SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

501 TYPES OF PIPE

501.1 Except as permitted in this Clause, the Contractor shall construct pipe drainage using the
designs of pipe, bedding, haunching and surrounding as shown on the Drawings and
described in the Specifications. However, the Contractor may propose a different design
of pipe supported in the same manner or differently subject to the S.O. being satisfied that
all characteristics of the original design will be met; i.e. that the strength and durability of
the proposed pipe and, if different, the form of support will be at least equal to those of
the original design; that the hydraulic characteristics of the proposed pipe will be at least
equal to those of the original design; and the proposed pipe and supporting materials will
not be injuriously affected by the adjacent ground, the effluent to be carried, or other
causes. The S.O.'s decision as to the acceptability of any different design proposed by
the Contractor shall be final. The S.O.'s approval of a different design proposed by the
Contractor, shall not relieve the Contractor of any of his liabilities and responsibilities for
the Works under the Contract.

501.2 Where the Contractor proposes to use a type of pipe not manufactured in the internal
diameter shown on the Drawings, he may substitute the next larger diameter
manufactured, subject to compliance with the design requirements, including those
concerning clearances and cover, and subject to the written approval of the S.O.

501.3 Unless otherwise shown on the Drawings or agreed by the S.O. only one type of pipe
shall be used within any individual drain length between manholes. All pipes used shall
comply with Clause 2620.

502 EXCAVATION FOR PIPELINES, DRAINS AND DRAINAGE STRUCTURES

502.1 All excavations for pipelines, drains and drainage structures shall as far as practicable be
kept free of water. The Contractor shall construct such temporary drains, ditches, dams,
cofferdams, etc. and provide pumps and other equipment as necessary for this purpose.
Excavations shall be kept as dry as possible during the placing of all bedding materials,
pipes, drains, filters, concrete, etc. and backfill. Placing bedding materials, pipes, drains,
filters, concrete, etc. or backfill under water shall not be permitted unless shown on the
Drawings or otherwise specified or approved by the S.O.

502.2 The sides of pits and trenches shall be adequately supported at all times. Except where
otherwise shown on the Drawings or described in the Specifications or agreed by the S.O.
they shall not be battered. Where shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified or
directed by the S.O., supports shall be left in trenches or pits during and after backfilling.

502.3 The materials excavated in forming pipelines, drains, subsoil drains, and drainage
structures shall, if unsuitable as defined in Clause 601, be run to spoil and, to the extent
necessary for backfill, be replaced with suitable material as defined in Clause 601. All
suitable material shall be set aside for use as backfill. All surplus excavated materials
shall be disposed of in accordance with Clause 601.

502.4 Soft spots in the bottom of drainage excavations shall be removed and the resulting voids
immediately backfilled with pipe bedding material to Clause 2641 compacted in
accordance with Clause 608.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

502 EXCAVATION FOR PIPELINES, DRAINS AND DRAINAGE STRUCTURES

(Cont'd)

502.5 The Contractor shall make good with pipe bedding material to Clause 2641 compacted in
accordance with Clause 608 and as directed by the S.O:

i) any additional excavation required at or below the bottom of a drainage trench

where the Contractor allows the trench bottom to become soft or otherwise
unsuitable for the construction of the pipeline

ii) any trench excavation greater than the net volume required for the drainage work
below the upper level of any pipe surround as shown on the Drawings or
described in the Specifications.

503 BEDDING, LAYING AND SURROUNDING OF PIPES

503.1 Pipes with Granular or Sand Bedding

503.1.1 Immediately after the excavation of the trench to the required lines, levels and dimensions
as shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified and directed by the S.O., pipe bedding
material to Clause 2641 shall be placed and compacted to the full width of the trench in
layers not more than 150mm thick up to a level 16% to 17% of the outside diameter of the
pipe above the bottom of pipe design level. Compaction shall be in accordance with
Clause 608 using equipment approved by the S.O.

503.1.2 The compacted bedding material shall be accurately shaped using a specially prepared
template to receive the pipes snugly at the design level, and the pipe sections shall be laid
in an upstream direction with sockets (if any) towards the inlet, so that each is in contact
with the bed throughout the length of its barrel. In the case of collared or socketed pipes,
bedding material shall be removed from under each collar or socket so that collars and
sockets do not bear on the bed. Bricks or other hard material shall not be placed under
pipes for temporary support.

503.1.3 After jointing of the pipes in accordance with Clause 504 below, the bedding material and
where shown on the Drawings the overlying backfill material shall be brought up equally
on both sides of the pipe, first to the level of the centre of the pipe, and second up to a
height 600mm above the top of the pipe. These operations shall be carried out without
delay for all pipes except pipes for foul water drains or pipes jointed with cement mortar.
For these pipes, the second operation shall be carried out on completion of testing. Up to
the level 600mm above the top of the pipe barrel, the bedding or backfill material shall be
placed in layers each not more than 150mm thick to the full width of the trench, and shall
be carefully compacted in accordance with Clause 608 using compacting equipment
approved by the S.O.

