2004 Specifications CSJ 0047-14-067

SPECIAL SPECIFICATION
5988
Vertical Wick Drain System

1. Description. Furnishing all labor, equipment and materials necessary to install vertical wick
drains, and embankment monitoring devices required to complete a system of soil
improvement as indicated on the plans and as specified.
2. General.
A. The area to be treated by the installation of vertical wick drains shall be as shown on the
plans. The depth of the treatment shall be from reference elevation to the bottom target
elevation indicated on the plans. All wick drains shall penetrate to practical refusal on
rock.
B. Embankment monitoring devices consisting of settlement plates, vibrating wire pore
pressure gauges, and standpipe piezometers shall be constructed and monitored at
locations and in the manner as specified and indicated on the plans.
C. A scheduled stoppage or staged delay in embankment placement at a limited height of
fill is not planned. The only anticipated delay currently consists of prescribed waiting
times following the completion of finished grade elevation as indicated that are required
for completion of settlement and pore pressure dissipation at respective embankment
locations. Instrumentation monitoring shall be performed over the prescribed wait
times to observe the performance of the resulting accelerated settlement of the
embankment regions with the use of wick drains, as indicated. Observations of
instrumentation monitoring shall be performed and provided to the Engineer to evaluate
actual findings relative to anticipated procedures. Any reduction of time or lengthening
of time outside the prescribed wait times following fill placement to final grades shall
be determined and directed by the Engineer. If at any time the Engineer determines that
a staged limit to fill height is required to promote slope stability, the Engineer will
provide direction to Contractor in accordance with criteria noted for instrumentation
monitoring, in particular from vibrating wire pore pressure monitoring devices and
settlement gauges in order of preference.
3. Submittals
A. At least two weeks prior to the installation of the wick drains, the Contractor shall
submit, for review and approval, details of the sequence and method of installation.
The submittal shall, as a minimum, contain the following specific information:

i. Size, type, weight, maximum pushing force, and configuration of the installation
rig.

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 ii. Dimensions and length of mandrel.

iii. Details of drain anchor.

iv. Detailed description of proposed installation procedures.

v. Proposed methods for overcoming obstructions.

vi. Layout drawing showing the planned location for all wick drains, and planned
monitoring instrumentation.
B. The Contractor shall submit a 5-foot sample of the vertical drain material to the
Engineer to evaluate the material. The samples shall be stamped or labeled by the
manufacturer as being representative of the drain material having the specified trade
name. Approval of the sample material by the Engineer shall be required prior to site
delivery of the wick drain material. The Contractor shall submit drain samples and
indicate the source of the proposed materials prior to delivery to the site and shall allow
sufficient time for the Engineer to evaluate the material.
C. At least two weeks prior to the installation of drains, the Contractor shall submit to the
Engineer for his review and approval, a layout plan, details of the sequence and method
of installation. Approval by the Engineer will not relieve the Contractor of his
responsibility to install drains in accordance with these specifications.
D. Approval of the Engineer will not relieve the Contractor of his responsibilities to install
wick drains in accordance with the plans and specifications. If, at any time, the
Engineer considers that the method of installation does not produce a satisfactory drain,
the Contractor shall alter his method and/or equipment as necessary.
4.Materials. Furnish materials of uniform quality that meet the requirements of the specification.
E. Assembly

i. Wick drains shall be a prefabricated type with a corrugated plastic drainage cores
wrapped on all sides with non-woven synthetic geotextile filter fabric, installed
plumb and vertical.

ii. The prefabricated wick drain material shall consist of a continuous plastic
drainage core wrapped in a non-woven geotextile material. The geotextile wrap
shall be tight around the core and shall be securely seamed in a manner that will
not introduce any new materials nor present an obstruction that will impede the
flow in the channels of the core.

iii. The drains shall be free of defects, rips, holes, or flaws. During shipment, the
drain shall be protected from damage. During storage on site, the storage area
shall be such that the drain is protected from sunlight, mud, dirt, debris, and
detrimental substances. Manufacturer certification of material requirements listed
below in Tables 1 and 2 shall be provided for all drain material delivered to site.

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 iv. One single type of assembled wick drain shall be used on the project unless
otherwise specified or approved by the Engineer.

v. Wick drain material shall be labeled and tagged in such a manner that the
information for sample identification and other quality control purposes can be
easily read from the label. As a minimum, each roll shall be identified by the
manufacturer as to lot or control numbers, individual roll number, date of
manufacture, manufacturer, and product identification of the jacket and core.

vi. During shipment and storage the wick drain shall be wrapped in heavy paper,
burlap, or similar heavy duty protective covering and in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations.

vii. The Engineer may reject material that is damaged during shipment, storage or
handling; or which does not meet the minimum requirements of the wick drain
material.

viii. The wick drain shall be band-shaped with an aspect ratio (width divided by
thickness) not exceeding 50.

ix. Prefabricated wick drains to promote continuous vertical drainage meeting these
specifications acceptable for installation shall be products from the following or
equal as approved by the Engineer:

a. Alidrain

b. Amerdrain
F. Geotextile. Furnish non-woven fabric geotextile consisting of filaments or yarns of
polyester or polypropylene. The fabric shall be inert to commonly encountered
chemicals, hydrocarbons, mildew and rot resistant; insect and rodent resistant; and
ultraviolet light resistant. The geotextile properties will be in accordance to Table 1.

