetration of 5mm exceeds

that for 2.5mm, the test shall be repeated.

• If identical results follow, the bearing ratio corresponding to 5mm

penetration shall be taken for design

71
 CBR ( Laboratory Method)
 Remoulded specimen:
• The dry density - either the field
density or the value of the MDD
estimated by the compaction test
• The water content used for
compaction shall be the optimum
water content or the field moisture
as the case may be.
• A representative sample of the
soil- @ 4.5 kg or more for fine
grained soil and 5.5 kg or more for
 CBR Test Apparatus.
granular soil taken and mixed
 CBR Mould with Base
Plate, Stay Rod and Wing thoroughly with water.
Nut
 Compaction Rammer
72
 CBR ( Laboratory Method)
 Remoulded specimen:
• Insert the spacer disc over the base. Place the filter paper on the top of the spacer
disc.
• Compact the mix soil in the mould using heavy compaction. i.e. compact the soil in 5
layers with 55 blows to each layer by the 4.89 kg rammer.
• Place a filter paper over the specimen and place perforated plate on the compacted
soil specimen in the mould.
• Put annular weights to produce a surcharge equal to weight of base material and
pavement, to the nearest 2.5 kg.
• Immerse the mould assembly and weights in a tank of water and soak it for 96 hours.
• Mount the tripod for expansion measuring device on the edge of the mould and record
initial dial gauge reading.
• At the end of soaking period, note down the final reading of the dial gauge and take the
mould out of water tank.
• Remove the free water collected in the mould and allow the specimen to drain for 15
minutes.

73
 CBR ( Laboratory Method)
 Procedure For Penetration Test
• Place the mould assembly with test specimen on the lower plate of penetration
testing machine.
• Set the load and deformation gauges to read zero. Apply the load on the piston
so that the penetration rate is about 1.25 mm/min.
• Record the load readings at penetrations of
0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 4.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and
12.5 mm.
• Take about 20 to 50 g of soil from the top 30
mm layer and determine the moisture content.
• Draw graph between Load versus Penetration.
• If the initial portion of the curve is concave
upwards, apply correction by drawing a
tangent to the curve at the point of greatest
slope and shift the origin.
V 74
• C.B.R. = (PT/PS) X 100
 Deformation Modulus (EV2)
• Ref: DIN 18134 - April2012
• Deformation Modulus(EV2) takes into account bearing capacity of
soil as well as deformation condition.
• The plate load test permits the relationship between load and
settlement (load-settlement curve) to assess the deformation and
strength characteristics of soil.
• It is calculated from Load- settlement curve for second cycle of
loading.
• It is to be conducted on top of Blanket layer/ Prepared subgrade/
Subgrade/ subsoil.
• It defines stiffness of layers, depends on quality of soil (type) as well
as workmanship( Thickness of layer, compaction of layer)

75
 Deformation Modulus (EV2)
 It is calculated from Load- settlement curve for second cycle of loading- from
gradient of the secant between points 0.3σmax and 0.7σmax

• EV2= 1.5 * r *(∆σ) / (∆S)

• Where Ev – strain modulus in
MN/ m2
• R – radius of loading plate in mm
• ∆σ- change in stress in between
0.3 σmax and 0.7σmax
• ∆S – Change in settlement
corresponding to stress values in
mm.

V
Interpretation of Soil Parameters for Embankment
S PARAMETERS IDEAL ACTUAL EFFECTS AT SITE
RANGE / LIMIT FOUND

Percentage passing Ballast penetration and formation

1 75 micron sieve < 50% 69%-99% failures.

2 Liquid Limit (LL) < 35 39-64 Ballast penetration.

3 Plasticity Index (PI) <15 21-39 Ballast penetration.

Development of transverse &

4 Shrinkage Limit > 14 5.5-14 longitudinal shrinkage cracks during
summers & ballast penetration.

28.08- 28.41
5 Natural
content
moisture
< PL. Bulging in slope.
> NMC

6 Degree of compaction 80-87% Settlement of formation and variation

Min 98%
in longitudinal level.

7 Unconfined > 25 kPa 5.2 - 20.3 kPa Settlement of formation, slope failure
compressive strength or base failure problem.
8 CBR >3 1.82-3.3 Bearing capacity failure

9 Slope Stability
Analysis > 1.4 1.060 - 1.384 Slope failure and base
failure problem.
THANKS
 GE-0004: Thickness of Formation Layers
Embankment with fine grained fill material

Use of Geogrid Para (7.3 &7.4)) :

• To reduce blanket layer: Geo-grid can be used as
stabilisation element , based on techno-economic
consideration / to reduce adverse impact on environment.
• Design to be submitted to RDSO for approval.
• Zonal rly should consider only those firm which have
successfully used the same product in similar application
at minimum 3 locations, with minimum 3 yrs’ experience
at one of location in India / international.
Providing total thickness of
Formation layer of 1.5m
 If reduction in thickness of formation layer is
required, then reduction will be done first in lower fill
then in top layer of subgrade then in prepared
subgrade and so on.
 Design of formation, including adoption of single layer/
two layer system and use of SQ1 soil shall be decided by
PCE/CAO(c) on the basis of soil investigation.
 In case of PSU, the powers of PCE/CAO (c) shall be
exercised by appropriate level of authority as nominated
by CMD/MD of the PSU.
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Pre. Subgrade
1.5 m
C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 1
AB- confirms to Blanket material & EV2 at A as specified ,
BC- confirms to pre. Subgrade & EV2 at B as specified
CD –confirms to top-layer & EV2 at C as specified and
Soils Below D – confirms to Lower fill,
 Ballast may directly laid over it (i.e. FL)
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Pre. Subgrade
1.5 m
C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 2
AB- not confirms to Blanket material, but
BC- confirms to pre. Subgrade & EV2 at B as specified
CD –confirms to top-layer & EV2 at C as specified and
Soils Below D – confirms to Lower fill,
 only Blanket layer of specified thickness is required
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Pre. Subgrade
1.5 m
C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 3
AB- not confirms to Blanket material and BC- not confirms to pre. Subgrade
But CD –confirms to minimum required depth of top-layer of subgrade &
EV2 at C as specified and
Soils Below D – confirms to Lower fill,
 only Prepared subgrade and Blanket layer of specified thickness are
required
 Cuttings
GL

FL A
BK/M
B
Pre. Subgrade
1.5 m
C
Subgrade (top Layer)
Lower Fill D

Case 4
If any intermediate layer BC and/or CD upto minimum required depth not
confirms to specification of Prepared subgrade and top-layer of subgrade
& also do not meet EV2 value at B/ C as specified (Soils Below D – confirms to
Lower fill)

 upper layer should be removed and compacted after replacing

intermediate layer with specified quality of soil