503.2 Pipes with Concrete Bedding (Cradle) or Surround

503.2.1 Immediately after the excavation of the trench to the required lines, levels and dimensions
as shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified and directed by the S.O., a 50mm layer
of Class 10/20 blinding concrete to Clause 1602 shall be constructed to the full width of
the trench.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

503 BEDDING, LAYING AND SURROUNDING OF PIPES (Cont'd)

503.2 Pipes with Concrete Bedding (Cradle) or Surround (Cont'd)

503.2.2 The pipe sections shall be placed in position in the trench, supported on small precast
blocks of concrete of the same class as specified for the cradle or surround. Sockets (if
any) shall be laid towards the inlet.

503.2.3 The pipes shall be jointed in accordance with Clause 504 below, working in an upstream
direction, and the jointed pipe shall be firmly supported on the concrete blocks in the
design position.

503.2.4 After jointing of the pipes, and for foul drains and pipes jointed with cement mortar after
pipe testing, the concrete cradle or surround shall be constructed of Class 20/40 concrete
to Clause 1601 to the dimensions shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified and
directed by the S.O.

503.2.5 The concrete cradle or surround shall be cast monolithically. Special care shall be taken
when placing the concrete to avoid disturbing the position of the pipe and to ensure that
no air pockets are trapped under the pipe. To minimise the risk of air entrapment,
concrete shall be placed from one side of the pipe only until the concrete surface on the
other side has risen above the bottom of the pipe. The concrete shall then be brought up
at the same rate on both sides of the pipe.

503.2.6 Where either vertical or horizontal construction joints in the concrete cradle or surround
become necessary due to conditions or circumstances at the Site, steel reinforcing bars
(transfer bars) shall be provided across each construction joint to the satisfaction of the
S.O.

503.3 Pipes with Concrete Arch

503.3.1 For pipes with granular or sand bedding which are to be provided with a concrete arch,
the placing and compaction of the bedding material and/or backfill material shall be
discontinued at the level of the bottom of the arch. After pipe testing where required, the
concrete arch shall be constructed of Class 20/40 concrete to Clause 1601 to the
dimensions shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified and directed by the S.O.

503.3.2 The concrete arch shall be cast monolithically. Where construction joints become
necessary, the provisions of Subclause 9 above shall apply.

503.4 Backfilling for Pipes with Concrete Bedding (Cradle), Surround or Arch

503.4.1 Where a concrete cradle, surround or arch has been constructed, the backfill operations
shall be completed in the manner described in Subclause 3 above, but only after the
concrete has hardened and the forms have been removed.

503.5 Protection of Pipes

503.5.1 Except for light equipment approved by the S.O. for the placing and compaction of pipe
bedding, surround and backfill materials, no construction plant or other traffic shall be
permitted to travel or operate over or within 2m of any pipe or culvert (concrete pipe,
corrugated metal pipe and reinforced concrete box culverts included), unless otherwise
stated in the Contract or agreed by the Employer's

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

503 BEDDING, LAYING AND SURROUNDING OF PIPES (Cont'd)

503.5 Protection of Pipes (Cont'd)

Representative, until a minimum cover of 600mm backfill and/or subbase and/or roadbase
has been placed over the top of the pipe or culvert and compacted to the requirements of
Clause 608 and Clause 802 as appropriate.

504 JOINTING OF PIPES

504.1 Joints in surface water drains shall be watertight where shown on the Drawings or
otherwise specified or directed by the S.O. Foul sewers shall have watertight joints.
Other drains or ducts may have non-watertight joints which shall be close-fitting to
prevent any flow of water from the joint other than seepage as defined in Clause 509.

504.2 Pipes of clay, concrete and asbestos cement shall have flexible joints in accordance with
the recommendations of the manufacturers of the pipes and joints. A gap shall be left
between the ends of the pipes unless otherwise agreed by the S.O.. Clay pipes shall have
joints that comply with BS 65. Alternatively spigots and sockets of joints may be
caulked with tarred rope yarn and the sockets completely filled with Class 1 cement
mortar, excluding lime, to Clause 2618, with a fillet of cement mortar around the socket
and extending for a length of not less than 50mm from the face of the socket.

504.3 Cast iron pipes with open sockets shall be jointed with properly caulked lead wool.
Pipes with approved flexible joints shall be jointed in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions.

504.4 Corrugated metal pipes and spiral high density polyethylene pipes shall be joined, bolted
or riveted together strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The
corrugations of each sheet shall match those of the adjacent sheet where it overlaps.

