Construction of roads over swamps require special attention.

Either the soil has to be removed or

otherwise,it has to be strengthened by suitable means after ascertaining the properties of the soil.

Building Roads Over Swamps

Building roads in challenging terrain and swamps or bogs requires special attention compared
to construction in ordinary soil. Swampy or marshy lands are periodically or permanently inundated by
water.
Swampy soil
This type of soil contains large quantities of vegetable matter, clay and mud. Swamps are classified
into brackish or fresh water depending on the salt content of the water. The depth of this particular
layer may vary from shallow to deep. For construction of roads, shallow deposits can be removed and
deeper deposits strengthened by suitable means.
Surveys and investigations
There are certain basic design controls and criteria which govern the geometric features of a highway.
They aretopography, traffic, speed, capacity, vehicle and control access. Also certain surveys
and investigations are to be conducted so that construction failures can be avoided or minimized.
Embankment subsidence, flooding of road, land-slides, deposition of sand dunes, erosion are some of
the problems.

Types of Surveys
The different surveys to be conducted in connection with the construction of roads are:
A. Transport planning
1.
Traffic surveys
2.
Highway inventory
3.
Pavement deterioration
4.
Accident studies
B. Alignment and route location
5.
Desk study
6.
Reconnaissance survey
7.
Preliminary survey
8.
Final location survey
C. Drainage studies
9.
Hydraulic studies
10.
Subsurface drains
11.
Cross drainage
D. Soil survey
12.
Desk study
13.
Site reconnaissance
14.
Soil exploration and sampling
E. Pavement design investigations
15.
Soil properties and strength
16.
Material survey

Soil Investigations

Soil investigations are very important to assess the properties of the existing soil and to decide upon
the improvements to be made to strengthen it.
Purpose of soil investigations
1.
To determine the nature and physical properties of the soil to be used for
embankment
2.
To facilitate the design of slopes of embankments and cuts
3.
To locate suitable borrow pits
4.
To determine the construction techniques
5.
To determine the surface and subsurface drainage requirements
6.
To determine the suitability of local materials
7.
To determine the need for sub grade treatment
Methods of determination of soil profile
For determination of soil profile, trial pits or borings are to be made. The tests to be conducted for
determination of the suitability of the soil for embankment construction are:
Gradation test, liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, optimum moisture content, maximum
dry density, differential free swell (for highly plastic clays).