SECTION 3 - SPECIFICATION FOR SOIL NAILING

3.1

GENERAL This works specification for soil nailing shall cover all the necessary resources and materials for the supply, installation, testing and completion of soil nails in accordance with this Specification and the details shown in the Drawings or as directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall inspect the site, study soil investigation results and design details before preparation and submission of the method statement to the Engineer for prior approval (at least 7 days) before the commencement of works. The method statement shall prescribe how to execute the works to comply with the specification and contain among other things the details of sequence of works, specific type of machines plus necessary staging to be deployed for drilling and grouting, estimated daily works output rate, necessary quality control tests/measurements/observations plus their respective frequency and acceptance criteria. Remedy or rectification shall also be proposed for cases where the acceptance criteria is not met or achieved. Specific operators/ supervisors (name, IC and CV, etc), full details of specific type of rebars plus their protection system, centralizers, spacers, grout mix details and admixtures and any other materials to be used, etc., including catalogues, test certificates and photos of the equipment and materials to be used plus the proposed machines layout for drilling, grouting and pull-out test shall be shown on drawings (A3 size) and shall also be included in the method statement. The proposals in the method statement shall meet the requirements shown on the Engineers drawings and this specification hereafter. The Contractor shall be fully responsible to provide all necessary and suitable resources and materials to complete all the soil nails strictly according to this Specification. The Contractor shall install the trial or preliminary soil nails and carry out the verification pull-out test (Clause 3.8) at locations selected by the Engineer.

3.2 3.2.1

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS Setting Out Setting out shall be as shown in the Drawing or as directed by the Engineer. Immediately before drilling or installation of soil nail, the nail head position shall be marked with suitable identifiable pegs or markers on the slope/wall for necessary inspection by the Engineer. 3.2.2 Position The maximum allowable deviation for drill hole entry point shall not exceed 75 mm in any direction.

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3.2.3

Alignment of Nail The drilling machine shall be attached with suitable alignment control devise set to attain the finished nail direction or inclination shown on the Drawing and the maximum permitted deviation of alignment shall not exceed 1 in 20. Deviation from straight shall not exceed 20 mm in any 3 m length of drill hole.

3.2.4

Nail Out of Position or Alignment The contractor shall demonstrate to the Engineer that the position and alignment of soil nails is within the tolerance limits specified. Any nail found out of the tolerable position or alignment shall be rejected and the Engineer shall order to add additional nails at the Contractors own costs.

3.2.5

Submittals The Contractor shall keep records for each soil nail installation and shall submit one signed copy to the Engineer not later than noon of the next working day after the soil nails have been installed. The record for each soil nail shall include soil nail reference number, date/time of commencement and completion of drilling and grouting, names of supervisor and operators, plus the necessary drilling and grouting details, etc. Drilling records shall include :i) ii) ii) iv) v) vi) vi) viii) Type & model of drilling machine. Type & size of drill rods. Description of drill rate. Description of drilling debris returns. Observed exceptions & peculiarities. Checking on straightness, cleaning & alignment. Total drilled length. Time of start & completion of drilling.

Grouting records shall include :i) ii) ii) iv) v) Type & model of colloidal mixer & paddle mixer. Type & model of pump. Grout mix design details (W/C ratio, admixture, etc). Results of bleeding, flow cone efflux time and strength tests. Conditions of pull-out check on centralizers (photos and description as per Clause 3.5).

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vi) vii) viii)

Time of start & completion of grouting. Volume of grout consumed. Observed exceptions (loss of grout, etc).