504.5 Concrete and clayware pipes with sockets that are used with filter material as described in
Clause 517 shall be laid with unsealed joints at intervals not exceeding 2.0m, and with a
gap of about 10mm between the end of the spigot and the inner end of the socket. The
spigot shall be supported with tarred rope yarn or other suitable flexible jointing material
within the socket over at least the lower third of the circumference so that there are no
vertical steps between pipe sections.

504.6 For perforated or porous concrete pipes with rebated joints and perforated clayware pipes
with rebated joints or flexible sleeve joints, all joints shall be pushed tightly together.

504.7 Other types of perforated pipe shall be jointed in the same way as unperforated pipe of the
same material.

505 BACKFILLING OF TRENCHES

505.1 If the Contractor allows material which, on excavation, is suitable for re-use to become
unsuitable, and it is in this condition when required for backfilling, he shall run it to spoil
and replace it with other suitable material.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

505 BACKFILLING OF TRENCHES (CONT'D)

505.2 Backfilling shall wherever practicable be undertaken immediately after the specified
operations preceding it have been completed. The material shall be deposited in layers,
each not exceeding 150mm thickness and each compacted as specified in Clause 608
using compaction equipment approved by the S.O. Power rammers are not to be used
within 300mm of any part of a pipe or joint.

505.3 Backfilling shall be carried out to the levels shown on the Drawings.

505.4 Trenches for subsoil drains shall be backfilled to the levels shown on the Drawings with
filter material in accordance with Clause 517.

506 CONNECTIONS TO EXISTING SEWERS AND DRAINS

506.1 Where shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified or directed by the S.O., existing
sewers and drains shall be properly extended, connected and jointed to new sewers,
culverts, drains or channels. All such connections shall be made during the construction
of the new sewers, drains or other work, and their positions recorded by the Contractor,
who shall daily hand to the S.O. a copy of the record of the connections made the
previous day. Where pipe connections are made to a brick sewer, concrete culvert, stone
built or lined channel, the pipes shall be well and tightly built into the concrete, brick or
masonry work and be so placed as to discharge at an angle not greater than 60 degrees to
the direction of the flow of the main sewer, drain or channel. The end of the connecting
pipe shall be carefully cut to the necessary angle to be flush with the wall of the main
conduit. Where the connections are between pipe sewers or pipe drains, special pipe
junction pieces shall be provided. These shall be laid true and properly jointed.

506.2 Where a pipe of 300mm diameter or larger is to be jointed to an existing brick manhole,
the opening and the pipe shall be protected by the construction of a brick arch of two
rings of bricks on edge.

506.3 Before entering or breaking into an existing sewer or drain, the Contractor shall give
notice of his intention to the authority responsible for the pipeline to which the connection
is to be made.

507 MANHOLES, SUMPS, INSPECTION CHAMBERS AND CATCHPITS

507.1 Manholes, sumps, inspection chambers, etc. shall be constructed of brickwork, or of

concrete cast in situ, or of precast concrete sections complying with BS 5911, as shown
on the Drawings.

507.2 Foundations to manholes, sumps and inspection chambers shall be of concrete of the
quality and dimensions shown on the Drawings, and shall finish flush with the chamber
sides unless the Drawings show otherwise. Where shown on the Drawings, channels
shall be formed in concrete and finished smooth, or using pre-formed half circle channels
benched up to the chamber sides in neat cement mortar to Clause 2618, Class 1.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

507 MANHOLES, SUMPS, INSPECTION CHAMBERS AND CATCHPITS (Cont'd)

507.3 Brickwork shall be in English bond with Class 3 mortar to Clause 2618. The joints of
brickwork, where exposed, shall be finished with a neat flat joint as work proceeds. The
ends of all pipes shall be neatly built into the brickwork with Class 1 mortar to Clause
2618, and finished flush with the inside surface. Where the diameter of a pipe is 225mm
or more, a 112mm brick arch shall be built around the end of the pipe over the full
thickness of the brickwork.

507.4 Concrete manholes, sumps and other chambers which are cast in situ shall be constructed
in accordance with Series 1400, 1500 and 1600 of these Specifications. Preformed
moulds of synthetic materials may be used as formwork, and may be left in place as part
of the permanent structure.

507.5 Where the depth to invert of manholes, sumps and inspection chambers exceeds 1 metre
below the finished surface of the carriageway or the adjacent ground, iron steps as
specified in BS 1247 shall be built in at a vertical spacing of 300mm centre to centre, with
alternate steps in two vertical lines at 300mm centre to centre horizontally.

507.6 Excavations for manholes and other chambers shall be backfilled with suitable material as
defined in Clause 601 compacted in accordance with Clause 608. Where mechanical
compaction of backfill is impracticable, the manhole or chamber shall be surrounded with
Class E concrete to Clause 1602. Where there are precast concrete access shafts to
precast concrete manholes or chambers, the shafts shall be surrounded by a minimum
thickness of 150mm of Class 25/20 concrete to Clause 1601, with the remaining
excavation backfilled in accordance with Clause 606.

