IRC:78-2014

STANDARDSPECIFIGATIONS
AND
GODEOF PRACTICE
FORROADBRIDGES
SECTION: Vtl
FOUNDATIONS
AND SUBSTRUCTURE
(RevisedEdition)
(lncorporating
allAmendments
and Erratapublishedupto December,
2013)

I N D I A NROADSCONGRESS
2014

tRC:78-2014

CONTENTS
Clause
No.

PageNo.
Personnel
of BridgesSpecifications
andStandards
Committee
Background

700

Scope

701

rermrnotogy

702
703

704

705

706

701.1 Abutrnent
70'1.2 Afflux
701.3 Balancer
701.4 Bearing
Capacity
701.5 BearingStress
741.6 Cofferdam
701.7 Foundation
701.8 Pier
701.9 Piles
701.10 Retaining
Wall
70111 Substructure
701.12 WellFoundation
Notations
Discharge
andDepthof Scourfor Foundation
Design
703-1 DesignDischarge
ot Foundation
743.2 MeanDepthof Scow
703.3 MaximumDepthof Scourfor Designof Foundations
Sub-surface
Exploration
704.1 Objectives
704.2 Zoneof lnfluence
704.3 Methods
of Exploration
Depthof Foundation
705.1 General
705.2 OpenFoundations
705.3 WellFoundations
705.4 PileFoundations
Loads.Forces.Stability
andStresses
706.1 Loads,ForcesandtheirCombinations

3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
7
7
7
I
9
'10
11

12
12
13
13
'13
14
14
15
15
15

IRC:78-2014
706.2
706.3
707

Horizontal
Forcesat Bearingt evel
BasePressure

16
17

OpenFoundations

19

707.1

General

19

707.2
707.3
707.4

Design

19
21
22
23
23

openFoundations
atSloped
BedProfile
Construction

WellFoundations
708.1

General

708.2

WellSteining

708.3

DesignConsiderations

708.4

Stabilityof Well Foundations

708.5

Tiltsand Shifts

708.6

CuttingEdge

708.7

WellCurb

708.8

BottomPlug

708.9

FillingtheWell

708.10

PlugoverFilling

708.11

WellCap

708.12

Floatingddissohs

708.13

Sinkingot Wells

708.14

Pngumatic
Sinkingof Wells

708.15

Sinkingof Wellsby Resodingto Btasting

PileFoundation
709.1
709.2
709.3
709.4
739,5
l:9,6

Generat
Requiremeniarli s.rallsior Des.blra.!d hj.atbjsr
GeotedlnicaCa:a-.i:: PiE
Struciuel DesQn :f ?ie
Desgn G:Ptb Ca
l1ltc,rxiCgnstbais-,
3ie
D;=-a:T,.!=:f

23
25
26
27
28
28
29
29
29
29
30
30
30
31
31
31
34
36
40
40

:.wiolp]:].gcrs;:r

41

IRC:78-2014
710

Substructure
710]l
General
l
710.2
Piers
710.3
WallPiers
710.4
Abutments
710.5
Abutment
Pier
7'10.6
DirtWalls,WingWallsandReturnWalls
710-7
Retaining
Walls
710.8
PierandAbutment
Caps
710.9
Cantilever
CapofAbutment
andPier
710.10.
Pedestals
belowBearing

44
44
.45
46
46
47
48
49
49
5'1
51

Appendixes
1.

Guidelinesfor CalculatingSilt Factorfor Bed MaterialConsistingof Ctay

2.

Guidelinesfor Sub-surfaceExploration

3.

Procedurefor StabilityCalculation

4.

Precaqtions
to be takenduringSir kingof Wells

5.

Capacityof Pile Basedon PileSoil Interaction

6.

FillingBehindAbutments.'Wing
and ReturnWalls

7.
,

Part-1-PileLoad Capacityby DynamicTest UsingWave Equation

Part-2-standardTestMethodfor Low Strain Pile IntegrityTesting

53
54
67
71
76
82
84
93

tRC:78-2014
PERSONNEL
OF THE BRIDGESSPECIFICATIONS

ANDSTANDARDs
coMMtiTEE
(Ason 6.1.2014)

1.

Kandasamy,
C.
(Convenor)

.Diiectot General
{RD}& Spl.Secy.to Go\,.t.
of india,Ministyof Road
Transport
and Highways,
TransportBhavan,NewDelhi

2.

Patanka4
VL.
lCo-Convenor)

Aoor.ulrecrorUenerat,Ministryof RoadTrenspo.tand Highways

Transpo
rt Bhavan,NewDelhi

3.

Pathak,A.P
(Member-Secretdry
)

ChiefEngineer
{B)5&R,{Ministryof RoadTranspo.t
& Highr"yr,
TransportBhavan,NewDelhi
. . M a m b e 6-

4.

Agrawal,K.l!..

DG{W),
CPWD(Retd.}Ghaziabad

5.

Aliinchandani,
C.R.

Chairman& ManagingDirector,STUP
(p)Ltd.,
Consultants
Mumbai

6.

Arora,H.C.

ChiefEngineer{Retd.)
MORTH,NewDelnr

7.

Bagish,Dr B.P

C-2/2013,
VasantKunj,Opp.
D.pS.New
Dethi

8.

Bandyopadhyay,
Dr N.

9.

Director,StupConsultants
{p) Ltd.NewDelhi
Bandyopadhyay,
D. T.K. ioint DirectorGeneral(Retd.)INSDAG,
Kolkata

10. Banerjee,
A.K.

ChiefEngineer
(Retd.)
MORTH,
NewDelhi

11. lJanerlee, LB.

ChielEngineer
(Retd.)
MORTH,
NewDelhi

12. Basa,Ashok.

DirectortTactr.
& Buildersttd., Bhubaneswar
) B. Engineers

14.

Bhasin,PC.

AOG(B),(Retil.),MOSI NewDethj

Bhowmick,
Alok

ManagihgDirector,Bridge& Structuralngg.Consultants
(P)ltd.,

Noidd

15.

Bongirwar,
PL.

Advisor,L&I Mumbai

16.

Dhodapkar,
A.N.

17.

Gfioshal,A.

(Retd.)MORTH,NewDelhi
ChiefEhgineer
Directorand Vicepresident,
STUPConsultants
{p) Ltd. kolkaia
VicePrgsident,
STUPConsultants
(p) Ltd., Mumbai

18. loglekar,S.G.
19.

Kand,,CV

ChiefEngineer
Me pWDBhopal
{Rerd.),

20.

Koshi,Ninari

DG(RD)
(Retd)MOSI NewDelhi
& Addl-Secy.,

21-

KumatAshok

22.

Kumar,Prafulla

ChiefEnginee
{Retd.),MORTH,NewDethi
DG(RD)& A5,MORT&H
(Retd.)
NewDethi

23.

Kumar,Vijay

(Retd.)UP,pWD,
E-in-Chief

IRC:78-2O14
'

'
Director,freissinet Prestressedcontiate Co. Mumbai

24.

Manjure,PY.

25.

M.K.
Mukherjee,

ChieJEnginer {.Retd.)MoST, New Delhi

26.

A.K.
Nagpal,

Prof.llT,New Delhi

A.D.
27-. Nqrain,
24.

Ninan,R.5.

R.K.
29_ Pandey,

Delhi
DG (RD)& AS,MORT&H,{Retd.).Ne}v
-chief Engineer(Retd.)'MORTHNew Delhi

(Planning),
MORTH,
NewDelhi
Ehgineer
Ch-ief

30.

Dr.
Pararneswaran,
Lakshmy

(BAS),
CRRI,
NewDelhi
ChiefScientist

31.

Pratap5.
Raizada,

(Corporate
Affairs)-GammonIndiaLtd.Mumbai
VicePresident

32.

Rao,Dr MVB.

Pvt.Ltd.
lnfrastructure
Ms.SNCLAVALTN
SeniorConsultant,

33.

Roy,Dr B.C.

lnclia
Engg.Servics
Director,M/s. Consulting
SeniorExecutive
(Pvl.)Ltd.Curgaon

34. Saha,Dr G.P

(P)Ltd.Mumbai
DirectorConstruma
Executive
Consultancy

6.
35. Sharan,

(Retd.)
MoRTH,
NewDellhi
& Spl.secy
DG(RD)

R.5.
36. Sharma,

(Retd.)MORTH
ChiefEngini-.er
, NewDelhi

37. Sinha,
N.K.

& s5,{Retd.)MoRT&HNewDelhi
DG{RD)

Dr
38. Subbarao,
Harshavafdhan

Ltd.
Consultancy{P)
Director,
Construma
& Managing
Chakman
Mumbai

Mahesh
39. Tandon,

ManagingDirector,TandgnConsultants(P) Lld.,NewDelhi

41.

V
Velayutham,,

(Reld.)MORH,New Delhi
.Chief.Engineer
(Retd.)MORTH,New Delhi
DG (RD)SS

42.

T.
Viswanathan,

7046, Sector B, Pocket10, VasantKunj ,New Delhi

43.

Director
TheExecutive

Lucknow
RDSO,

K.B.
40. Thandavan,

(B&s)
44.

The Directorand Head,

(CivilEngg.),

1. Raina,Dr VK.
2. Singh,R.B.. .
-1.

C.
Kandasamy,
Prasad,Vishnu
Shankar

NewDelhi
oflndianStandards,
Bureau

Coftesponding Memberc
(W.8.)
Consultant
. -Dirpctor,Projects Consllltinglndia (P) Ltd. New Delhi

Ex-officio Members
DirectorGeneral(RD)& SpecialSecretaryto Govt.of
lndia;MoRT&Hand Fresident,lRC,New Delhi
SecretaryGeneral,IndianRoadsCongress,NewDelhi
v l

IRC:78-2014

FOUNDATIONS
AND SUtsSTRUCTURE
BACKGROUND
The"Standard
Specifications
and Codeof pracficefor RoadBridges,,
SectionVll _
Foundatjons
and Substructure
was firstpublished
jn July 19gOuJ p"n _
, o"n"r",
Featuresof Design.Lalerfirstrevjsi(

Part
and
il;;,;; ;; "";;;ffiill,]:T:
iHT:ff
?#::#:':lx'i::
of thiscodewas undertaken
by the Foundation
and Structure
Committee

and
1S_a;
the initialdraftwas finalized
by the Committee
underthe Convenor"n,f
or rnr, * n.
Sarma. Subsequenfly,
ihe draftwasreconsidered
anddiscussed
in variousmeetings
by thereconstituted
Foundatjon,
protectjve
Substructure
and
WorksCommjttee
(B_4)
underConvenorship
ofShriS.AReddi.Thefinaldraftas approu"O
OfConuenoI.
eSS
committeewas subsequenfly
approvedby ihe Executive
committeein its meeting
hldon 30.8.2000.
lt was laterapproved
by the Counciljn its 160thmeetinghetd
at
Kolkaiaon 4.11.2000
for publishing
the revisedIRCCodeSectjonVtt;tnC:
ZA:ZO0O.
Sincethennumerous
amendments
anderratawerepubljshed
to thisCodebasedon
development
in designandconstrucijon
technoloov
The curreniRevisedEditionof IRC:78includes
all the amendments
and errata
published
fromtimeto iimeuptoDecember,
2013.
'
TheRevised
Edition
of IRC:78'standardSpecifications
andCodeof practrce
forRoad
Bridges"
SectionVll - Foundation
in(

tirr
o-ate
was
iu'i","0;T:T:"3,r"?il:lll?::"ilH,iil"Tj:f
"oo.""o
Protective
Worksand MasonryStructures
jn
Committee
(B_3) its meettngheldon

'16.10.20'13.
TheRevised
Ediiion
of tR

and
standards
committee
init","etillnffiTjil::Z *:?l"r"T::::l,T[::
h e i do n 0 9 . 0 1 . 2 0 if4o rp u b i i s h i n g .

The composition
of the B-3 Committeeis givenbelow:
pL.
BongiMar,
Convenor
Joglekar,
S.G.
Co-Convenor
Kanhere,
D.K.

Member-Secretary

IRC:78-2014
M e m b e r s . . i. . : . .
chonkar,Ravindra
" Deshmukh,
Dr.vV
Dr.VT.
GanPule'
(expircd
on 15.03.2013)

RK
Jaigopal;

(expired
on30.12.2012)

Dr'SY
Mhaiskar'
JaYant
Nashikkar,
R.v

ur' n
suDoarao,
Sinqh.
M.N.
V
Velyutham,
Members
CorresPonding
Basa,Ashok

Dr'N'
Pitchumani,

Paul,Dipankar
R.H..
Sarma,

,.
':'

I
Viswanathan,

Dr ZS'
Tarapore,

'

Ex-0fficioMembers
C.KandasamY

& Special
(RoadDevelopment)
Director
General
lRc
MoRT&HandPresident,
Secretary,

VishnuShankarPrasad

IRC
General,
Secretary

IRC:78-2014

700scoPE
withthe designand construction
of foundations
.^::-i*
1*n
-"J,u
and substructure
:3r
roadbridges.
Theprovisions
of thjscode.," rn"uniio
nuou ,o oo,n
:e designand consiruction
"u.Ju
engineerc,
Ort ,"r"
i#u"*?'rnu
provisions
s:ipulated
hereinwillnotrelieveth
"nrpf
**onsibirirv

andsoundness
orrhu
dl:il;:j:lJ:|":LT:"
",,.,"r,,u

rorthesrabirity

701 TERMINOLOGY
ihe following
definitions
shallbeappijcable
forthepurpose
ofthiscode.
701.1
Abutment
oJihedeck(superstructure)
of a bridge,vihic.h
atsoretainsearth,fifl of
1::i1
"rqO:T
appfoaches
behind
Iullyof par y.
701,1.1

Boxtypeabutmentandretumwall

Whentheretumwallson twosidesareintegrated
withabutment
anda backwa parallelto
abutment
is provjdedat theendof returnswjrhor without
addjri";;;i;;;,
wa atongor
acrossiength,thisstructure
is calledboxlypu
unO,"*" ,",],
,*n
"frrtr"nt
"r'""0
701.1-2 Non-loadbearingabutment
Abutment,
whicl.l
supports
theendspanof lessthan5 m.
I v r. r.r

t\on_sptthrough
abulment

An abutment
structure
wherethesoilis notallowed
lo spjllthfough.
701.1.4

Spittthroughabutment

isallowed
to spillthrough
gaps.arongrherength
ofaoutment,
il i::I:"]"h:'"
such
"ojl
as.
corumn
structure
wherecolumns
areplacedbetowoect<
ieams
a-nJi"i ,no",*"un ia
frce.to spillearth.(Spilling
of earthshoutdnotbe permitted
abovea level;f 500mmbelow
iheboftom
of bearings).
701.2

Afftux

Theriseinthefloodleveloftheriverjmmediately
ontheupstream
ofa bridge
asa resultof
obstruction
to naturalflowcausedby theconstruction
of thebriOg"unJ'ltsi!proa"f,e".
3

IRC;78-2014
701.3

Balancer

allowflowofwaterfromonestde
on embankmentto
provided
likestructure
Abridgeiculvert
up of wateron oneside
neaOing
to otn"' s'oe,ro' purposeof avoiOing
ofthe embankment
the entryto theoiherside'
or for avoidingblocking
701.4

BearingCaPacity

as bearingstressis referredto as it bearing

powerof soil/rockexpressed
Thesupporting
capacty.
701.4.1

A owablebearingPressure

whichneitherthe soilfails..inshear'(after
It is the maximumgrosspressureImensityat
bevond
i""tor ot sateiy)nor there is excessivesetilement
i"t
thestructure
"oftp,iui"
to be detrimentalto
""-"*'"t
p"^""i|[ rit't., *nich is expected
701.4.2

ca4acit|
Netsafebearing

by a factor of safetyas per Clause

It is the nei ultimatebearingcapacitydivided
706.3.1.1.1.
7O1.4.3 Netultimatebearingcapactty
causingshearfailureoi thesoil'
It is the minimumnetpressureintensity
701.4.4

SafebearingcaqacttY

*"'*
thesoilcal *'ry
which
pressure
""0
rhemaximum
""tull.Y]I:*:*,:::L"."
pressure
overburden
plus
original
capacity
bearing
ttu n"t
i.
"ufe
"ouuiio
grossbeaingcapacv
701A.5

lJllimate

at whichthe sorl
grosspressureintensityat {he baseof the foundation
It is theminimum
failsin shear.
701.5

BearingStress

701.5,1

lnfe'sitY
GrossPressure

combinations
on soildueto thepossible
at thebaseofthefoundation
It is thetotalpressure
of loadandtheweightof theearthflll'
7o1-5.2

intensw
NetPressure

IRC;78-2014
pressure.
: s::::rence in intensities
oflhegrosspressure
andtheoriginal
overburden
-!1.6

Cofferdam

I =J:iure temporary
builtfor the purposeof excluding
wateror soilsufficiently
to permit
proceed
pumping
::-s'J-dctionor
withoutexcessive
and to supportthe surrounding
;-jrc.
701.7
--3

Foundation

oartofa brioge
in directcontacl.
withandtransmitting
loadto thefounding
stfata.

701.8

Pier

.iiermediate
supports
of thedeck(superstructure)
of a bridge.
701.8.1

pier
Abutment

pieris designed
Generally
usein multiple
spanarchbridges.
Abutment
fora condition
that
it wouldbesafe.Theseareprovided
evenif onesidearchspancollapses
afterthfeeor flve
spans.
701.9

Piles

701-9.1

Bearing/frictionpiles

A piledrivenor cast-in-siiu
fortransmitting
theweightof a structure
to thefoundingstrata
pile
base
and
friction
bytheresistance
developed
at the
by
alongits surface.lf it supports
the loadmainlybythe resistance
developed
at iis base,ii !s referred
to as an end-bearing
pile,andif mainlybyfrictionalongitssurface,as a frictionpile.
701-9-2

Boredcast-in-situpile

A pilelormed
withorwithout
a casing
byboring
a holeintheground
andsubsequently
filling
it withplainor reinforced
concrete.
701.9.3

pile
Drivencast-in-situ

A pileformedin thegroundbydriving
a permanent
or temporary
casing.
andfillingit with
plainor feinForced
concrete.
701.9.4

Divenpile

A piledrivenintothegroundbytheblowsof a hammerbya vibrator.

5

IRC:78-2014
701.9.5, Precastpile
A reinforced
or prestressed
concretepile cast beforedriving,or installingin bore.arid
grouted.
701,.9.6

Rakeror bafterpile

A pileinstalled
at an inclination
to thevertical.
7O1-g.7

Sheetpite

One or a row of pjlesdrivenor formedin the groundadjacentto one anotherin a

continuous
jointor interlock,designed
wall,eachgenerallyprovidedwitha connecting
to resistmainlylateralforcesand to reduceseepage;it may be verticalor at an
inclination.
701.9.8

pile
Tension

A pilesubjected
to tension/uplift
is calledtensionpile.
70i.9.9

Testpile

Apiletowhicha loadisappliedto determine

and/orconfirm
(ultimate
theloadcharacteristics
load/working
load)of thepileandthesurrounding
ground.
pile
701.9.10 Working
Oneof thepilesformingthefoundation
of thestructure.
70'1.10

Retaining
Wall

Awalldesigned
to resistthe pressure
of earthfillingbehind.
7O1.10.'l Returnwall
A walladjacentto abutment
generally
parallello roador flaredup to increased
widthand
raiseduptothetopof road.
701.10.2

Toewall

Awallbuittattheendoftheslopeofearthenentnkner{ b gvefltslippingof earthand/

or pitchingon embankment.
6

IRC;78-2014
101.10.3 Wingwatl
: ,',alladjacent
to abuiment
withitstopuptoroad.top
levelnearabutment
andslopingdown
gfound
-::3
levelor a litileaboveattheotheiend.Thisis generally
at 4Soto theatignment
:'i3ad or parallel
to theriverandfollows
profile
or earthen
banks.
701.11

Substructure

Tre bricjge
structure,
suchas,pierandabuimentabovethefoundation
andsuppontng
the
su0erstructure.
lt shallinclude
returns
andwingwallsbutexclude
bearings.
701.'12

WellFoundation

Aiypeoffoundat;on
wherea partofthestructure
is hoilow,
whichjs generally
bujltin parts
andsunkthioughgroundor waterto ihe prescribed
depthby removing
earththrough
dredge
hole.
7'10.12-1 Tiltof a well
Theinclination
oftheaxisofthewellfrom
thevertical
expressed
astheiangent
oftheangle
between
theaxisof thewellandihe vertical.
701.12.2 Shiftof a wetl
ThelTorizontal
dispracement
of thecentreof thewel at its basein itsfinarpositionfromits
position.
designed
702 NOTATIONS
Forthepurpose
of thiscode,thefoilowing
notations
havebeenadopied;
A,
A2
B
C
c
C

Dispersed
concentric
area
Loadedarea
Width betr,veen
outer faces of pile groupin plan parallelto the directionof
movement
pressure
Theallowable
bearing
withnearuniform
distribution
onthefounding
strata
Cohesion
The perrnissible
d;rectcompressive
stressin concreteat ihe bearingareaof the
base
Diameter
of pile

IRC:78-2O14
Db

d
d,
d
Fb

Fd

(cumecs)
permetrewidth
Discharge
in cubicmetre/sec,
External
diameter
of circular
' : " .well
. . in metre
Weighted
meandiametelin mmof bedmaterial
Meandepthofscourin metrebelowfloodlevel
Longitudinal
forcedueto braking
Centdfugalforce
Deformation
effects.
Horizontalforce"
Earthpressure

F
Ff
F

G
G
h

K
K
K"f

Po

Seismicforce
trrecnon
eITecIS
Frictional
forceat bearings
lmpact
dueto floating
bodies
Secondary
effects
WaterCurreni
Temperature
effecta
[SeeNcite(i)]
Wavepressure
ISeeNote(ii)l
Deadload
Buoyancy
Snowload
Minimum
thickness
of steining
in metre
Co.efficient
of activeearthpressure
Co-efficient
of passiveearthpressure
Siltfactor
Lengthbetweenouterfaces of pile groupin plan parallelto the direction
movemenl
Movement
of deckoverbearinqs,
otherthandueto appliedforce
Depthof well
Deothof wellin metre.
uDto MSL.
penetration
Standard
testvalue
Totalactive.pressure _.,
Totalpassivepressure
Liveload

IRC:78-2014
R
R

v
w
G

s,
tt.
p
.D
t
6n

Deadloadreaction
Liveloadreaction
Shearratingof elastomeric
bearing
Windload
Reduction
factor.
Ratioof longsideto theshortsideof thefooting
Undrained
shearstrength
Undrained
chohesion
Co-efficient
of friction
Angleof internalfriction
Settlement
of pile
Settlement
of pilegroup

f,OIES; i) Temperature
eflects(Fb)inthiscontextis notthefrictionalforce
dueto the movement
of bearingbutthatwhichis causedby ribshortening,
etc.
ii) Thewaveforcesshallbe determined
by suitable
analysisconsidering
drawingand
inertiaforces;etc.,on siirglestructulmenibeisbasedon rationalmethodaor
modelstudies.In caseof groupof piles,piers,etc.,pfoximity
effectsshallalsobe

703DISCHARGE
AND DEPTHOF SCOURFOR
.
703.1

FOUNDATIONDESIGN

DesignDischarge
of Foundation

703,1.1 Toprovidefor andadequatemarginof safety,the scourfor foundatjon

shall
be designed
for a largerdischaigeover:thedesigndischarge
determined
as per IRC:5as
givenbelow:
Increaseover design
Dischargein percerit
30
30-20
20-10
'10

0 - 3000
3000- 10000,
10000--40000
Above- 40000

r\IOIES: i) For inlermediatevaluesoJ catchmentarea, linear interpolationmay be

adopted.

t
IRC:78-2014
IRC:s
dete.mined
as-per
vertical
clearance
abovetheHFLalready
ii) Theminimum
above.
discharge
calculaied
dueto larger
neednotbeincreased
703.2

MeanDepthof Scour

flowingover
ThemeanscourdepthbelowHighestFloodLevel(HFL)for naturalchannels
fromthe following
equation:
theoretically
scourable
bedcanbe calculated
1

ct*=134(!K)3
Where
permeiiewidthoi effective
{of foundation
Thedesigndischarge
waterway.
K,,=

obtained.upto
sampleof bedmaterial
Siltfactorfor a representative
deepestscour.
thelevelof anticipated

by dividingthe designdischargefor
703.2.1 The valueof D6 may be determined
as givenin IRC:5.
andactualeffective
linearwaterway
foundation
by lowerof theoretical
meandiameter
703.2.2 'K"r'is givenbytheexpression
t.76u[. d, beingtheweighted
in millimetre.
703.2.2.1 The valueof K",for virious gradesof sandybed are givenbelowforready
andadoption:
reference
Typeof bed mate al
Coarsesilt
SilVfinesand
Mediumsand
Cggl-qe
sand
Finebajriandsand
Heavysand

0.04
0.081to 0.'158
0.223to 0.505
o.725

9 ' 9 8 8. .