Format and details of record and layout of nail shall be approved by the Engineer. Other important submittals are method statement (Clause 3.1), test certificates (Clause 3.3), pull-out test reports (Clause 3.8), quality control tests as specified, as-built drawings (showing nail layout plan, nail reference number, length, date completed, etc.) and project completion report, which shall include the following chapters :i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) Table of contents Introduction Design drawings and finalized BQ Method Statement Works programme Drilling & Grouting records Quality control tests results for drilling, grouting, guniting, etc. Catalogues test certificates for rebar, centralizers, coupler HDPE sheath, etc. Pull-out test results, including test layout, drawings, photos, calibration records & certificates. As-built drawings. Photos showing drilling layout, drill rod, head, drilling operation, etc. Photos showing grouting layout, colloidal mixer, paddle mixer, pump, etc. Photos showing how the rebar is fixed with centralizers and results of pull-out checks inserting, etc.

ix)

x) xi) xii)

xiii)

3.3 3.3.1

MATERIALS Reinforcement Reinforcement for soil nails shall be high yield steel reinforcing bars complying with M.S. 146, threaded and hot-dip galvanized to B.S. 729 with minimum coat thickness of 85 microns or 610 gm per meter square surface and or the reinforcement bars shall be pregrouted and protected by HDPE corrugated sheath with necessary centralizers as shown on Drawing. The nail bars shall be threaded

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at the ends for a sufficient length (minimum 150 mm long) to facilitate fixing of galvanized washer, overlap locking washer and nut at the exposed end and fixing of galvanized coupler at the other end, if required. The tensile strength and galvanized rebar quality of the coupled nail bar shall be not less than 410 N/mm2 or specified on Drawings. Only soil nails of more than 12 m long shall have rebars spliced or coupled. The tensile strength of the coupler shall be capable to develop at least 95 % of the tensile strength of the rebar as tested and certified by the manufacturer. Test certificates from reputable laboratory such as SIRIM, IKRAM or Universities or accredited laboratory approved by the Engineer to show compliance of the specification shall be submitted to the Engineer for verification and approval. 3.3.2 Cement Grout Cement for grouting shall be Ordinary Portland Cement complying with MS 522 or BS 12. Grout shall consist of cement and water. Water cement ratio shall be 0.45 to 0.50 and minimum cube strength of 7-day strength and 28-day strength shall be 20 MPa and 30 MPa respectively (BS 1881). Sand shall not be used unless approved by the Engineer. Water shall be from approved public water supply and shall comply with the quality specified in MS28. Suitable admixtures shall be used to improve flowability and bleeding or shrinkage problem. Admixtures shall comply with the requirements of BS 5075: Part 1 and Part 3 and shall only be used with the prior approval of the Engineer. Grout shall be thoroughly mixed by suitable high speed colloidal mixer (> 1000 rpm) until a homogeneous grout free from undispersed cement, free from lumps and bleeding is obtained. The grout after mixing for a few minutes shall be transferred through a 5 mm sieve to remove lumps into a storage tank attached with paddle agitator. The following important quality control tests shall be carried out at least whichever is more :i) Crushing strength of 100 mm cubes at 7-days and 28-days (BS1881) shall be minimum 20 and 30 MPa respectively. Bleeding test (<0.5 % by volume 3 hours after mixing or 2 % (maximum) when measured at 20 degree C in a covered glass cylinder of 100 mm diameter and with a grout depth of 100 mm. In addition, the water shall be re-absorbed within 24 hours. Free expansion shall not exceed 10 %. Flow cone efflux time test (<15 seconds, ASTM C939-87).

ii)

iii)

If any of the above results falls below the acceptable limits, at least one or 1 % of grouted working nails shall be subject to pull-out test (Clause 3.8) at the Contractor own cost. 3.3.3 Centralizers Centralizers shall be tightly fixed to the rebar at the spacing as shown on the Drawing. The centralizers shall be firm and as small as possible (not more than

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50 % of the nail section) so that the blockage of grout flow is minimum. Centralizers shall be fixed inside and outside of the protective sheath, if applicable, and shall be spaced at not more than 2m. Centralizers shall be sized to position the rebar within 25 mm of the centre of the drill holes; sized to allow tremie pipe (about 30 mm diameter) insertion to the bottom of the drill hole. The centralizers shall be produced by reputable manufacturer or specialist using galvanized steel strips or PP (polypropylene) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and comply with following properties :i) ii) ii) iv) Tensile strength (BS 2782: Part 3, method 320 degree C) > 30 MPa. Hardness (BS 2782: Part 3, method 365B) >65. Brittleness temperature (ASTM D746-79) < 5 degree C. Environmental Stress Cracking Resistance (ASTM D1693-70): 200 hrs (no cracking).

