Strong structures called embankments are utilised in building projects to withstand flooding and erosion.

1. What Is An Embankment & Why Is It Important
In Road Projects?
Strong structures called embankments are utilised in building projects to withstand flooding and
erosion. They offer access over sloping terrain and guard against flooding-related catastrophes.
Notably, much thought should be given to design and material choice to ensure its efficacy and
longevity. The functions of embankments and the procedures involved in building them are
covered in this article.
Embankments have a significant role in influencing our environment, from easing transit routes
to assuring irrigation efficiency. Embankments serve two crucial purposes: they ensure efficient
drainage and a strong base. This article will examine embankments in depth, looking at their
varieties, advantages, and methods of construction.
What is an embankment?
A strong earthen structure known as an embankment is built to sustain a road or railway across
low-lying terrain. Additionally, it was constructed to protect against flooding brought on by
rivers or the sea. Embankments are essential for many earthwork tasks, such as building
reservoir dams and runway foundations.
The design of embankments must take into account a number of elements. These consist of
figuring out the ideal height, picking acceptable materials, and running stability assessments.
Ground improvement measures are required to control the settling of the foundation soil when
the embankment demands a high fill height or is built on unstable foundation soil.

2. India's several types of embankments
Road embankments
These embankments are built to elevate the road level over the terrain or water below, creating
a solid platform for moving vehicles.
Railway embankments
Like road embankments, railway embankments are constructed to raise the tracks above the
level of the surrounding terrain, guaranteeing a straight and level track alignment.
River embankments
In order to stop floods and erosion, they are built along riverbanks. In times of strong water flow, these
aid in keeping the river inside its allotted course.
Coastal embankments
To safeguard against the erosive effects of waves, tides, and storms, coastal embankments are built
along coasts. These act as a barrier, stopping the infiltration of seawater and lowering the possibility of
floods and coastal erosion.
Reservoir embankments
These are constructed to impound water and produce sizable bodies of water, such reservoirs or lakes.
For the storage and control of water, the embankments are essential.
Airport runway embankments
In order to provide adequate drainage and stability for aircraft operations, embankments are frequently
erected during airport construction to create a level platform for runways and taxiways.
Advantages of embankments
Flood prevention

3. As barriers for holding and rerouting water during times of severe rainfall or high river levels,
embankments serve a critical role in flood management. They protect people and infrastructure by
assisting in preventing flooding in nearby regions. Embankments reduce the likelihood of widespread
flooding by directing water down defined paths, decreasing the damaging effects of floods on
populations.
Irrigation
By building canals or water storage reservoirs, irrigation embankments make irrigation systems more
effective. They make it possible for water to flow in a regulated manner, directing it towards agricultural
areas, maintaining a steady supply for crop development, and raising agricultural production.
Protection from coastal erosion
The erosive powers of waves, tides, and storms are deterred by coastal embankments. They protect the
shoreline and stop land loss in coastal regions by reducing erosion.
Embankment: The building procedure
An embankment forms the base for the various parts of the road surface in the case of transportation
corridors. The height of the embankment varies depending on the needs of the project. According to the
detailed design report (DPR) for road projects, it is constructed at the appropriate completed road level
(FRL). The main steps in building a road embankment are as follows:
 Public utilities like electricity poles are moved after the area has been cleaned.
 The construction crew defines the embankment's boundaries before beginning the
earthwork by driving pegs into the ground at regular intervals.
 The group levels the initial ground and installs the first layer of the embankment.
 The materials are combined with water to start the compaction process, which is then
rolled to achieve the minimum dry density stipulated in the DPR.
 The original ground is combined with the necessary quantity of water and compacted by
a vibratory roller to get the requisite dry density if the dry density is less than 95% of the
maximum dry density (MDD).
 The crew substitutes acceptable materials in the embankment foundation if
inappropriate materials are discovered.
 The embankment material is applied in stages, each layer having a maximum compacted
thickness of 250 mm.
 When water is needed, it will be evenly sprayed from a water tanker equipped with a
sprayer without flooding the surface, and then completely mixed with soil by harrowing
until the consistent moisture content is attained throughout the layer's depth.

4.  In the event that the provided material is too wet, it is air dried and solar-assisted until
the moisture level is acceptable for compaction. The optimal moisture content (OMC)
range is the moisture content that should be present during compaction.
 In this compaction technique, a vibratory roller with a static weight of 8–10 tonnes is
used.
 To establish the number of passes necessary for a certain kind of soil used in the
embankment to meet the densities outlined in the Ministry of Road Transport &
Highways (MoRTH) Section 300, the team performs compaction testing on a suitable
length.
 The soil compactor is operated until the desired density is attained based on the trial
results.
 According to MoRTH Section 300, the rolling operation continues until the desired
density is obtained.
 According to the DPR, further layers are only applied when the last layer has been
evaluated and approved.
Embankment: Components and their properties
Soil, gravel, fly ash, or a mix of these elements may be used as the embankment construction
material. The selected material must adhere to the strict specifications listed in the DPR.
According to the standards given by the engineer and the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways (MORTH), the materials used should be appropriate, whether they were dug out from
the site or bought from authorised sources. The following are materials that are frequently used
to build embankments:
Fine-grained soil
Low permeability, low shear strength, and high compressibility are characteristics of fine-
grained soil utilised in embankments. Rapid work might weaken it and lead to unstable
situations during construction. However, embankments constructed with fine-grained soil have
demonstrated excellent earthquake resistance.
Coarse-grained soil
In the structural fill, filter, drain, and core zones, coarse-grained soils like sand and gravel are
employed. These soils are less sensitive to variations in moisture, easily compactible, and
permeable. They are, nevertheless, prone to runoff and wave-induced erosion.
Broad gradations of soil

5. Broadly graded soils exhibit characteristics of both fine- and coarse-grained soils due to their
mixture of particle sizes. In comparison to fine-grained soils, they have lower hydraulic
conductivity (the capacity of a fluid to move through pores and broken rocks), higher shear
strength, and lower compressibility. Broadly graded soils are often quite resistant to earthquake
damage when used to build embankments.
Embankment material properties
Maximum dry density
(MDD)
1.52 T/cum for embankments upto 3 m height
1.60 T/cum for embankments greater than 3 m in
height
Coarse material size Less than 75mm
Liquid limit Below 70
Plasticity index Below 45
Embankment: Construction equipment required
 Hydraulic excavator
 Motor graders
 Dozer
 Dumper trucks
 Vibratory compactor
 Soil compactor
 Water tanker
 Tractor trolleys
 Survey kit
Embankment: Quality assurance techniques
 According to MoRTH requirements, measurements of random densities are made.
 With the use of techniques like sand replenishment and non-destructive testing, field
density tests are carried out.
 During density measurements, soft spots are discovered, and further compaction is
applied.
 The soft material is replaced with acceptable material and compacted in accordance
with the prescribed compaction criteria if they are not satisfied.
 Test findings are documented according to authorised inspection and test plans in the
relevant formats.
 The compacted embankment's top layer's alignment and levels are examined to make
sure they adhere to predetermined standards.

6.  Testing operations are meticulously documented, including dates, places, and
permission information.
In conclusion : embankments are essential for many building projects because they help with
flood control, irrigation, and transportation. Filling height, material choice, concerns for
settlement, and stability analysis are among the design factors for embankments. In order to
guarantee the stability and quality of embankments, proper compaction management and
testing are required. Construction of robust embankments is possible if the pertinent
requirements are followed.
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