1 . 2 9t o 2 . 0 0

0.35
0.5to 0.7
0 . 8 5t o 1 ' 2 5
1.5
1.75
2.Olo 2.42

scourdepthfor bed maierial

703.2.2.2 No rationalformulaor data for determining
(normally
gravels
moreihan2.00mm)
havingwelghted
diameter
consisting
of
andboulders
the mean
In absenceof anydaiaon scourfor suchmaterial,
andclayeybedis available.
givenin Appendix-lfollowing
theguidelines
scourdepthmaybe calculated
dueto
concentration
of flowin anypartof waterway
703,2,3 lf thereis anypredominant
like,
upstream
or downstream
or foranyotherreason, wide
bendofthestreamin immediate
thenmeanscourdepthmaybe
acrossthewidthof channel.
variation
oftypeoi bedmaterial
10

IRC:78-20'14
i5

jntocompartments
= Illated bydividing
thewaterway
as pertheconcentration
offlow
i03.2.4 ln caseof bridgemainly
adopted
as balancer,
themeanscourdepth,4,,,may
:e iakenas (Highest
FloodLevel-Lowest
BedLevel)
divided
by .j.27.

)r

103.2.5 Scourdepthmaybe determined

by actualobservations
possible.
wherever
-is.is particularly
required
for clayeyand bouldery
sirata.Soundings,
whereverpossjble,
srall be takenin the vicinityof ihe sjte for the proposedbriOgeand for any structures
:earby.Suchsoundings
are bestduringor jmmediately
aftera floodbeforethe scour
r'rcles
havehadtimeto be siltedup.Themeanscourdepthmaybe fixedbasedon such
observations
andtheoretical
calculation.
703.3

MaximumDepthof Scourfor Designof Foundation

703.3.'lThemaximum
depthof scourbelowtheHjghest
FloodLevei(HFL)forthedesign
piers
of
andabutments
havingindivjdual
foundations
without
anyfloorproiectton
maybe
considered
asfollows.
703.3.1.1 Floodwithoutseismiccombination
- 2.0cl,^
i) Fofpiers

ii)For
abutments')

13]k,X[iril,iJ#:L'::11'"L*'"'*'

b) 2.00d".withscourallaround.
703.3.1.2 Floodwith seismic
combnation
Forconsidering
loadcombination
offrood
andseismic
(together
roads
wiihotherappropriate
combinations
givenelsewhere)
ihemaximum
depthofscourgivenjn Clause
703,3..1
.1may
be reduced
by multiplying
factorof 0.9.
7433.1.3 Fotlowwaterrever(wirhoutfrood
conditions)combined
withseismic
combination
mximum
levelof scourbelowhighfJoodlevelcanbe assurned
as 0.gtimesscourgivenin
Clause703.3.1.
NOTE:

In respect
of viaducURoB
havingno possibility
of scouf,resistance
of soilmaybe
considered
beJow
depthof excavation
for services
construction,
or 2.0 m below
ground
levelwhichever
isgreater.

703.3.2 For the designof floor protectionworksfor raft or openfoundatjons,

the
following
valuesof maximum
scourdepthmaybeadopted:
i) Ina siraightfeach
ii) ln a bend

1.27d
'1.50d"11

or onthebasisof concentration
of flow

"RC:?&z014
maybe 0.7timesof tl-tesameon downstream
Thelengthof apronon upstream
scour
the maximum
for determining
studiesshouldbe underlaken
703,4
Special
such-as,
conditlons,
whereabnormal
in allsituations
depthforthedesignof foundations
areencountered;
the[ollowing
flow,or
a curvilinear
ona bendof theriverinvolving
beinglocated
i) a bridge
or
shoalformation,
excessive
intheriverhugstq
at a sitewherethedeepchannel
beinglocated
ii) a bridge
oneslde,or
or
heavylocalscours,
verythickpiersinducing
iii) a bridgehaving
or
offlowin theriveris considerable,
iv) wheretheobliquity
acrossa canal,or acrossa
to be constructed
v) wherea bridgeis required
of the relatively
of storageworks,with the possibility
riverdownstream
greater
scours.
or
clearwaterinducing
structures
or otherirrigation
vi) a bridgeinthevicinityof a dam,weir,barrage
of bed,eic. are
of flow aggradations/degradation
whereconcentration
of thestructures.
likelyto affectthe behavior
bfidge,
on
neartotheexisting
bridge
whenlocated
tow-lane
vii)An additional
majorrivers.
NOTET

videClause
discharge
calculated
fortheincrease
shallbeconducted
Thesestudies
703.1.1.

lf a riveris of a flashynatureand bed doesnot Ienditselfreadilyto the

703.5
depthof scouras
formulafor dsmandmaximum
scouringeffectof floods,thetheoretical
from
themaximum
depthshallbeassessed
recommended
shaltnotapply.Insuchcases,
actualobservations.

EXPLORATION
704 SUB-SURFACE
704.1

Obiectives
exploration
are:
of thesub-surface
Theobiectives
i)

DuringPreliminaryInvestigationstage
process
geological
mzipsandother
to studyexisting
As a partof siteselection
reports,
previouslypreparedand availablesite investigation
information,
aboutriverbed
if any,surfaceexamination
knowndataof nearbystructures,
downofsitesunderconsideration
etc.,whichwillhelpin narrowing
andbanks,
4a

lRCt78-2014
forfuriherstudiesfor projectpreparation
stage.
ii)

DetailedInvestigationStage
Todetermine
thecharacteristics
geo-materials.
of theexisting
like.soil.rock.
bedmaterialin watercourses,etc.in the zoneof influence
of the prooosed
parameterswhich
bridge
sitesinsucha wayastoestablish
thedesign
influence
thechoice
anddesign
details
ofthevarious
structural
elements,
especially
the
foundation
type.

iiD DuringConstructionStage
Tocodfirmthecharacteristics
of geo-materials
established
in stage(ii)based
onwhichthedesignchoices
aremadeandto re-confirm
thesameor modifyto
suittheconditions
metat specific
foundation
locations.
704.2

Zoneof Influence

Zoneof influence
mentioned
in Clause704.1(ii) is definedas the full lengthof the bridge
portion
including
of wing/return
wallandpartof approaches
(butnotrestricted
covering,
to),
thefullfloodzoneforwatercourses,
anduptodepthbelowproposed
foundation
levelswhere
influence
ofstresses
duetofoundation
islikelytoaffectthebehaviour
ofthestructure,
including
settlement,
subsidence
undergroundflowof watef,etc.Thewidihof thelandstripon ejther
sideof the proposed
structure
shouldinclude
zonesin whichthehydraulic
characteristics
cf
riverwaterarelikelyto be changed
affecting
flowpatterns,
scour,etc.
704.3

Methodsof Exploration

A largevarietyof investigative
methodsare available.
A mostsuitableand appropriate
combination
of theseshallbe chosen.
Guidelines
for choiceof typesof investigations,
properties
of geo-materials
that needbe established,
the in-situtesting,sampling,
laboratorytestingare given in Appendix-2.This may be furthersupplemented
by
specialized
techniques
depending
on theneed.

.
705.1

705DEPTHOF FOUNDATION
General

Thefoundation
shallbedesigned
towithstand
theworstcombination
of ioadsandforces
evaluated
in accordance
withthe provisions
of Clause706.Thefoundations
shallbe
takento suchdepththattheyaresafeagainst
scouror protected
fromit.Apartfromthis,
the depthshouldalsobe sufficient
fromconsideration
of bearingcapacity,
settlement,
potential,
liquefaction
stability
andsuitability
of strataat thefounding
levelandsufficient
depthbelowIt. In caseof brldges
wherethe meanscourdepthdsm'iscalculated
with
13

IRC:78-2014
structures
sfiallnotbe lessihanthoseof existing
703,2,thedepthof foundation
CIause
in ihe vicinity.
705.2

OpenFoundation

705.2.1

tn soit

of anticipated
assessment
be basedoncorrect
in soil.shall
of foundations
Theembedment
givenunderClause
703.
thevalues
scourconsidering
shallowdepihbelowthe bedsudace
maybe iakendownto a comparatively
Foundation
againstscour'
is proiected
andthefoundaiion
pfovidedgoodbearingstratumis available,
capacity
having
safebearing
shallbeUptostratum
depthofopehfoundations
Theminimum
bedlevel.
bul notlessthan2.0m belowthescdurlevelor theprotected
705.2.2

ln rocks

ofthegeological
resting
onrock,thedepthofrock,whichintheopinion
Foropenfoundaiions
into
thedepthofembedment
in deciding
shallbeexcluded
orfissured,
expertisweathered
areto reston crediblerocks'cautionshallbe
the rockexistingbelowWherefoundations
levelat sufficientdepth,so as to ensureihat they
establishthe foundation
exercised.to
of the bed.Afterallowing
erosion
in viewthecontinued
keeping
do notgetundermined,
intotherock
of theToundations
embedment
abovetheminimum
stipulaied
forconditions
byproperly
rockproiile
canbeprovided
whichin caseof sloping
belowshallbeasfollows,
thefoundat;ors.
benching
depth
Embedment
Typeof Rock
0.6m
For rocks of moderatelystfong and above in table 2 of
2) having
of rock(underclause8.2of appendix
classificaiion
to take
or whereit is noipossible
UCSof morethan12.5IVIPA
SPT N valueis more
coreio get the UCS but extrapoiated
than500
1 . 5m
weakandbelowin table2 of classifio ) Forrockof moceraiely
2) having
cationof rock(underclause8.2of appendix
UCS< 12.5MPAbui: 2.5MPAor whereit is notpossible
SPTN valueis
to takecoreto getthe UCSbutextrapolated
morethan100butlessthan500
705.3

WellFoundations

705.3.1 ln soit

IRC:78-2014
':Jrla
,',=
onsshallbetakendownto a depihwhichwillprovide
gripof i/3'dthe
a minimum
-:r: -rrm depthof scourbelowthedesignscouf
levelspecified
;nClause703,3.
;05.3.2

ln rccks

:s :aras possible,
thewellsshallbetakenbyallthemethods
of sinking
pneumatic
includrng
: :krng(where
considered
necessary),
d6watering,
etc.tofoundation
levelandshallbeevenly
s::ied all aroundthe periphery
on soundrock(i.e.,devoidof fissures,
cavities,
weathered
-:re. likeiyextentof erosion,
etc.)by providing
adequate
embedment.
Theextentof seating
::J embedment
in eachcaseshallbedecided
bytheEngineer-in-charge
keepjng
inviewihe
'::iors n]entioned
aboveto ensureoverallandlong{ermsafetyof thestructure.
lt is advisable
:r .irakea sump(shearkey)of 300mmin hardrockor 600mmin softrockinsidethewellby
:i;seling/blasiing.
Diameter
ofsumpmaybe1.5to2 m lessthaninnerdredge_hole
subject
toa
- n,mJnsizeof i.cm. Sixdowel
barsof25mmdiadeformed
ba|smaybeancl-ored
1.5m in
'1.5m above.
-Jckandprojected
These
maybeanchored
inminimum
65mmdiaboreholes
and
with1:11,
cement
mortar.
l:outed
705.4

PileFoundations

705.4.1 Insoil,theminimum
depthoffoundations
below
thepojntoffixityshould
bethe
minimum
length
required
fordeveloping
fullfixityascalculated
byanyrational
formula.
705.4.2 In rocks,the pjle shouldbe takendownto rockstratadevoidof anv likelv
extension
of erosionandproperly
socketedas requiredbythedesign.
706 LOADS, FORCES, STABILITY AND STRESSES .
706.1

Loads,Forcesand their Combinations

706.1,'l Theloadsandforcesmaybeevaluated
as perIRC:6andtheircombinatjons
ior thepurposeof thiscociewjllbe asfo||ows:
Combination
l): G + fQ or G) + F* + Fr + Fb + c b+ F,,t+ F.e
Combinat;on
ll):i) + W + F^"

or
ii)
Combination
iii) : G + Fwc+ Gb+ Fep+ F*+ Fr + (W or F.s)

15

a
tRc.Tei-2014
increasein stiessesin the variousmemberswill be 331/3
706.1.2 The permissible
withseismic
of wind(W and50 percentfor the combinalion
p"ri""t
t"t tn"
'F
""toination increaseiRallowable
basepressureshouldbe 25 percent
t ot F,). The permissible'
i) However,when temperatureeffects(FJ'
ioin"rr Jofr'oinu,tn"exceptcombination
in
foranymembers
effects(fd)arealsoto beconsidered
effects(FJ deformation
secondarv
andallowable
members
invarious
increasiinstresses
*iin ii,ri"npermissible
""rii.",il"
pressure
willbe 15percent.
bearing
706.2

HorizontalForcesat BearingLevel

706.2.1

SimPIYsuqqorledsqans

beadngs(other than
706.2.1.1 For simply supportedspan with fixed and free
bearinglevel in the
Elsiomerlt type) on stiff supports,horizontalforces at the
below:
shallbe as.given
direction
longitudinal
FixedBearing

FreeBearing

1\ Fh-u(R s+ Rq)

p(Rn*R)

iRs+Rq)
ii')
++p

p(R"+R")

Fh

wnere
= Appliedhorizontal
force
at thefreeenddueto deadload
Rn = Reaction
atthefreeenddueto liveload
Rq = Reaciion
= Co-efficient
of frictionat the movablebesring\vhichshallbe
lJ
values:
to havethe allowable
assumed
i) Forsteelrollerbearings
ii) Forconcreterollerbearings

0 03

005

beadngs:
iii) Forsliding
a).Steeloncastironor stedonsied

16

04

lRCtTB-2014

b) Greycastironolt greycastjron
(Mechaniies)

0.3

c) Concrete
overconcrete

0.5

d) Telflonon stainless
steej

:
0.03aod0.05
(whichever
is governing)

-15.2.1.2 Incaseof simply

supported
smallspansupto10m andwherenobeaflngs
are
:.oyided,horizontal
forcein thelongitudinal
direciion
ai thc ltearingieveishallbe
F

or /t(Rg) whicheveris greatei

106.2.1.3 Fora strnply

supported
spansiitingon identical
electrcmeirjc
bearings
at
eacnendand.resting
on unyielding
supports.
Forceof eachend=
z

706-2.2

n v,t,"

4 = Shearratingcfthe e,ectrontetric
beafjflgs
/b = Movement
of deckabovebearing,
otherthandueto appiied
iorces
Simplysuppartedanclcantinuousspanon flexible supaorts

7?6.2?1..ThedistributionofappliediongiiudjnathoflzontdItbrce(e.g.,braking
',,,,ind,
etc.)depends
solelyonshearrating
ofthesupporis
anCmaybees,,-imatec
tnproponron
:o the fatioof individual
shearratingof a suppoftto the sumci fl]e shearratjngso, all the
supports.
Shearratingof a supportis ihe horjzontal
forcerequiredto moveihe iop of ihe
suoportthrougha unitdistancetakinginio accounthorizcntal
defcfmstiorj
cf rhe hr;.r.a
iexingofthesupport
androtation
oftheiouncjaiion.
706.3

Basepressure

The a owabiebearingpressureand the seftiementcharacteflstics

under
19-63.1
diifent loadsancjstressesmay be determined
on the basisof sub_sort
exptoration
and iesting.Thoughthe help of reievantindianSian.dard
Code of pfacticernay be
:aken,the allowablebearingpressuremay be calculatedas gfoss
so ihai rne gross
rfessure
at thebasewithout
deducting
thesoiidisplaceo.can
becomputed.
706.3.1.1 Factoraf safety
706.3.1.1.1
Foropen
foundations
ancjwellfoundaiion
resiing
onsoil,theallo!.rabie
bearinc
!ressureon ultimate
bearingcapacitymaybetakenas 2.5fcr soil.
17

IRC:78-2014
bearing
restingon rock'theallowable
andwellfoundation
Foropenfoundations
706.3.1.1.2
butalsoon
of parent,rock
pressure
on rockmaybe decideduponnotonlyon thestrength
like,joints,beddingplanes,faults,weathered
deflciencies,
particularly
iverattcnaracteristics
the valueof
In absenceof suchdetailsor analysisof overallcharacteristics'
.onua,
",".
of theparentrockmaybe taken
strength
compressive
Llto, ot s"tetylas"d on unconfined
bearing
Theallowable
on the basisof localexperience
indicaied
as 6 to 8 unleisotherwise
(i)
to notover3 MPafor loadcombination
is to be{urtherrestricted
fressure,thus,obtained
the clause7093 2
in caseof pilefoundation
ioo.'t.t. ror.Factorof safei1,
;;;ilbi";;;
shallbe referred
orverysoftrockmaybetreated
weathered
geo-material
likedisintegrated
Theintermediate
as soll.
706.3.2

settlement
Allowableselflement/differential

setilementbetweenthe foundationsof simpiy

706.3.2.1 The calculateddifferential
from
thetwofoundations
beti4/een
ofthedistance
notexceed1 in4OO
"pu*.n"ll
hasbeenmadeior rectification
"uiport"O
ridingqualityunlessprovision
oftolerable
theconsideration
ofthissetilement.
limithas
thetolerable
settlement'
to differential
sensitive
706.3.2.2 In caseof structures
to be flxedforeachcaseseparately
706.3.3

tensionat thebaseof foundation

Permissible

of loadson soils
underanycombination
706.3.3.7 Notensionshallbe permitted

706.3.3.2|ncaseofrockiftensionisfoundtobedevelopedatthebaseoffoun
to a sizewhereno tensionwilloccurandbasepressure
thebaseareashouldbe reduced
areashouldnotexceedallowable
pressure
on suchreduced
Tnemaxtmum
is recalculated.
area
Suchreducedareashallnot be lessthan67 percentof the total
bearingpressure.
seismic,or impactof barge'and 80 percentfor otherload
including
for loai combination
combinations.
706.3.4

Factorof safetyfor stability

andslidingaregivenbelowThesearemainlyrelevant
ofsafetyagainstoverturning
Factors

18

IRC:78-2014
ftr openfoundations:

i) Againstoverturning
ii) Againstsliding
iii) Againstdeep-seated
failure

Wthout
With Seismic
SeismicCase uase
1 q
2
1.5
1.25

1.25
1.15

Fdlional
co-efficient
between
concrete
andsoilirock
willbeTanO,@beingangleoffriction.
Foundingsoil in foundationof bridgebeinggenerallyproperlyconsolidated.
following
Elues mavbe adopted:
Flictionco-efflcient
between
soilandconcrete
Fdctionco-efficient
betweenrockandconcrere
706.3.5

Pilefoundations

0.5
0.8forgoodrockand0.7
forfissuredrock

Theallowable
load;the allowable
settlemenvdifferential
setflement
andthe proceoures
ro
determine
thesamefor pilefoundations
aregivenin Clause709.

707 OPEN FOUNDATIONS

707.1

General

707.1.1 Provision
of the Clauseunder707 shallapplyfor designof isolatedfootings
and,whereapplicable,
to combined
footings,andrafts.
707.1-2 Openfoundatioirs
may be providedwherethe foundations
can be taidin a
sfatumwhichis jnerodible
or wheretheextentof scourof the bedis reliablyknown.The
foundations
are to be reliablyprotectedby meansof suitablydesignedaprons,cut_off
wallsor/andlaunching
apronsas maybe necessary
7O7-2

Design

707.2-1

Thethickness
of thefootingsshallnotbe lessthan300mm.

707.2.2

Bendingmoments

707.2.2.1 Forsoljdwalltypesubstructure
wlthone-wayreinforced
footing,the bending
momentscan be determinedas one-wayslab for the unit widthsubjectedIO WOTST
mmbination
of loadsandforces.
707-2.2.2 Forlwo-wayfooting,bendingmomentat anysectionof the footingshallbe
dtermined
by passinga verlicalplanethroughthe footingand computing
the moment
of theforcesactingoverthe entirareaof footingsone side of the verticalplane.The
19

IRC:78-20'14
criticalsectionof bendingshallbe at thefaceof thesolidcolumn.
in
fooiings,
the bendingmomenis
footings
or polygonal
707.2.2.3 ln caseof circular
in accordance
withanyrationalmethod.Methodsgivenby
thefootingmaybe determineci
Timoshenko
andRowefor PlateAnalysisafe acceptable.
for
thecriticalsections
supporting
twoor morecolumns,
footings
707.2.2.4 Fot cambined
bendingmomenisalongtheaxisof thecolumnsshalibe at thefaceof the columns/walls.
of criticalsectionsfor bendingmomentsbetweenthe column/
Further,for determinaiion
walls,anyrationalmethodof analysisbe adopied.
707.2.3 Theshearstrengthofthefootingmaybe checkedat thecriticalsectionwhich
'd'
is theverticalseciionat a distance fromthefaceof thewallfor one-wayactionwhere
'd' is theeffective
depthof thesectionat thefaceof thewall.
707.2.3.1 For two-wa1,actionior slab or footing,the criiicalsectionshould be
butneednot
perpendicular
is minimum,
thaiitsperimeter
to planof slabandso located
loador
of concentrated
approachcloserthanhalfthe effectivedepthfromthe perimeter
reaclionarea.
707.2.4 To ensureproperloadtransfer,a limitingvalueof fatioof depthto length/
widthof footingequalio 1:3 is specified.Basedon this,for slopedfootingsthe depth
depthattheenCplusl/3'dofihedistance
effective
atthecriticalseciionshallbeiherninimum
betweentheextremeedgeofthefootingto thecriticalsectionfoi designof thefootingfor
aI purposes.
bars
lengthof reinforcement
707,2.5 The criticalsectionfor checkingdevelopment
shouldbe takento be the samesectionas givenin Clause747.2,3and alsoali other
Verticalplaneswhereabruptchangesin sectionoccur.
707-2-6

Tensilercinforcement

ai leastequal
shallprovidea momentof resistance
707.2.6.1 fheEnsilereinfo;cement
in accordance
withClause7S7.2.2.
to thebendingmomenton thesectioncalculated
shall be distribuiedacfossihe corresponding
7o7.2.6.2 fhe tensilereinforcement
resisitino
sectionas below:
shall be same as
reinforcedfooting,the reinforcement
a) ln one-v,/ay
forcritical
unitwidthas mentioned
in Clause707.2.2.1.
calculated
in eadr
squarefooting,ihe reinforcement
extending
b) In two-wayreinforced
shallbedistributed
uniformly
acrossthefullsectionofthefootirE!
directlon

20

IRC:78-2O14
jn the long
c) ln iwo-wayreinforced
rectangulaf
footing,the reinforcement
directionshallbe distributed
uniformly
across{hefullwidthof thetboting.
Forreinforcement
in the shortdirection,
a centraibandequalio theshort
sideof the footingshallbe markedalongthe lengthof ihe footingand
portionof ihe reinfofcement
determined
in accorclance
withtheeq.uaiion
givenbelowshellbe uniformly
distribuied
abrossthe centi"al
bancl:
Reinforcement
in centralband
lbtal Reinforcement
in shortdifection

2
B+1

WhereB = theratioof thelongsideio ihe sho( sideof thefooting

The remainder
of the reinforcement
shallbe uniformly
distdbuted
in the
portions
outer
of thefooting.
Inthecaseofa circuiarshapedfooting,ihe reinforcement
shallbeprcvided
on the basisof the criticalvaluesof radialand circumfefential
bending
momenisin the form of radialand circumferential
steel.Alternatively,
equivalent
grid
provided.
orihogonal canbe
707,2.7 Theareaof tensionreinforcement
shouldas per IRC:112,Clausenumber
16.5.1.1
707.2.8 All facesof the footingshallbe providedu/iiha minimumsteelof 250 mmr/
metrein eachdirection
for all gradesof reinforcemeni.
SDacing
of thesebarsshallnotbe
|norethan300mm.Thissteelmaybe considered
to be actingas tensilereinfofcement
on
ihatface,if required
fromthe designconsiderations.
747,2,9 ln caseof plainconcrete.brickor stonemasonryfooiings,the loadfromthe
pierorcolumn
shallbetakenasdisDersed
ihrough
thefooiing
atananglenotexceeding
450
io vertical.
7Q7.3

OpenFoundationsat SlopedBcd Profite

707.3.1 Openfoundations
mayreston slopedbedorofileprovideci
the stabiliiyof the
slopeisensureC.
Thefootings
shallbe located
ona horizonlal
base.
707,3.2 Forthe foundations
adjacent
to each-othe(
the pressure
comingfromihe
icundations
laidon the higherleveJ
shauidbe dul_v
considered
on thefoundaiions
at th_.
ii'"verleveldueto the dispersions
of the pressure
fromthe foundation
at the higlrerlevel.
Thedistance
between
thetwofoundations
at dillerentlevelsmaybe decidedin sucha way
:f,minimize
ihiseffecttakingintoaccount
thenature
of soij.