507.7 For rigidly jointed pipes, whether the pipes themselves are of rigid or flexible type,
flexible joints shall be provided adjacent to manholes and chambers.

508 CHANNEL OUTLETS, GULLIES AND CONNECTIONS

508.1 Channel outlets and gulley chambers shall be constructed as shown on the Drawings.
Brickwork shall be in accordance with Clause 507.

508.2 Junction pipes which are laid but not immediately connected to channel outlets shall be
fitted with temporary earthenware stoppers or seals. The positions of all such junctions
shall be clearly defined by means of stakes or tracing wires properly marked and labelled.

509 TESTING AND CLEANING

509.1 Sealed jointed drains for foul water, and spigot and socket jointed pipes for surface water,
up to and including 450mm diameter, shall be tested in sections (e.g. between manholes)
prior to backfilling of trenches, by filling with water under a head of not less than 1.2
metres above the crown of the pipe at the high end, and not more than 6 metres above the
crown of the pipe at the low end. Steeply graded pipelines shall be tested in sections so
that the above-mentioned maximum head shall not be exceeded. Unless otherwise agreed
by the S.O., the test shall commence one hour after filling the test section, at which time
the level of water at the vertical feed pipe shall be made up to produce the required 1.2
metre minimum test head. The loss of water over a 30 minute period shall be measured
by adding water at regular 10 minute intervals to maintain the original water level and
recording the amounts so added. The drain will have passed the test if the volume of
water added does not exceed 3 litres per hour per 100 linear metres

Section 500 Page 6 / 16

SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

509 TESTING AND CLEANING (Cont'd)

509.1 of drain per 25mm of nominal internal diameter. Drains failing to pass the test shall have
the defects made good and shall then be retested.

509.2 Drains for foul water, and spigot and socket jointed pipes for surface water, exceeding
450mm in diameter, shall be subjected to a smoke test before they are covered up. Both
ends of the length of drain to be tested shall be sealed to the satisfaction of the S.O. and
smoke shall then be pumped into the section from an approved smoke machine. Should
any joint in the section show an escape of smoke the defects shall be made good and the
drain retested.

509.3 The bore, linearity and jointing of all drains less than 300mm diameter shall be checked
by drawing through each completed length of pipe a mandrel 750mm long and 12mm less
in diameter than the nominal bore of the pipe, unless an alternative method of checking is
agreed by the S.O.

509.4 On completion of the Works, or earlier if the S.O. agrees, all manholes and drains, except
subsoil drains, shall be flushed from end to end with water and left clean and free from
obstructions.

510 INTERCEPTOR DRAINS AND BERM DRAINS

510.1 Drains shall be located as shown on the Drawings or as directed by the S.O. and be so
constructed that the invert slopes at a uniform or increasing gradient towards the
watercourse, side drain or turnout. Where practicable drains shall be constructed in
advance of the excavation for cuttings.

510.2 Unless otherwise specified or directed by the S.O., drains shall be concrete lined as
shown on the Drawings.

510.3 The inverts of drains shall be stepped as shown on the Drawings or as directed by the
S.O., so that the gradient between steps is not greater than 5%.

511 ROADSIDE DRAINS

511.1 Drains shall be constructed at the locations and to the sections shown on the Drawings.

511.2 The gradients of drains shall follow those of the road, unless otherwise shown on the
Drawings or directed by the S.O.

511.3 Unless otherwise specified or directed by the S.O., drains shall be concrete lined as
shown on the Drawings.

512 TOE DRAINS

512.1 Drains shall be constructed along the toes of embankments to the sections shown on the
Drawings, and shall be so constructed that the invert slopes at a uniform or increasing
gradient towards the watercourse or turn out.

512.2 Unless otherwise specified or directed by the S.O., drains shall be concrete lined as
shown on the Drawings.

Section 500 Page 7 / 16

SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

512 TOE DRAINS (Cont'd)

512.3 The inverts of drains shall be stepped as shown on the Drawings or as directed by the
S.O., so that the gradient between steps is not greater than 5%.

513 MEDIAN DRAINS

513.1 Drains shall be constructed along the median as shown on the Drawings or directed by the
Employer's Representative. Concrete for median drains shall be cast in situ, and/or
constructed from precast sections with joints fully and neatly grouted with Class 3
cement/sand mortar to Clause 2618.

514 BLOCK DRAINS

514.1 Block drains shall be constructed as shown on the Drawings or as directed by the S.O..
They shall consist of precast concrete block inverts on mass concrete bases with brick
walls at the side and close turfing on slopes for open drains, or with brick walls at the
sides and precast concrete cover slabs for closed drains.

