Forest Road Inspection and Investigation Guide

1Kay Associates
InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation
Copyright November 1998 - 2005
Inspection and
Investigation for
Forest Roads
Inspection andInspection and
Investigation forInvestigation for
Forest RoadsForest Roads
Kay AssociatesKay AssociatesKay Associates
[client name][client name]
LocationLocation –– [name][name]

2Kay Associates
A G E N D AA G E N D A
ClassroomClassroom -- Day 1Day 1
8.00am8.00am –– StartStart -- ClassroomClassroom
10am10am –– CoffeeCoffee
12noon12noon –– LunchLunch
2pm2pm –– CoffeeCoffee
4pm4pm -- EndEnd
FieldField –– Day 2Day 2
8am - Field Trip to Jamieson Cr
12noon – Bag Lunch
4.30 – Return to marshal point
Inspection and InvestigationInspection and Investigation
for Forest Roadsfor Forest Roads
Instructor: Eric L KayEric L Kay
SafetySafety
• Room exitsRoom exits
•• First aidFirst aid
•• Emergency medicalEmergency medical
evacuation Proceduresevacuation Procedures
•• AmbulanceAmbulance -- 911911
Self introductionsSelf introductions

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Morning –
Providing a short review of past and current Road
Construction methods and techniques, (including plans,
profiles, cross sections & mass haul and a case study of
reinforced road construction)
Thorough understanding of the vital elements of a road
lead to a better understanding of the investigation process
Afternoon – Visual presentation of road
construction, maintenance and deactivation.
Review with a strong focus on minimizing site degradation
and an in depth overview of environmental concerns and
issues
Learning to recognize the “red flags” that warn of potential
problems with a view to prevention of detrimental
occurrences rather than a reactionary one.
Day 1, ClassroomDay 1, Classroom

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation
Day 2, Field trip
Is a strong re-enforcement of the
classroom discussion on accepted
Road Engineering, Construction and
Maintenance practices and procedures,
with a strong emphasis on the practical
investigation of road related issues.
Class field exercises;
Problem road layout and design.
Stream crossing risk assessment exercise.
Mock role playing of an investigation process.
A major focus of the field trip is water management,
soils stability, environmental impact reduction,
controlling and managing costs.

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“Even with full cooperative planning certain day-by-day
realities have to be addressed”

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We need to delve deeply into aWe need to delve deeply into a
complex & interwovencomplex & interwoven picturepicture
CONNECTIONSCONNECTIONS

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation ••Balance of;Balance of;
-- InstructionInstruction
-- TrainingTraining
-- AwarenessAwareness
Management
Supervisors Workers
Commitment
Counting growth rings
Field training
Classroom

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Some key areas of concern
6
5
7
Management of sediment sources;
day to day regular work areas
end haul disposal sites
culvert installation
culvert repair and maintenance
cut slopes
fill slopes
ditches (erosion/cleaning)
ROAD SURFACES

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Prevention of large environmental
impacts
Landslides
Damage to streams
Damage to wetlands
Damage to riparian areas

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Lilloet, BCWadi slide, Port McNiel, BC
Rivers Inlet, Restoration
Cost of repair / restorationCost of repair / restoration
Other Costs?

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The use of poor
armouring materials
• Rock size selection
Poor armouring work
• Inlet
• Outlet
• Discharge slope
• Poor compaction of;
• Fill material
ditch block Sidecast
The use of poor
materials for;
• backfill
• ditchblock
• Armour
CULVERTS
9
B 10 9

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Oyster River, Vancouver Island
Isabel Island, Solomons
Culvert FailuresCulvert Failures
Armoured Ford, Kelowna BC
9
• Common Faults
• Undersized
• Plugged
• Damaged
• Improperly installed

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.
Clulvert installation issues

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Culvert Maintenance Issues
Cleaning

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– The use of poor
armouring
materials
• size selection
• geotextiles
– Poor armouring
work
• stream banks
• abutments
• channel
• water energyKay & Associates
– The use of poor
materials for;
• backfill
• armour
– Poor compaction
of;
• fill material
• ballast
• surfacing
BRIDGES 10
Case Study
Powerpoint:
“Riparian Areas”

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Cut slopes;
– Unstable angle of
repose
– Overhanging rocks
and stumps
– Management of
seepage
What are others?
– _____________
– _____________
– _____________
Sidecast & Fill
problems;
– Long spoil slopes
– Fill placed in an
unstable manner
– Fill placed ON
unstable material
Incorrect location;
– Culverts
– Landings
– Spoil sites
11