IRC:78-2014
707-4

Construction

beforethefloodssothatthefoundation
worksshallbecompleted
Theprotective
707.4.1
doesnotgetundermined.
safety
shallbe doneaftertakingnecessary
on openfoundations
Excavation
i07.4.2
precautions
maybetakenfromlS 3764.
forwhichguidance
in rock,and is likely
707.4.3 Whereblastingis requiredto be donefor excavation
'to endangeradjoiningfoundations
precautions,
suchas,
necessary
or otherstructures,
prevent
etc.
flyingof debris, shallbe
suitablemat coverto
blasting,providing
controlled
takento preventanydamage.
707.4.4

Conditionfor laying offoundations

method
shouldbelaiddryandeveryavailable
theopenfoundations
707.4.4.1 Normally,
of waterby wellpoint,etc-.maybe resortedto.A
by pumpingor depression
of dewatering
belowfoundation.
shallbe provided
in M 10(1:3:6)
mmthickness
of 1OO
levelling
course
connotbe laid dry or
before-hand
that the foundations
707.4.4.2 ll it is determined
dry the
the
percolation
is too heavyfor keeping foundation
the situationis suchthatthe
concreiemaybe laidunderwateronlyby tremiepipe.In caseof flowingwater
foundation
or artesiansprings,theflowshallbe stoppedor reducedas far as possibleat the timeof
fromthe time of placingof
placingof concrite.No pumpingof watershallbe permitted
concreteupto24 hoursafterplacement.
pieror otherpermanent
by abutments,
andnotoccupied
707.4.5 All spacesexcavated
ground,withsufficient
worksshallbe refilledwithearthuptothesurfaceofthesurrounding
mmpactedandin general,its top
All backfillshallbe thoroughly
for settlement.
allowance
surfaceshallbe neatlygraded.
aroundthefootingshallbefilled-up
in rock,thetrenches
707.4.6 In caseof excavation
of M 15gradeuptotopof therock.
withconcrete
707.4.6.1 lf thedepthof fill requiredis morethan1.5m in softrockor 0.6m in hardrock
and
maybefilleduptothislevelby M 15concrete
level,thenconcrete
abovethefoundation
groutedwithcement.
or by boulders
portionabovemaybefilledby concrete
the designloadsandforces
on rockin riverbridges,
707.4.6.2 Fot designoffoundation
22

IRC:78-2414
in
Theloadoffiiling
neednotbeconsidered
offooting.
:rall beconsidered
uptoihebottom
::abiitycalculations

708 WELL FOUNDATIONS

708.1

General

locatedin deepwatercannels
the supersiruciure
708.1.'l Foundations
supporting
preferably
havinga singledredgehole.
caissons
shallcomprise
of propedy
dimensioned
',1,/hile
and pierto be
selecting
the shape,sizeand typeof well,the sizeof abutment
flow,thepossibility
of theuseof pneumatic
streamline
accommodated,
needforefiecting
should
andthenaiureof datato be penetrated
sinking,
theanticipated
depthoffoundation
m. In
dredge-hole
shall
not
be
less
than
3
dimensions
of
3e keptin view Theminimum
floatingcaissons
maybe usedas per
water,properly
designed
:asethereis deepsianding
Clause
708.12.
tlowever,in caseof;argerbridgesacrossriversin widefloodplainsproneto scour,delta/
locations,
trafficandbridges
in coastal/marine
withinlandwaterway
:ldalrivers,
channels
foundations
shallbe reduced
as faras practicable.
:i'renumber
of intermediate
12 m thenEngineefwellexceeds
diametef
of singiecircular
708.1.2 lf theexiernal
n-charge
maytakerecourse
to anyof thefollowing:
FiniteElement
using3-Dimensional
shallbeevaluated
a) Stressin steining
(3DFE[i) or anyothersuitable
anal]4ical
method.
N4ethod
well.
maybe donefor the singlecircular
b) Stiffening
by compartments
designand
wellsshallcallfor supplemenial
Designof suchstiffened
construction
specifications,
c)

wellmaybe adopted
TwinD-shaped

-08.1.3

shouldbe duly
The conditions
arisingout of sand blow,if anlicipated,
analytical
methodor
using3D FE|\4/suitable
whencircular
wellis analysed
:cnsidered
wellsareused.
siiifened
cifcular
upward
designed
to resistmaximum
708.1.4 Bottomplugof wellshouldbe suitably
':'ce actingon it duringconstruction
plugging
following
as wellas duringlifespanof the
S:atlCiUre.

708.2

WellSteining

io sinkthe
shouldbe suchsc thatit is possible
of the steining
708.2.1 Thickness
'.elt\vithoui
duringsinkingor during
andwithoutgettingdamaged
excessive
kentledge

lRCiTB-20'14
.ec|'ilingtheexcessive
iiltsandshifts.Thesieiningshouldalsobe ableto resistdifferential
eaithpressure
duringsandblowor otherconditions,
developed
like,sudden
drop.
Siresses
at variouslevelsof the steining
shouldbe withinpermissible
limitsunderall
conditions
for loadsthatmaybe transferred
to thewell.
708.2.2 Useof cellular
steining
witfltwoor moreshellsor useof composite
material
in
permitted
wellsteiningshallnotbe
forwellsupto12 m diameter.
708.2.3

Steiningthickness

708.2-.3.1
fhe minimum
thickness
of thewellsteining
shallnotbe lessthan500mmand
saiisfythefollowingrelationship:
h = Kd''F
= minimum
thickness
of steining
in m
d = external
diameter
of circular
wellof dumbbellshaped
wellor in caseof

twinD wellssmaller
dimension
in planin metres
= depihof weilsin melrebelowtop of v,/ellcapor LWLwhicheveris more
(forfioatingcaisson'/ ' may-be takenas depthof wellin meiresbelow
bed level).
= a ccnslalti

Valueof K shallbe as follows:

i) \A/eliin cementconcrete
ii) U/ellin brickrnasonry
iii) T\,vin
D wells

K = 0.03
K = 0.05
K = 0.039

708.2.3.2 the minimumsteiningthickness

may be vafiedfrom ebove in following
conditons:

$trata
a) Veil/softclavstrata
b) Harcjclaysirata

c) Boulderstraiaoi-wellrestingon
iockinvolving
blasting

Va!'iationfrom the
minimurn

Recornrnended
varialionupto

Reduced
Increased

1A%

Incieased

104/a

24

lAa/.

RC:78-2014

-:,.2.3.3

However,
following
aspects
mayalsobeconsidered
depending
on thestrata:
a)

b)

c)

Verysoft clay strata;l\,4ain

criteriafor reduction
in steiningthickness
is
to preventthewellpenetrating
by its ownweight.Whenthe thickness
is
so reduced,
thesteiningshalibe adequately
reinforced,
to getsufficient
strength.
Hardclay strata:Depending
on tite previousexperience,
the increase
in steining
thickness
maybe morethan10percent.
Boulderystrataor well restingon rock involvingblasting:higher
gradeof concrete,
higherreinforcement,
useof steelplatesin the lower
podions,
etc.,maybe adopted.

-J8.2.3.4

fhe recommended
valuesgivenin Clause709.2.3.2
can be furthervaried
:=sedon localexperience
andin accordance
withCecision
of Engineer_in_charge.
-i3.2.3.5

lf specialised
methods
of sinking,
suchas,jacl(clownmethod,
areadopted
:-3r'rihe steiningthicknessmay be adjustedaccordingio designand construction
=:uirements-i8.2.3.6

Anyvariaiion
fromdimensions
as proposed
in Clause708.2.3.1
shoutdbe
:::ided before
framing
theproposai.
--.8.2.3.7
Whenthe depthof wellbelowwellcapis equalto or morethan30 m, the
---cknessof the
steiningof lhe lvellcalculated
as per Ciause709,2.3maybe reduced
::JVe scourlevelin a slopeof t horizontal
to 3 verticalsuchthat ]e reduced
thickness
of
'--esteining
shouldnotbe lessthanrequired
as perClause708.2.3
forthedepthof well
-:io scourlevelwith
thereduced
diameter.
:e reduction
in thickness
shallbe donein theoutersudaceof thewellThedtameier
ot
-ier dredge
holeshallbe keptunifom.
-:e

minimum
steelandtheconcrete
gradein theslopeportion
shallbe sameas forthe
::::.lingbelolv
scourlevel.

l,"rlmumdevelopment
lengthof all the vertical
steelbarsshallbe provided
beyond
ihe
- .imumsectionas shownin theAppendix-3(Fig.
1).
-- stressin ihereduced
secijon
of steining
shailalsobe checkeci.
-:3.3
-:3.3.1

D?sign
Considerations
Theexieinal
Ciameter
cf thebrickmasonry
wellsshallnotexceed
6 m. Brick
25

IRC:78-2014
masonry
wellsfor depthgreaterthan20 m shallnotbe permitted.
708.3-2 Forbrickmasonry
wells,bricknotlessthanGrade-Ahaving
strength
notlessthan
usedin cementmortarnotleanerthan1:3
TlMPaconforming
to lS 1077shall,be
(whether
wells,vertical
reinforcements
mildsteelor deformird
708.3.3 Forplainconcrete
bars)in thesteining
shallnotbe lessthah0.12percentof grosssectional
areaofthe actual
provided.
Thevertical
thickness
Thisshallbeequally
distributed
onbothfacesofthesteining.
percent
of thevolumeper
reinforcements
shallbetiedup withhoopsteelnotlessthan0.04
unitlengthof thesteining,
as shownin the4 ppendix-3(Fig.2).
708.3.4 ln casewherethewellsteiningis designed
as a reinforced
conorete
element,
it shallbe considered
as a columnsectionsubjected
to combined
axialloadandbending.
providedin the steiningshallnot be less
However,
the amountof verticalreinforcement
than0.2percent(foreithermildsteelor deformed
bars)of the actualgrosssectional
area
percent
(of
gross
of the steining.On the innerface,a minimumof 0.06
area)steelshall
in thesteiningshallbe provided
be provided.
Thetransverse
reinforcement
in accordance
withtheprovisions
fora columnbutin nocaseshallbelessthan0.04percentofthevolume
perunitIength
ofthesteining.
Thehorizontal
shallalsobechecked
forovalisation
moments
annularsectionofwellsteining
by any rationalmethodtakingaccountof sideearthpressures
evaluated
as per Clause
7.O8.4.
708.3.5 Thevertical
bondrodsin brickmasonry
steining
shallnotbelessthan0.1percent
of the cross-sectional
areaandshallbe encasedintocementconcrete
of M 15 mixof size
'150mmx 150mm.Theserodsshallbeequally
distributed
alongthecircumference
inthemiddle
ofthesteining
andshallbetiedupwithhoopsteelnotlessthan0.04percent
ofthevolumeper
Thehoopsteelshallbe provided
in a concrete
bandat spacing
of4
unitlengthofthesteining.
metres,
RCC
timesofthethickness
ofthesteining
or 3
whichever
is less.Thehorizontal bands
not
less
mm
wide
and
150
mm
high,
reinforced
withbarsofdiameter
notless
shall be
than300
andtiedwith6 mmdiameter
as
than10mmplacedai thecorners
stirrups
at 300mmcentres,
(Frg.3).
shownin theAppendrx-3
708.3.6 Thestressesin wellsteiningshallbe checkedat suchcriticalsectionswhere
arelikelyto be maximum
tensileandcompressive
stresses
andalsowherethereis change
in theareaof reinforcement
or in theconcrete
mix.
7OA.4

Stabilityof Well Foundations

7O8.4.'l

Thestability
anddesignofwellfoundations
shallbedoneunderthemostcritical
26
:

lRc.78-2014
shallsatisfy
onfoundations
:crbjnationofloadsandforcesasperClause706 Thepfessure
--^eprovisions
706
of Clause
708.4.2

Sideeafthresistance

givenin
as per guidelines
may be calculated
108.4.2.1fhe sideearthresisiance
in
The use of provisionsIRC:45rnay be usedfor pier well foundations
Appendix-g.
soil.
:ohesionless
rc8'4.2'2rhesideearth|esistanceSha|IbeignoredinCaseofwe||foundations
then
bearingpfessureis lessthan1 l\'4Pa'
:n rock.lf rockstratais suchthattheallowable
maybetakenintoaccount
::resideearthresistance
708.4.3

on abutments
Earlhpressure

in front'the
to retainearthand not spilling
are designed
708.4.3.1lf the abutments
and
'3undations
the earthpressure
to withstand
shallbe designed
of suchabutments
reiained
of scourdepthin frontof 1.27d", withapproach
forcesfor thecondition
:orizontal
considered'
nol
be
liveloadmay
ullaroundln caseof scourallaround'
.nJ z d",*lth
""ort
is reliablyproteciedin
whereearthspillingfromthe approaches
708.4.3.2 HoweYer,
frombottomof well cap
afont,reliefdue to the spillingearthin frontmay be considefed
iownwards.
708.4.4

Constructionstage

stagewhenthere
fortheconstruction
ofthewellshallalsobechecked
708.4.4.1Stability
dueto water
to designscour,full pfe-ssure
andthe wellis subjected
s no superstructure
wells
as in thecaseof abutment
earthpressure
fulldesign
:urrentand/or
of wellswhenit has not reachedthe foundinglevel
7A8.4.4.2 Dwingthe construction
to fullpressuredueto water
thewellsare likelyto be subjected
cr hasnotbeenpiugged,
Thismayresultin tilting,slidingandshiftingAs a partof thesafety
,urr"ntuptofrtt
""oi,;this shouldbe considered
and safetyof well mustbe ensuredby
juring construction,
whererequired
methods,
sultable
708.5

Tilts and Shifts

-:8.5.7
anytiltsandshifts'
thewellsshallbe sunkplumbwithout
As faras possible,
'150mmduetotranslation
ina direction
(bothadditive)
- c'.vever,
a tiltof I in80anda shiftof
..,IlchWillcausemostseve|eeffectShalIbeconSideredinthedesignofwelIfo
27

IRC:78-2014

T0B.S.2lftheactualtiltsandshiftsexceedtheabovelimits,thentheremedial
theniiseffectonbearing
thatlimit.lf it isnotpossible
to bringthewellwithin
havetoberesorted
if
andcontrolled
shailbe examined,
elements
pressure,
steiningstressind othersiruciural
may
to changein spanlength.TheEngineer-in-charge
by resorting
andfeasiLrle,
necessary
to
subject the
tiltsandshiftsuptowhichthewellmaybeaccepted
themaximum
liketo specify
thespanlengthif needed'
stressbeingwithinlimiis,bychanging
presiureandsteining
bearing
of theresultof anymodification'
irrespective
andbeyondwhichthewellwillbe rejected
708.6

CuttingEdge

708.6.1 Themildsteelcuttingedgeshallbestrongenoughandnotlessthan40 kg/mto

faciIitate'sinkingoftheWellthroughthetypesofstrataexpectedtobeejcodntered
to the wellcurb Forsinkingthrough
anyd;mage.lt shallbe properlyanchored
suffering
rock,cuttingedgeshouldbe suitablydesigned
in a well,the loverend of the
708.6.2 Whenthereare two or morecompartments
cuttingedgeof the middlestemsof suchwellsshallbe keptabout300 mm abovethat
of theouterstemsto preventrocking,as shownin theAppendix-3(Fig' 2)'
7gA.7

Well Curb

708.7.1Thewel|curbShouldbesuchthatitWil|offertheminimumresistance
loads
wellis beingsunkbutshouldbe strongenoughto be ableto transmitsuperimposed
fromthesteiningto ihe bottomplug.
of thecurbas givenin Appendix'3(Fig'
708.7.2 Theslrapeandlhe outlinedimension
'as'
Theinternalangleof thecurb as shownin Appendix-3
2) maybetakenfor guidance.
basedon
or decreased
ftg- , shouldbe keptat about30"to 37' andmaybe increased
data.
pastexperience
andgeotechnical
of ''nixnot ieaner
concrete
be in reinforced
7A8.7,3 The wellcurbshalllnvariably
of 72 kglcumexcludingbondrods The steel
than M 25 with minimumreinforcement
shallbe suitablyarrangedto preventspreadingand splittingof ihe curbduringsinking
andin service.
the innerfaces of the well curb shall be
708.7.4 ln case blasiingis anticipated,
proiectedwith sieel platesof ihicknessnot less than 10 mm uptothe top of the well
curb.lf it is desiredto incieasethe steelliningabovethe well curbtllen the thickness
height.In any case'this extraheightof the
can be reducedto 6 mm for that increased
steel shouldnot be morethan 3 metresunlessihere is a specificrequirementThe
of 10 mm
curb in sucha caseshouldbe providedwith additionalhoopreinforcement
dia mild steelor deformedbars at 150 mm centreswhichshall also extendupto a
heightof3rnintotheWe||steiningabovethecurb.Additionalreinforcement

28

^sightupiotvrotimesthe ihickness
of steinrng
shouJd
be provided
,"
:t;:::;
"::
ar-lsing
ouioi sudden
change
inlheeiiective
section
dueio curtailflent
plete.
oi
703.8

BottornPlug

708.8.1 Thebottompiugshallbe provided

in ali ureilsandihe topshallbe keptnot
.o\,/erihan300 mm in the centfeabovethe iop of ihe curbas shownin the Appendix_3
sumpshallbebelowihelevelofthecuiting
fFE.4. A suitable
ecge.Beiore
concerting
the
!ctom piug,it sha'lbeensured
thatitsinside
faceshavebeencleaned
thoroughly.
708.8.: Theconcrele
mixusedin boiiomplugshallhavea minimum
cement
content
.i 330kg/m3
anda slumpof abcui'150rnrnto perrnjte6syflowof concfete
throughtermieto
3iacefi{!upallcavilies.
concrete
shailbeiaidinoneconiiruorrs
opeiation
tilldrecige
holeis
iliedto required
height.
Foruncier
waterccncreting,
iheconcfete
shallbeplaced
bytremie
JnCer
stiliwaterccndilion
andthecemeni
conieni
o{ rnixbeincreased
by 10percent.
708.8.3 In casegrouiedcolcfete,
e.g.,ccncreieis used,tite groutmjxshallnot be
:eaner
itan -l:2ancjil silalibe ensured
by suitable
means,
suchas,contfoliing
therateof
pumping
thatihegrcutfiiis-up
aliinierstices
uptothetopof theplug.
703.8.4 lf anydewaiering
is required
it shallbe carried
outafter7 da],shaveeiapsed
aftefbottornplugging.
708.9

Fillingthe Well

708.9.iThefiiling
oftheyreii,if considered
necessary,
abovelhebotrom
plugshallbedone
',vitnsandor excavated
materiaifree
frornorganicmatier.
708.10

PlugoverFitting

708.10.1 A 300mmthickpiugof &115cement

concrete
shall.beprovioed
overthefilling.
708.11

WellCap

708.1!.1 Thebottom
of wellcapshalibe laidas lowas possible
butabovetheLWLin
ineactivechennel.
Wherethebedlevelis higher
thanLWLthebattom
oi we| capmayoe
suitably
faised.
708.11.2 As manylongitudinal
barsas possible
coming
fiomihewellsteining
shailbe
anchored
intothewellcap.
708.1'1.3 Thedesignof theweiicapshallbe basedon;anyaccepied
raiionat
method,
\{orst
:onsidering
the
combination
of loacis
andforces
as perCtause
706.
29

IRC:78-2014
708.12

FloatingCaissons

or anysuitablematerial
concrete
maybeof steel'reinforced
caissons
708,12,1 Floating
if
Theyshouldhaveat least1.5metresfree boardabovethe waterleveland increased'
sinkingsuddenlyowingto
of caissons
in casetherejs a possibility
necessary,
considered
effectofwaves'sinking
of caissons,
suchas,scourlikelyto resultfromlowering
reasons,
in verysoftstrata,etc.
708.12.2 Well caissonsshould be checkedfor stabilityagainstovefturningand
whilebeingtowed,andduringsinking,dueto the actionof watercurrent,wave
capsizing
pressure,
wind,etc.
as part of foundationunless
708.12.3 The floatingcaissonshallnot be considered
is ensured.
oroDer
sheartransferat the interface
708.13

sinking of Wells

be sunktrueandverticalSinkingshould
708.13.1 Thewellshallas far as possible
not be startedtill the steininghas beencuredfor at least48 hours A completerecord
etc done
blasting,
dewatering'
tilt andshifts,kentledge'
including
of sinkingoperating
shallbe maintained
duringsinking
as given
guidance
maybetakenfromtheprecautions
Forsafesinkingof wells,necessary
inAppendk4.
708.14

PneumaticSinkingof wells

sinking,it will be
data indicatethe needfor pneumatic
708.14.1 Wheresub-surface
and its supporling
equipment
to decideihe methodand locationof pneumatic
necessary
adapter.
708.14.2 ln case if concretesteiningis provided,it shall be renderedair tight by
the tensionin concretewhichwill not exceed3/8d'ofthe modulusof rupture'
restricting
it to be a thick
by assuming
Forthecircularwells.thetensionin steiningmaybe evaluated
walledcylinder.
708.14.9 The steiningshallbe checkedat differentsectionsfor any possiblerupture
strengthened'
againstthe upliftforceand,if necessaryshallbe adequately
safetyof personnel
equipment,
of the pneumatic
708j14.4 The designrequirements
of lS 4138"SafetyCodefor Working
and the structureshallcomplywiththe provisions
thatthe heightof the workingchamberin a pneumatic
Aii'. lt is desirable
in Compressed
headroomwhenthecutting
shouldnotbe lessthan3 metresto providesufficient
caissons
30

IRC:78-2014
edgeis embedded
a shortdistancebelowthe excavated
leveland in particular
to allow
forblowing
down.Thelimiting
depthforpneumatic
sinking
shouldbe suchthatthedepih
of waterbelownormalwaterlevelto the proposed
foundatjon
leveluptowhichpneumatic
sinking
is proposed
shouldnotexceed
30 .
708.15

SinkingofWetts by Resortingto Btasting

Blasting
maybeemployed
withpriorapproval
of competent
authofity
to helpsinking
ofwell
forbreaking
obstacles,
suchas,boulders
orforlevelling
therocklayerforsquare
seating
of
wells.Blasting
maybe resorted
to onlywhenothermethods
arefound,
ineffective.
709 PILE FOUNDATION
709.1

ceneral

709.1.'l Pilestransmitthe loadof a structureto competeni

sub-surface
strataby the
resistance
developed
frombearingat thetoeor skinfriciionalongthesurfaceor both.The
pilesmaybe fequired
to carryupliftandlateralloadsbesidesdirectverticalload.
709,1.2 Theconstruction
of pilefoundaiion
requires
a careful
choiceof pjlingsystem
depending
uponsubsoil
conditions
andloadcharacteristics
of structures.
Thepermissible
limitsof totalanddifferential
setflement,
unsuppoded
lengthof pileunderscourandany
otherspecial
requirements
of project
arealsoequally
irnpo(ant
criteria
foradopnon.
709.1.3 Designandconstrucfion
: Fordesignandconstructjon
of pjlesguroance
may
be takenfromlS 2911subject
to limitations/stipulations
givenin thiscode.Appendix-s
givestfredesignformulae
andtheirapplicability.
709.1.4 For pilesin streams,
followed:

creeks,etc.,the followingcriteriamay be

Scourconditions
areproperly
esiablished.
ii)

Permanent
steelliner shouldbe providedat leastupto maximumscour
level.In caseof marine
clayor softsoilor soilhavingaggressive
material,
permanent
steellinerof sufficient
strengthshallbe usedforthefulldepthof
suchstrata.
Theminimum
thickness
of linershouldbe6 mm
Forbridges
located
in land,steellinersof minimum
thickness
of 6 mmshall
be provided
in casesgivenbelow.
Thelinershallbeprovided
upto depihup
to whichfollowing
prevail.
situations
Whileconstructing
thepilefoundation
ihroughverysoftclay(N< 3) ,veryloose
sandystrata(N< 8),bouldery
formation
andartesian
conditions,
wherein
the

IRC:78-2014
bybentonite
circulation.
cannotbestaDilized
wallsof boreholes
b)
709.'1"5

as well as siles with

Wheresewageleakageis commonphenomenon
environment
aggressive
soil/watef
Spacingof pilesandtolerances