514.2 Precast concrete block inverts shall be of the shapes and dimensions shown on the
Drawings and shall be cast using Class 30/10 concrete unless otherwise specified.
Precast concrete inverts shall be manufactured using good quality moulds and the finished
product shall be sound and have smooth inside surfaces all to the approval of the S.O..
Ready made precast concrete inverts may be used subject to the approval of the S.O..
Samples of ready made inverts shall be submitted to the S.O. for approval before placing
an order. Notwithstanding any approval given by the S.O., any defective or broken
invert shall be removed and replaced by the Contractor at his own expense before or after
laying in position.

514.3 Mass concrete bases shall be of the dimensions and thicknesses shown on the Drawings
and shall be constructed with Class 20/40 concrete unless otherwise specified.

514.4 Brick walls for the sides of block drains shall be of the dimensions and thicknesses shown
on the Drawings, and shall be constructed of approved common bricks laid in Class 3
mortar to Clause 2618. All exposed faces of brick walls shall be provided with a 19mm
thick Class 3 mortar rendering trowelled to a smooth hard finish.

514.5 Precast concrete cover slabs shall be cast with Class 30/10 concrete to the dimensions and
thicknesses shown on the Drawings. The cover slabs shall be reinforced as shown on the
Drawings.

514.6 Precast concrete block inverts shall be laid on mass concrete bases in trenches excavated
to the lines and levels shown on the Drawings and jointed to produce a neat even
alignment and gradient. The joints shall be grouted with Class 3 cement/sand mortar to
Clause 2618.

515 SLOPE DRAINS

515.1 Cascading and non-cascading slope drains shall be constructed as shown on the Drawings
or as directed by the S.O. Concrete for slope drains shall be cast in situ, and/or
constructed from precast sections with joints fully and neatly grouted with Class 3
cement/sand mortar to Clause 2618.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

516 SPILLWAYS AND OUTFALL CHUTES

516.1 Spillways and outfall chutes shall be constructed as shown on the Drawings or as directed
by the S.O. Concrete for spillways and outfall chutes shall be cast in situ, and/or
constructed from precast sections with joints fully and neatly grouted with Class 3
cement/sand mortar to Clause 2618.

517 SUBSOIL DRAINS

517.1 Subsoil drains shall be constructed at locations and to the dimensions shown on the
Drawings or as directed by the S.O.

517.2 Unless otherwise shown on the Drawings, the filter material for subsoil drains shall
consist of hard, clean, crushed rock or gravel having a grading within the limits specified
below. The aggregate crushing value of the material shall not exceed 30.

B.S. Sieve Size Percentage by weight passing

63mm 100
37.5mm 85 - 100
20mm 0 - 20
10mm 0 - 5

517.3 Filter material shall be deposited in layers each not exceeding 225mm loose depth and
lightly compacted.

517.4 Where shown on the Drawings, trenches for subsoil drains shall be lined with geotextile
fabric to Clause 2642, Type D.

518 EXISTING DRAINS

518.1 Existing drains severed by the Works shall be recorded and connected into the new
drainage system provided for the interception of surface and ground water. Such drains
shall be cleaned out from the point of severance, and any disturbed pipe relaid to ensure a
free discharge into the new drainage system. The disused part of the severed drain shall
be removed or sealed with puddled clay or other approved material.

518.2 Where an existing drain is exposed and severed by temporary trench excavation, the
position of the drain shall be marked and recorded. The drain shall be temporarily
diverted into another drain or watercourse, or alternatively, the normal functioning of the
drain shall be continued by the construction of a pipeline or channel adequately supported
across the excavation. When the temporary trench is backfilled, the drain shall be
permanently restored on its original line or as otherwise agreed by the S.O.

518.3 The Contractor shall notify the S.O. of any drain which is blocked or is otherwise
defective when the drain is first exposed.

Section 500 Page 9 / 16

SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

519 REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE CULVERTS

519.1 Precast reinforced concrete pipes used for the construction of culverts shall meet the
requirements of BS 5911 or Australian Standard Specification A1342, and be of the
flexible spigot and socket type unless otherwise specified, or approved by the S.O..
Rubber rings used for jointing pipes shall meet the requirements of BS 2494 and shall be
supplied by the same pipe manufacturer to ensure that they match.

519.2 Precast concrete pipes for testing shall be selected at random by the S.O. The Contractor
or manufacturer shall carry out the tests in accordance with the procedures laid down in
BS 5911.

519.3 The quality of materials used and the process of manufacture of precast concrete pipes
shall be subject to inspection and approval by the S.O. Pipes shall be rejected if they
fail to comply with any of the specified requirements, or if they exhibit any of the
following defects at the time and place of installation.

i) Fractures or cracks, except for a single crack which does not extend through the
full thickness of the wall.

ii) Defects that indicate imperfect proportioning of the constituent materials.

iii) Surface defects indicating honeycombing or open texture.

iv) Damaged ends or distortion which would prevent making a satisfactory joint.

519.4 At the discretion of the S.O., occasional imperfections occurring in manufacture or as a

result of accidental damage during handling may be accepted, always provided that
suitable repairs are carried out to the satisfaction of the S.O., and the repaired pipe
conforms to the Specifications.

