HI-TECH GEOSYNTHETIC PVT. LTD.

Pioneers in Innovative Geosynthetic Solutions

Delhi Office: SCO No. 27, D-977, 2nd Floor, Palam Extn., Sec-7, Dwaraka,
New Delhi-110075; Tel: +91-11- 32625248; Fax: 011-25072182; E-mail:
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To,

Date: 13-07-10

M/s Era Infra Engineering Ltd.

B-24, Sector-3, Noida,
UP-121301
Kind Attn: Mr. Ajay Bankoti (Team Leader WHHPPL)
Cc: Mr. Sunil Gupta (Vice President Contracts)
Subject: Recommendations regarding suitability of backfill for reinforced soil wall.
Dear Sir,
In apropos to the soil investigation report sent to us vide e-mail on 07-07-2010 regarding
suitability of soil to be used as reinforced fill, as we would like to reply as follows to your queries:
1) The sample obtained from Mathan (40+450L/S) is silty sand with fine sand (82.55%) and
silt content (17.45%) (Refer Annexure-1). Thus material is cohesive frictional soil with zero
clay content. Cohesive frictional fill (CFF) is defined as material with more than 10%
passing 63m (As per Department of Transport, 1978, BE3/78) and 75 m as per Indian
standards. Cohesive frictional fill is specified in the UK design memoranda, including the
BS 8006:1995 (Code of Practice for Reinforced Soil) (Section 9.2.3.3 - Page No. 122 of BS
Code - Refer Annexure-2).The gradation limitations for cohesive frictional fill are specified
in Annexure-3. As evident from Annexure-3, the gradation of sample is within the specified
gradation limit.
2) The angle of peak shear resistance (Peak) has been evaluated as 31.2 (Refer Annexure-1)
which is higher than the presumed design value of 300. The value of cohesion (c) comes out
to 0 kN/m2 (Refer Annexure-1) showing non-plastic nature of soil which shows sufficiently
free draining characteristic of the soil.
3) The liquid limit (LL) for cohesive frictional material lesser than 52 m should be lesser than
45% and plasticity index lesser than 20% (Refer Annexure-3).The soil report shows the LL

HI-TECH GEOSYNTHETIC PVT. LTD.

Pioneers in Innovative Geosynthetic Solutions

Delhi Office: SCO No. 27, D-977, 2nd Floor, Palam Extn., Sec-7, Dwaraka,
New Delhi-110075; Tel: +91-11- 32625248; Fax: 011-25072182; E-mail:
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is 16% and plastic limit is 0 being non-plastic (Refer Annexure-1). Thus consistency limits
are within the permissible range.

4) The maximum limit of 10% clay is related to the need for fill to be sufficiently free draining
to provide stability during construction (Refer Annexure-3). The clay content of soil can be
difficult to measure and large variations are common. The liquid limit and the plasticity
index give a more direct indication of mechanical properties, in which case a measure of the
clay content may be omitted. As soil is non-plastic and liquid limit is within limit, the
presence of clay is almost nil. Annexure-4 illustrates back fill materials which have been
successfully used for construction of reinforced soil wall in past (Boden et al, 1979).
5) Minimum moisture condition values in the range 6-10 will normally produce satisfactory
conditions relating to stability and workability (Refer Annexure-3). As minimum moisture
content at 6% and optimum moisture content (OMC) at 10% are indicated in soil test report
(Refer Annexure-1), the values are in the satisfactory range.
6) IRC Code of practice: HRB SR. No. 16, 1996 titled as ``State of the Art: Reinforced soil
structures applicable to Road Design & Construction also cohesion less fill for reinforced
soil. As the soil sample falls in category of cohesive frictional soil and satisfies all its
requirements of gradation, angle of internal friction, consistency limits and moisture content,
it is a valid material to be used as reinforced fill for reinforced soil wall.
7) BS 8006:1995,`` Code of practice for strengthen/Reinforced, soils & other fills also
permits use of cohesive frictional fill and selected waste fills (fly ash, chalk fill, colliery
spoil, argillaceous materials etc.) for reinforced soil wall (Refer 9.2.3.3. page 122 of BS
8006:1995) (Refer Annexure-2). Thus it can be concluded from above stated observations,
that backfill obtained from quarry having properties identical to soil sample sent to us can be
used as reinforced soil fill as it conforms to international codal provisions.
8) As far as stipulations given in MORTH regarding RE walls are concerned, they are
incomplete and outdated. Those guidelines refer to both cohesionless soil and cohesive

HI-TECH GEOSYNTHETIC PVT. LTD.

Pioneers in Innovative Geosynthetic Solutions

Delhi Office: SCO No. 27, D-977, 2nd Floor, Palam Extn., Sec-7, Dwaraka,
New Delhi-110075; Tel: +91-11- 32625248; Fax: 011-25072182; E-mail:
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frictional soil while setting the lower limit of internal angle of friction (i.e. 25), as
cohesionless soil in compacted condition is always equal or above 30. Cohesive frictional
fill may exhibit value of internal frictional 20 & above depending on gradation
characteristics.

9) In contrast, the gradation limits specified referred in MORTH refer to cohesionless soil and
the gradation limits for cohesive frictional soil are not specified, which shows the
incompleteness of specifications. Further MORTH does not give any details regarding
design & methodology of construction of RE wall. There is no comprehensive code in India
to deal with these issues. Thus it is pertinent to refer to comprehensive international codes of
practice which give detailed guidelines regarding design and construction practices. Thus
following codes are advised to be referred while taking any decision regarding suitability of
material or load cases or various factor of safeties:

BS 8006:1995, ``Code of Practice for Strengthened/ reinforced soils and other fills.
FHWA-NHI-00-043, `` Mechanically Stabilized Earth walls and Reinforced soil
slopes Design & Construction Guidelines.

We hope to have replied to your various queries. In case of any further queries, kindly write to us,
we shall be most willing to clarify the same.
Thanking You,
With Regards,

Vipin Kumar Tyagi

Director

HI-TECH GEOSYNTHETIC PVT. LTD.

Pioneers in Innovative Geosynthetic Solutions

Delhi Office: SCO No. 27, D-977, 2nd Floor, Palam Extn., Sec-7, Dwaraka,
New Delhi-110075; Tel: +91-11- 32625248; Fax: 011-25072182; E-mail:
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Annexure -3:
TABLE 1:
Gradation for Cohesionless Fill:
Sieve Size
% Passing
425m

10-65

75 m

0-10

2 m

0-10

TABLE 2:
Gradation for Cohesive Frictional Fill:
Sieve Size
% Passing
425m
11-100
75 m
11-100
2 m
Properties
Angle of internal
friction
Liquid Limit

0-10
Limits
> 200
45%

HI-TECH GEOSYNTHETIC PVT. LTD.

Pioneers in Innovative Geosynthetic Solutions

Delhi Office: SCO No. 27, D-977, 2nd Floor, Palam Extn., Sec-7, Dwaraka,
New Delhi-110075; Tel: +91-11- 32625248; Fax: 011-25072182; E-mail:
vipkolon@yahoo.com Website: www.koloninet.comi

Plasticity Index
20%
Min. Moisture Content
Max clay %

6-10%
10%