TRACK

AND
YARD DRAINAGE

L. N. NIRMALKAR
Asst. Professor /Track
7420041131
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BAD DRAINAGE

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BAD DRAINAGE

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FOR GOOD DRAINAGE
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WASHABLE APRON AND DRAIN

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WASHABLE APRON AND DRAIN NGP YARD

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WASHABLE APRON AND DRAIN NGP YARD

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UNDER GROUND DRAIN AQ YARD

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some examples of problems
resulting from poor drainage
Filled with
P-way
Material
which have
been
removed
from the
track but not
carried

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some examples of problems resulting
from poor drainage
Overflowing of a drain
on top of the cut slope
causes erosion of the
slope.

The slope erosion

caused soil particles to
be brought down onto
the track, fouling the
ballast and filling the
drainage.
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 EFFECT OF IMPROPER DRAINAGE ...
• Soften the foundation(soil) which results in reduction of
bearing capacity/shear strength, affecting track parameters
and packing condition of sleeper.
• Soft subgrade deforming under repeated train loading traps
water because the clay subgrade is not permeable. Formation
of ballast pockets which retains the water and further soften
the soil.

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Representative Sketch…

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Load distribution factor- UIC

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Continue..

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 Tamping
• The tamping process is commonly used to restore the
track geometry.

• During this operation, the ballast below the sleepers is

compacted by vibrations and compressive forces.

• It consists of lifting the sleeper to the desired level and

inserting tamping tines into the ballast with the lifted
sleeper between each pair of ties.
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Tamping..
• The tamping tines then
squeeze the ballast
horizontally to fill the void
underneath the lifted
sleeper.
• The impact of the
tamping tines on the
ballast and the high
squeezing force may
cause particle breakage
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• Drainage means the • Without adequate track
interception , collection drainage, track formation may
and disposal of water become saturated leading to
from, upon and under weakening and subsequent failure.
the track. • Formation failure may be
indicated by any of the following;
• In ballast bed, drainage mud pumping up through the
of track essentially ballast, repeated top and line
means the arrangement problems, bog holes, or heaving of
to drain out monsoon the formation.
water getting • Track drainage consists of two
accumulated in track types:
foundation. • − Surface drainage
• − Subsurface drainage.
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 Surface drainage
• Surface drainage removes surface runoff before it enters the
track structure, as well as collecting water percolating out of
the track structure.
• Basic grading of the ground on either side of the track is a
form of surface drainage, and allows water flowing out of the
track structure to be removed.
• Shoulder grading may be used in very flat areas where it is
difficult to get sufficient fall for either surface or subsurface
drains.
• three main types of surface drainage.
• (1) Cess drains. (2) Catch drains (3) Mitre drains.
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 Cess drains
Cess drains are surface drains located at formation level at the side of tracks,
to remove water that has percolated through the ballast and is flowing along
the capping layer towards the outside of the track formation.

Note: 1) Mitre (bevelled ends) drains are connected to cess and catch drains to provide an
escape for water from these drains.
2) Mitre drains (at 45 degree) should be provided at regular intervals to remove water
before it slows down and starts to deposit any sediment that it may be carrying. (shown in
fig.2) 19
 Cess drains
Cess drains are most frequently found in cuttings where water running off the
formation cannot freely drain away Surface drains can be constructed on fairly
flat grades, as they are easily cleared of any sediment that may collect in them.

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 Sub surface drainage
• Subsurface drains are used where adequate
surface drainage cannot be provided due to
some restriction or lack of available fall due to
outlet restrictions.
• Following Subsurface drainage systems
classified as per perform of their functions:

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 Collector drains
• Collection of infiltration water that seeps into the
formation (capping layer), as shown in Figure .

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Drain for lowering water table
• Draw-down or lowering of the watertable,
as illustrated in Figure .

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 Seepage drains
• Drainage of local seepage such as spring inflow.

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Longitudinal drain

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Drainage blanket

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 Aggregate drains
These drains consist of permeable granular material. The aggregate
should be coarse enough to be free draining, but not so coarse as to
allow the migration of fines into or through the permeable material.
The graded aggregate is to be wrapped in a geotextile (Figure 14).

