DISCUSSION TOPIC 2 - BEST

TRACE FOR THE GIVEN ROAD

SECTION

INSTRUCTED BY:
PROF. W. K. MAMPEARACHCHI
DR. H. R. PASINDU

GROUP MEMBERS:
150530 R.M.A.G.B. RATHNAYAKE
150626 U. SUTHARSAN
GROUP : 6A
150385 P. H. S. MADUSANKA
DATE OF SUB : 31 / 03 /2019
150417 T. D. C. G. NANDASEKARA
150579 S. W. B. SENATH
150585 K. SENTHUJAN
GIVEN ROAD SECTION

Figure 1 - Given Road Section

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

The road section passes through mountainous regions at the start and the end which has required the
construction of tunnels. Therefore, the lanes for the 2 directions of flow are separated. Since there isn’t
sufficient space for the lanes to be joined, they have been maintained separately throughout the section.
The middle portion of the section is fairly flat and consists of a few paddy fields.

The Ratnapura - Horana - Panadura road (A8) passes close to the suggested trace. There are a few
developments around the road and towards the bottoms of the mountainous regions.

SUGGESTED TRACE

Rough coordinates
Start - 6.7437033, 80.2198558
End - 6.7415445, 80.2368791

Length of the section ≈ 2.0 km

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Figure 2 - Suggested Trace (In yellow)

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COMPARISON OF THE SUGGESTED AND THE GIVEN TRACES

The proposed expressway has hydrological, hydro geological, social, ecological, air quality related and
many other impacts. The suggested trace was selected to minimize these issues as much as possible
when compared to the given trace.

1. Technical Issues

Geometric design

• Design speed = 120 km/h

• Operating speed = 100 km/h

The terrain is partially mountainous and partially rolling

Name of the Comparison of the given and the suggested

Details
criteria trace
Stopping This is the distance travelled by Both the traces have only one curve. However, the
sight a vehicle before stopping when suggested curve has a lower radius than the given
distance approaching an obstacle one. This will help in adhering to the criteria easier.
(SSD)
Horizontal This is the minimum curve
alignment radius to be maintained and
depends on superelevation and
the coefficient of side friction
between tyres and the road
surface
Lateral This is the clear distance to be
clearance maintained between the body
of the vehicle and any side way
installation
Gradient Maximum and minimum Since tunnelling has to be done, the mountainous
gradient requirements are terrain will not contribute significantly to both
present to maintain the design these criteria. However, the given trace cuts the

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 speed and for drainage existing A8 road in 3 locations, compared to the
respectively suggested one only in one location. Since the
Vertical This is affected by the sight existing road can’t be removed, its elevation will
alignment distance to be maintained have an effect on the elevation of the expressway
(as sufficient clearance needs to be maintained)

Tunneling

Due to the relatively high elevation in the regions at the start and the end, in order to maintain the
gradient and other requirements, tunneling has to be done. This will involve the following challenges:
• In hard rock tunneling, fault zones and their effects, blocky ground, existence of gas (H2S,
CO2), squeezing, rock burst (specially in deep tunnels) and water inrush.
• In soft ground, subsidence is major problem caused by tunneling

Tunneling for 4 lanes would be much more expensive, difficult and time consuming than tunneling for
2 lanes. Therefore, that should be considered.

Paddy fields and marshy area

The presence of paddy fields and marshy areas as apparent from the map may mean less bearing
capacity in the sub grade (This has to be further tested with CBR or other tests). If the bearing capacity
is found to be less, the more expensive and difficult viaducts will have to be constructed (in place of
the embankment).

Interchange design

The given trace passes across the A8 road in 3 locations. This will most likely necessitate at least 2
interchanges. In comparison, the proposed trace passes across only one location. Since there will be
a tunnel at this location, a separate interchange will not be required. Therefore, the suggested trace
will be more economical.

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 2. Hydraulic designs to be considered

The area belongs to the wet zone which experiences a higher rainfall especially due to the South West
Monsoon. The construction may affect the existing drainage patterns and flood retention capacities.
These should be considered in the designs to prevent flooding of the expressway and the neighbouring
areas.

Culvert design

The mid portion of the road section is present with paddy fields and marshy areas. Also, both the traces
pass through hilly areas. This means the necessity for drainage across the road. Culverts will have to
be designed and constructed considering appropriate catchment areas and discharges (Using a method
such as the rational method: Q = CIA). Pipe culverts, bridge culverts would be designed.

Side drains

Water should be effectively removed from the pavement surface when raining to not cause slipperiness
and properly drained to not make the pavement and shoulders weaker. Near the critical bend in both
the traces the slope might be designed only to one side. Therefore, side drains will have to be designed
appropriately.

3. Social Issues

Positive Issues

• The proposed Ruwanpura expressway will reduce the travel time between Ratnapura and
Colombo to 45 minutes and the travel time between Pelmadulla and Colombo to one hour. This
will benefit travellers and also propel the development of the connecting cities.

Negative Issues

• From the given map and using Google Maps, the major land use patterns were identified as
residential and agricultural. The may also be some commercial establishments along the A8
road. Land acquisition is necessary for both the traces and this will cause an inconvenience to
the inhabitants. However, public institutions such as religious institutions and schools or

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 archaeological sites were not identified. Therefore, it is expected that the land acquisition
process will not be complicated. The suggested trace intersects a relatively a smaller
number of settlements and therefore may minimize the issue to a certain extent. However,
this needs to be further analysed.

• Noise and dust pollution during the construction and noise pollution during the operation
phases may cause health issues and inconveniences to the inhabitants. Additional measures
such as noise, dust barriers may have to be installed. The suggested trace is relatively away
from the settlements and therefore may minimize the issues to a certain extent. However,
this needs to be further analysed.

• The division of paddy fields belonging to the same owners will cause issues. Also, the
inhabitants may lose access to their properties. This will require pedestrian crossings. However,
more data should be collected to select the location of these.

4. Environmental Issues

Floods and landslides

• As mentioned above, the area is prone to flooding and a proper drainages system should be
present to prevent its effects. Filling up of paddy fields and marshy lands will decrease the
infiltration in the area leading to increased flood risk.

• The possibility of soil erosion should be analysed.

• The mountainous regions can be subjected to landslides which should be considered in the
designs. Landslides, slope failures and collapsing of tunnel sections can occur.

• Due to the smaller number of interchanges in the suggested trace, there will be a less fill
volume and therefore these risks might be minimized. However, this should be further
analysed.

• If it is possible within, the project schedule, embankments, cuts should be done in the dry period
to get the support of matric suction in the slope stability. If not, extra costs will be required for
soil stabilization techniques.

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• Both the traces require tunnelling and they will have geotechnical impacts.

Noise Pollution

• As mentioned above, noise pollution can be an issue in the construction and the operation
stages. The heavy machinery can also cause vibrations resulting in cracks in nearby buildings
(Refer the previous section).

Water and Air Pollution

• Waterways could not be identified in the map provided or in Google Maps. However, water
pollution can occur, especially in the construction stage. The ground water table can get
lowered and the water quality can be reduced

• As mentioned above, dust pollution can occur during the construction stage (Refer the previous
section).

Impacts to flora and fauna

• The construction of the road section required deforestation in different parts of the region and
this will certainly have a negative impact.

• Animal crossings will be required to prevent animals getting hit and to minimize habitat
fragmentation. However, more data should be collected to select the location of these.

• Migratory paths of birds and other animals will get affected

In addition to these, the aesthetic value of the region can also get affected.

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