709.1.5.1 Spacingof piles

a)

piles,connected
or by
byframestructure
on multiple
Wherepieris supported
tothenature.
inrelation
ofpiles
should
beconsidered
solidpilecap,thespacing
The
groups
convenience.
in
andtheexecution
theirbehavior
of theground,
and
heave
orcompaction
regard
totheresuliing
bechosenwith
spacing
should
number
of pilesto be installed
to enable
thedesired
shouldbelvideenough
or to
withoutdamageto anyadjacentconstruction
to thecorrectpenetration
thepilesthemselves.

b)

diameter
sufficiently
piermaybesupported
onsinglepilehaving
Foriandbridges,
pile
withreference
of
installation
constructioir
tolerances
largeio accommodate
by
the
desiEnThe
piers
as
required
as
well
as
having
skengih
lo locaiionof
of verticalload
eccentricity
pileshouldbe designed
to cateifor themaximum
pile
as
a pierandget
be
continued
to
aci
in suchcase.Alternatively, shaftcan
due
lheeccentricities
whichisdesigned
to accommodate
io piei'cap
connecied
icierances.
toconsiruciion

to thepileheads,or the sizeand

the loadfromthe structure
Thesizeof a capcatrying
type,sizeandspacingof piles.
effectivelengthof a groundbeam,mayinfiuence
aboveTheworking
by manyaspectsmeniioned
Thespacingof pilesv/illbe detemi:'red
areas iollows:
thoughnotalways,suitable,
ruleswhichareggnerally,
of ihe pileof
Forfrictionpiles,the spacingcentreshouldnoi be lessthanthe perirneter
theirresistance
pile,threetimesthediameter.
Thespaiingof pjlesderiving
for circular
mainlyfromend bearingmaybe reducedbutthe distancebetweenthe surfacesof the
shaftsof adjacentpilesshouldbe notlessthanthe leastwidthof the piles.
for pilesshallbeas under:
toletances
709.1.5.2 Permissible
1 in
pilesT5mmat pilingplatform
ievelondtiltnotexceeding
i) Forvertical
150;
ii) Forrakerpilesioleranceof 1 in 25.
in piieshallnotexceedthefollowing:
raketo be permitted
7 0 9 . 1 . 6 Themaximum
i) 1 in 6 forallboredpiles:
piies:and
;i) 1 ;n6 ior drivencasFin-situ
32

IRC:78-2O14

iii) '1in 4 for precastdrivenpites.

tvr.t.t
rne minJmum
diameter
shallbe 1.0m forrjverlmarjne
bridges.
Fof brjdges
3eyond
thewaterzoneandforbridgeson land,thediameter
maybe reduc"ed
upto750mm.
709.1.8

Settlement,differentialseftlementand pile capacitv

TheDifferential
setflement
between
two successive
foundations
takenat pitecaplevel,
:naybe esiimated
fromthe maximurn
setflement
expected
at twofoundations
for thedead
:cad,superimposed
loads,liveloadandscoureffect.
Theincrease
in set ementwjthtime
in cJayey
soilsshallbe accounted
for.in acsence
of detailed
calculaiions,
forrnepurpose
ef preliminary
design,
it canbe takenas notmorethanthemaximum
settiement
of anyof
:hetwofoundations.
The differential
settrement
sha be rimiteddepending
uponthe fofiowingfunctionar
and
structural
consideraUons:
a) FunclionalJy,
acceptable
differenijal
settlement
betweentwo neighboring
-comfortl
piersshallnotbegreaterthanj ih400of ihespanto ensureriding
as specified
in Clause 706.3.2.1
.
o l Theallowable
settlement
of a singlepileconsidered
for estimatino
thepile

capacity
shallbe arriVed
fromcbrrelatioioftheset ementof pitegroupto
thatof sjnglepile.as pefClause709.3.4.

c) rr rs tunherprovided
thattheworking
loadcapacity
ol pilebasedon the

sub-clause
b) shallnof exceed40 percentof the loadiorrespondjng
to
thesettlement
of.10 percentof pilediameter(i.e.safetyfactor of 2.5 on
ultimaie
loadcapaciiy
isensured).

709.1.9 ForbothPrecast
piles,thevalues
andcasFin-situ
regarding
gradeofconcrete,
i?alercementfatio,slumpshallbe asforlows:
ConcreteCast-in-situby
Tremie
urade ot concrete
l,4in.
cementcontents
l.'lax.W.C.ratio

Stump(mm
NOTE:i)

M35
400 kg/m3

0.4
'150-200

PrecastConcrele
t\,135
400 kg/mr
0.4
50-75

Forimproving
resistance.to
penetration
of harrnfillelements
fromsoiluseot rnineral
33

tRC.78-2014
Bls/lnternational
to respective
(tlyash,silicafume,GGBSconforming
admixtures
is recommended
andas perIRC:112
standards)
protectlon
andareasexposedto actionof harmfulchemlcals'
'' In marineconditions
ii)
based'coal{arepoxvbased
ii piielaps witttsuitaotecJing ;uch as bituminous
aluminacements(i e quicksettingcement)shall
Liting muyo" consioered
.Hiqh- whenbothchlorides
arepresent
andsulphates
notbeusedInmaflneconottron!Also
cementis notrecommenoeo
useof sulphate-resistant
7Og.2

Requirementand Steps for Design and Installation

7og'2.lTheinitialdesignofanindividua|pile,confirmationofitscapacityb
if y e i t h

of design'
modiJlcation
of actualsoil parameters'
t"sior uv re-coniirmation
in-it-iJlo"o
deslgn
shouldpassthroughfollowingstepsof investigations'
anOtinataOoption
requireO,
andloadtesting:
for piles lo
and detailedsub-sui{aceinvestigation
i) comprehensive
frictioncapacity
ofendbearingcapacity'
thedeslgnparameters
determine
the pile
andlateralcapacityof soilsurrounding
for specifiedbearing
ii) Designof pile and piie groupbasedon i) above
strata.

709.2.2

loadtestingl
iii) Initial
conlirmation
pilefordirect
testonpileofsamediameterasdesign
lnitialload
of design.
theexpected
conflrming
Theinitialloadtestis a parlofthedesignprocess
of bearingstrataandthe pilecapacity
properties
typesof stratametat site'
fordifferent
.iv) Stepsii) andiii)shouldbe repeated
by testsaregivenbelow:
Thestepsfor designandconfirmation
assumedin thedeslg|
soilparameters
to reconfirm
Sub-soilexploration
on tentative
ii) Providefor the requireddesigncapacityof pilegroupbased
numberanddiameterof pilesin a group'
of singlepileshouldbebasedon
settlement
total/differential
iii) Theallowable
ofsingle
asperClauses709'1'8and709'3'4'Capacity
theconsiderations
groundcharacteristios'
considering
fit" i. to o" basedon stalicformula
Thisstepalongwithstepii) maybe iterative'

i)

designof Piles.
tv) Structural
7092 1 iii) isforaxialloadcapacity
in CIause
v) lnitialloadtestasmentioned
34

lRCi78-2014

'

including
uplifteapacity,
if requjred,
on trialpilesof thesamediameter
as
thedesignpile.Theiestingshallbedoneas pertheprocedure
laiddownin
part-lvThisloadtestsha be conducted
lS:2911,
for nottessthan2,/_
iimesthedesignload.Theiniiialloadiestshallbe cyclicloadtestfor pile6
deriving
skengthfromendbearingandsiOetriction.Tnemaintained
load
testcanbe performed
forendbearingpileswithoutrelyingon frjction,and
forthesocketed
pilesin rock.

vi) lf theinitialloadtestgivesa capacity

greater
than25 percent
of thecapacitv
calculated
by sttjcformula,
andif ii js desired
to takebenefitof thehighe;
capacity,
anothertwo loadtestsshallbe car ed outto confimthe earljer
valueandminimum
ofthethreeshallbe
considered
asinitialload
testvalue.
Thenumberof initiaitestsshallbe determined
by the Engineerrn_cnarge
takingintoconsideration
theborelogand-soil
profile.
jt js important
709.2.3 For abutment,
to consider
overallstability
of the structure
and abutment.
The pilesshouldalso be designedto sustainsurcharge
effectof
embankment.
709.2.4 Routinetoadtest

r) Rouiineloadtestshouldbe doneat locations

of alternate
foundations
of

|.:"olf]T or modifythe a owabtetoads.Verricat

andhorizonrat
lr'Og:.
lo
loadtestsshouldbe properly
designed
to coverparticular
pilegroup.The
lateralloadtestmaybe conducted
on twoadjacent
piles.However,
results
of routineloadtesisshallnotbeusedforupwafdrevision
of designcapacity
of piles.Theminimum
number
olteststb beconducted
is asgivenbelowfor
pilecapacity.
confirming
Totalnumberof Pilesfor the Bridge
Upto50
ijpto 150

3eyond
150

YOTEi

Thenumber
of testsmaybejudiciousJy
increased
depending
uponthevariability
of
loundatrons
strata.
ii)

Permissible
OverLoad
Whileconducting
routineteston oneof thepilebelonging
to a pjlegroup,if
35

IRC:78-2014
criteriaat 1.5
the pile is foundto be deficient(basedon the settlement
'10
capacity
upto percentofthe
reduced
timesthedesignload)anovedoad
maybe allowed.
iii)

'

of pilecapacity,
high-strain
dynamictestsmaybe
Foraquickdssessment
afterestablishing
co{elationsusingthe resultsof loadtests.
conducted
resultsoflhe straindynamictestsshallnotbe usedfor upward
However,
guidelines
areat Appendix-7
of pile.Detailed
revision
of designcapacity
Parf t- Thesemethodscanbe follovred-

concrete
andconstruction
iv) Tohavea fairlygoodideaaboutthequality-of
etc., pile integrity tests are
defects like voids, discontinuities,
extensivelyconducted-Detailedguilelines and referencesare at
. Appendix-7Part2.

709.3

Capacityof Pile
Geotechnical

709.3.1

Resistanceto verTicalloads

For calculatingdesignedcapacityof pile for load combinationI of Clause706.1.1,

of pilegroup,
of Appendix-sshouldbe dlovted-Forcalc latingcapacity
recommendation
andtheallotv"abb
setbnEntcliteriaasperClause709.1.8'
referclauses709.3.3
and709.3.4
definitixtswillapply.
Forpurpose
oftheseClausesthefollowing
a) Cohesivesoil (clayor plasticsiltwithS" < 0.25MPa);
withinlayer)
b) Gianularsoil (sand,gravelor noGpbslicsittwith N (average
< 50 blows/o,3m (50 blo$rsBocms);
Geomaterial
c) Intermediate
with0.25MPa(2.5tsf)< S,<2.5MPa.
Cohesive:
e.g.clayshalesormuddones
m
. Cohesion
less:e.g.granulartilb, granularresidualsoilsN>50blows/o.3
(50blows/3o
cm);
with Su : 2.5MPa(25 tsf) or'
d) Rock: Cohesive,CementedGeornaterial
guZ 5.0MPa.
709.3.2

Factorof Satuty

The minimumfactorof safetyon ultimateaxial capacitycomputedon the basisof

I of Clause706.1.1for pilesin soil.For
staticformulashallbe 2.5for loadcombination
pilesin rock,factorof safetyshallbe 3 on end bearingcomponentaqd 6 on socket
for loadcombinationI of clause706-1.1sijbjedtto further
sideresistancecomponent,
limitsas stipulatedin Appendix-s.

36

IRC:78-2014
709.3.3

Capacityof piles/groupaction

The axiaicapacityof a groupof pilesshouldbe determined

by a factorto be appliedto
'le capaciiy
pilesmultiplied
of individual
bythenumber
of pilesofthegroup.
i) Factor
maybetakenas I incaseof purely
pileshaving
endbearing
minimum
spacing
of2.0timesthedjameter
pile
of
andforfrictional
pileshaving
spacing
of minimum
3 timesdiameter
of pile.
ii) Forpilegroups
in clays,thegroupcapacity
shallbe iesserofthefollowjnq:
a) Sumof ihecapacities
of theindividuat
pilesin thegroup.

709.3,4

b) Thecapacityofthe
groupbasedonblockfailure
concept,
wherethe
ultimate
loadcarrying
capacity
oftheblockenclosing
thepilesin estimated.
Settlementof pile group

709.3.4.1 fhe capacity

ofa pilegroupisalsogoverned
byset ementcriterion.
Setflement
ri a piJegroupmaybe coniputed
onthebasisof following
recommendations
or bv anvother
?tionalmethod.
749.3.4.2 Seftlement
ofpilegroupin sands
, nesettlement
ofa pilegroup
isaffected
bytheshapeandsizeofgroup,
lengih,
spactng
and
:ethodofinstallation
piles.
given
of
Meihods
in tS8OO9
(parill)ofanyotherrational
method
-raybe used.Thesetilement group piles
of
of
in sandscanbe calculated
by assuming
that
:'reloadcarriedbythepilegroupis transferred
to thesoilthroughan equivalent
raftlocated
.i onethirdof thepilelengthupwards
fromthepileioeforfriction
piles.Forendbearingpiles
:re settlement
canbecalculated
byassuming
ihe raftplacedat thetoeof thepilegroup.
-Cg.3.4.3
SettlemenL
ot pilegroupin clays
-e
l e s settlement
of pilegroupin homogeneous
claysshallbe evaluated
usingTezaghiand
-:cK Approach
whtchassumes
thattheloadcarried
pile
groupis hansferred
bythe
to the
-.cilthroughan equivalent
fooiinglocatedat onethifdof the pilelengthupwardsfronrihe
: le toe.Theloadundertheequivalent
footing
is assumed
to spread
intosoilat a slopeof
2 ivertical)
:1 (horizontal).
:3 settlement
tor equivalent
footingshallbe evaluated
in accordance
with lS g009
tart-ll).
-:9.3.4.4

Seftlement
ofpilegroupin rock
37

IRC;78:2014
the
per1S8009(Partll) considering
as
computed
be
may
rock
in
of pilesfounded
Settlemeni

709"3.5

to lateral/oads
Resistance

where
of Pile
D = Diarneter
L =r r LengthbetweenouterJaces
of movement'
direction

to
in plahPerPendicular

''-r-i.

of.pile-sroT.l1"l^1"'j^:,1,:"':li[:;H"::fl
resrstance
lateral
ohthe
70s.3.5.2Ihesafe
piredepends
rl""o"'"Ji**i"oividuar

"i aswellasthestructural
l*';1;1i ffi ffi .Hlil;ilffi
t"t"tial
reacrro'ioltn"louno"tion
"lli
ofhorizontal
modulus
"ub-graoe

{**run*i#ii:,':d
H:qv;:'i,;#i."'Jr:.;rti':',rffi
r":',";;":;;i,1i4*
i
t',.:r;i1i:l:ffi
:ll:#il"tffi
i*,n,",J o*".
f ?lI"'1
9".11*qijl:t*:*my":ln'":T1
"i"".o",

g'lil*1fi
:;ffi:f"i*:T":",''"T#lllTifl
;:*:l:
::'
:|:ilt5i:xt*:s
';,ii$lll""J:"':f
:ffi
}*llh1ll','"';:",
i{iti*j'tiT#:i='f
';[:ftlinT'"',il"tt,1;::t',t;""i'lH#;'t'u]tu'ui
orrixitv
thepoint
rrom
*ntir'u''
by
or calculated
forth')design'
tnl aiaiysisperformed
trom
uten
oe
can
point
fixity
of
Tie
gjiven
inlS:2911'
method
simoiified

naturewhen
oriemporary
of permanent
reslstupliftforces
to
required
be
may
Piles
709.3.6.1
in strucrures
as anchorages
mornentg'or
overturning
large
to
subjected
foundations
usedin
uplifipressure'
iiJ. uno"ro""""" .ubjectedto hydrostatic
38

IRC:78-2O14
149.3.6.2 fhe ultimateupliftcapacitymay be calculated
with the expression
of shaft
-ssistance/skin
frictiononly,of the staticformulaefor compression
loadsand applyinga
'eduction
factorof 0.70on thesame.In caseof rock,thesocketlengthshallbe measured
-om 0.3 m depthto actualdepthof socket.The weightof the pile
shallalso be taken
as actingagainstuplift.Pullout testshallbe conducted
for verification
of upliftcapacity.
= 3.5on theultimate
iactorof (2.5/0.7)
strength
shallbe used.
109.3.6.3 Theupliftcapacjtyof pilegroupis lesserofthe twofollowingvalues:
-

thesumoftheupliftresistance
pilesinthegroup.
of theindividual
and
the sum of shearresistance
mobilisedon the surfaceperimeterof the
groupplusthe effective
weightof the soiland ihe pilesenctosed
in this
perimeter.
surface

709.3.6.4 Pilesshouldbe checkedfor structural

adequacy
againstupliftforcestogether
,rithotherco-existent
forces,if any.
709.3.6.5 Theminimum
factorofsafetyon ultimateupliftloadcalculated
ontheaforesaicj
:asisshallbe2.5.
709.3.7

Pilessubjectedto downwarddrag

.'/hena soilstratum
throughwhichpileshafthaspenetrated
intoan underlying
hardsiratum
lompresses
dueto its ownweight,or remoulding,
or surfaceloadetc.,additional
vertical
.ad is generated
alongihe pileshaftin suchstratum.
Suchadditional
loadcomingon pile
-ay beassessed
onthefollowing
basis:
i) In the caseof pile derivingits capacitymainlyfrom friction,the value
of downwarddragforcemay be takenas 0.2 to 0.3 timesundrained
shearstrengthmultiplied
by the surfaceareaof pileshaftembedded
in
compressible
soil.
ii) In caseof pilederiving
itscapacity
mainlyfromend beadng.
the value
of downwarddrag force may be considered
as 0.5 limesundrained
shearstrength
multiplied
by the surfaceareaof pileshaftembedded
in
compressible
soil.
iii) Fora groupof piles,the dragforcesshallalsobe calculated
considering
the surfaceareaof the block(i.e.,perimeterof the grouptimesdepth)
jn compressible
embedded
soil.In the eventof thisvaluebeinghigher
thanthe numberof pilesin the grouptimesthe individual
downward
drag
forces,thesameshallbe cosidered
in thedesign.
iv) Thisreduction
in capacity
of pileis in theultimate
capacity
39

lRC.78-2014
709.4

StructuralDesignof Piles

'

the lqad
strengthto transmit
membershallhavesufficient
7o;g.4.1 Arpileas a structural
if any,
temporaryJtresses,
tqwithstand
i., .tru"trr" io."oit.Thepileshallalsobedesigned
permissible
to, suchas, handlinganddrivingstressesThe
to *ni.n it maybe subjected
shouldbeas PerIRC:112'
stresses
to thefoundation
designed
!o carrytesl loadsafely
Thetestpiteshallbe separately
all the loadeffectsand
709.4.2 The pilesmaybe designedtakinginto consideration
as a columnTheselfloadof pileor lateralloaddueto
capacityexamined
theirstructural
forc",etQon the portionof freepileuptoscourlevelandupto
water'curr"ni
earthquake;.
lor'
bedulyaccounted
should
levelif applicable
liquefaction
ootential
asdescrjbed
in pileshaftca! bqcalculated
loadsthqmqments
709.4.3. Eorthehorizontal
withrigidcap,thenthepiles
ror piteson tand,ifthepilegroupis pror/ided
in ciau"ezog.s.s.z.
forthispurposeHorizontal
direction
as havingfixedheadin appiopriate
mavbe considered
in allpilesin a groupwitha rigidpilecap
equally
forcemavbedistribqted
709.4.4

p'ies
for casFm-slfu
Reinforcements

of IRc:1,12,
Withtherequiremenls
complying
beprovided
in pi|eShou|d
Thereinforcements
shallnot be less
reinforcemeni
areaof longitudinal
ua p"r rn" designrequirements-"The
in all cast2 5 percentoftheactualareaof cross-section
mul o.+p"t""ninot greaterthan
barsshallnot be lessthan100
between-vertical
pilesiTheclear'spacing
i"oitu
the same
"on"t"t"of not morethantwo barstogethelcan be madefor achieving
mm.Grouping
I mmdiameter
in theformof spiralswithminimum
l"tur"t r.uintoi""t"ntshallbe provided
linkstying
separate
ap"aingnottore than150mm Forinnerlayerof reinforcement'
"t""t,
themtoeachotherandtoouterlayerSSha||beproVided.
shoild complywiththe provision
709.4.5 Forpre-castdrivenpiles,the reinforcement
anyupliftor bending
dueto lifting,stackingandtransport,
oi rncrl z, tor r".l.ting stresses
effecisTheareaof
andbenJingdueto bnysecondary
fromthesuperstructure
transmitted
of the crosspercentages
shallnot be.iessthanthe following
t"giirol.;l reinforcemeni
areaof thePiles:
sectional
the leastwidth- 1 25 percent;
a) Forpileswitha lengthlessthan30 ii|:nes
percent;and
b) Forpileswiiha length30to 40 timesthe leastwidih I 5
-2 percent'
c) Forpilebwitha lengthgreaterthan40 timestheleastwidth
.
709.5

Designof PileCaP

709.5.1

taking inio
The pile caps shall be'of reinforcedconcreteof size fixed
,40

tRC:78-2014
theallowable
tolerance
as in Clause
709.1.5.2.
A minimum
ofisetof 150mm
consideration
pilesin thegroup.lf the pile
shallbe provided
beyond
thdouierfacesof the ouier-most
capis in contact
withearthatthebottom,
a levelling
course
of minimum
80 mmthickplain
provided.
cement
concrete
shallbe
of
709.5.2 Thetopofihe pileshallproject50 mmintoihe pilecapandreinforcements
p;ieshallbefullyanchored
in pilecap.
709-5.3 In Marine
conditions
or in areasexposed
to theaciionof harmful
chemicals,
paint.Highalumina
witha suitable
anti-corrosive
cemenii.e.
thepilecapshallbe pfotecied
quicksetting
cernent
shallnotbe usedin marine
co''rsrfuclions.
thickness
of pilecapshouldbe '1.5timesthediameter
of pile.
709.5.4 Theminimum
Sucha pilecapcanbeconsidered
as rigid.Thepilecapmaybedesigned
asthickslabor,
'strut
& tie'method.
Allreinforcement
in pilecapshallhavefullanchorage
capacity
byusing
pointat whichit is no longerrequired.
lt shouldbe specially
ascerta;ned
ior
beyond
tl^re
pilecapdesigned
Wherelafgediameter
by'strut& tie'method.
barsareusedas main
ofpilecapshavelargelocalcoverdueto largeradius
of bending
thecorners
reinforcement,
placing
bylocally
bars.
of mainbars.Suchcorners
shallbeprotected
smalldiameter
709.5.5 Castingof pile cap shouldbe at levelhigherthan wate. levelunless
precautions
functionally
it is required
to be belowwaterlevelat whichtimesufficient
shouldbe iakento dewater,thbformsto allowconcietingI dryconditions.
709.6

lmportanlConsideration,lnspection/PrecautionsforDifferentTypes
of Piles

709.6.1

piles
Diven cast-in-situ

siatedinthiscode,guidance
isto be obtained
fromlS2911
709.6.1,1Exceptotherwise
(Part1/Section
l).
orof mildsteelflat
709.6i.2 fhe pileshoes
whichmaybeeiiherof castironconicaltype
of theremovable
casing
tubeinside
ihe
typeshould
havedoublereamsforproperseating
spacebetween
thereams.
ofconcrete,
it should
beensured
thatihere
70g.6.1.3 Beforecommencement
of pouring
during
tubefromthebottom.
Furthef
adequate
control
is no ingress
of waterin thecasing
withdrawal
of the casingtube is essentialso as to maintainsufflcientheadof concrete
inside
ofwithdrawal.
thecasing
tubeat allstages
41