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 Pipe drains
These consist of perforated or slotted pipes, installed by trenching
and backfilling. Some type of filter material around the pipe or
permeable backfill is normally required to minimise clogging of the
drain perforations or slots

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 Geotextile Drains
A geotextile drain may be a horizontal, vertical, or inclined
blanket whose purpose is to collect subsurface water and convey it
along the plain of the fabric to an outlet. The drain must also act as
a filter to keep soil particles out of pores and prevent clogging.

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GEOTEXTILES

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Jute Geomats

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WOVEN GEOTEXTILES

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NON-WOVEN GEOTEXTILES

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WOVEN GEO-GRID

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 8.4 Geo-synthetics
Types of Geo-synthetics

Geo-grids
GEO-CELL AND Typical Geocomposite Drain

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Pre-fabricated Vertical Drain

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GEO-STRIP REINFORCEMENTS

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 8.4 Geo-synthetics
Functions of Geo-synthetics
EFFECTIVE DRAINAGE
• Drains in yard, should be designed for velocity range of
0.5 -1.0 metre per second for kutcha drains and 1.0 – 2.0
metre per second for pucca drains.
• Longitudinal drains between two tracks normally should be
saucer shaped.
• Normally, the drain top shall not be above the cess level
for effective drainage of ballast bed. however it is not
feasible than drains to be provided with bottom level weep
hole or four centimetre wide vertical slit at every one metre
interval.
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Factors Affecting track drainage
1. Clean, graded and adequate ballast.
2. Condition and cross slope of formation.
3. Side slopes, proper cess and toe of
embankment.
4. Turfing and pitching of side slopes
5. Type of soil in sub grade.
6. Side and catch water drains, retaining walls in
cuttings.

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EFFECT OF BAD DRAINAGE

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See ballast condition and observe

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• 3. Side slopes, cess and toe of embankment:
• Side slopes
•. : In embankment should normally be 2:1 (H:V) and in
cutting depends upon type of soil - 1:1 (H:V) for normal soil and
½H:1V for hard rock.
• Cess on both sides of embankment should be lower than ballast
profile so as to avoid stagnation of water.
• Borrow pits should not be permitted close to the toe of
embankment
• The side drains shall be kept away from toe of bank.
• The series of existing borrow pits should be connected to each
other with small channel and the water finally discharged away
from the embankment.

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Yard Drainage

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 Concept for design of drainage system...
• Adequate discharge capacity:
The most common method of estimating Flood Discharge for any given
catchment area is by using Rational Formula (RDSO Report RBF-16 also, for
estimating “Flood Discharge”).
Q = 0.278 x C x I x A
Q = Design Flood Discharge (in m3/s)
C = Run-off coefficient

I = Average Rainfall Intensity (in mm/h)

lasting for given “time of concentration” &
“return period”;

A = Catchment Area (m2)

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Concept for design of drainage system...

• Velocity of flow in drain shall not be less than 1.0 m/s, for
self-cleansing action to take place.

• To avoid excessive scouring or hydraulic jumps, the velocity

of flow in a concrete lined drain shall be limited to 3.0 m/s

or below the critical velocity, whichever is less.

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Concept for design of drainage system...
a horizontal distance of 1750mm is desirable from the centre of drain
to the nearest gauge face of the track (this will restrict width of drain)
IS:1742 – 1983 - “Indian Standard Code for Building Drainage”
Chambers shall be of such size as will allow necessary examinations or
clearance of drains. The minimum internal size of the chambers shall
be as follows:
(a) For depths of 1m or less 0.8m x 0.8m
(b) For depths between 1m and 1.5m 1.2m x 0.9m
(c) For depths more than 1.5m Circular chambers with a minimum
diameter of 1.4m or chambers with
minimum internal dimensions of 1.2m x
0.9m are recommended.
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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS
• In station yards it is difficult to cast the drains in-situ with required quality.

• Pre-cast RCC Drains (with typical segment length of 1m or 0.5m, depending

upon the method of handling proposed i.e. manually or mechanically).