Test certificates from reputable laboratory such as SIRIM, IKRAM, Universities or accredited laboratory approved by the Engineer showing the centralizers have complied with the specification shall be submitted to the Engineer for verification and approval. 3.3.4 Corrugated HDPE Sheath The size, shape and length of the sheath to protect the rebar shall be as shown on the Drawing or as directed by the Engineer. The sheath shall consist of HDPE (high density polyethylene) tube with wall thickness not less than 1.0 mm and shall be at least 5 mm of grout cover over the nail rebar within the sheath. The thickness of grout between the HDPE sheath and the sides of drill hole shall be not less than 25 mm. Other important properties that shall be complied are as follows :i) ii) ii) Tensile strength (BS 2782: part 3, method 320C) > 29 MPa. Softening point (BS 2781: Part 3, method 120A) >110 degree C. Environmental stress cracking resistance (ASTM D1693-70): 200 hrs (no cracking). Hydrostatic pressure resistance (BS 6437): no localized swelling, leaking or weeping.

iv)

The Contractor shall submit test certificates from reputable laboratory such as SIRIM, IKRAM, Universities or accredited laboratory approved by the Engineer to show compliance of the specification to the Engineer for verification and approval. 3.3.5 Materials Handling and Storage Cement shall be stored properly to prevent moisture degradation and partial hydration. Cement that has been caked and lumpy shall be rejected and discard. Rebars shall be stored on firm supports to prevent the steel from contacting the

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ground. Damage to the rebar as a result of abrasion, cuts, nicks, welds and weld splatter shall be cause for rejection. Rebars shall be protected from dirt, rust and other deleterious substances prior to installation. Heavy corrosion or pitting of rebars shall be cause for rejection. Anchorage end of rebars to which bearing plate and nuts will be attached shall be protected by some protective wrap during handling, installation, grouting and guniting. Pregrouted rebars in HDPE sheaths shall not be moved or transported until the grout has reached sufficient strength to resist damage during handling. The pregrouted rebars shall be handled with care and with sufficient supports to prevent large deflections, distortions or damage. Conditions of the pregrouted rebars shall be checked first before inserting into the drill holes. Damaged pregrouted rebars shall be rejected. 3.4 DRILLING The Contractor shall deploy suitable drilling machine and tools plus skilled operator and supervisor that have adequate capacity and experience to produce the drill hole according to the size, length and accuracy as shown in the Drawings and as specified in this specification. Unless otherwise directed or approved by the Engineer, only dry rotary percussion method by top hammer or down-the-hole hammer shall be used. Suitable drill bit of not less than 100 mm diameter shall be used. In ground likely to collapse, the drilled shaft shall be protected by suitable casing. Drill holes shall be flushed clean on completion of drilling and the opening protected or sealed to prevent the entry of water or any foreign matter. A drilling record for each soil nail shall be carried out as specified in Clause 3.2.5. Drilling for the whole design nail length shall be carried out uninterrupted and completed with necessary hole cleansing within one hour. To ensure reliable and effective cleansing of the drill holes, an additional drilled length of about 0.6 m to the design length shall be provided so that cleansing of cuttings and debris towards the bottom of the drill holes by the compressed air through the drill rods can be effectively and eventually carried out. All drill rods shall be at least N size and can be properly jointed without leakage. Alignment of drill hole shall not deviate more than 20 mm in 3 m in any direction. At least 1 % of the drilled holes shall be selected for straightness test by inserting 100mm diameter tube to the designed length. Drilled holes that cannot pass the test shall be redrilled and the suitability of the drilling machine be reassessed. Adequate temporary or permanent site drainage or temporary tarpaulin shall be provided to prevent infiltration from surface run-off into the slope where soil nailing is carried out. 3.5 INSERTING REINFORCEMENT The galvanized rebar fixed with centralizers as shown on the drawing shall be checked before inserting into the drill hole. The rebar shall be carried by experienced workers at spacing not greater than 3 m.