IRC:78-2014
in pilesshallbe castuptoa minimumheightof 600 mm abovethe
709.6.1.4 Concrete
eitherbefore
toplevelof pile,whichshallbe strippedoffto obtainsoundconorete
designed
finalsetor after3 days.
709-6-2

piles
Boredcast-in-situ

be maintained
at a level
suspension.shall
709.6.2.1 fhe drillingmud,suchas,bentonite
groundwaterlevelto ensurethe stabilityof the strata
abovethe surrounding
sufflciently
theboringprocessuntilthepilehasbeenconcreted
throughout
whichis beingpenehated
709.6.2.2 fhe boresmustbe washedby freshbentonitesolutionflushingto ensure
andafterplacingreinforcement.
cleanbottomat twostagespriorto concreting
of piles
709.6.2.3 Concreting
requirements
are
Intremiemethodthefollowing
shallbedonebytremiemethod.
Concreting
particularly
applicable.
casingshould
is carriedout for a pile,a temporary
a) Whenconcreting
be installedto sufficientdepth,so that fragmentsof groundcannot
dropfrom the sidesof the holeinto the concreteas it is placed:The
temporarycasingis nol requiredexceptnearthe top whenconcreting
underdrillingmud.
b) Thehopperandtremieshouldbe a leakproofsystem.
of minimum
200mmshallbe usedwith20 mmdiameter
c) Tremiediameter
downaggregale.
shouldbe placedwitha siidingplugpushed
d) Thefirstchargeof concrete
chargeto prevent
downthetubeaheadof it orwitha steelplateofadequate
the plugshouldnotbe left in the
andwater.However,
mixingof concrete
asa lump.
concrete
well intothe concretewith an
e) The tremiepipeshouldalwayspenetrate
ofthe pipe The
withdrawal
marginof safetyagainstaccidental
adequate
tremieshouldbe alwaysfullof concrete.
whollybytremieandthemethodof deposition
f) Thepileshouldbeconcreted
shouldnotbe changedpartway up the pile,to preventthe laitancefrom
withinthepile.
beingentrapped
g) AIItremietubesshouldbe scrupulously
cleanedatteruse.
42

IRC:78-20.14
h ) As tremiemethodof concreting
is notunderwatefconcreting,
theseis.no

needto add 10 percentextracement.

t)

Normally
concreting
ofthepilesshould
beuninterrupted.
Intheexceptional
caseof interruption
of concreting;
butwhichcanbe resumedwithin1 or
2 hours,thetremieshallnotbe takenout of the concrete.
Insteadit shall
be raisedand loweredslowly,fromtimeto timeto preventthe concrete
formsetting:Concrefing
shouldbe resumedby introducing
a littlericher
concretewith a sldmp.of about200 mm for easydisplacement
of the

partlysetconcrete.
lf the concreting
cannotbe resumedbeforefinalset of concret6already
placed,thepileso castmaybe rejectedor accepted
withmodifications.
'
l
or
r), In caseof withdrawalof tremieoutof the concrete,eitheraccidentally
to removea chokein the tremie,the hemiemay be reintroduced
in the
followingmannerto preventimpregnation
of laitanceor scumlyingon the
topof theconcrete
alreadydeposited
in the bore.
k) The tremieshall be gentlyloweredon to the old concretewith very

ptug/surface
littlepenetration
initially.
A vermiculite
retardersshouldbe
introduced
in thetremie.Freshconcrete
of slumpbetween150mmto '175
mmshouldbefilledin thetremiewhichwillpushthe plugfoMardandwill
emergeoutof thetremiedisplacing
the laitance/scum.
Thetremiewill be
pushedfurthefin stepsmakingfreshconcrete
sweefiawaylaitance/scum
jn its way.Whentremie.isburiedby about60 to 100cm,concreting
may
be resumed.
l) The'L bendsinthereinforcements
ai thebottomofthepilesshouldnotbe
provided
to avoidtheformation
of softtoe.
709.6.2.4. Removalof concreteabovecut-offlevel
It is deshable
thatthe concreteabovecui-offlevelis removedbeforethe concreteis sei.
Theconcretemaybe removedmanually
or by specially
madebaileror otherdevice.Such
preventing
removal
of concrete
helpsin
thedamages
of thegoodconcrete
belowthecut-off
levelwhichresultsfromchipping
method.
by percussion
Theremovalof concretecanbe withint 25 nlmfromthespecified
cufofflevelpreferably
on the G)side.On removalof thesuchconcrete,
the concreteshouldbe compacted
with
.
rammerwithspikes.or
it shallbe vibrated.
In casethe concreteis not removedbeforesetting,a grooveshallbe madeon outer
perimeter
by rotaryequipment
beforechippingby percussion
method.
43

IRC:78-2014
709.6.3

Drivenprecastconcretepiles

fromlS 2911
statedin thiscode,guidanceis to be obtained
709.6.3.1 Exceptotherwise
(Partl/Section
3).
whenlengthof pileas per
709.63.2 fhis typeof pilesfor bridgesmaybe adopted
degreeof accuracyExtralengthof pile
is knownwithreasonable
designrequirement
the
Whenunavoidable,
of pilesas faI as possible.
maybe castto avoidlengthening
is testedof steelmaybe usedonlyafterthemethodof splicing
for lengthening
splicing
earlier.
andappfoved
The
couplers.
or by mechanical
shallbejoinedbywelding
reinforcement
Thelongitudinal
by heat
lengthto avoidspelling
concrete
at topof originalpileshallbe cutdownio sufficient
shallbe suchas
reinforcement
couplersin neighboring
of mechanical
of welding.Location
between
thebars.
to permitconcreting
of pilesper blowof
oi piles,the finalset or penetration
709.6.3.3 Duringinstallation
'100
of last
blows
takingan average
hammershouldbe checked

710 SUBSTRUCTURE
710.1

General

at ihe rateof
surfacereinforcement
710.1.1 ln caseof plainconcretesubstruciure,
of
Spacing
andvertically
i.e.,bothhorizontally
ineachdirection,
2.5kg/m'zshall
beprovided
(asper
in severeenvironment
suchbarsshallnoiexceed200mm.Incaseof substructure
reinforcement
thesurface
Clause'14.3.1
of 112or as perclause302.6table5 of IRC:21)
should
of thesubstructure
allowedbutthedimension
with,if specifically
canbe dispensed
stress
onlyupto 90 percentof theallowable
to keepthestresses
be so proportioned
belowthelevelof theiop of bedblock,the.live
7'10.1.2 Foi thedesignof subshucture
bythefactorsgivenbelow:
loadimpactshallbe modified
the pressureai the bottom
i) Forcalculating
cap
surfaceof the pier/abuiment

0.5

pressure
on thetop3 m of
ii) Forcalculating
cap
belowpier/abutment
substructure

from
uniformly
Decreasing
0 5 to zero

IRC:78-2014
iii) Forcalculating
thepressure
on ihe portjo
n
ofthesubstructure,
at morethan3 m below
thepier/abutment
cap.

Zerc

710.1.3 Structuresdesignedto retatnearihfllj

shall be proportioned
to withstand
jn accordance
.i'essurecalculated
withanyrationaltheoryNostructure
snltt,however,
be
j-^srgned
to withstand
a horizontal
pressurelessihanthaiexerteO
ly a nurOweigning
+AO
kg/m3,
in additionto the ljveloadsurcharge,
if any.
710.1,4 ThebackfiJj
behindthewjngandreturnwallsshallconform
to thespecifications
in Appendix-,withprovision
for properoratnage.
710.2

Piers
710.2.1 piers in streamand channelshould
be locatedto meet navrgational
r::uiremenls and give a. minimuminterference
to flood f-to-wln generat,
:l::li?c
prers
shourdbe pracedpara[erwiththedirectionofstream
pi"r.
cuir"ni"ino-oo
inothertocations,
tike,viaducts
orland
"tugu.
L" u""oriinn*io'ii"r."0r,r"."n,
of the obstacles
"pun""norrJ
to crossover.
710.2.2
necessary
pjersshallbe provjded
at bothendswithsuitabty
.Where
shapedcut
jn IRC:6.However,
watersas given
cut andeasewaterwhereprovided
shall
extend
upto
affluxed
H.F.L.
or higher,
if necessary
fromconsideration
of localc"iOiOnr,fif.",
"*"r, ",..
,^10^_1-t,,r, maybe inpSC, RCC,pCCor
masonryOnlysoli
rd
section
,
shouldbe
adopted
for masonry'piers.
Thedesi
o"''n"ormasonry
piers
shourd
be
based
onpermi
issible
#::::::"i

ilfi'rJ,lift ill

710.2.4

Thelhickness
ofthewallsof hollow
concrete
piersshould
notbelessthan300mm.
712.2.5 Themulii-column
piersofbridgesacrossriverscarryingfloating
.
debris,trees
ortimbershoutd
bebracedthroughout
thef.,uigt
t ot .,upi;by dilin"rugil*u,,
muttipte
column
piers,rvU"
ynbraced
",inirm
o""o"no,ng
uoon,n"
::i::Tg:" of similar
penormance
structures
"rr"ri"l
in si
of rivet However,
ivpeandspacjng
of suchbracing,whenadopted,
[';i"lTlrt ",l"
"n",,
shaltbe designed
to withstand
the toadandforcestransferfed
i!!
^1:! .Piers
from
rnesuperstructure
andthe loadandforceson the pieritself,apartirom
itte
" ettectot its
self-weight.
ln generat,
piermaybe sotjd,nottow
or frameostiuJi;;;;.7.10.2-7 rn caseof pierconsisting
of iwo or morecolumns,
the horizontar
torcesat
thebearingbe distributed
on columnsas required
by appropri","
"""iV"i..
710,2.8 lf thepiersconsisiof eithermultiple
pilesor tres e columns
spacedcloser

IRC:78-2D14
acrossthe directionof flow, the group
than three times the width of piles/columns
shallbe treatedas a solidpierof the sameoverallwidthand the valueof K takenas
to relevantClause213.7of
due to watercurrentaccording
1.25for workingout pressure
a solidpier
thenthegroupshouldbe considered
arebraced
lRc:6.lf suchpiles/columns
of thespacingofthe columns
irrespective
of '100mm
710.2.9 Hollowpiersshallbe providedwithsuitablylocatedweep-holes
freeflowof waterto equaliiethewaterlevelson insideandoutside;
diameter
for enabling
rate of rise/fallof Jlooditidewater.The pier walls shouldbe checkedfor
considering
pressureand silt pressure.In absenceof detailed
water-head/wave
expecteddifferential
'1.5
of
m in waterlevelson twosidesshallbe assumed
difference
a minimum
calculations,
Rcc piershallnotbeless
ofthewallsof hollowcircular
710.2.10 Thelateralreinforcement
shallbe
areaofthewallsofthepier.Thislateralreinforcement
ofthesectional
than0.3percent
on innerface.
onouterfaceand40 percent
distributed
60 percent
710.3

WallPiers

it shallalso
710.3.1 Whenthelengthof solidpieris morethanfourtimesitsthickness,
asa wall.
be checked
equalto O3
vertical
reinforcement
wallshouldhaveminimum
710.3.2 Thereinforced
percentof sectional
area.
for axialloadwith
axialload,the wallshouldbe designed
710.3.3 For eccentric
takinginto
be
distributed
momerit.The momentsand the horizontalforces shoLrld
method.
by anyrational
account
thedispersal
neednot be enclosedby closedslirrups,where
710.3.4 Theverticalreinforcement
horizontal
reinforcement
However,
is notrequiredfor compression.
verticalreinforcement
gross
(or
hook
areaandopenlinks Sloops)with
the
should
notbelessthan0.25percentof
metre
beplaced
at therateof 4 linksin onerunning
plicedaround
bafshould
thevertical
load
and.axial
thedesignmoment
710.3,5 Whenwallsarefixedwithsuperstructure,
of thewholestructure.
shouldbeworkedoutby elasticanalysis
710.4

Abutments

fromoneside.lt shouldbe designed/

willcarrysuperstructure
710.4.'l Theabutments
dimensioned
to retainearthfronitheapploachembankment.
710,4-2 The abutmentsshouldbe designedto withstandearthpressurein normal
In addition,any
fromsuperstructure.
to loadandforcdstransferred
conditionin additicih
46

IRC:78-2014
loadactingon theabutment
itself,including
self_weight,
is to be considered.
710.4.3 In caseof spillthroughtypeabutment,
the activepressurecalculated
on the
widthofthecolumnshallbeincreased
by50percent
wheretwocolumns
haveoeenprovided
andby 100percentwheremorethantwocolumnshavebeenprovided.
710.4.4 All abutments
and abutment
columnsshallbe designed
for a tive load
surcharge
equivalent
to 1.2m heightof earthfill.Theeffective
wjd iotthe cotumns
need
notbe increased
as in Clause7i0.4.3for surcharge
effectwhenspillthrougnabutment
is
adopted.
710-4,5 Abutment
shouldalsobe desjgned
forwaiercurrent
forcesduring,scourall
roundcondition.

abutment
maybeof ptainor reinforced
concrete
or of masonry
The
113;11^.
]rl
aourmentmay be eithersolid

type,buttressed
type,counterfort
type,box type or spiJl
through
type.Forspillthrough
abutment,
column
typeorwalltype,analysis
maybecarried
outas for piers.Counterfod
typeabutment
maybetreatedas T or L tyie as thecasemay
be andtheslabmaybe designed
as continuous
overcounterforts.
710.4.7 Fullyeafthretaining
abutments
shouldbe desjgnedconsiderjng
submerged/
saturated
unitweightofearthasappropriate
duringH.F.L.
orL.W.L.
condition.
Incaseoftootings,
thesubmerged
unitweightof soirwhereconsidered
shalnotbeJessthan1000ko/m3.
7.10.4.8 Theweightof ea(h fillingmaterialon heelmaybe
considered.
ln caseoftoe,
theweightmaybe consjdered
if the bedis protected.
710.4,9 In caseof spillthrough
typeabutment,
it shouldbe ensured
thatthestopejn
fronlof the abutmentis wellprotected
by meansof suitablydesignedstonepjtchingand
iaunching
aprons.
710-4,10 In caseof abuiments
havingcounterfort,
the minimum
thickness
of the front
lvallshouldnotbe lessthan200mmandthethickness
ofthecounterfort
shoutdnotbe less
ihan250mm.
710.4.11 In case of boxtypeabutments,
weepholesshallbe provided
similarto
hollow
piersasperClause
710.2.9.
710.5

Abutmentpier

710.5.1

Abutmentpiersmayhaveto be providedat locations

wheretheremaybe a
L7

IRC:78-20'14
The designof suchabutmentpiersshallbe
waterwaysubsequently.
needof increasing
suchihat it shouldbe possibleto convertthemto thesimilarshapeas piersin the active
channel.
710.5.2 Formultiplespanarchbddges,abuimentpie|sshallbe providedafterevery
'r,\aieYgnii archon onesideof it collapses,
for condition
fifthspanor closer.Ii is designed
sfe.
onothefsidewillremain
theoierandarches
710.6

Dift Walls,WingWatlsand RetumVJaIs

710.6.1 Wingwallsshallbe of sufficieniietE= :3 .eein lhe roadwayto the required'

againsierc'3'6,r:extentandto provideprotection
spillingon
710.6.2 A dirtwallshallbe provided:c ;"s's:::re earthfromapproaches
'-E
ce9:'
ciei ior at least500mmdepthintothe
A screenwallof sufficieni
the bearings.
b of thespillthroughtype,shall
fill)to preventsiippingof the backfiliin case:E ar.et
be provided.
7'l1j.3
The wingwallsmay': :: soi: :-.ae.l'E :etumwallsmay be of solidor
'JSE"ia-i 3e cbi :' tiqlcrced
concrete
or masonry'
counterfort
type.Thematerial
thickness
withminimum
$"& a-c stesrr3{ vaf : :{oYiCed
710,6-4 Dirtwall,ballast
of 200mm.
in
theearthpressure
:.t?ai.i'-t'.orvithstand

710.6.5 Thev,iing.,,a:ss.c,-"a:e j*n=

additionio setf-weighL

710.6.6 Thetopof theving ta::: *als s-al - larEC abovethetopof embankment

by at least 100 mmto preventanysoI frct" ser sit*:r or \Y"shedawayby rain overits
similarto thatforthe
forreiljqllt?[rip rd nay-beprovided
arangement
top.A drainage
in Appendix-6abutment
specified
71A.6.1

#rec
retums'r.,]^z=
Thecantilever

gDi^\i ..oibe morethan4 metreslong.

&irrgand tetumwallsshouldbe providedwith

710.6.8 In caseof openfoundaiicrE,
foundations
witha jointat Lhe:tjuriic{!.i!'iihire abutment.
separate
710.6.9 Wingwallsmay be la-rdai any suilabbangleto the abutment.In caseof
ai 45'-Thereturnwallsmaybe provided
riverbridges,thesearenormallysplayedin ptran
10withstanda live-load
at rightanglesto ihe abutment.Retumvalls shallbe designed
to 1.2m heightof earthill.
surcharge
equivalent
48

IRC:78-2014
714-6:10 rhe boxtypereturnwa atrightangres
atbolhendsoftheabutments
connected
bywalltypediaphragm
maybe,adopted
wherefoundsuitable,
jn
Howevel suchcases,no
reduciion
in the earthpressure
forlhe designof theabutment
shourdbe considered.
The
iop of diaphragm
shouldslopeinwardsto the.centre
of carriageway
for facilttatjng
proper
rolling
of theembankment
behind
theabutmeni
710.6-1'l Solidtype of wing/return
wallson jndependent
foundations
can be suitably
steppedup towardsthe approaches
d-epending
uponthe patteinof Scour,tocatground
conditions
andits profile;safe
bearingcapacity,
etc'
710.6.12 Incaseof wjngwallsor return
walls,thefoundation
shallbetakenadequately
intothefim soil.
710.7

RetainingWalls

710.7.1

Themjnimum
thickness
of reinforced
conireteretaining
wallshallbe200mm.

710.7.2 The retajningwallsshallbe designedto withstandea(h pressure

Inctuding
anyliveloadsurcharge
and otherloadsactingon it, including
self_weight,
in accordance
specified
jain
rorabutments.
Stone
g:i"::]
masJnryand
concrete
wa s
:,ll,l:
lr'r"iples
.o,'o,Vp"
Reinforced
concrete
wa s maybe of sotid,counterfort,
buttressed
or
:l:.,1,:::l
- UtaIruOe_
710,7.3 Thevertical
stemsof caniilever
wallsshallbe designed
as cantrtevers
flxed
,i the base.The verticalor facewallsof counterfort
typeandiuttressedtypesha be
:esrgneoas continuous.slabs.supported.
bycounterforts
or buttresses.
Thefacewallsshall
:e securelyanchored,to
the supporiing
counterfods
or
buttresses
by meansof adequate
--inforcements.
710.7-4 Counterforts
shallbe designed.as
T_beams
or L-beams.Buttresses
shallbe
:'-"ignedas fectangurar
beams.rn connection
with the,maintensionreinlorcement
of
iunterforts,thereshallbe a systemof horizontal
and
vertical
barc
orstirrupsto anchorthe
':ce wallsand
baseslabto thecounterfort.
Thesestirrups
s.hallbe anchored
as neafto the
:risidefacesof thefacewallsandas neaito thebottomof thebaseslab practicable.
as
T10.8
-1C.8.1

Pier and AbutmentCaps

Thewidtl"r
of theabutment
andpiercapsshallbesufficient
to accommodate
:
i)

thebearings
leavingan offsetof 1Sommbeyondthem,

ii) Theballast
wall.
iii) Thespace.forjacksto Iiftihe superstructure
for repair/replacement
ol
bearings.
etc.
49

IRC:78-20'14
overand
wherenecessary'
operations
for prestressing
iv) Theequipment
abovespacefor endblockin castin-situcases'
forthewateron thecap'
arrangement
v) Thedrainage
if Provided
arfestor'
vi) Seismic
ladders
inspection
vii) Toaccommodate
should
of capoverthe hollowpieror cotumntypeof abutment
710.8.2 Thethickness
notbeIessthan25ommbutincaseofSolidplainorreinforcedconcretepiera
to 200mm'
canbe reduced
thethickness
to takecare
and reinforced
capsshouldbe suitablydesigned
710.8.3 Pier/Abutment
out fromthe
Capscantilevering
in pier/abutment
pointloadsdispersing
of concentraied
the liftingof
supportsor restingon two or morecolumnsshatlbe designedto caterfor
ofjacksshallbe
of bearingsThelocaiions
on jacksfor repair/replacement
superstructure
markedon the caps'
predetermined
andpermanently
ihe widthof
7'10,8.4 In case bearingsare placedcentrallyover the columnsand
is locatedwithinhalfthe depthof capfrom any externalfaceof the
bearings/pedestals
to
to havebeendirectlytransferred
the loadfrombearingswill be considered
column's,
forflexure
columnsandthecapbeamneednotbe designed
shallnotbe less
piersor abutment
of thecapovermasonry
710.8.5 Thethickness
of slabandgirder
widthat thetopof suchpiersandabutments
than5OOmnt.Theminimum
bridgesjustbelowthecapsshallbe as givenbelow:
3m
Span in metres
Top width of Pier carryingstmply u.5u
spansin m
supported
iop *iOtn of abutmentand of piers 0.40
spansin m
continuous
carrying

6m
r.u

12m

O'75

4 n

24m
. A

thetopsurfaceofcapsshouldhavesuitable
710.8.6 Excepttheporiionunderbearings,
slopein orderto allowdrainageof water'

Tlo.S.TReinforcementinPierandAbutmentcapswherethebearingsa
lhe piercapsshallbe reinforced
statedin Clause307'1of IRC:21,
formula
square-root
of 225mm Thetotal
a capthickness
steel,assuming
of 1 percent
witha totalminimum
equallyand providedbothat lop and bottomin two directions'
steelshallbe distributed
in the directionof the lengthof the piershallextendfromend to end
The reinfofcement

IRC:78-2014
of thepie;capwhirethereinforcement
at rightanglesshatextend
forthefuJr
widthof the
pierscapandbe jn the formof stirrups.
ln addition,
two iayersof meshreinforcement
oneai 20 mmfromtopandtheotherat 100mmfrom
t"p p;;.i;;;r;
er capeach
consisting
of 8 mmbarsat 100mmc)entres
"1 shall provided
in bothdireciions
be
directly
underthebearings.
710.9

Cantilever
CapofAbutmentand pier

710.g.1 Whenihedistance
between
theloaci/centre
lineof bearing
fron:^: ,::. .: ihe
a *,tessthanrhedepthofrhecap(measured
att;; r'";;". :-: .:: s:arl
::oj^"jl:-"::",
ceoestgned
as a corbel.
710.9.2 Theequivalent
squareareamaybe workedoutfor circularpier
ic
ihefaceof support
forcalculating
ben0rng
moments
710,9.3 ln caseof wall pier and the pier cap
cantjleverjng
out all arc_::
'neasurement
of distance
forpurpose
of thedesignas bracketanotrr-e
oireciion
oi :.:.
rf reinforcement
shouldbe parallelto the linej;ining tf,]"."nt ot-fo"jlO"urtng
.,,,,_
learestsupporijng
faceof pier
"

]^r.!;1:1

*1"r"

of thebearing
tiesdirecily
overthepjer,calcutation
oi s_:?.pa(

,;:l"l::::-.] "1*,0

beresrricted
onryfortheporrion
which
i" ori.io"inJi" 0,,," .,_-

rhearea
ofcrosed
horizontar
stirrups
mayouriritJio zsp=..=-,

-lil"""]ll:'1,.::p"es
:ithe
areaof primary
reinforcement.
710.10

PedestalsbetowBearing

7'1010 1 Thepedestars
shourd
besoproportioned
thata crear
offsetof 150r. m :..,,:.3
':e edges
oI bearings
is avajlable.
110.10.2 Theheighiofthepedestal
shouldbe between
150mmandsCC_::. .,,i,nefe
:^3 depihsof superstfuctures
from two adlacenispanson a commonorar-riier
':quireuse pedesials
and
of
of moreheightbelovr'
one
of
the
ap"na,-,n"
ai"r"
pier
oi
cap
: - ihe djaphragm
of superstructure
stia be modifie;;o;e-s;;,n" n"",ni,
o"o*,un ,o
: -:Cmm.Forpedestats
whoseheight
"i tongitrOin"r
islessthanitswidth,
rherefrir", uni
''oi.i"
-:rnforcement
as specified
forshortcolumn
neednotbe insisted
";;;.
-10.10.3
Thealowabre
pressure
bearing
withnearuniform
disiribution
on theloaded
c l

IRC:78-2014

the following
bearingor columnshall be givenby
area of a footingor base undera
equatlon.

t ,
C=C"x\A > u.
wnere

stressin concreieat the

directcompressive
the permissible
bearingareaof thebase
similarto the
areawhichis geometrically
At = disperseoconcentric
in
thelargestaieathatcanbe coniained
'o"o"o u'"" 'q' unO
"lso
beyondtheloaded
tn" pfun"or e] it'"mum widti of oispersion
areatacesnalibe limitedto twicetheheight)
footingbeyondthe
of thebases.or
projection
A, = loadedareaandthe
onit shallnotbelessthan
faceoftheoearingoicoiumnsupported
150mmin anydirection'
- oneat 20 mmfromtop andthe other
reinforcement
mesh
of
layers
two
The
710.10.4
of I mmbarsat 100mmin both
or pierlf eacnconsisting
at 100mmfromtopof peOestat
directlyunderthe bearings
Oi*",i""", .nar o" provided
C. =

52

IRC:V8-2014
. Appendix-1
(Ctause703.2.2.2)
GUIDELINESFOR CALCULATINGSILT FACTORFOR BED
MATERIALCONSISTINGOF CLAY
In.ab.se.n:e
of.anyfo.rmul?
K"r,maybe determined
as perClause703.2.2
anomayoe
adopted
basedon siteinformation
andbehaviour
historyof anyexisting
structure.
The
clayeybedhavingweighted
diameter
normalyressthan0.04mm
ofiersinre resistance
scourthansandthoughmeandepthof scouras pertheformula
givenin Clause703.2
indicates
morescourInabsence
of anyaccepted
rational
formula
or anydataof scourat
thesiteoftheproposed
bridge;
thefollowing
theoretical
calculation
maybeadopted:
Jn case.of soil having6 <1S" and c (cohesionof soil) > 0.2 kgy'cm,
'Kecalculated
as follows:
xd = F (1 + !c) wherec in kg/drt

wnere
= 1 . 5 0f o r@> 1 0 ' a n d< 1 5 "
= 1.75for @> 5"and< 10'
= 2.00for @< 5'
ii\

Soilshavingo >15'will be treatedas sandysoil even if c ls morethan

2N/mm,andsiltfactorwillbe as perprovisions
of Clause203.2.2.