• will also reduce the duration of open excavation on the side of running
tracks, which is required to be kept minimum from safety point of view.

• May be kept rectangular in shape, with vertical slits on both the vertical
walls, For the ease of casting and laying,

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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS

• The bed gradient should 1 in 350 or steeper, to get required self-cleansing velocity of flow and to ensure

sub-critical flow conditions.

• To minimise excavation for drains, the gradient of longitudinal drain shall be same as gradient of

track/formation.

As per Schedule of Dimensions (IRSOD), the Steepest Gradient in yards can vary from 1 in 260 to 1 in

1200 for new yards.

o in cases where the gradient of yard/ formation is 1 in 350 or steeper, the longitudinal drain shall have

same gradient as that of yard / formation.

•However, in cases where gradient of yard / formation is flatter than 1 in 350, the longitudinal drain shall have

gradient of 1 in 350 and the depth of drain will increase along its’ length in the direction of falling gradient.

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 Design of a Typical Drainage System

Width of Longitudinal Drain Kept as 450mm, to facilitate cleaning.

 LONGITUDINAL DRAINS

Ballast Ballast
Profile Profile
Side Slope Side Slope
100 mm 450 mm 100 mm
A Open Slit of 150 mm Height
Open Slit 150 mm
and 40 mm Width at 250
B mm c/c Spacing
Formation Top Level 150 mm Formation Top Level
C
Pre-Cast 150 mm
RCC Drain D
Suitable Chamfering of Corners
E
150 mm Thick
F Lean Concrete
900 mm

Fig. 2 B/1: Details of Longitudinal Drain

(For Track Centre 5300 mm)

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 Ballast
Ballast Profile
Profile Side Slope
Side Slope
110 110
mm 450 mm mm
A
110 mm

4 Rows of Circular Holes

40 mm dia. at Vertical
Spacing of 150 mm c/c
150 150 150
Formation Top Level mm mm mm
Formation Top Level
C
Pre-Cast
150 mm
R C C Drain
D

E
150 mm Thick
Lean Concrete
F
900 mm

Fig. 2A/1 : Details of Longitudinal Drain

(For Track Centre 4265mm)
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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS

Vertical Slits Longitudinal Drain Top Level

150
Slit 150 40 150
150 250 150 Slit

Location of
Minimum Depth of 900
Longitudinal Drain

Location of
370590
Maximum Depth of
Longitudinal Drain
Fig. 2 B/2: Longitudinal Schematic View of The
Longitudinal Drain (For Track Centre 5300 mm)

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 Pre-c a s t Se
g m e n t of
L e n g t h 0.5
m/1.0 m
L o n g i t u d i n a l D r a i n To p Level
110 m m
A-A
4 R o w s of Circular
110 mm
H o l e s 4 0 m m dia.
a t Ve r t i c a l S p a c i n g
of 1 5 0 m m c/c 150 1 5 0 150
m m m m m m

150 m m
F o r m a t i o n Level

B-B
Invert
Level
Lo c a ti o n of M i n i m u m D e p t h D rain of L o n g 150 1 5 0 1 5 0
itudin
of Lo ngi tudi na l Dra i n al m m m m m m

Details at J u n c t i o n A-A Details at J unc t io n B -B

Segment 1 Segment 2
S e g m e n t 1 S e g m e n t 2 Segment 1 Segment 2
30
50
30 Lo c a ti o n of M a x i m u m D e p t h
50 30 Drain of Lo ngi tudi na l D r a i n
D r a i n Ve r t i c a l 50 Bottom
30 Portion
Wa l l
50 50
V i e w f r o m To p View from Side View from Side

(All d i m e n s i o n s a r e i n m m . )