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Plans
Optimized for the harvesting equipment.
Optimized for the loading and hauling equipment.
Optimized for the equipment that will be used for
road construction.
Road location optimized for disposal of waste
materials.
Some key areas of concernSome key areas of concernInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation
Road location optimized for
access to road-building materials.
Road location optimized for
lowest-cost construction
procedures.
Road optimized for least
environmental impact.
12

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Prevention in all phases;Prevention in all phases;
•• PlanningPlanning
-- AssessingAssessing
-- Written plansWritten plans
-- FundingFunding
•• ConstructionConstruction
•• MaintenanceMaintenance
•• DeactivationDeactivation
Periodic InspectionsPeriodic Inspections
Are part of prevention!Are part of prevention!
NegativeNegative
IMPACTSIMPACTS
Slide event
Stabilized with grass seed
Site today
13

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Grading
13
Use grader to crown, inslope, or outslope
road to manage surface water (and
sediment)
Roads continually lose surfacing
materials to dust and rain, lowering the
road, and exposing sub-grade
Improper grading continually widens the
road, impacting on wetlands and
watercourses

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Road sub-surface
Vibratory Compactor Roller
Case SV208, Sheepsfoot roller
Used for Sandy Soils

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Champion 605T Automatic, 12' Molboard
Road Maintenance
Options for Grader Blade
cutting edges
Regular or curved cutting
edge
Serrated edge (ice blade)
Carbide tipped
Olofsfors
AB P 300

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Road Surfacing - CompactionInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation

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Road Surfacing – Agents
• Calcium/Magnesium
Chloride
• Lignum based products
• Enzyme products

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Understanding;
Maps, Plans, Profiles, Cross sections,
Mass haul diagrams
Special instructions
Geotechical Reports
Aerial photographs
Other?________________
Road Construction Planning
15

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Actually relating the plans to physical
features in the field (orientation)
–– Group exerciseGroup exercise –– Field demonstrationField demonstration
Aerial photographs as an aid to
inspection and investigation
Road layouts that can be improved
(consideration of all alternate solutions
and their values/negatives)
Road Construction Planning
15

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Road Location and Design
Water
management
Slope stability
Minimize
environmental
impact
Costs
“a road in
the right
place is”
15
Encompasses;
Harvest species
Harvesting
method
Log transport
Good to Build
Good to Log
Good to Maintain
Good to Deactivate

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Drawn true to scale and show;
– Road Centerline
– Station numbers
– Reference points
– Culvert locations
– End haul areas (and disposal sites)
– Ground slopes in percentage
– Contour lines
Reading and Understanding Plans

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Vertical distance is exaggerated 10
times for visual effect and easier
measuring
Heavy gradeline is road
Dotted line is the actual ground
surface line Measured at the centerline
and indicates the need to cut or fill
Grade Percentage, shown as + or -
(e.g.. +8%)
Reading and Understanding Profiles

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They are a “slice” taken out of the
hillside to show the road in an
“end on” view
Dotted line is the actual ground
surface line
Cuts and Fills are indicated
Cut and fill slope angles are
shown
Reading and Understanding
Cross Sections

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Reading and Understanding
Mass Haul diagrams
They are a graphical
representation of;
• volume
• direction
• distance
that material must be moved
Class exercise:
Class exercise:

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When a detailed work plan has
been formed, or a report from
a professional for;
–End Haul
–Stream crossings
–Riparian areas
–High risk or hazard
–Unstable ground
Special instruction areas
20
21

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Optimum road location
Locate road on bench to consider;
Harvesting system (or systems)
Stable disposal of sidecast material
The use of sliver fills to dispose of
excess material
The need to generate rock for
roadbuilding Ie. ballast, capping or rip-rap
Locate to reduce material handling
Ie. balanced cut and fill, or moving only for short
distances back or forward

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Current accepted road construction
practices and techniques:
Overlanding
Balanced cut &
fill(partial bench
cuts)
Full bench cuts
Sliver fills
Endhauling
Road sub-grade
Construction;
Methods
Equipment
Materials
Expertise
Training
Supervision
Road capping
(surfacing)
materials
Compaction
Borrow pits,
Quarries, Spoil
sites, Waste areas
Tote roads
Snow/Ice roads

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Managing Costs
$230,000 / km
$150,000 / km
$127,000 / km
16.4 cu m
9.1 cu m
11.0 cu m