53

IRC:78-2014
APPendi&2
' (Clausa704:3)'
. .GUIDELINES FOR' SUB-SURFACE EXPLORATION.
I GENERAL
of the soilor rock'
th-esuitabiliiy
is to iletermine
exploration
of sub-surface
Theobjective
carriedoutin tvvo
for bridges-is
exploration
oibridgesThesub-surface
for tneiounOation
exploration
confirmatory
p*rimina-ry
anddetailedlt mayreguireadditionali
"irg""
"";"fy
stage.
construction
duri-ng
maybeiakenfromthefollowing:
Guidance
maybe
for Folrndations
i) lS 1892- Codeof Praiticefor SiteInvestigation
of data'
andcolLection
investigation
regarding
uiilisedfor guidance
with relevantpartof lS
in accordance
ii) Teston soilsshallbe conducted
samplesbe
2720- Methodsof Testfor Soils The testson undisturbed
to get realistic
fieldconditions
as far as possibleat simulated
conducted
values.
engineering
of Soilsforgeneral
andldentification
iii) lS 14g8-Classification
purposes
onlyrotarydrillsshallbe used The
invesligation'
sub-surface
anddetailed
Forpreliminary
notlessihan150mmuptothelevelof
provided
with'didmeter's
casinoshallalsobe,invariably
onlyto
shallbe permitied
or washboringequipment
useof percussion
ioll, it unu.However,
theboringbutnotfor collection
siratafof progressing
or gravelly
p"n"tr"t"it rougtbouldery
detailedborings,thtresistanceto the speedof drilling'i e '
ii l"tpf".. Wliileconducting
chart
in "Borelog
andpresented
recorded
coreloss,etc.shallbecarefully
rateof penetration,
sandffom
specially
typesof sirataanddistinguish
thedifferent
ani daiastreet'to evaluate
claYkomshaleetc
sandstone.
onlydoubletubediamonddrilling
investigation'
and detailedsub-surface
Forpreliminary
tubediamond
methodshallbe used.Insoftandweakrockssuchiuffs,softshalesetc ' triple
shallbeused
drilling
2 PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

2.1Pre|iminaryinvestigaiionshal|inc|udethestudyofexistinggeol
geological
information,previoussite reports,geologicalmaps, etc ' and surface

IRC:78-20i4
examination.
Thesewill helpto narrowdownthe numberof silesundefconsideration
andalsoto locatethemostdesirable
location
fordetailedsub_su-ce
rnvestigatjon.

3 DETAILEDINVESTIGATION
3-J
Basedon dataobtained
afterpreliminary
investigaiicls.
:.: r-riae stre,
ihe typeof struciure
withspanarrangement
andthe locatjon
anc i;.: :. --_-:aiions.
:re orogramme
of detaileC
;nvestigations.
_:.)...e.
etc.shallbe tentarively
::::::
:he scopeof detailed
investigation
including
the extentof explor;iic.-_.,:.- :, 33.e
roles,typeof tests,number
of tests,etc.shallbe decided
in closeljais:^,,,:- :-: ::s ci
3ngineer
and the exploraiion
-.,_.r=.-. :..
ieam,so thai adequate
dataconsider-e:
Jetajled
design
andexecution
areobtatned.
3.2
Theexploration
shallcovertheentirelengthof thebridgear... _. ._.. ..-.end a distance
of zone of influence,
i.e.,abouttwicethe dept; be!.,, ... .._-_
3st mainfoundation
to assessthe effectof the approach
embankrnei:
__ :-: :-:
'oundaiions.
Generally,
the sub-surface
investigaiions
shouldextendto a .j=:-- :::,.,
:re anticipated
foundation
levelequalto aboutone and a halftimesi.e .,,::- :. _:
'oundation.
l-iowever,
wheresuchinvestigations
end jn any unsuitable
o: :_:::--:::
:cundation
material,
the exploration
shallbe extended
to a sufficient
ce:,- - _ j-_
:nd stablesoilsor to rock.
3.2.1
Additionaldrill holesiWherethe data madeavailableby deta:le: ..
-dicateappreciable
variation
specially
in caseof foundations
restinqai ::r_.
-:cessary
io resort
to additional
drillholesio establish
profle.. :. : ,
a complete
,r:-ata.
Locarion
anddepthof additio.tat
drillholes\\/illhaveto be decidec
t:: , _
--':eextentof variation
in localgeologyandin consultation
wjthdesignengine_..
Thescopeof thedetailed
sub-surface
exolofation
shallbe fixe: as ---: a::C
: para3.1and3.2.However,
as a general
guidejt shallbe comprenei's
,: a.:_E:i io
:"rabJe
thedesigner
to estimate
or determine
thefollowinq:
i.3

engineering
properties
of thesoil/rock;
location
andextentofweaklayersandcavities,
ifany betr.,,j.iard
founding
slrata;
thesub-surface
geological
condiiion,
suchas,typeof fock.structure
of
rock,i.e.,folds,faults,flssures,
sheafs,fractures.
joinis,dykesand
subsidence
dueto mining
or presence
of cavities:
55

IRC:78-2014
iv) . groundwaterlevel;
if any:. .
v) artesianconditions;
vi) qualityof waterin contactwiththefoundation;
:
:1
"
'
r
.
depthandextentof scour;
l'::

vii)

i:

r:

.:

'

foundaiion
level;
viii) suitable

l
ix) safebearingcapacityof foundation
stfatum;.
x)

settlement
andorobable
differential
settlement
of thefoundations:
Drobable

xi) likelysinkingor drivingeffort;and

the following
and the likely

6.2

FoundationsRequiringShallowDepthof Exploration(OpenFoundation)

Theseshallcovercaseswherethedepthof exploration
is notlaageanditis possible
to take
pits
plate
samplesfromshallow or conductdirecttests,li(e,
loadtests,etc.Thiswill also
, :,
generally
protective
cover
soilfor approach-embankments,
thefoundation
works,etc.
56

IRC:78-2014
6.2.1
The prrmaryrequirements
are stabilityand setflement.
for whrchshearing
strength
characteristics,
Ioadsetflement
characteristics,
etc.needdeterminatron.
6.2.2
Tesls shall be conductedon undisturbedrepresentalive
samptes,which
may be obtainedfrom openpits.The use of prateroadiest (rs
18g8-t,lethod
-or"ssure
of Load
Teston Soils)is considered
desirablefor ascertaining
tne
Oe"ring
and
"s:at:
settlementcharacteristics.
A few exploratory
bore hoLs or""fe
soundir:gs
be made
u9"'*1 presence
of
weak
strata
undertying
the
foundatjonl
t-:ls
srat,
extend
l!
:uf"9J"rg
to a
depthof abouti 1/,timesihe proposeO
wlOthofiounOation.
NorE:

Forbetterinterpretation,
it wi||bedesirabre
--e = !,,,-n
tocorrerate
therabc.a:::_,
ihe
in-situ
tests.like.plateloadlests.penetratjon
testresutts.

.Thetestsio be conducted
for properties
of soilaredifferenlic:.::::s .: and
cohesionless
soils.Theseare indicatedbelow.Whileseleciingthe tests
a-_ _-:_-:,i.t h a results,.
rac' 'l+the
limitations
of qpp,&qsr.y
applicability
e,
of urunt
chosen
ll iests
res6 sna
shallDe
belaken
laKen tnto
intoaac:*a:4
a^e*:: . TJsi
suitable
andappropriate
combination
ofthese
shafibechosen,
dep"noin_.
*:.= .-..e-..s
neededfor designandconstructional
aspects.
l)

Cohesionless
Soil
a) Laboratory
Tests
i) Classification
tests,indextests,densitydeterminatio
j.r.e::.
ii) ShearStrengths
by triaxial/direct
shear,.etc.
b) FieldTests
i) PlateLoadTest.(aspertS 1808).
ii) Siandafdpenetration
Tests(asperlS 2.131)
iii)Dynamic
Conepentration
Test,(asperlS4968pad i .: ==: it,.
iv)StaticConepenetration
Test,(asperlS 496gparilli..

NoTE:

is. expecred,
permeabiliry
tests .lle.; : acnducted
It,:
^o:y^11,rq...
(aspeftS
2720partXV
).

ll)

CohesiveSoil
a)

LaboratoryTests

i)
ii)
iii)
iv)

Classification
tests,indextests,densitydetermiration
etc.
Shearstrengths
bytriaxial/direcr
shear.etc.
Unconfined
compression
test{lS2720partX)
Consolidation
test(tS2720partV)
57

IRC:78-2014
b) FieldTests
i) PlateLoadTesi,(asperlS:1BBB).
ii) VaneShearTest,(asperlS;4434)
iii) StaticConePenetration
Test.(asperl5:4968Partlll).
iv) Standard
Penetration
Test,(asperlsr2131)
v) Dynamic
ConePenetration
Test,(asperlS:4968PartI or Partll).
NOTE:
6.3

Where dewateringis expected,permeabilityiesis may be conducted

(asperlS:2720
PartXVll).

FoundationsRequiringLargeDepthof Exploration

6,3.1Inthisgrouparecoveredcasesof deepwells,pilefoundations,
etc.,wheretheuseof
boring
equipment,
special
techniques
of sampling,
in-situ
testing,
etc.become
In
essential.
problems
foundation
addition
tothe
ofsoiland
interaction
animportant
consideration
canbe
thesoildatarequired
fromconstruction
considerations.
Oftenin the caseof cohesionless
soils.undisturbed
samplescannotbe takenand recoursehasto be madeto in-situ
fieldtests.
Boringand sampling
tendsto causeremoulding
of sensitive
clays.Alsofor fissured
or layeredclays,the samplemay not trulyrepresent
the in-situproperties,
due to
disturbance
causedbyboringandsampling
andstresschanges
activity.
Insuchcases,
in-situtestsshallbe performed.
6.3,2

Thesub-surface
exploration
canbe dividedintothreezones:
i) betweenbed leveland upto anticipated
maximumscourdepth(below
H.F.L.)
ii) ffomthemaximum
scourdepthto thefoundation
level,and
iii) fromfoundaiion
leve'to about'11l,
timesthewidthof foundation
belowit.

6.3.3
Sampling
andtesting(in-situ
and laboratory)
requirement
willvaryin each
caseand henceare requiredto be assessedanddecidedfromcase-to-case.
The subsoilwatershallbe tesiedfor chemicalproperties
to evaluatethe hazardof deterioration
permeability
to foundations.
is expected
Wheredewatering
to be required,
characteristics
shouldbe determined.
6.3.4
Forthedifferent
zonescategorised
in para6-3.2.,thedatarequired,
methodof
given
sampling,
testing.
in Table1.Samples
etc.are
of soilsin allcasesshallbecollected
at every'1to 1 r/, metreor at change
of strata.

tRC:7e-20i4
Table1 Sub-SoilDataRequiredfor DeepFoundations
Zones

Dala/Charactedstics
Required

Bedlevel1oanticipaied i) SoilClassilicatjon
maximum
scourdeplh
ii) Particles
sizedistrjbution

iii) Permeabilily,
where
dewatedng
isexpected.
l\,4axim!m
anticipated
scour
level
tothe
foundalion
level

i) SoilClassificalionij) Particles
sizedistribution
iii) I\4oisture
content,
density,
voidntio.
iv)Shearstrcngth.
v) Compressibility.
vi)PenneabiJity
where
dewatering
isexpected.
vir)Chemical
analysis
ofsoiland
ground
water(foraggessive
elernents
).'

Foundation
levello
about i)SoilClassilication
1.5limes
olthewidth
of ii)Shear
Strenglh
foundation
andbelow
it. iii)Cornprcssibility

SamplingandTesting

SamplingDisiubed
samples
maybecotleie,J.
LaboraloryTestsClassilication
Tdsis,
pdich
including
szedsiibuUon_
In"situTests:Permeability
tests.
Samplingfor LaboratoryTestsUndistuloed
samples
shallbe
co:!c=.r:sa :"-Ss.
Aqal excepdon.'or
(i dnd( ).ds:-.f,?:s-: = -;,
bepermilted.
LaboratoryTestsa)Classitcaiion
pal.i:s.::
festsincJuding
dislributron.
b)l,loislure
conlent,
density,
voidGit
- Tdaxiallesls
c)Shear
strength
tobd.-.r
jslurbed
und
samples_
[Jnconfi
nec
compression
teslslo bedonecn!i: s_--:
and/or
remoulded
samples
d)Consoiidation
tests.
In'situ Testsfor Cohesionlesssoilsa)DynamiiCone
PenetElion
Tesl
b)Siandard
Penetralion
lest.
c)Down
hole/Crcss
holeseismicsu..:,s
d)Permeabillty
iests.
In-situTestsfor CohesiveSoils a) Dynanic
ConePenetralion
Tesi
- co.zr: s;:.
b) Slatic
Cone
Penehaljon
Test
restslance
c) Field
Vane
Shear
Tesl.
Pefineability
tests.
Down
hoie/Cross
holeseismi.
s-:,e,s
Same
asabove

Notes:
-r

Lrboralofrleq.,o oe coloLcleddlcod n9 to l-e rptevrnrpdis o tS /2.0.

use ofsophisli@ted
equipmenttike,pessufe melefmay be rnade,iisuitabteco{etationstor inle4:-i.
available
Downhole/Cos. ho e -"r.nic sLruey,sratrb" d) pqA5IM a42OlD428lV

-:,lded

4)

Se'smic Methods and/or EJectdctResisiiviry l4elhod n ]re ,sed ior soit/rock proliting. DM
could.beusedfor eslablishing
etasljcmodutiandrockprontjng
at greaierdeplhs

hcie se<rhic suryeys

t)

r".':m c sutueys are usefu lor rons bridses (i.e. oi lhe order or I km and abo.=; an i.:r redudno t}le numbef
l1,c,T" jl" "
.?,":ln 'i*":.r
m6lolon. tha.a e oen es ) LnderwrFr .o- the<e ,poticrtions.
cr:6 obiarn; oy seisin,c
srs_6J
T.:
hemodssr.rr
belibrdled/o. fmodwith a, ruatp.o|es ta(er by bos i.ir Fmed:ale t@irE

2l
3)

59

h&a.s

are

IRC:78-2O14
Fill Materials
6.4

.:'- :-: ronowpitareas.Laloratory

:E =:+:=:
s::a
samples
disturbed
Represenl.ative
-- :^ 1:
for detem:r':; :-:
tesisshallbe conducted

andPar.i3 s::
i) classification
content
ii) moisture
i::-: ==':is':
vs.moisiure
iii) density
strengln
v) shearing
v) permeability
NOTE:

The shearingstrengthsh:r :E ::ia-'"'

ihe:
Proposeddensityfor

-r:E

to the
.=nsirycorresponding

FOUNDATION
7 DETAILSOF EXPLORATIONFOR
RESTINGON ROCK
7,1

BasiclnformationRequirdirsTt E4'oi'atixrs
sys:er:
i) Geological
''-- :-: s':
ii) Depth oi rcck a-: -- 'i?-=r:i :
-'t:'i :: ilaiion;
-a-si:
iii) lyneiiel :s3.a:.1 :r-'::-::r
'
^ez:'''=::'iv) E)Gei: a:: :.22j-?'"
::"n?s faulis' etc ;
v) t-ne s---:-- :i ='::-':-L::-'-: :'=:': -

vi) Propra-sc: =':{ .e::'a

formation'etc ;
r' ::=-'t-- S"clogical

and
:-'
vii) Oualhyancicta::a :'=--:':
"'?:3:
i',i3re relevant
viii)Erodibiliiyo; ra:{ :: :; :r:3-: :':ss :"s
Exploration Programrn
nave t3\';=:
-lt
lf preliminaryinvestigations

i"l"J"iil" iJt" *.t,

:-'+<i":te ci iock within levels where the

to collectnecessary
io ieke;3 :e= 3r ::'rvsstigation
is essential

mentionedin the preceding!:ainformation

sha: : aJ3ouateenoughto give a cdmBlete

The extentof exploration
7..2.1
the
channelwidth'for assessing
,n" ..n pr"file,bothin depthanda5(}3sihe
oi"ir*
levelsKeepingthisin view'itshatlbe
"f
trreloundaton
in reaching
difficulties
consiructional
be adopted'iora
metnoO.to
possibleto decidethe typeot t"'na"i["""iL" *nsruuion
intorockoflhe fiJundations
particular
bridge,the extentol evenseaiingandembedment
per pterand abutmentand oneon eachside
lll" o"ir"or"i" ta* a easione dritthote
beyondabutments.
60

tRC:78-2014
7.2.2
Thedepthof boringin rockdependsprimarily
on localgeology,erodibjlity
of
therock,theextentofstructural
loadsto betransferred
to foundation,
etc.Normally,
it shall
passthroughthe upperweathered
or otherwise
weakzone,wellintothesoundrock.The
minimum
depthofdrilling
shallbeas perpara3.2above.
7.3

DetailedInvestigationsfor Rockat Surfaceor at ShallowDepths

In case of rock at shallowdepthswhich can be convenieny reached,test pits or

trenchesare the mostdependableand valuablemethods,sincethey permita direct
examination
of the surface,the weatheredzone and presenceof any dismnlinuities_
guidance,
For
lS 4453- Codeof Practive
forexploration
bypits,trenches,
draftsandshafts
maybe referredto. ln caseof structurally
disturbedrocks,in-situtestsmay be madein
accordance
withlS 7292 CodeofPracticefor in-situdetermination
of rockproperties
by
flatjack,lS 7317- Codeof Practicefor Uni-axialJackingTestfor Deformation
Modulus
irnd,ls7746- Codeof Practicefor in-situShearTeston Rock.
7.4

DetailedInvestigationfor Rockat LargeDepths

7..4:.2'':t: .fhe investigation

of the overburddn
soil layersshallbe doneas per details
given,forlhefoundations
restingin soil.However,
in caseof foundations
re$ingon rock;
testson overburden
shallbe carriedoutonlywhennecessarye.g.,foundatbnlevellower
thanscourlevels.
7.4.3
Thecoreshallbestoredproperly
inaccordance
withl5:4078- Codeofpractice
for Indexingand Storageof DrillCores.Wherevertripletubecorebanelin used,inner
mosttransparenl'plastic
tubeshallbe storeddirec y in coreboxwithsample'.':'

.' -'.',.

:.

7.4.4
Therockcoresobtainedshallbe subjected
to teststo getnecessary
datafor
designas follows:
.

::':1

i) Visualidentification
for
,..'a) Texture
..
61

IRC:78-20'14
b) ' Struciure
.
'
c) Composition
d) Colour
e) Grainsize
'f)
Petrography
tesismaybe donefor
ii) Laboratory
'

a) Specificgravity
b) Porosrty
c) Waterabsorptlon
strength
d) Compressive

NOTE:

Othertestsmayneed
purposes
fordesign
restswillsumce
shea'strength
Generally,
testscanbe doneas unconfined
caseTheshearstrength
to be donein special
or directsheartest'
iriaxialcompression
compression,

strengthand deformation.,characterisiics.
tjse of in-situtestsfor measuring
7,4.5
of
to evaluaiethe presence
wiltoe oesiraote
ooreirotepnotograptry
r"U * t*J. u*
rock'where
"t
in weakand/orhighlyweathered
iu,ift.,n."ur"" or cavities,etc Particularly
Test
testssucha:
in-"itu
o'irrinf
to'
is
used
barrel
core
tube
triple
.Stan:1:,::.netration
zone
at every1 5 m intervalin the influence
conducted
be
testshall
t""r
,tidl*"*r*
or Plle.
ottoottng
wherewaterlossis recordedduringdrilling'
Thesein-situtestsare alsousefulin zones
and plannedalongwith
be donejudiciously
to
have
lests
these
of
selections
However
oPeratlon
drilling
7.5

SpecialCases

lnvesligationfotconglomerate
-or
to
shallbe subjected
samplescollected
A drillholeshallbe madesameas tr rock'The
the
to ascertain
uponfhe materialspecialcareshallbe taken
suitabletestsdepending
of the matrix.
credibility

7.5.1

7.5.2

tnvestigation for laterites

requiredfor cohesivesoils ln caseof

to
that
slmilar
be
generally
shall
The investigation
hard|aterite'recoufsemayhavetobemadetocoredri|lingasforsoftrocks.
62

IRC:78-2014
8 GLASSIFICATIONAND CHARACTERISTICSOF ROCKS
8.'l
ldentification
and classification
of rocktypesfor engineefing
purposesmay,
in general,
be limitedto broad,basicphysical
condition
in accordance
withaccepted
practice.strengthof parentrockaloneis of limitedvaluebecauseoverallcharacteristics
dependconsiderably
on character,
spacingand distributions
of discontinuities
of the
rockmass,suchas,thejoints,bedding,
faultsandweathered
seams.
8.2

Classification
of Rocks

Rocksmay be classified
basedon theirphysicajcondition
and Unconfined
Compressi,/e
Strength
as perTable-2.
9 Presentation
of Data
ThePresentation
of Datacollected
shallbe as doneas illustrated
in SheetNo ,l and 2
Table- 2 Classificationof Rocks
Rock Type

Description

unconfined
Compressive
Strength(UCS)
in MPa

Extremely Cannotbe scratchedwithknifeor sharppick.Breakingof >2AA

Strong
specimen
couldbe doneby sledgehammer
only.
VeryStrong Cannotbe scratchedwith knife or sharppick. Breaking
of specimensrequiresseveralhard blowsof geologists'
prcK.
Strong

Can be scratchedwith knife or pick with difficulty.Hard 50 to i00

blowof hammerrequired
to detachhandspecimen.

Moderately Canbe scratched

withknifeor pick,6mm deepgouges'12.5to 50
Strong
or groovescan be madeby handblowof geologjsts'
pick.
Handspecimencan be detachedby moderateblow.
Moderately Canbe grooved
or gorg"d 1.sr. d""p by fir"'lr""olr" 5 t o 1 2 . 5
on knifeor pickpoint.Can be brokenintopiecesor chips
ofabout2.5mmmaximum
sizebyhardblowsofthepoints
pick.
of geologists'

63

IRC:78:2014
Cin be groovedor gou!'eOeasitywitn knifeor pickpoint. 1 . 2 5 l o5
Canbe breakdownin chipsto piecesseveralcm'sin size
by moderate
blowsof pickpoint.Smallthinpiecescanbe
brokenby fingalrpressure.
Veryweak

Can be carvedwith knife.Can be brokeneasilywith point < 1 . 2 5

of pick.Pieces25 mmor morein thicknesscanbe broken
by fingerpressure.Canbe scratchedeasilyby fingernail

Nole:
1) TheUnconfined
Compressive
Strength
valuesareas in BritishStandard
BS-5930
{C|.44.2.6).
2) Table-2shouldnot be usedto infefthe Unconfined
Compressive
Strengthof rock.Actual
laboratory
testvalueof rockcoreshouldbe used.

RC78-20'14
Appendix-3
(Clauses708.2,708.3and 709.4)

PROCEDURE
FOR STABILIry CALCULATION
1 FORMULAFORACTIVEOR PASSIVEPRESSURE
IN SOIL
The activeand passivepressureco-efficient
(K" & Ko respectivety)
shallbe calculated
according
to Coulomb's
formulatakingintoaccountthewallfriction.Forcohesive
soils,the
'c'
effectof maybe addedto thesameas perprocedure
givenby Bell.Thevalueof angle
of wallfrictionmaybe takenas 2/3dof s the angleof reposeis subjectto a limtlot 22112
degrees.
Boththevertical
andhorizontal
components
shallbe considered
in the stabiliiy
calculations.