Circular holes 40mm dia. have horizontal spacing of 100mm c/c and vertical spacing of 150 mmc/C,
with centre of first hole at 100mm from edge of the element. Thus, 0.5m long element will have 4 holes
in each row and 1m long element will have 9 holes in each row.
The ends of elements shall be cast with grove in one element and projection in matching element on
other side (as shown in details at A-A and B-B above).
Fig. 2A/2 : Side Schematic View of Longitudinal Drain
(For Track Centre 4265mm)
 Pre-cast S eg
me nt of
Length 0 .5 m/
1.0 m
Longitudinal Drain Top Level
110 mm
A-A
2 Rows of Circular 150 1 5 0 150
Holes 40 m m dia. m m m m mm
110 mm
at Vertical Spacing
of 150 m m c/c 150 mm
Fo r m a t io n Level

B-B

Location of M i n i m um Depth
of Longitudinal Drain Invert
Level
of L o
ngit udina
l D ra 150 150
Details at J u n c t i o n A-A Details at J u n c t i o n B - B in mm
150
mm mm

Segment 1 Segment 2
Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 1 Segment 2
30
50
30
50 30 Drain
Drain Vertical 50 Bottom
Portion
Location of M a x i m u m Depth
Wall 30
of Longitudinal Drain
50 50
View from Top View from Side View from Side

(All dimensions are in mm.)

Circular holes 40mm dia. have horizontal spacing of 100mm c/c and vertical spacing of 150 mmc/C,
with centre of first hole at 100mm from edge of the element. Thus, 0.5m long element will have 4 holes
in each row and 1m long element will have 9 holes in each row.
The ends of elements shall be cast with grove in one element and projection in matching element on
other side (as shown in details at A-A and B-B above).
Fig. 2B/2 : Side Schematic View of Longitudinal Drain
(For Track Centre 5300mm)
LONGITUDINAL DRAINS
minimum distance between track centres in yards is
4265mm for existing yard and 5300mm for all new yards.
The lower track centre (4265mm) will require deeper drain
to ensure that the ballast profile side slope line cuts the
drain below its’ top.
Ballast
Ballast Profile
Profile Side Slope
Side Slope
100 mm 450 mm 100 mm
A
150 mm
B

Open Slit of 450 mm

Open Slit
450 mm Height and 40 mm Width
at 250 mm c/c Spacing
Formation Top Level
Formation Top Level
Pre-Cast
C
RCC Drain 150 mm
Suitable Chamfering of Corners
D
E
150 mm Thick
Lean Concrete
F
900 mm

Fig. 2 A/1: Details of Longitudinal Drain

(For Track Centre 4265 mm)

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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS
• The minimum depth of drain is 450mm (track centre 5.3 m) /
750 mm (TC 4.265m) at the starting point and when the depth
reaches 1200mm, a chamber will be provided and the drain
will be continued on other side of chamber starting with a
minimum depth of 450mm/ 750 mm again.
• The longitudinal drains are normally open.
• However, in yards where there is likelihood of drains getting
blocked due to garbage etc. or movement of maintenance staff is
required on longitudinal drains, grated covers can be provided on
top.
• In case the longitudinal drain meets any culvert in the yard, it shall
connect to and discharge in the culvert subject to invert level and
discharge capacity of the culvert permitting it .
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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS
• The chamber size should be as 0.9m x 1.2m.
• The arrangement at chambers, with cross drain(s)

Grating

100 mm

450 mm
or 750 mm

1200 mm

150 mm

Cross Cross
Drain Drain
100 mm

1200 mm

PCC 150 mm Lean Concrete

1800 mm

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LONGITUDINAL DRAINS

Cross Cross
Drain Drain
300 mm 300 mm

Grating Grating

Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Drain
Drain
450 mm 900 mm 450 mm
1200 mm
X X

Grating Grating

Cross Cross
Drain Drain

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CROSS DRAINS

• The cross drain(s) should have perforated pipes,

300mm diameter, with wrapping of non-woven
geotextiles. Their numbers can be decided based on
the discharge to be carried by them.

• The bed gradient of cross drains shall be

1 in 350 or steeper to achieve self- cleansing
velocity of flow in them.

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A yard drainage system, designed in proper manner and
constructed taking into account relevant technical
parameters, will be effective in discharging water away
from the track formation. Not only improve reliability of
assets but will also ensure fruitful utilisation of the
money spent on yard drainage system.

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THANKS

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