519.5 Rubber ring joints shall be installed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. Prior to jointing, rubber rings and jointing surfaces shall be cleaned of all
contaminants. The spigot of each pipe shall be inserted concentrically in the socket of
the one previously laid, and the pipe adjusted and fixed in its correct position with the
spigot accurately centred in the socket. Care shall be taken to see that the rubber ring is
adequately compressed to seal the joint.

519.6 Culverts shall not be laid until the exact lines and levels, class, size and length required at
each location have been confirmed by the S.O. All pipe shall be laid to the satisfaction
of the S.O..

519.7 Pipe Culverts to be Constructed in Trenches

519.7.1 Pipe culverts are to be constructed in trenches, unless otherwise approved or directed by
the S.O.. Prior to excavating the trench for a culvert, the ground level shall be built up to
at least 600mm above the top of pipe design level or to formation level, whichever is
lower, by constructing embankment fill as necessary.

519.8 Pipe Culverts in Soft Ground

519.8.1 In soft ground areas, where it is practicable, the soft, spongy or unstable soils shall be
excavated to their full depth as shown on the Drawings or otherwise specified or directed
by the S.O.. The excavation shall extend to a width of at least 1 1/2 times the outside
diameter of the pipe on each side of the culvert centre-line, over the

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

519 REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE CULVERTS (Cont'd)

519.8 Pipe Culverts in Soft Ground (Cont'd)

519.8.1 full length of the culvert and its inlet and outlet structures, and shall be widened as
necessary to cover the complete foundation areas of the inlet and outlet structures. The
excavated area shall be backfilled with suitable material in layers not more than 250mm
thick, compacted in accordance with Clause 608 using equipment approved by the S.O.

519.8.2 Where the foundation for the embankment is to be prepared by excavating and backfilling
in the same or similar way as described in Subclause 8, the culvert and embankment
foundations shall be prepared concurrently. Thereafter the embankment shall be built up
as described in Subclause 7, and a trench excavated in which to construct the culvert.

519.8.3 Where the embankment foundation is to be treated differently from the culvert foundation
as described in Subclause 8, following the preparation and where appropriate the
instrumentation of the embankment foundation, the embankment shall be built up as
described in Subclause 7, subject to any limitations on the rate of filling as described in
Clause 628, and a trench excavated in which to construct the culvert.

519.8.4 In soft ground areas where it is not practicable to prepare the culvert foundation as
described in Subclause 8, the culvert foundation shall be prepared in the same way and
together with the embankment foundation. Thereafter the embankment shall be built up,
subject to any limitations on the rate of filling as described in Clause 628, over a length of
at least 30m on either side of the culvert, to formation level, or top of surcharge level
when surcharging of the embankment is specified. Only when the rate of settlement of
the embankment has decreased to the rate at which pavement construction may proceed,
shall a trench be excavated in which to construct the culvert.

519.9 Temporary Culverts

519.9.1 At certain locations in soft ground areas, in order to facilitate an early start to the
construction of embankments which are subject to limitations on the rate of filling as
described in Clause 628, it may be necessary to construct temporary culverts, before
permanent culverts can be constructed in accordance with Subclause 11. Temporary
culverts shall be constructed where shown in the culvert schedules and/or Drawings, or as
directed by the S.O. or as proposed by the Contractor and approved by the S.O.. A
temporary culvert shall be located at least 20m from the position of its respective
permanent culvert as confirmed by the S.O.. A temporary culvert shall be constructed all
in accordance with this Clause, except for the foundation. The foundation shall be
constructed in a manner similar to that for soft ground areas described in Subclause 13
below, except that the soft, spongy or unstable soils shall not be excavated to their full
depth, but only to such depth as is necessary to form a firm, but not permanently stable,
foundation of compacted suitable backfill material on which to bed and lay the temporary
culvert. A temporary culvert shall be removed without delay after the construction of the
permanent culvert, unless otherwise directed by the S.O. The typical sequence of
construction operations for a temporary culvert shall be:

i) construct temporary culvert as described above

ii) divert channel to temporary culvert

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519 REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE CULVERTS (Cont'd)

519.9 Temporary Culverts (Cont'd)

519.9.1 iii) prepare foundation for embankment and permanent culvert, construct
embankment, and monitor settlement of embankment as described in Subclause
11 above

iv) construct permanent culvert in trench in stable embankment

v) divert channel to permanent culvert

vi) excavate through embankment and remove temporary culvert

vii) reconstruct embankment.

519.10.1 Exceptionally, where the S.O. agrees that construction of a particular culvert in a trench
as specified in Subclauses 7 to 11 above is impracticable, the culvert may be constructed
without first raising the embankment, always provided that:

i) either the ground over which the culvert is to be constructed is firm and stable

ii) or if the ground is soft, the soft, spongy or unstable soils shall have been
excavated to their full depth and replaced with compacted suitable material as
described in Subclause 8 above.