Table 1
Geotextile
Properties ASTM Spec. Vertical Horizontal
Grab Tensile Strength = D-4632 130 lb. 90 lb.
Grab Elongation = D-4632 50% maximum 50% maximum
Mullen Burst Strength = D-3786 250 psi 215 psi
Permeability = D-4491 1.25 sec.-1
Discharge Capacity (@ 40
D-4716 1.7 gal./min. -
psi) =
.16 mm .22 mm maximum
AOS (095) = D-4751
maximum
Trapezoid Tear Strength = D-4533 60 lb. 45 lb.
Puncture Resistance = D-4833 40 lb. 40 lb.
70% Strength 70% Strength
UV Resistance = D-4355
Retained Retained
Permittivity = D-4491 - 150 gal./min./ft.2
*Jacketing wrap material shall be tested in saturated and dry conditions.

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 G. Vertical Wick Drain Core. Furnish polypropylene vertical wick drain core which will
be inert to commonly encountered chemicals, hydrocarbons, mildew and rot resistant;
insect and rodent resistant; and ultraviolet light resistant. The vertical wick drain core
properties will be in accordance to Table 2.

Table 2
Vertical Wick Drain Core
Properties ASTM Spec. Vertical Horizontal
Compressive Strength D-1621 - 8500 psf
Grab Tensile Strength = D-4595 370 lb. -
Width = 4 in. 12 in.
Thickness (nominal) = 0.135 in. 1 in.

Transmittivity = D-4716 - 20 gal./min./ft.

H. Vertical Wick Drain Anchors. Furnish suitable anchoring devices consisting of a plate
or rod for the bottom of the wick drains.
I. Strip Drain Core. Furnish HDPE core for strip drains.
2. Equipment. Furnish and maintain equipment so as to ensure safe, continuous, and efficient
production during installation of Vertical Wick Drain System and other related operations.
A. Wick drains shall be installed using a mandrel, which shall be pushed into the soil with
a continuous static movement, and vibrated or driven in accordance with manufacturer’s
recommendations.
B. Equipment used to push mandrel and wick drains for installation shall be continuously
in proper working condition and provide an adequate static force to set all wick drains
to refusal upon rock.
C. Mandrel shall protect the wick material from tears, cuts, and abrasions during
installation; and shall be rectangular in shape; and of a cross sectional area not to
exceed 10 square inches.
D. Provide anchor plate at bottom of mandrel to cover mandrel end and prevent soil from
entering mandrel or wick drain during installation through all soils. Anchor plate shall
be sufficient strength and rigidity to anchor wick drain at required depth during mandrel
removal.
3. Construction.
A. Site Preparation. Prior to installation of the vertical wick drains strip the site of surface
vegetation and complete any remedial grading to provide the water flow directions as
indicated on the plans.
B. Vertical Wick Drains Installation. Prior to the installation of wick drains or the
mobilization of equipment to the site, perform the following:

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i. Identify the location of all planned monitoring devices relative to wick drain
positions and other planned construction activities so that instrumentation shall
be installed within the middle of the triangular spacing of a wick drain pattern in
order to avoid all potential conflicts.

ii. Submit the drawing at least 2 weeks prior to plans to mobilize equipment to the
site and commencing wick drain installation for approval by Engineer.

iii. Prior to installing wick drains, the site shall be graded sufficiently to allow for
proper vertical installation.

iv. Install wick drains in a triangular pattern to rock refusal, at such spacings and to
such elevations as indicated on the drawings or determined from subsequent
borings, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer.

v. Provide a plan or drawing identifying the proposed location for all other
instrumentation monitoring devices so that their locations will not conflict with
wick drain installation or its operation. This plan or drawing shall identify the
location of all proposed wick drains and all proposed instrumentation;
specifically settlement monitoring gauges, pore pressure monitoring devices,
standpipe piezometers, and inclinometers as applicable.

vi. Locate, number, and stake the wick drains as indicated on the drawings. Take
all reasonable precautions to protect and preserve the stakes and/or flagging.
The granular drainage blanket shall have sufficient coarse material and
sufficient compaction to provide a stable working surface. The locations of the
installed wick drains shall not vary by more than 6 inches from the locations
indicated on the drawings.

vii. Install the vertical drains prior to installation of granular drainage blanket as
indicate. Construction of the granular drainage blanket system shall be
completed prior to placement of the permanent embankment. The prefabricated
drain shall be cut such that at least a 6-inch length protrudes above the top of the
at each drain location.