2 SKINFRICTION
Thereliefdueto skinfrictionshallbe ignoredunlessspecifically
permitted
bytheEngineerin-charge.
However,
in caseof highlycompressive
soils,skinfriction,if any,maycause
pressure
increased
bearing
onthefoundation
andshallbedullyconsidered.
3.FACTOR OF SAFETY OVER ULTIMATEPRESSURES
Thefactorof safety.in
passiveresistance
assessing.the
allowable
shallbe 2 for load
combinations
withoutwindor seismicforcesand 1.6for loadcombinations
with windor
seismicforces.Themannerof applyingfactorof safetyshallbe as indjcated
Detow:
i)

Pierwellsfounded
in cohesive
soils

. Thefactorof safetyas stipulated

for the typeof soilshallbe appliedfor
viz.,(Pp- P") wherePeand P, are total
, the net ultimatesoil resistance,
passiveand activepressurerespectively
mobilised
belowthe maximum
scourlevel.
ii) Abutment
wellsin bothcohesive
andnon-cohesive
soils
In the caseof abutmentwells,the activeoressureon soil abovethe
maximum
scourlevel(triangular
variation
of pressure)
shallbeseparately
evaluated
and considered
as loadcombined
withthe oiherloadsacting
on the abutmentand no factorof safetyshallbe takenior the above
components
of activepressure.
Effects
ofsurcharge
dueto liveloadshould
portion.
be restricted
onlyuptotheabutment
67

IRC:78-2014
of soil belowthe scourlevelat ultimate
the lateralresistance
iii) However,
factorof safety,viz , (P - P ) as
valueshallbe dividedbytheappropriate
statedin the caseof Pierwells.

iv) Pointof rotation

that
it maybeassumed
theaboveformulae,
of applying
Forthepurpose
ofthewell
liesattheboLtom
thepointof rotation

.- INNEROREDG
HOLE

oUIER <SURFACE

=Kd nhl

=xdrm

dl - OUTER
DIAOFWEII
WHER
IN
REOUCIION
AFTER
s'IFNlt{GfilClfiESS
lS ,' OEPIH0F WElf
UPTOMSL
H = 3 (h-hl)
r1 &, t2 ARgfiE
LF{CTTiS
DEVELOPITENT
FORI}IE STEEL,8T}INO

lr4ElrtNilduusEclloN
Thickness
of Steining
Fig.1 Sketchfor Reduction

68

IRC:78-2A14

B
!

Ui

3i

z
o

(jj

z.

=l

6r
U:

E
t
5

cr p

6
,d

fi
@

o-i
-l

trI

EI

R
tr

,l
L!

(J

2
f,
O

<t
<l
I
zl

=
=

v,
F

<t

o-l

<l

zl

=
t!

F-l
14

E
z

@l

e.

69

I
o

.s;

IRC:78-2014

9
I

l.E

o
::-

rg
= r
! l r
I :

!.

i;l:i

o)
t!

9:

!3
It

(J

o/

(_)

<l

>l

JI
irl
.I

IF
u

:l
ol
ul

ct

;l

F:5{i{s#{

2
o

.s)
LL

tRC:78-2014
Appendix-4
(Clause
708.13)
PRECAUTIONSTO BE TAKEN DURING SINKING OF WELLS
1 CONSTRUCTION
OFWELLCURBANDSTEINING
1-1

Cuttingedgeandthetopof thewellcurbshallbe placedtrulyhoizonial-

1.2
The methodsadoptedfor placingof the well curbshalldependon lf|e site
conditions,
andthecuttingedgeshallbe placedon drybed.
1.3
Wellsteiningshallbe builtin liftsand the first lift shallbe laidaftersinkirE
thecurbatleastpartially
for stability.
1.4
The sieiningshallbe builtin one skaightlinefrom bottomto top and shd
alwaysbe at rightangleto the planeof the curb.In no case,it shallbe builtplun|bh
intermediate
stageswhenthewellis tilted.
the construction
of the abubrErfr
1.5
In soft strataproneto settlement/creep,
for a sufficientdistancens
wellsshallbe takenup afterthe approachembankment
the abutmenthasbeencomoleted.
2 SINKING
2.1

at site.
A sinkinghistoryrecordbe maintained

2.2

trueto Dosition
andin plumb.
Efforts
shallbe madeto sinkweLls

not be rse
2.3
Sumpsmadeby dredgingbelowcuttingedgeshallpreferably
thanhalfthe internaldiameter.
to constantly
duringsinkingfor takingadquate
2.4
Boringchartshallbe referred
carewhilepiercingdifferenttypesof strataby keepingthe boringchartat the site and
plottingthe soilas obtainedfor the wellsteiningand comparing
it with earlierbo{edata
to takepromptdecisions.
Whenthewellshaveto be sunkcloseto eachotherandthe cleardistance
2-5
is lessthan the diameterof the wells,they shallnormallybe sunkin sucha manner
that the diffdrencein the levelsof the sumpand the cuttingedgein the two wellsdo
not exceedhalfthe cleargap betweenthem.
71

IRC:78-2014

careis neededto ensurethat

Whengroupofwellsareneareachothel special
2.6
to wellsalready
alsodo noi causedisturbance
it iy oo *t r"ir in t," courseof sinkingand
i{ells shallbe half the extemaldiameter'
sunk.The minimumclearanceoelweenthe
dredgingholesof all the
leveldredgingshallbe carrdoui in the
iirrn""*".
"rl
of allthe\/ellsbe coxeiogetheri,"ri. in tn" gtoupundplugging
sunkY'elssheilbe takento safedepthbelow
partlally
Duringconstruction
-the
2.7
levelsto ensuretheirsafeiyculingensuingfloods'
sco-ur
anticipated
aroundthewell
shatlnotbe Ce;3G:* uqevenly
Dredgedmaterial
2,8
3 USE OF KENTLEDGE

sinkingeffori'
provideadditional
Wherea well is loaded$'iih K3-ei:e':c
3.1
suchloadshallbeplacedevenlycn'-rcai-:$ztform'leavingsufficientspacein
mate:-ei
themiddleto femoveexcavated

the position
welldevelopinglilt'
Wheretiltsarepresenlo{ ilse s a -"rger oJ
3.2
oftheloadShallberegulated|nSudla-a:-EfaStoprovidegreatersinkingefforto
sideofthewell'
thehigher
4 SAND BLOUIS IN WELLS
: ='i ' J\ts are expectedAny equipment
shail be a';jd -:qr'4ti
Dewatering
4.1
cJt of the well as soonas thereare
lno t"n *oifing insidlethe we;isk: 'e
of a sand-blow'
anyindications
the ievelof water
by keeping
Sandblowingin wellscanoia be rnrntmized
4,2
kentledge.
aisobyaddinghearry
inl,ou,n" *"u n,nn".tha;the waiertabteand
DIVERS
5 SINKING OF WELLS WTTHUSE OF
purposes'IrKe'
well sinkngbothfor sinkingin
made
be
may
divers
of
Use
5.1
preTYti:ns
rockblastlng'etc. as alsofor inspectionlll safety
removalof obstructions,
safetycodefor sinkingwithdiversor anystatutory
as per anyacceptablJ
."n"ii'0"
"0""
in {orce
fegulations
shall be employedThey
Only personstrainedfor the divingoperation
5.2
shall be of an
and otherequipments
shallwork underexpertsupervlslonThe diving
forsafeuse'
standardltshallbewellmaintained
acceptable
72

tRC78-2O14
5,3
Arrangennent
for amplesupplyof low pressureclean cool air shall be
ensuredthroughan armoredflexiblehose pipe.Standbycompressor
plantwill have
to be provided
in caseof breakdown.
5.4
Separatehigh pressureconnection
for use of pneumaticicals shall be
made.Electric
lights,whereprovided,
shallbe at 50 volts(maximum).
Tne raisi.gor
the diverfrom the bottomof wellsshall be controlled
so that the decompress:cii
r;:e
fordiversconforms
to theappropriate
rateas laiddownin theregulation.
5.5
All menemployedfor divingpurposeshallbe certifiedto be fit for divinc3v
an approved
doctor.
6 BLASTING
6.1
Only.lightcharges
shallbe usedunderordinary
circumstances
andshould
be firedunderwaiefwell belowthe cuttingedgeso that thereis no chanceof the curb
beingdamaged.
6.2
Thereshallbe no equipment
insidethewellnorshallthereby anylabourin
theclosevicinityof thewellat thetimeof exploding
thecharges.
6.3
All safetyprecautions
shall be taken as per lS 4081 "safetv Code for
Blasting
and RelatedDrilling
Operations",
to the extentapplicable,
whenever
blasting
is resortedto. Use of largecharges,0.7 kg. or above,may not be allowedexcepi
underexpertdirectionand with permission
from Engineer-in-charge.
Suitablepattern
of chargesmay be arrangedwith delaydetonators
to reducethe numberof charges
frredat a time.The burdenof the chargemay be limitedto 1 m and the spacingof
holesrnaynormally
bekept0.5to 0.6m.
6.4
lf rockblastingis to be donefor seatingof the well,the damagecauseooy
the flyingdebrisshouldbe minimisedby provisions
of rubbermatscoveredover iire
blasting
holesbeforeblasting.
6.5
Afterblasting,
the steiningshallbe examined
for any cracksand ccr'3:,:
*shallbetakenimmediately.
measures
7 PNEUMATICSINKING
7.'l
The pneumatic
sinkingplantand otheralliedmachinery
sira. .:: :.;.' !:
proper
of
designand make,bui alsoshallbe workedby competeni
anj i,,3. tr2r:"J
personnel.
part
Every
of the machinery
anditsfixturesshallbe minuleiyexa:r.:.3c:icrg
73

IRC:78-2014
as recommended
safetyof personnel
spares'standbys,
anduse.Appropriate
installation
air mustbe keptat site Safetycodeforworking
in the lS 4188forworkingin compressed
to providesafe;
prevalent
in thecountryasspecified
in andotherlabourlawsandpractices
sinkingshallbefollowed.
andexpeditious
efficient
shallnot:betakenintoair looksandsmokingshallibe
materials
Inflammable
7.2
prohibited.
to be oozingout of dredgehole'the same
gasesare suspected
Whenever
7.g
adoptedto avoid
shall be analysedby trainedpersonneland necessaryprecautlons
hazardto lifeandequipment.
andall precautions
controlled
it shallbe carefully
is resorted-to,
Whereblasting
7.4
onlywhen
insideafterblasting
Workers
shallbe allowed
shallbe observed
blasting
regarding
thoroughly'
andsteining
thechamber
person
hasexamined
andqualified
a compeient
if any'
plaiformand thatof steiningand kentledge'
Theweightof pneumatic
7.5
to resistthe upliftfromair inside,skinfrictionbeingneglectedin this
shallbe sufficient
case.
lf at anv sectionthe totalweightactingdownwardsis less than the uplift
7.6
shallbe placedon thewell'
kentledge
pressure
of air inside,additional
"Blowing
to makethe well heavyenoughduringexcavation;
lf it is.possible
7-7
Down"may be used.The men shouldbe withdrawnand the air pressurereduceo'
The well shouldthen beginto movewith a smallreductionin air pressure"Blowing
Down"shouldonlybe usedwherethe groundis suchthat it will not heaveup insidethe
chamberwhenthe pressureis reduced.Whenthe well doesnot movewith a reduction
in air pressure,kentledgeshouldbe added Blowingdownshouldbe in shortstages
and the dropshouldnot exceed,0.5 m of any stage.To controlsinkingduringblowing
maybe made.
down,useof packsor packagings
8 TILTS AND SHIFTS OF WELLS
Tilts and shiftsshall be carefullycheckedand recordedregularlyduring
8.1
to
the tilts alongand perpendicular
For the purposeof measuring
sinkingoperations.
the axis of the bridge,levelmarks6t regularintervalsshallbe paintedon the surface
of thewell.
of thesteining
Wheneverany tilt is noticed,adequatepreventivemeasures,like' pufting
8,2
pulling,strutting'anchoringor dredgingunevenlyand depositing
eccentricKentledge,
74

tRC:78-2014
dredgematerialunequally,
puttingobstaclesbelowcuttingedge,afterjettingetc.,shall
be adoptedbeforeany furthersinking.After conection,the dredgedmaterialplaced
unevenly
shallbe spreadevenly.
8.3
A pair of wellscloseto eachotherhavea tendencyto comedoser while
sinking.llmber strutsmay be introducedin betweenthe steininoof thesewells to
pi'event
tiltinO.
8.4
Tiltsoccurring
in a well duringsinkingin dippingrocky strata can De
safeguarded
bysuitablysupporting
thekerb.
9 SAND ISLAND
9.1
Sandislandwhereprovidedshall be protectedagainstscourand the top
level shall be sufficiently
abovethe prevailingwater level so that it is safe against
waveaction.
9.2
The dimension
of the sandislandshallnot be lessthenthreetimesthe
dimension
in planofthewellor caisson.

75

IRC:78-2014
:

;: ,,

APPendix-5 l
. (Clause709.3.1)

CAPACITYOF PILE BASED ON PILE SOIL INTERACTION

OF PILESIN SOIL
1 AXIALCAPACITY
from
resigtance
by calculating
Axialloadcarryingcapacityofthe pileis initiallydetermined
on
frictionalongpilesurfaceor both.Based the
endbearingat toe/tipor wallfriction/skin
loadcarryingcapacity(QJ is givenby:
soilda!a,the.ultimate

where

1.',|

= Ultimate
baseresistance
&
Rr - = Ultimateshaftresistance'
fromthefollowing:
maybecalculating
baseresistance
R = Rai.e.,Ultimate
Ru=Ap(1/zDY Ny+ Pat&) + ApN"Cp
where

= Cross-sectional
areaof baseof pile
= Pilediameier
in cm
= Effective
unitweightof soilat piletip in kg/cm3
frictionat piletip
factorsbasedon angleof internal
/Vn& N, = B"ut'nn
"rpacity
= Bearingcapacity
factorusuallytakenas 9
N"
= Averagecohesionat piletip (fromunconsolidated
test)
untrained
ce
- Effective
of
pressure
to20timesdiameter
atpiletiplimited
overburden
Pd
pile for pileshavinglengthequalto morethan20 timesdiameter
maybe calculated
fromthefollowing:
sideresistance
Rr,.e., Ultimate

Ao
D
y

R = i K P . , t a n 6 A+, C [ e A
where
K
Pdt

= Coefficient
of earthpressure

A"i

= Effective
of
pressurein kg/cm'?along
the embedment
overburden
pilefor thelayerithwhereivariesfrom/ to n
= Angleofwallfrictionbetween
pileandsoilin degrees.
It maybetaken
frictionof soil
equalto angleof internal
= Surfaceareaof pileshaftincm'zintheithlayer,whereI variesfrom7to n

A,

= Surfaceareaof Pileshaftin cm'

/o

IRC:78-2014
a

= Reduction
factor

= Average
cohesion
in kg/cm,throughout
theembedded
tengthof pjle
(fromunconsolidated
untrained
test)

Whileevaluating
effective
overburden
pressure,
totalandsubmerged
weight
of soilshallbe considered
aboveandbelowwatertablerespectivef
4
Theinitiar
varueof K maybe takenas i.5 whichcanbe furtherrnqeased
up to 1.8in particular
casesas specifiedin Clause709.2.2(v)
5

Thefollowing
valueofx maybeadopted
depending
uponconsjstencv
of soil:

Consistency

N Value Bored piles

Driven
Cast-in-situ
case-in-situ
piles
Softto very softcla <4
0.7
1
l\,4edium
4-8
0.5
- - - 0 4o.7
stiff
8-15
o.4
Verystiff
>15
0.30
0.3
piles
For
in overconsolidated
soils,thedrainedcapacitymaybe evaluatedWhenfullstaticpenetration
datais available
for theentiredepth,then

* 1,n
Q =cono

gb = Pointresistance
at baseto be takenas averageof the valueovera depth
equalto 3 timesthediameter
of pileaboveanOon" fimetn" Oi"meter
of pile
belowthetip.
/, = Cross-sectional
areaof baseof pile
f" = Averagesidefrictionandfollowingco_relation
maybe usedas a guide:
Typeof Soil
Clay
Soft
stiff

g =

SideFriction,
f"
ql25
q"/15

Mixtureofsiltsandsandwithtracesof clay
Loose
c"/50
Dense
q"/100
Staticpointresistance.

I
Wheresoftcompressible
claylayeris encountered,
anycontributron
towards
capacityof pirefrom suchsoirshaflbe ignoredand additionar
ro;d pireon accountor
downward
dragon piledueto consolidation
of softsoilshallbe consideied.

IRC:78-2O14
NOTE:

Forfactors
ofsafety
of pilesinsoil,feierClause
709.3.2.

9 CAPACITYOF PILES IN INTERMEDIATE

GEO.MATERIAL
AND ROCK
9.1
Axial LoadCarryingCapacity:
Pilesin rocksandweatheredrocksof Varyingdegreeofweathering
derivetheircapacity
by end bearingand socketsi.deresistance.
The ultimateloadcarryingcapactymay
be calculatedfrom one of the two approachesgivenbelow:
Wherecoresof the rockcan be takenand unconfinedcompressive
strengthdirecfly
established
usingstandardmethodof testing,the approachdescribed
in method1
shallbe used.In situations
wherestratais highlyfragmented,
whereReD is nil or
(CR+RQD)/2
is lessthan30 percent,or wherestratais not classifiedas a granularor
clayeysoil.or whenthecrushing
strength
is lessthan10l\.4
Pa.theapproach
described
in method2 shallbe used.Also,forweakrocklikechalk,mudstone,claystone,shale
andotherintermediate
rocks,method2 is applicable.
MEHTOD
1:
Q, = R" + qr = K"e.q.d| Ab+ A" C,"
O a//ow=(R.i3) + (R-fi6)
Wherc,
=
O,
Q allow=
=
R"
Rur =
Kp

Ultimatecapacityof pilesocketedintorock in NeMons

AllowablecapacityoJPile
Ultimate
end bearing
Ultimatesidesocketshear

An empiricalco-efficient
whosevaluerangesfrom0.3 to i.2 as
perthetablebelowforthe rockswherecorerecoveryis reported,
and corestestedfor uniaxialcomDressive
strenoth.
(cR + RQD K
2
30%
0.3
1000/.
1.2
=
CR
CoreRecovery
in perceni
RQD =
RockQualityDesignation
in percent
ForIntermediate
values.
K,roshall
be linearly
interpolated
Averageunconfined
compressive
strengthof rockcorebelowbase
of pileforthedepthtwiceihe diameter/least
lateraldimension
of pile
in MPa

IRC:78-2014
areaof baseof pile
Cross-sectional
=

d,

=
=

Depthfactor= 1 + 0.4x

Diahetet af Sackel

valueof drshouldnoi betakenmore

However,
than1.2.
Surfaceareaof socket
shearstrength
of rockalongsocketlength,
Ultimate
0.225{q", butrestricted
to shearcapacityof concrete
of the pile,to
which
be takenas 3.0MPafor M 35 concretein confinedcoudition,
of concrete
bya factor{(fcu35)
forotherstrength
canbe modified

METHOD2:
whencoresand/orcoretestingresultare notavailable,
or when
Thismethod.is
applicable
geo-material
Theshearstrengthof geo-material
is obtained
fromits
is highlyfragmented.
SPTvaluesfof 300mmof penetration
as givenin tablebelow:
correlation
withexu"polated
ShearStrength/Consistency
Approx.N Value
in MPa
ShearStrength/Cohesion

ModeratelyWeak Weak
VeryWeak
300-200
200-100
100-60
3.3-1.9
1.9-0.7
0.7-0.4

Q" = R" + qr =C,b N".Ao* C,"{

o dd = (Re/3)+ (RJ6)

wnere
belowbaseof pile,for ihe depthequalto
Average
shearstrength
C.,.=
*
lateraldimension
of pile,basedon average
twicelhe diameter/least
'N' valueof thisregion
C._=

fromtable,
alongsocketlength,
to beobtained
Ultimate
shearstrength
portion.
Thisshallberestricted
basedon averagelN'valueof.socket
to shearcapacityof concreteol the pile;to be lakenas 3.0 l\4Pa
whichfor otherstrengths
of
for M 35 concretein confined
condition,
f-actor
Intermediate
values
can
be
by
a
{(fcld3s)
conqete
rnodified
linearly.
c,r,andc* canbe interpolated
L=
Lengthofsocket.
N"=9.
. Q ar|N= Allowable
of pile.
capacity
to 300whileusingthis
Theextrapolated
valuesof'N'greaterthan300shallbe limited
method.
General
notescommonto MethodI andMethod2:
1)

Theminimum
Forthehingedpilesrestingon rockproperseatinghasto beensured.
pile
socketlength
should
be300mmin hardrock,and0.5timesthediameterofthe
79

IRC:78-2014
in weathered
rock.
4

afterdividjngby factorof safetyshallbe

fhe allowableend bearingcomponent
restricted
to 5 lVIPa.

3)

thetoprock300mmdepthof rockshallbe
Forcalculation
ofsocketfrictioncapacity,
shallbefurlherlimitedto depthof sixtimesdiameter
neglected.
Thefrictioncapacity
pile.
of

4t

givenin subof workingpilesin the rockystratameihodology

Forthe termination
quality
controltool.
clause10canbe usedas a
Capacity
of Socketed
Piles:
MomentCarrying

9.2

from following
For the socketedpile,the socketlengthin the rock may be calculated
equatron:
-

o,D

4H' +6M
c,"6" o,D

where
L = Socket
length
ai topof thesocket
H = Horizonialforce
at thetopofthesocket
M = l\4oment
D = Diameter
ofthepile.
strengthin rockwhichis leaserof 30 kg/sqcm or
compressive
. q = Permissible
0.33q..
performance
of the socketas fixedtip, the
ln caseof socketedpiles,for the satisfactory
(e) shouldbe lessthanor equalto
rolationat the top of lhe socketfor ihe fixedcondition
at thetopof thesocket(e)
5 percentof therotationforthepinnedcondition
CRITERIAAS A QUALITY
10 PILE TERMINATION
CONTROLTOOL IN ROCKS
the pile-bore
with
Forestablishing
the similarity
of soilstrataactuallymetwhileadvancing
energymethod
thepileonthebasisof Nvaluesequivalent
theshataselected
iorterminating
can oe useo.

Ratio(PPR)is usedin this method.

The conceptof Pile Penetration
The pile penetrationratio(PPR)reflectsthe energyin ton-meterrequiredto advance
areaby 1 cm.
ihe pile boreof one sq. metercross'sectional
80

tRC:79-201.4
1)

In caseof SPTtest its ppR can.beworkedout as follows:

Energy.
E spentfor N blows= 63.5kg i 75 cm x N blows(inkg _cxnunits)=
E x 10_5
ton
meter.Areaof Famplesis 0.259xJ5.2f s9. cm.=2tr.24sq..cm,
penetratinglao
cm.
HencePPR= 63.5x 75xN x105t(21.24x10rx30)
=0.747
N
PPRforN = 50 = 37.35tm/mrlcm
andfor N = 200=149.4lmlm2lcm
where

Whn
AP

Zt nlt
AP
Where

81

IRC:78-2014
.

Appendix-6
(Clause
710.1.4)

FILLINGBEHINDABUTMENTS,WING AND RETURNWALLS

1 FILLINGMATERIALS
and otherearthretaining
The tvpeof materials
to be usedfor fillingbehindabutments
of soilsis givenin
withcare.A generalguideto theselection
shouldbe selected
structures,
Table1.
Table 1 General Guide to the Selection of Soils on Basis of
Anticipated Embankment Performance
lnticipiieO
Max.dry Optimum
Soil groupaccordingto Visual
embankment
moisture
description density
lS 1498-'1970
range kg/ content rangeperformance
lvlostprobable Possible
percent
m3
Goodto
7-.15
Granular 1850-2280
GW, Ge GM,
Excellent
materials
SW HP
Faf to
Granular 1760-2160 9-18
SB, Sl\4, GM,
Excellent
materials
GC,SM,SC
with soil
1760-1850 19-25
Fairto Good
Sand
SP
fair to GooO
CL.SN/].SandySill.s& 1760-2080 1O-2O
ML,l\,lH,DL
SiItS
SB,SC

2 LAYINGAND COMPACTION
2.1

Layingof FilterMediafor Drainage

of notlessthan600mmwithsmailer
Thefiltermaterial
shallbe wellpackedto a thickness
overthe entiresurface
sizetowardsthesoilandbiggersizetowardsthewallandprovided
wingsor returnwallsto thefullheight.
behindabutment,
Filtermaterialsneednot be providedin casethe abutmentis of spillthroughtype.
2.2

Densityof Compaction

shallbe chosenwithdueregardto factors,suchas.