In such cases, and only in such cases, a firm and stable foundation surface for the pipe
bedding shall be constructed either by excavating a shallow trench in the existing ground
or the compacted suitable backfill, or by trimming the existing ground or the compacted
suitable backfill and building up the trimmed surface with compacted suitable backfill in
accordance with Clause 608, to the required level for the bottom of the pipe bedding as
confirmed by the S.O.

519.11 Bedding, Laying and Surrounding of Pipe Culverts

519.11.1 In all cases, bedding, laying, and surrounding of culvert pipes shall be in accordance with
Clause 503 above. When constructing a culvert in accordance with Subclause 13
(without trenching as specified in Subclause 7 to 11 above), granular or sand bedding
material and earth backfill material not confined by a trench wall shall be laid to sufficient
width to provide the required lateral support to the pipe, all to the satisfaction of the S.O.

520 NOT USED

521 NOT USED

522 CULVERT INLET AND OUTLET STRUCTURES

522.1 Inlet and outlet structures for culverts shall be constructed as shown on the Drawings to
the lines and levels confirmed by the S.O., all in accordance with the appropriate sections
of the Specifications.

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523 GABIONS AND GABION MATTRESSES

523.1 General

523.1.1 This work shall consist of the provision and installation of stone filled gabions and gabion
mattresses to protect waterway channels against scour and erosion, or to serve as retaining
structures.

523.1.2 Gabions and gabion mattresses shall be installed at the locations and positions shown on
the Drawings and/or as directed by the S.O.

523.2 Gabion Baskets

523.2.1 Gabions and gabion mattresses shall be rectangular baskets of the required dimensions as
shown on the Drawings or directed by the S.O. Unless otherwise specified they shall be
of the following standard dimensions:

Width Length Height

1.00m 1.00m, 2.00m, or 3.00m 0.50m or 1.00m.

523.2.2 Gabions longer than 1.00m shall be divided into compartments of equal length not
exceeding 1.00m by wire mesh diaphragms securely tied along all edges. Each gabion or
compartment of a gabion shall be provided with at least 4 cross-connecting wires if its
height is 0.50m or less, and with at least 8 cross-connecting wires if its height is in the
range 0.50m to 1.00m.

523.3 Wires for Gabions

523.3.1 Gabions shall be fabricated from galvanised steel wire manufactured in accordance with
BS 1052 and BS 443, or such similar standards as the S.O. shall approve. The coated
wire sizes shall be in accordance with the following table.

TYPE OF WIRE MINIMUM DIAMETER

Selvage (perimeter) wire 3.60mm

Mesh wire 2.82mm

Tying and connecting wire 2.23mm

523.3.2 Gabion mesh shall be triple twisted and shall have a uniform hexagonal pattern with
openings of 70mm x 80mm or less. The mesh shall be securely tied to selvage wires to
form rectangular panels which shall be securely wired together to form the completed
gabion baskets. The ties and connections for each gabion basket shall comprise not less
than 8% of its total weight, and the fabrication shall be all to the satisfaction of the S.O.

523.3.3 Where shown on the Drawings or directed by the S.O., all galvanised steel wire for
gabions shall be extrusion coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The PVC coating shall
nowhere be less than 0.55mm thick.

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523 GABIONS AND GABION MATTRESSES (Cont'd)

523.3.4 Wires for gabions may alternatively be of integrally extruded high density polyethylene,
provided they have tensile strengths at least equal to those of the galvanised steel wires
specified above. The polyethylene wires shall be resistant to chemical attack in the pH
range 2 to 9, be resistant to attack by bacteria, and not be attractive to vermin. They shall
also be stable over a temperature range of -60°C to 100°C, and be resistant to degradation
by ultraviolet radiation such that strength loss due to 10 years exposure to sunlight shall
not exceed 20%.

523.4 Stone Fill for Gabions

523.4.1 Stone fill for gabions shall be clean rough quarry stone, or pit or river cobbles, or a
mixture of any of these materials, and shall be essentially free from dust, clay, vegetative
matter and other deleterious materials. Individual pieces of stone shall have least
dimensions not less than 20mm larger than the gabion mesh openings and greatest
dimensions not more than 250mm. The stone shall be hard, tough, durable and dense,
resistant to the action of air and water, and suitable in all respects for the purpose
intended. The material shall be approved by the S.O.

523.5 Placing Gabions

523.5.1 Prior to placing gabions, the surfaces on and against which they are to be constructed
shall have been prepared and finished in accordance with the appropriate provisions of
the Specifications. Notwithstanding any earlier approval of these finished surfaces, any
damage to or deterioration of them shall be made good to the satisfaction of the S.O.
before gabions are placed.