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After inserting about 75 % of the total design length, the rebar shall be withdrawn to check the conditions of the centralizers and contamination of rebar. Such pullout check shall be carried out on at least 1 % of the nails especially for those drill holes that have been left for more than 2 hours after completion of drilling. If collapse of drill hole is suspected, redrilling and flushing have to be carried out as directed by Engineer. Damaged centralizers shall be replaced immediately and rechecked. 3.6 GROUTING Grout mix shall be prepared and tested according to Clause 3.3.2. Layout of machine plus the capacity, etc, shall be as shown in method statement and approved by the Engineer before mobilization. Grout shall be pumped into its final position in drill hole through a grouting tube of about 25 mm diameter by tremie method under gravity or low pressure (< 5 bars) as soon as possible/immediately after the completion of hole drilling and is not more than 30 minutes after mixing. Grouting shall be carried out within two hours after drilling and cleansing of drill hole are completed. Grouting shall be carried out promptly and continuously in one operation without interruption to avoid any disturbance caused by sedimentation within the grout and to reduce air bubble entrapment. Full operation shall continue until injected grout of the same composition and consistency as that mixed emerges from the drill hole outlet for at least one minute. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in either the works being rejected or recleansing plus proof pull-out test at the Contractors own costs. 3.7 NAIL HEAD CONSTRUCTION All the disturbed, loose or soft soil around nail head shall be removed and replaced by non shrink mortar of grade 30 strength or approved equivalent by the Engineer. Nail head with steel plate shall be in a plane normal to the nail axis clamped down with galvanized nut and washers to the clamping down forces of 5 kN (min) or as shown in the Drawings, using a calibrated torque wrench. Clamping shall be carried out with a thin layer (< 25 mm) of fresh non shrink mortar (grade 30) behind the steel plate to ensure proper seating. Nail head construction shall only be carried out after the grout and the mortar have reached at least 7-days strength (> 20 MPa). 3.8 PULL-OUT TESTS The Contractor shall provide all necessary resources including all torque wrenches, jacks, gauges, reaction frame, pump, load cell, bearing plates, and other equipment required to carry out the pull-out test of the soil nails specified. Measurement of nail head movement shall be at least by 2 dial gauges capable of measuring to 0.025 mm accuracy.

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The Contractor shall also present up-to-date test (not more than 1 year ago) and calibration certificates to the Engineer for the equipment that are proposed for testing. the Engineer for approval before the test commences. Method statement and layout of pull-out test as specified in Clause 2.1 shall also be submitted. The location of soil nail to be tested shall be selected by the Engineer. Purpose of pull-out test up to 2.0 times the design pull-out resistance/load or as specified on drawings is to verify the designed pull-out resistance or designed bond strength between the grout and the soil/rock and also to verify the adequacy and suitability of drilling, installation and grouting techniques. The design /allowable pull-out resistance, Qd (kN/m) shall be as shown on the drawing or determined by the Engineer at site. Pull-out test shall be carried out at least 72 hours after grouting or at least the specified 7-days strength (> 20 MPa). Testing equipment including dial gauges, gauge supports, jack and pressure gauge, load cell, etc., shall be sufficient rigid and shall be protected from sunlight and rain by some canvas. The complete jacking system including hydraulic jack, pump, and pressure gauge should be calibrated as a single unit before use to an accuracy of not less than 5 % of the applied load. The center and bearing plates of the jack system shall be properly arranged so that the test nail will not carry the weight of the testing equipment. The gauge used to measure the nail head movement shall be aligned parallel with the axis of the nail and the support of the gauges shall be independent from the jack and the reaction frame. Load cell is important to maintain constant load hold during the creep test load hold increment. The jack and pressure gauges shall have a pressure range not exceeding twice the anticipated maximum test pressure. Jack ram travel shall be sufficient to allow the test to be done without resetting the equipment. At least 2 preliminary pull-out tests or verification or sacrificial tests up to 2.0 times the design pull-out resistance, Qd or as specified on drawing shall be carried out for different soil/rock unit or for different drilling/grouting method for each nailed slope/hill or as specified and directed by the Engineer. For the soil nails selected for pull-out test, the temporary unbonded length (Lu) of the test nail shall be at least 1 m, i.e. the bonded length (Lb) of the soil nail selected for pull-out test shall be Lb = L - Lu, where L = total soil nail length. To prevent collapse of the unbonded drill hole during the test, a temporary GI pipe of about 1 m long near the slope surface shall be installed. In case the drill hole is fully grouted, a GI pipe of about at least 600 mm long and slightly larger than the grouted hole shall be driven to ensure the reaction force is not transmitting to the grouted hole near the slope surface. Lb shall be at least 3 m.