Densities
to be aimedat Incompactron
positionof the individual
layers
drainageconditions,
the soiltype,heightof embankment,
for compaction.
andtypeof plantavailable
Eachcompactedlayershallbe testedin the fieldfor densityand acceptedbeforethe
operations
for nextlayerare begun.
g2

tRC:78_2O14
3 EXTENT OF BACKFILL
Theextentof backfillto
beprovided
behind
iheabutment
should
beasillusiraiec
:r Fig.i

, o,0,",o..
J- ".

of F[t

r-EXE'tr
t-|

t-i-l

-Ii-

ERIDGE

; ll=ill- I =l'r=lll=lll
B cr(FtL=
F
l= sorlusEDas
r -1AS PERSPECFlcTnO
T
t;-l
t*| - l

\ I =L!-.I!--

REqUREIEI{f OF l00?l|m

xo*R^t- qArErES

PIPESSP CEDAT1.0m c/c

BoRIZO}{fAIYAID 1.0m
VERICALLIPTACED
DtoNEOn IlNo TAYERS

1]J

F'IIEi TDIUI

Fig. I
l. Aclive wedgeofsoil mobilizedin d.veloping activep!src haslo b. nt'ed bi stec|.d qnl,
2. In case.pioj.ction of f@dn8 row,rds eanb-fitr is lers rhan600 m, dr fi lr.. e[.] I be
slpponed &ar rhe

PRECAUTIONS
TO BE TAKENDURINGCONSTRUCTION
4.1
Thesequence
of filling
behind
abutments.
wingwallsandreturn
wallssha,l
be so controlled
thatihe assumptions
madein thedesignarefulfilled.and
theyshould
clearlybe indicated
in the relevantdrawings.
For example,if the earthpressurern
frontof the abutmentis assumedin the design,the frontfillingshallatsobe done
simulianeously
alongwiththefillingbehindabutment,
layerby,andin casethefilling
behindabutmentbeforeplacingthe superstructure
is considered
not desirable.
the
fillingbehindabutment
shouldalsobe deferred
to a laterdate.In caseot tie bea':s
andfrictionslabs,specialcareshallbe iakenin compacting
thelayerundernearn
ar:
abovethemso thatno damageis doneto themby mechanical
equipment.
4.2
Specialprecautions
shouldbetakento prevent
anywedging
actio!.t
aga,-s:
structures,
andtheslopesbounding
theexcavation
forthe structure
shallbe s:e3:e:
or struitedto preventsuchwedgingaction.
4-3
Adequate
numberof weepholesnotexceeding
onemetrespae,r:.: :.::
directions
shouldbe provided
to preventanyaccumulation
of waterandb:j.: .g _: ::
hydrostatic
pressure
behindthewalls.Theweepholesshouldbe proyii3: a:,:..e:1e
lowwaierlevel.

B3

tRC:7a-2O14
APPendix-7
' 709.2.4)
(Clause
PART-1
BY DYNAMICTESTUSING
PILELOADCAPACITY
METHOD-1:
WAVEEQUATION
modelusingstratawise
by usingidealized
Thismethodjs basedon solvingwaveequation
'set'for
of
givenpileload.Theforceandvelocityresponse
to arriveat pile
soilparameters
pileto an impactforceappliedaxiallyby dropof hammercausinglargestrainat topof pile
to arriveat theultimate
capacity
of pile)aremeasured
of ultimate
(oftheorderof magnitude
of pile.
capacity
1

THEORETICALBACKGROUND

soil, the internal force and

For piles consideringresistancefrom sr-irrounding
producedon segmentof prismaticbar subjectedto impactat one end,
displacements
canbe derivedas
Lhewaveequation

#=e"xPJ.^
wnere
position
of a pointof thebarfromitsoriginal
displacement
D = longitudinal
of bar p = densityof barmaterial+ t = time
of etasticity
E = modulus
term
axis& R = soil-resistance
of longitudinal
x = direction
andtherelationship
conditions
boundary
maybesolvedforappropriate
Theabdveequation
pileand
usuallybynumerical
stressaredetermined
inthe
time,position
amongdisplacement,
for
diagram
loaddeformation
of modelconsidering
requires
idealization
methods.
Solution
'Ru'the
thatcanoccurelastically,
deformation
maximum
the'quake'i.e.
eachsegment,
damping
valueof'quake',
Theempirical
factor.
andthedamping
soilresistance
ultimate
for
andReeseare reproduced
as reportedby Forehand
factorandpercentsideadhesion
reference
in Table1.

B4

tRC:78.2014
Table 1 Empiricat Values of e,J, and percent Side Adhesion

a (in.)

SideAdhesion
(%ofR,)

Sandgravelmixed
FineSand

Sandand clayor loam,at least

50 percentof pilein sand
Silt and fine sand underlain
bv
hardstrata
Sand and gravelunderlainbV
hardstrata
2
1)

2)

PILEANDTESTPREPARATION
Thetesting
shourd
be conducted
byfixinginstrumentation
thatshourd
incrude
srrarn
sensors
andaccelefometers
tothesjdesofthepileat a depthof t.5 x pile
- Jiameters
-fromtopof pjleandthenconnecting
themto themeasuring
equipmeni.
Forthisit is desirable
thatthe pileis exiended
to suitablelengthafterchippjng
looseconcrete.This can be doneeitherusingformworkor permanent top
casing.
Alternativ,ely
if jt is a linerpjle,twoopenings/winiows
gOd,rn , 300
approxim"f"f
v
mmanddiametrically
opposite
toeachothershallbemadeintotnetinerat i.S x prre
diameter
fromtop.
jt shallbe axial,flatandhavesame
In casepileheadis extended,
strengthas pile
concrete.
Thepileheadmayevenbe onegradehjgherso as to attainearii ifrengrn.
The rebarsand helicalreinforcement
sfrattatsoO-e
t"-"uoiO
ot
concrete
underhammer
"*t"nO"J
impact.
"i*ilng
Referto Fig.'lfora sketchof reinforcenient
jn.theextended
pileandthediameter
of
barsshallgenerafiy
bethe sameas pirereinforcement.
rurtn"i i .o"crut"it tn"
sensorlevelshallbe smooihhardanduniform.
"

AlldinmionseinIm
7.

Clea .oYer lo nesh einfocnmr

is 20 M

3 _ Diamerer.fsesh rinforcementb6 is BI4

spacig ol msh ciafoEemftr bs G lclo @

Fig-1: De'ilsci Raa- =re:cr e;iteidedportionof pilefordynamiciesi

35

IRC:78-2014
of sheetsof pll,'voodwith iotalthicknessbeMeen
A pile toi cushionconsisting
4)
25mmtol00mmorasdeterminedbytheTestEngineershallbep|acedon
tesling
of thePilebefofe
shallbe
by theTestEngineer
Sieelhelmet25 mm-50mmthickor as determined
5)
keptreadyat thetimeof testing
cf
ofthedeadwe;Qht
oftestloador5-7percent
weighl
ofsuitable
l1-2percent
6I
A hammef
"'
othewise
thepileunlessspecified
Oeusedfortesting
snalL
,n" oif"-n"n"ver isnigfr"er)
variesfrom0 5 m to 3 m
Thefallheightgenerally
bytheTestEngineef.
7)
B)

to ensurea concentric
a suitableguideshallbe provided
essential,
Wherever
rall.
of freelyfallingthe required
capable
mechanism
craneor equvareni
A suitable
Referto
withthetestengineer'
on sitein consultation
shallbe arfanged
hammer
thesetuparrangernents'
Fig.2 showing
G 6ruP qfl^":3
ioc xtcx srR tx ovrrttc FL rEarlrtc

sl.dFq.|{db.e

fub']liFsnrfrpd

s'lr.dnr.dd&db(:Il<ls

Fig.2: Typicalsketchshowingsetupdetailsfor highstraindynamicpiletesting

86

IRC:78-2014
A suitablepowersourcesupplyshallbe provided
for fixingsensorsandforihe test
equiPment.
PILEMONITORING
1)

The testing may be conductedatleast '15 days after the pile is installed
and the concretepile as well as extendedporiionif any has achievedthe
required
strength.

2\

Dynamicpile testing(basedon wave equation)shouldbe conducteo

0y
attachingstrain transducersand accelerometers
to the sides of the pile,
approximately
1.5timespilediameter
belowihe piletop.A pairof transducers
/
needsto be fixedonto oppositesidesof the pile,so as to deiectbendingin/
thepileif any,duringtesting.

3)

Thesetransducers
shouldbe then connectedthroughthe cableto measuring
equipment
to record
strainandacceieration
measurements
anddisplay
themon an
oscilloscope
or screen.

4)

Thetestingshouldbe conducted
by impacting
the pilewith blowsof ihe hammer,
generally
starting
witha smaller
dropof 0.5m. Foreachhammer
blow,thestrain
transducersshouldmeasurestrainswhereasaccelerafions
are measuredby
pile.
accelerometers
connected
on eithersidesof ihe
Thesesignalsare ihen
converted
to digitalformbytheequipment
andthenconverted
to forceandvelocity
respectively
by integration.
For eachhammerblow,the test systemshoulddisplayimmediatefield results
in theformof the mobilized
capacity
of the pile,piletop compression,
integrity,
stressesetc.Theforceandvelccitycurveshallbe generallyas defined!nASTM
D4945.
Testing
should
becontinued
byincreasing
heighi
fallofthehammer
byapproximately
0.5 m increment
iill the time eitherthe pile set or the pile capacityreachesthe
required
limiting
values.
Atypical
forcevelociiy
response
is alsodescribed
in Fig.3.
Thepilecapacity
shallbegenerally
considered
tobefullymobilized
iftheenergy
levels
dueto hammer
impact
aresumcieni
soasto causea measurable
netdisplacement
of aileast3-4 mmper blowfor a minimum
threesuccessive
impacts.lf the pileset
is lessthan3-4mmperblowandthepileachieves
required
capacity,
thenit implies
thainotall thestaticpileresiatance
hasbeenmobilized
andthatthepilestillhas
somecapacitytllat couldnotbe measured
or was notrequiredto be measured
at
thetimeof testino.
87

IRC:78-2014

E!

bE
H E^
6<
=

equipment
by measuring
tracegenerated
Fig.3 : Typicalforce-velocity
8)

4l
1)

,\

data in a suitable
: Usingstrainand acceleration
Analysisand lnterpreiation
static
of pile and soil stfata,the equivalent
mod;I, b;sed on localparameters
the
load bearingcapacityshall be calculatedThe final reportshouldspecffy
parametersof soil and pile strataconsideredand the safe capacityarrlved
Analysis'
for SignalMatching
Atypicalblowis thenselected
TESTLIMITATIONS
on a
Evaluationof static soil resistanceand it's distributioncan be based
variety of anal)'ticalmethodsand is the subjectof individualengineering
methodsmay or.may not resultin
judgment.
The inputinto the analytical
to
ine- aynami" evaluationmatchingstatic load test data lt is necessary
pile load
calibratethe resultof the dynamicanalysiswith those of a siatic
to lS 2911.
outaccording
testcarried
friction
Basedon above,it can be said that it is difficultto predictrock socket
and actualend bearingfor rock sockeiedpilesthat do not show substantial
undeftheimpacts
netdisplacement
an
lJnlike static iesting, evaluationof dynamic pile test results requires
of theresults'
trainedin inteipretations
engineer
experienced

88

IRC:78-2014
METHOD-2:PILE DYNAMICTEST METHODBASED ON
HILEY'SFORMULAE
(BY LASERYINFRARED
OPERATEDEQUIPMENT)
1 INTRODUCTION
Sincetheearlydaysof drivenpiles,thetermination
criteriabasedon "Setsobserved",
are
followed.
Variousformulaeareavailable.
The lS Code2911Part- 1 coveringdrivenpiles
provides
perblow
onesuchformula.
Theprinciple
followed
is recording
the penetration
of the hammer,
andon thatbasishavingobtained
thedesiredset i.e.averagepenetration
of standardnumbersof blowsof hammer,
the ultimatecapacityfor the pileis workedout
and thenwith suitablefactorof safetythe safecapacityis arrivedat. The boredcasiin-situpilesafterattainingstrength(i.e.aftercuring)can be treatedas precastpile to
be advanced
furtherin thefounding
straia(i.e.sirataon whichterminated)
by dynamic
impactenergy.The loadcarryingcapacityof boredcasfin-situpilesubjeciedto impact
energycanthenbe esiimated
consequent
displacemeni
on measuring
by sophisticated
optoelectronic
instruments
on resorting
to lS 2911procedure.
Theprocedure
willhelpin
ascertaining
thequality
on a largenumber
of pileswithout
muchof time
of workmanship
wastingandavoidingdelaysin a construction
activitywithrelatively
lesscosl
METi.IODOLOGY
Themethodology
of testis basedon a largefallingweightgivingthedynamic
impactto
the elasticbody.lt equatesthe energyof hammerblowto workdonein overcoming
the
resistance
of the foundingstratato the penetration
of the ordinarycasfin-situpilesas
piles.
wellas groutedmicro
is madefor lossesof energydueto the elastic
Allowance
pile,
compression
ofthe
andsubsoilaswellas
losses
caused
bytheimpact
ofthepile.The
giveninthecodelS2911Pad-1,Section
Iareusedin estimaiing
Modified
Hiley's
formulae
thefactorof safetyas outlined
in the
the ultimate
drivingresistance
in tonnes.
Applying
code,thesafeloadon pilecanbe workedout.
The instantaneous
including
rebounds
of the pileare precisely
recorded
in
displacements
automatic
dataacquisition
system.Thisis donefor severalcyclesandthenusingtormulae
in lS Code2911thesafeloading
capacity
is calculated.
Theopto-electronic
as accepted
instrumentis used for positionsensitivemeasurement
by non contactcontinuous
placedawayfromthevibrations
measurement,
dueto impaciload.The
usinginstrument
sensitive
systemis basedon combined
lightemitting
diodetransmitters
anda position
andreceiverare installedso thatthe infraredlighibeamformsa
detectorThetransmitter
Thereflected
lightis
reference
linefromtransmitter,
receiver
to the prismgroupreflectors.
89

IRC:78-2014
received
andrecorded100timespersecond.Usingtheenergytransmitted
to the pileand
accounting
fortemporary
compression
of pile,ground
anddollyoccurring
during
theimpact
loading,
the ultimatedrivingresislance
is calculated.
Applying
thefactorof safetythesafe
loadforthepileis calculated.
Themodified
Hileyformula
is :
Whtj

S+C/2

where
R = ultimatedrivingresistance
in ionnes.Thesafeloadshallbe workedout by
dividingit witha factorof safetyof 2.5.
vv = massoTineramIntonnes:
h

= heightofthefreefalloftheramor hammer
in cm,takenat itsfullvalue
for
proportioned
trigger-operated
drophammers,
80percent
oftheIallofnormally
winchoperated
drophammers,
and90 percentofthestrokeforsingle-acting
hammers.
Whenusingihe McKiernanTerry
typeof doubleactinghammers,
perblowshould
90 percentof the maker'sratedehergyin tonne-centimeter
be substituted
for the product(1,4/h)
in the formula.Thehammershouldbe
operated
at its maximum
speedwhilethesetis beingtaken;

of the blow,representing
the ratioof energyafterimpactto the
n = efficiency
striking
energy
of ram:
perblowin cm:
S = finalsel.
or penetration
C = sumofthetemporary
elastic
compressions
in cmof thepile,dolly,packings
anogrouno
P = Massof pilein tonnes
WhereW is greaterthanPe andthe pileis drivenintopenetrable
ground,
W+ Pe'
W +P
gfound.
Where1,4/
is lessthanPeandihepileisdriven
intopenetrable

- + Pe'- \lw - ee\.

'^r _w
yy+p
w. Pl
90

01
IRC:78-2014
arethevaluesof I in relation
to e andio the rationof P/W
Thefollowing
e=0.5

e=0.4

E = 0.32

e = 0.25

e=0

o . 75

a.72

0.70

0.69

0.67

0.63

0,58

0.55

0.53

0.50

1 ,|,

0.55

0.50

o.47

0.44

0.40

0.50

o.44

0.40

o.37

0.33

2./,

0.45

0.40

0.36

0.33

0.28

0.42

0.36

0.33

0.30

0.25

3.t,

0.39

0.33

0.30

0.27

0.22

0.36

0.31

0.28

o.25

0.20

0.31

o.27

0.24

o.21

0.16

4.27

o.24

0.21

0.19

0.14

0.24

0.21

0.19

o.17

0.12

4.22

0.20

o.17

0.15

0.11

Ratioof P/W
112

(ifany)in tonnes.
P is theweightof thepile.anvil,helmeiandfollower
forP intheaboveexpression
inrock,0.5Pshould
besubstituted
Where
thepilefindsrefusal
for4.
underimpactas tabulatedbelow
e is thecoefficient
of restitution
of the materials
slriking
on steelanvjlanddriving
reinforced
Forsteelramof double-acting
hammeI
pile,e = 0.5
b)

striking
on headof reinforced
Forcast-iron
ramof single-acting
or drophammer
concretepile,e=0.4.

c)

a well-conditioned
dfivingcapandhelmet
Single-acting
or drophammerstriking
pilesor directly
on headof timber
concrete
withhardwooddollyin drivingreinforced
pile,e = 0.25.

instrumenis
measuring
accurately
the
operated
Numbers
of modelsof Laser/infrared
shall
days.
The
required
sensiiiv'ty
of
the
equipment
deformation
are available
these
to the accuracy
of 10-3radiansand the
be suchas to readthe angulafdeformation
'100
persecond.Fromthe
about
readings
shouldbe capableof recofding
instrument
fromthe instrument,
angulardeformation,
on knowingthe dlstanceof the reflector
91

-.

IRC:78-2014
Typical DisplacementRecord

0
-0.'t

-0.3
-o.4
-0.5
-0-6
-o.7
-0.8
-0.9
Readins Seriat Numt er.

veriicalmovementof the shaftunderthe givenimpactenergy,(bothelasticand

permanent)
can be measured
accurately.
Thesemeasurements
of the displacement
can thenbe substituted
in rnodified
Hiiey'sformulaestatedin lS 2911.The ultimate
loadcarrying
capacity
of the pilecanbe workedout,resoriing
to the modified
Hiley's
formulae
outlined
in thecodeandfromthatihe safeloadcarrying
capacity
of pilecan
be estimated.

92

IRC:78-20'14
Appendix-7
STANDARD
TESTMETHODFORLOWSTRAINPILEINTEGRITY
TESTING
1 SIGNIFICANCE
ANDUSE
PileIntegrity
Testing(plT)is a Non-Destructive
integrjty
testmethodfor foundation
piles.
Themethodevaluates
continuity
pile
ofthe
shaftandprovides
information
on anypotential
defectsdue to honeycombs,
necking,cross-section
reduction,
potentialbulbs,sudden
changesin soilstratum,concretequalityin termsof wavespeedetc.lt is knowns ,.Low
Strain"lvlethodsinceit requiresthe impactof onlya smallhand_held
hammerand the
resultani
strainsareof extremely
lowmagnitude.
Thetestprocedure
is standardized
as per
ASTN4
D5882andarsofoms partofvarious
specifications
andcodeprovisions
worrcrwide
as
indicaied
in Table.Thenumberof testsshallbe decidedbytheengineer
to theproject.
Table3 HajorStandardsor Codesfor IntegrityTesting

Srno Method Country AeterenE

TiiG
1)
, LST,CSL Ausiratia nusiratian
pite Oesigning
SianOlrO
anOinstaation
As 21 59-199S

2\
Lt

| RTt. aqr
La
voL

.-tri^\,{lttar

Technical code for Building

pttestoundations
Chapterg:
J(,J.v4_y4

Inspeclon and Acceptance of

pile FoundationEngineering.
,9..1
eualitylnspection
of pile
installation.
3)

LST.CSL China

4)

Lsr

5)

LST-CSL Gemany DGGT

6i

'.srssr

JGJ 93-95

Specificationfor Low Strain

DynamjcTestingof piles.

FranceNor,"r*n"u
::1", :;""$:l#"", oJ:l
"o work method by reflection

uk

impedance
ierpiohuns

Instirurion
or .,",tj:ill3i,,q#",9#;
Fnd'neers.(lCE)

7)

Lsr

usA

ASrMD5882
93

specirication
rorLow

ll:lg"'9tmaginaryTesting
Utratn
of
piles.

IRC;78-2014
2 TYPIGALMETHODS
below'
the integrityof the pile are brieflydescribed
Variousmethodsusedto evaluate
follows
oi plT recordscan be describedas
in.
"uafu"tion
analysrs)
Method(orSonicEcho a timedomain
' Pulse-Echo
Approach
' FofceVelocity
DomainAnalysis)
(Frequency
Procedure
' Transient
Response
.
CrossHoleSonicLogging
defectsnearthe piletop ihat
io evaluate
used
-rll"in"o
sometimes
ls
approach
TheForceVelocity
ThePulseEchois the mostcommonly
maybedifficultto evaluatein Pulse"ii"
below'
andis described
usedmethod
'

3 TEST EQUIPMENT

ThetestShouldbeperlormeduslngdigitaldataacquisitionequipment|ikeaP

;;;;,;;;""dil"^lll-1i::,:^l,iJ*n:?,^""x'ilT:
.l::,t"";ilijil:

interpretaiio
ano
';;"ia qua'tv

ilT::"lfiTifi'ffi ffi;ffi

be possible'
should
anda fieldprintout

4 TEST PROCEDURE
br/an experienced
at least7 daysafterpile concreting,
The testingshallbe conducted
smoothwith
'ili" pi[ bp surfacemustbe relatively
concrete
The
enqineer/technician
deviceandhammerimpactareaThe
sensing
moiion
tne
ot
attachment
spacefor
sufficient
the
ontJtn"pit"top(notnearitsedge)wiih
acceteioit"t"'
an
ot
attacnment
testinginvolves
thepileis impacted
nttu' unuchment'
w"a"x'-vuJ"tln"
canore
tit<e
materiat
heloof bonding
"rc'
hammer)
(a
hand-held
o"uice
*iif, u n"na-r,lio
All suchsimilar
duringthe stageoJ^testing
blows
several
ot
collection
Thetest involves
testins
above
piles

ii' Ligeioi"mjer
oi"prall
before
areaverased
blows

lT^:'lo
"1999
-::l
;ffi"il
ffi;
li:fiil"ffif:iiiu#il'l'::
",3l :":".*tl*"J:fi
pilesThetyplcal(
diameter
smarler
peirig.t anois atsodefinedin ASTMD5882'

"

t .

- r"^
Ji -'rl."!
'"5-E--=1---.-.;1

"---

i;

t'.;-;-=

pile(bottom)
pile(Top)anddefective
normal
plot
for
Depih
versus
Velocity
Fig.1: PIT
94

IRC:78-2014

5 REPORTSUBMISSION
Theflnalreportshallinclude
tfrefollowing;
1)

Projectldentification
& Location

2)

Test Pile ldentificationincluding Length, Nominal Cross-Sectional

area
andConcrete
Mixas perinstallation
record
Typeof Pileanddescription
procedures
of specialinstallation
usedif any.

4)

Descriptionof all the componentsof the apparatusfor obtainjngintegrity

measurements
andrecording/displaying
data.
Graphical
representation
of Velocitymeasurements
in timedomain.

ol

Commenis
on thequalityof the PileConcrete.

7)

Comments
on anypotential
defects/damage
andits location.
Comments
on Integrity
of Pilebasedon above.
6 LIMITATIONS

Certainlimitations
are inherentin the low straintest methodand henceit shouldbe
treatedonlyas an indicator
of qualityof workandnotas a conclusive
test.Thelimjtations
mentioned
belowmustbe understood
and iakeninto consideration
in makinothe final
integrity
evaluation.
1)

Integrityevaluationof a pile sectionbelow a crack that crossesthe entire

pjle cross-sectional
joint is normally
area or a manufacturedmechanical
not possiblesince the impact wave likely will reflect completelyat the
discontinuiiy.

2J

Piles with highly variablecross-sections

or multiplediscontinuities
maybe
difficultto evaluate.
The methodis intendedto detectmajor anomaliesand minor defectsmay
notbe detectedby il-rismethod.

4)

The test is not applicableto jointed pre-castpiles or ho'lowsteel pipes or

H-sections.
Themethodcannoibe usedto deriveihe piiecapacity.

95

(TheOfficialarnendmentsto this documentwould be publishedby

'lndianHighways'which shall be
the IRCin its periodical,
consideredas effectiveand as part of the code/guidelines/manual,
etc.from the date specifiedthrein)