523.5.2 Each gabion basket shall be put in place in its turn, completely fabricated except for the
fastening down of the lid, stretched to the correct shape and dimensions, and fastened
securely to all contiguous baskets along each edge with tying wire. The basket shall then
be tightly packed with approved stone by hand in such a manner that voids are kept to a
practicable minimum and are uniformly distributed in the stone mass. Finally, the lid of
the basket shall be securely fastened down with tying wire along all hitherto unfastened
edges.

523.5.3 As a gabion structure is built up, backfilling against finished gabions shall be carried out
as necessary for proper progressive construction, all in accordance with the appropriate
provisions of the Specifications. Unless otherwise specified, vertical joints between
gabions shall be staggered in gabion structures in a pattern similar to the joints in running
bond brickwork.

524 HORIZONTAL BORED DRAINS

524.1 This work shall consist of drilling for, furnishing and installing small diameter drains
comprising perforated pipes and filter fabric to drain ground water from cut (or other)
earth slopes.

524.2 Bored drains shall be provided at the locations and spacings and to the diameters and
lengths shown on the Drawings or directed by the S.O.

524.3 The drain holes shall be drilled at a small upward angle into the slope, using casing a little
larger than the drain pipes to support the hole.

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524 HORIZONTAL BORED DRAINS (Cont'd)

524.4 The perforated pipe drains wrapped in geotextile filter fabric shall then be installed to the
full length of the drain hole, and then the casing withdrawn.

524.5 The perforated pipes shall be 75mm diameter perforated uPVC pipes to Clause 2620, or
perforated steel pipes of a diameter as shown on the Drawings to Clause 2620.
Perforated steel pipes shall have a bituminous coating inside and out.

524.6 The geotextile filter fabric shall be to Clause 2642, Type D.

525 NOT USED

526 MORTARED STONE PITCHING, CONCRETE BLOCKS OR SLABS FOR

EROSION PROTECTION, REVETMENTS, ETC.

526.1 General

526.1.1 Mortared stone pitching and mortared concrete blocks or decorative slabs shall be
constructed for erosion protection of waterway channels, cut and fill slopes, drains,
culvert inlets and outlets, etc. and for other purposes. The work shall be constructed to
the lines, levels, grades and dimensions shown on the Drawings, or specified elsewhere,
or as directed by the S.O.

526 MORTARED STONE PITCHING, CONCRETE BLOCKS OR SLABS FOR

EROSION PROTECTION, REVETMENTS, ETC. (Cont'd)

526.1.2 Generally the work shall provide a stable, impervious layer on the surface to be protected,
and where shown on the Drawings or directed by the S.O., shall have anti-scour devices
such as cut-off walls and toe walls.

526.2 Materials

526.2.1 Stones for mortared stone pitching shall comply with the general requirements of Clause
2619, and unless otherwise specified shall be of the wide flat type with the larger faces
approximately rectangular and parallel. The size and thickness of the stones shall be as
shown on the Drawings.

526.2.2 Precast concrete blocks and decorative precast concrete slabs shall be of the type and
dimensions shown on the Drawings. Unless otherwise specified, precast concrete blocks
shall comply with the requirements of BS 2028.

526.2.3 Mortar for jointing stone pitching and precast concrete blocks or slabs shall be to Clause
2618, Class 3.

526.3 Construction

526.3.1 Surfaces to be covered with mortared stone pitching, concrete blocks or slabs shall, as
necessary, be filled and tamped and trimmed to final grade immediately prior to laying.

526.3.2 Where the bottom edge of the protection is not in rock or other non-erodible material, it
shall be founded on or sealed into a cut-off wall along its lower edge. The cut-off wall
shall be constructed prior to the laying of the surface protection.

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SECTION 500 - DRAINAGE

526.3.3 The cut-off wall shall be constructed by excavating a trench to the lines, levels and
dimensions shown on the Drawings or directed by the S.O. The trench shall be filled
with Class 20/40 concrete or with mortared stone pitching as shown on the Drawings.

526.3.4 After the cut-off wall has been constructed to the satisfaction of the S.O., the laying of
surface protection shall commence in tight contact with the cut-off wall, laid from the
bottom upwards. Stones or precast concrete blocks or slabs shall be laid in close contact
one with the other.

526.3.5 Concrete blocks or slabs shall be laid with sloping joints staggered. Only full size blocks
or slabs shall be used, except where half size pieces are required to complete courses.
The completed surface of blocks or slabs shall be essentially a smooth plane. Between
contact points of a 1.5m straight edged template placed on the finished surface, the
surface shall be everywhere within 12mm of the template.

526.3.6 In the case of mortared stone pitching, the interstices may be partly filled with spalls or
small stones, and finally all remaining openings filled solidly with mortar. As each
course is laid, the top edge shall be completely covered with mortar so that the succeeding
course can be positioned on a full bed of mortar. At the completion of a course or
section, all joints shall be filled solidly with mortar and the joints pointed flush.

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