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Ditchline Erosion
Water - Depth and Velocity
Double the depth =
4 times the velocity =
Moves 64 times in size/weight

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Ditchline erosion
Polyethylene used to
allow growth of grass
for ditchline armour

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Settling ponds
Settling times (1m depth)
•Coarse silt – .2 hr
•Medium silt – 1.3 hr
•Fine silt – 14 hr
•Clay – 5 days
Times are approximate,
temperature of 5° C and assume
no turbulence.
Silt – 0.05mm to 0.002mm
Clay – < 0.002mm

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High degree of strength
Longitudinally / Laterally
Opening size is chosen to support the
ballast material in a pyramid fashion.
This pyramid action distributes user
weight over a larger area.
Thinner layer of ballast is required.
Managing Costs
Geogrids

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Managing Costs
Geotextiles
Provide a separation layer between
Subgrade and Ballast
Prevents the migration of fines
E.g. pumping-upward and
contaminating the ballast and
surfacing materials.
Thinner layer of ballast is required.

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Overhanging vegetation
• Shade (water temperature / Hiding)
• Nutrients (debris, bugs, insects etc)
• Habitat for insects and bugs
• Protection for animals/rodents & access to waterway
Large and medium boulders for;
• Resting places out of water energy flow
• Hiding places from predators
Root systems providing;
• Bank erosion control
• Bottom scour(deeper water)
• Habitat for Animals, rodents, aquatic species
Floodplain for;
• Energy dissipation in high-water events
• Deposition of beneficial sediments
Gravel bars for fish values (multiple-graded material)
Waterways Key Environmental Elements

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Miss-direction of water - Culvert; location /
inlet / outlet
Ditches - Controlling energy
Ditches – when is it better not to have a
ditch.
Lack of armour (what constitutes good
armour)
Seepage and piping water from cut slopes
(piping water and internal sediment
transport)
Water management

43Kay Associates
! Ponding water behind the road
! Water hydrology and types of erosion; Sheet,
Rilling and Gullying
! Sediment generation from; Road surface,
Ditchlines, Cut slopes, Fill slopes
! Vegetation as tool for control in the movement
of sediment (see bioengineering exercise)
! Sediment Control – Silt fences, Hay bales,
Settling ponds, Check dams (see “Planning
for Installation, Maintenance and Removal of
Silt Fence)
Water management

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Use control device
BEFORE sediment
enters a waterway
(ditchline or
stream)
Do not use in
running water
such as a ditch or
stream!
Sediment ControlSediment Control –– Silt fenceSilt fence
–– Hay balesHay bales
Water management

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Check-dams – Correct hay bale use.
Horseshoe shape is critical
• Ensure to provide
erosion protection
(armour) at
discharge
•Trapped Sediment
• Vegetated
• Regular Inspection and
Maintenance Required

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B 50
Water managementWater management

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Monitor and Maintain!!!
Removal of accumulated sediment when
1/2 height on silt fence
Plan for removal
Of silt fence
Of accumulated sediment
Sediment Control – Silt fences,
Hay bales
See powerPoint;
– Silt fence/Hay bales
Water managementWater managementInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation

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Common issues
Culvert; location / Sizing / Length
Culvert; poor base preparation (materials and
compaction)
Culvert; poor materials used for;
Backfill/ditchblock/armour
Rip-rap placement
Fillslope materials encroachment
Ditchline discharge location
Erodible fill – stream/wetland/lake
Provisions for silt and sediment control
Water Crossings

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Identification of natural drainages
for culvert locations
Actual culvert location
Natural drainage

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Provisions for silt and sediment control
See PowerPoint:
“Stream Crossing
Water Management”
and
See PowerPoint:
“Armoured Fords”

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Crossing installation – Skew, Ditch
block, Structure length, base
compaction, _________
Armour(inlet, outlet & discharge)
Quality and compaction of backfill
Were detailed plans followed during
installation?
Prioritize crossings to investigate / not
investigate
Water Crossings

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Log culverts

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Culvert shape
Bridge design

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Road deactivation should take into
consideration:
a) provisions for safe fish passage
and protection of fish habitat at the
crossing, and up and downstream of
the structure; and
b) provisions for control of silt and
sediment at stream crossings.
Water Crossings

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Erosion Control – Sediment

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Retains moistureRetains moisture
Raindrop protectionRaindrop protection
Wind protectionWind protection
Retains warmthRetains warmth
Decay provides nutrientsDecay provides nutrients
Seed rooting protectionSeed rooting protection
InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Erosion
Control
– Mulch

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Cut Slope - sediment generator
Oyster River,
Glacial till.
Continuous
sediment
generating source
and costly road
maintenance
problem.
Oversteep –
Continually failing,
will not re-
vegetate until it
reaches a stable
angle of repose.