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The loading schedule for verification test is as follows:Load (5% DTL), alignment load 0.25 DTL 0.50 DTL 0.75 DTL 1.00 DTL 1.25 DTL 1.50 DTL (Creep Test) 1.75 DTL 2.00 DTL (Max test Load) DTL Lb Holding Time (minimum) 1 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes 60 minutes 10 minutes 10 minutes

Qd

= Design Test Load (kN) = Lb x Qd = Pull-out test bonded length. Lb = design nail length - unbonded length Lb shall not exceed 0.9fy As / 2.0 Qd, where fy and As are yield stress and area of rebar respectively. = a x pd = Design allowable pull-out resistance (kN/m) specified in the Drawing or by the Designer. a = design allowable bond stress (kN/m2), d = diameter of nail in m.

The alignment load shall be the minimum load required to align the the alignment load has been applied. At least 2 calibrated dial gauges of 0.025 mm accuracy shall be used to measure nail head movement. Each load increment shall be held for at least 10 minutes. Nail movement at creep test (1.50 DTL) shall be taken at 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 60 minutes. The load during the creep test shall be maintained within 2 % of the intended load by use of a calibrated load cell. For working pull-out tests or proof tests, the testing procedure including creep test is similar to verification test except that the max test load (MTL) = 1.5 x DTL . A pull-out test is deemed satisfactory and acceptable when all the following criteria are met :i) For verification tests, a total creep movement is less than 2 mm between the 6 and 60 minute readings is measured during the creep test and the creep rate is linear or decreasing throughout the creep test load hold period. For proof tests, a total creep movement is less than 1 mm is measured between the 1 and 10 minute readings or the creep movement is less than 2 mm during the 60 minute readings and the creep rate is linear or decreasing throughout the creep test load hold period. The total measured movement at the maximum test load (MTL) exceed 80% of the theoretical elastic elongation (le) of the test nail unbonded length (le = 0.8P (Lu) (106)/ As E, where P = max applied load (kN), Lu = length from the back of nail to jack connection to the top of the bond

ii)

iii)

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(m), As = rebar cross-sectional area (mm2) and E = rebars modulus = 200,000 MPa). iv) A pull-out failure does not occur at the maximum test load. Pull-out failure is defined as the load at which attempts to further increase the test load simply result in continued pull-out movement of the test nail.

The Contractor shall submit the results of pull-out tests to the Engineer for final interpretation and necessary design review immediately after the test. Full formal report of pull-out test including all plotting, method statement, test length, photos, test certificates, etc. shall be submitted to the Engineer within 1 week after the test. For verification test nails, the Engineer shall evaluated the results and make necessary design review after consultation with the designer. Installation methods that do not satisfy the nail testing requirements shall be rejected and replacement test nails shall be installed and tested at no additional cost.

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