viii. The Contractor shall demonstrate that equipment, methods, and materials
produce a satisfactory installation in accordance with these specifications. For
this purpose, the Contractor shall install several trial drains at locations within
the work area, as designated by the Engineer. Trial drains conforming to these
specifications will be paid for at the same unit price as the production drains.

ix. Install the vertical drains at the locations shown on the plans, or as directed by
the Engineer. Drains that deviate from the drawing location by more than 6
inches, or that are damaged or improperly installed will be rejected. Rejected
drains may be removed or abandoned in place, at the Contractor’s option.
Offset replacement drains approximately 18 inches from the location of the
rejected drain as directed by the Engineer. All rejected drains will be replaced
at the Contractor’s expense.

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x. Install vertical drains with equipment which will cause a minimum of
disturbance to the subsoil during the installation. Install prefabricated drains by
pushing or vibrating the mandrel or sleeve through the soils to the required
depth. Jetting shall not be permitted for installation of the drain, except with the
approval of the Engineer, to lubricate the mandrel when working in highly
plastic clays.

xi. Install drains vertically with a tolerance of not more than 0.25 inches per foot.
Carefully check the equipment for the plumbness and provide to the Engineer a
suitable means of both verifying the plumbness of the mandrel and of
determining the depth of the drain.

xii. Contractor shall be responsible for furnishing all necessary material, labor and
equipment for the purpose of installing vertical wick drains according to these
specifications. Drains which are defective, either in terms of material or as a
result of unacceptable installation methods, shall not be measured for payment

xiii. Where obstructions are encountered within the compressible clay layer which
cannot be penetrated by augering or spudding, Contractor shall abandon the
hole. At the direction of the Engineer, the Contractor shall then install a new
drain no more than 18 inches from the obstructed drain. A minimum of two
attempts shall be made to install a new drain. If the drain still cannot be
installed to the design tip elevation, the drain location shall be abandoned and
the installation equipment should be moved to the next drain location. The
Contractor will be paid for such obstructed drains at the unit price per foot for
productive drains.

xiv. Contractor may use augering or other methods to loosen stiff upper soils prior to
installation of wick drains provided such operations do not extend more than 2
feet below the subsoil. All holes or voids created from such augering operations
shall be filled with sand after the wick drain is satisfactorily installed.

xv. During installation, Contractor shall provide suitable surface reference elevation
and a means of measuring the vertical length of each wick drain installed at a
given wick location in order to derive the tip elevation for each wick drain.

xvi. Splices or connections in the wick drain material will not be allowed.

xvii. Contractor shall provide to the Engineer at the end of each working day a
summary of the total amount of vertical wick drains installed that day.

xviii. Install wick drains with continuous push using static weight or vibration with a
mandrel penetration rate appropriate for the soils encountered; but generally
range between 0.5 to 2.0 feet per second.

xix. Installation of wick drains shall be coordinated with the placement location and
schedule for all monitoring instrumentation as identified.

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 Special care shall be taken to install wick drains in a manner not to damage or
disturb instrumentation already installed in place. Contractor shall replace at
their cost all instrumentation damaged or rendered nonfunctional as a result of
any of Contractor’s activities.

xx. Approval by the Engineer of the method and equipment used to install the trial
drains shall not constitute acceptance of the method for the remainder of the
project. If at any time the Engineer considers that the method of installation
does not produce satisfactory drainage, the Contractor shall alter his method
and/or equipment as necessary to comply with these specifications.

xxi. Coordinate and assist with the installation of the geotechnical instrumentation
required to monitor the soil consolidation progress. The Contractor shall
observe precautions necessary for protection of instrumentation devices. After
instrumentation devices have been installed, the Contractor shall replace at his
cost any equipment that is damaged or becomes unreliable as a result of his
actions.
C. Predrilling for Wick Drains. Pre-drilling of holes for the wick drains will not be
allowed unless the installation rig cannot push the lance to the required depth under full
power. If pre-drilling is required, the drill-hole diameter will be no larger than required
to allow pushing of the lance to the designated depth and will be no larger than the
maximum diameter of the lance.
D. Horizontal and Vertical Alignment Tolerances. The maximum vertical deviation will
not exceed 3 inches from the layout center coordinate, shown on the plans. The
maximum horizontal deviation will not exceed 6 inches for the specified locations
indicated on the plans.
4. Measurement. Vertical wick drains (VWD) elements will be measured by the linear foot
installed or obstructed, only within the proposed VWD areas shown on the plans or
approved by the Engineer.
5. Payment. The work performed and the materials furnished in accordance with this Item and
measured as provided for under “Measurement” will be paid for at the unit price bid for
“Vertical Wick Drains.” This price is full compensation for furnishing all equipment,
materials, testing, and labor required to install VWD in accordance with the specified
strength requirements over the depths and limits shown on the plans.

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