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Issues
Perched material - berms
Natural angle of repose
Buried organics /LWD on
steeper slopes
Duff layer under fill acting
as a slip layer
Placing of fill material that
may be easily erodible
Best to;
“Key in” fill material for
road support
Slope Stability - Fill slopes
Inspection and Investigation
River Bio-Bio

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Cut Slope - sediment generator - Solutions
Remove failing headscarp: Eg. Explosives /
Spider excavator (see PowerPoint: “Removing
Headscarps for Cut-slope Stabilization” )
Slope back to angle of repose (Seldom is a viable
solution)
Provide internal drainage (Gravel / Synthetics / Live
pole drains)
Cut off water source (surface / subsurface) (see
PowerPoint “Contour Drainage for Slope Stabilization”
Install full or partial retaining wall
(buttressing) (reduce apparent slope angle)
Use Bio-engineering techniques for
stabilization assistance (see PowerPoint
“BioEngineering” and also handout material)

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CASE STUDY
(35mm slide presentation)
Foley Creek FSR
Engineered Fill Slope
using Geogrids
Slope Stability - Fill Slopes

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Slope Stability - Cut Slopes
Natural angle of repose
Consolidated and unconsolidated
material
Over-steepening V/S sloping back
Some materials behave better when
vertical

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Geogrid
Cut Slope - buttressing
Existing slope line
100+%
New stable slope angle
~60%
Live willow stakes
Conifers
Gabion baskets three high
Decreased ditchline size (or eliminated)
Geogrid
Drainage underneath gabion baskets. Eg.
installation of a French Drain. Note: may
need to also install a pipe to provide extra
carrying capacity!
Drainage under road. Eg. installation of multiple culverts,
Rock Drains or a Blanket Drain where there is a need to not
concentrate water energy.
Typical slope treatment for stabilization using gabion
baskets to reduce apparent slope angle and using
bioengineering techniques in conjunction to effect a
green solution that will provide for slope stability and
effective sediment control.
Live willow-wattling.
Note: Stakes installed 90° to slope
Headscarp removed

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French
Drains
(rock-
drains)

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Climate
Climate areas
Eg. Maritime, Hyper-
maritime etc.
Local climatic
patterns
Slope aspects
Microclimates

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Road Maintenance
Brushing
Maintaining
ditchlines
Culvert
maintenance
Road surfacing
materials
Compaction
Grading practices

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Soil Disturbance
Harvesting
Resource extraction
Skid trails
Planting

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Grass seeding and fertilizing -
- Quality control (Dry and
Hydro seeding)
Erosion control blankets VS
Bonded fiber matrix
Planting of Conifers
or Hardwoods for
stabilization
Revegetation

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Revegetation
Need for on-going inspection
Infill planting
Periodic re-fertilizing
B 77

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36
Cut and fill slope support.
– Live staking, Wattling, Brush layering,
Instream erosion protection
– Bank protection
Water seepage management
– Live pole drains
Bio-engineering
Optional
35mm Slides
Tray 2
See:

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37
Sediment control and Sediment
traps
– Live staking, Wattling, Brush layering
Combining bio-engineering with
hard engineering
Bio-engineering
Optional
35mm Slides
Tray 2
See:

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Types and common failureTypes and common failure
problemsproblems
OPTIONALOPTIONAL -- Refer to handoutRefer to handout and / orand / or
OptionalOptional powerpointpowerpoint presentationpresentation
LandformsLandforms
Rock identification keyRock identification key
The effects of the Ice ages on ChileThe effects of the Ice ages on Chile
(diagrams of ice flows)(diagrams of ice flows)
Fault linesFault lines
Groundwater resourcesGroundwater resources
Tectonic platesTectonic plates
ROCK
.

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ROCKROCK
BlastingBlasting
Understanding blasting recordsUnderstanding blasting records
•• Class exerciseClass exercise
Class and Field discussion onClass and Field discussion on
examples of;examples of;
•• Good / Bad blasting controlGood / Bad blasting control
•• FlyrockFlyrock (minimizing)(minimizing)
•• OverbreakOverbreak (controlling overbreak)(controlling overbreak)
Option: Play blasting CDOption: Play blasting CD

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Mineral soils
Organic soils
Knowledge of soils
– Organic / Mineral
– How they were derived
How do they affect road stability?
How do they affect slope stability?
Seek professional advise on soils
stability

74Kay Associates
“I hear the fish are
biting,,, we should
wet a line this
weekend!”
“The most effective method of avoiding landslide
problems is to avoid building roads in areas that
are likely to be unstable – use geotechnical advise.

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Karst
Formations
Sensitive landscape
Cave Protection
Pozo de las Ánimas
Foto Rodolfo Rogelio Rocha
PiedraPiedra calizacaliza
cavernacaverna

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Karst
Formations

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Easily damaged by:
– Contamination
– Fire
– Heavy equipment
– Altered hydrology
Karst
Formations

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44
Road related disturbances
FillslopesFillslopes
CutslopesCutslopes
MidslopesMidslopesSee PowerPoint:
“RED FLAGS”

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Locating the clues;
Telltale signs to find the route of the water that may
have been associated with the event.
Signs that materials may have been left at risk(eg
oversteepend cut or fill slope material, large berms)
Possible human actions that may have a relationship
to the failure (before and after the event)
Sub-standard construction practices or maintenance
practices that may have led to the failure
Poor timing of operations Ie. wrong season
Failure to secure the site in anticipation of expected
rainfall.
Fillslopes, Cutslopes & Midslope
See PowerPoint:
“Red Flags”

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Looking for clues after mitigative
actions have been taken
When clues have been obliterated by
mitigative or remedial works
-Persisting with further & more
intensive investigative techniques
-Broadening the investigation area
-Inclusion of experts

81Kay Associates
Chemical contamination
Looking for the possible sources
of suspected water and/or ground
contamination
Shop sites
Field work-sites
Fuel & Oil storage-sites
Disposal sites
Transport spills
Outlining the extent of the
contaminated area
Kay & Associates
Contamination

82Kay Associates
InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Using spill kit
Using pads
Use protective gloves & eyeware
Soak up oil by placing on surface
When saturated (full of oil), place in
leak-proof bags and container.
Dispose of in an approved manner
see handout for more detailed
instructions

83Kay Associates
Using booms
Prior to start of work, place across stream in
quietest possible water downstream from the
worksite.
HINT - If water is turbulent, angle the boom
across stream and direct oil to a back-water.
HINT - Allow for rise and fall of water flow.
In the event of a spill, use pads to absorb oil.
Using spill kitInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation

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RavelingRaveling –– Solutions?Solutions?
Recognizing thatRecognizing that
remedial works canremedial works can
sometimes be moresometimes be more
detrimental than andetrimental than an
existing situationexisting situation
a) Sloping back .
b) Toe support .
c) Engineered retaining wall.
d) Water management .

85Kay Associates
When there are prolonged periods of
saturation
BEFORE ! sediments are started to
be transported
Others ____rain on snow__ ?
When there are expected
periods of high saturation
Wet weather shut down
indicators

86Kay Associates
Shut Down Guidelines
STOP work;
During prolonged saturation
periods
During intense weather systems
Before negative effects are
experienced
When you can not follow the plan
– interpretation situation
– changed site materials
– changed conditions
– incorrect materials

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigationRoads are an integral part of the harvesting phaseRoads are an integral part of the harvesting phase

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CONSIDER;
When to seek advice from a
professional
Water quality sampling
Evidence gathering
– Photo
– Video
– Interviews
Professional best practicesInspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation

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InspectionandInvestigationInspectionandInvestigation Culvert Inspection
BREAKOUT SESSION
See excerpts from
“Culvert Inspection”
training course

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FIELD DAY – General notes to all attendees;
The field portion can be physically intensive.
Recommended to bring;
Brown bag lunch Appropriate clothing for anticipated
weather
Rain gear & Appropriate boots
Visi-vest or cruisers vest Hard hat
Optional
Sunto(inclinometer), Binoculars, notebook
Safety;
We will be driving on and working on active haul roads,
please observe all safety precautions.
Please observe standard safety procedures for MOF

91Kay Associates
“Never tell people how to do things”
“Tell them what to do and they will
surprise you with their ingenuity”
General George S Patton.

92Kay Associates
Kay Associates
End,End,
Instructor: Eric L Kay
Copyright November 1998 - 2015
for Forest Roadsfor Forest Roads
Telephone: 1 250 337-5095
erickay@kayassociates.com

Forest Road Inspection and Investigation Guide

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