TRANSPORT FOR NSW (TfNSW)

SPECIFICATION D&C R31

VERTICAL WICK DRAINS

NOTICE
This document is a Transport for NSW D&C Specification. It has been developed for use with
Design & Construct roadworks and bridgeworks contracts let by Transport for NSW. It is not suitable
for any other purpose and must not be used for any other purpose or in any other context.
Copyright in this document belongs to Transport for NSW.

REVISION REGISTER

Ed/Rev Clause Authorised

Description of Revision Date
Number Number By
Ed 1/Rev 0 First issue GM, IC 30.06.11
W Stalder
Ed 1/Rev 1 Global References to “Roads and Maritime DCS 22.06.20
Services” or “RMS” changed to “Transport
for NSW” or “TfNSW” respectively.
References to “RMS Representative”
changed to “Principal”.

Edition 1 / Revision 1 TRANSPORT FOR NSW

June 2020
 S PECIFICATION D&C R31

VERTICAL WICK DRAINS

Copyright – Transport for NSW
IC-DC-R31

VERSION FOR:
DATE:

Edition 1 / Revision 1 TRANSPORT FOR NSW

June 2020
Vertical Wick Drains D&C R31

CONTENTS
CLAUSE PAGE
FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................................... II
TfNSW Copyright and Use of this Document........................................................................... ii
Base Specification ................................................................................................................... ii

1 GENERAL .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Structure of the Specification ..................................................................................... 1
1.3 Definitions ................................................................................................................. 1

2 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS........................................................................................................ 2
2.1 General ...................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 Geotextile Filter Requirements .................................................................................. 2
2.3 Discharge Capacity Requirements.............................................................................. 2
2.4 Product Conformity.................................................................................................... 3

3 PACKAGING, DELIVERY AND STORAGE ...................................................................................... 3

4. CONSTRUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 General ...................................................................................................................... 3
4.2 Site Preparation ......................................................................................................... 4
4.3 Installation ................................................................................................................. 5
4.4 Preboring ................................................................................................................... 5
4.5 Anchoring and Finishing ............................................................................................ 6

ANNEXURE R31/A – PROJECT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................... 7

ANNEXURE R31/B – (NOT USED) ........................................................................................................ 8

ANNEXURE R31/C – SCHEDULES OF HOLD POINTS AND IDENTIFIED RECORDS ..................................... 8

C1 Schedule of Hold Points............................................................................................. 8
C2 Schedule of Identified Records .................................................................................. 8

ANNEXURE R31/D – PLANNING DOCUMENTS ...................................................................................... 9

ANNEXURES R31/E TO R31/L – (NOT USED) ..................................................................................... 10

ANNEXURE R31/M – REFERENCED DOCUMENTS ............................................................................... 10

LAST PAGE OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ...................................................................................................... 10

Ed 1 / Rev 1 i
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

FOREWORD

TFNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT

Copyright in this document belongs to Transport for NSW.

When this document forms part of a deed

This document should be read with all the documents forming the Project Deed.

When this document does not form part of a deed

This copy is not a controlled document. Observe the Notice that appears on the first page of the copy
controlled by TfNSW. A full copy of the latest version of the document is available on the TfNSW
Internet website: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/partners-
suppliers/specifications/index.html

BASE SPECIFICATION
This document is based on Specification TfNSW R31 Edition 1 Revision 1.

ii Ed 1 / Rev 1
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)

TfNSW SPECIFICATION D&C R31

VERTICAL WICK DRAINS

1 GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE
This specification sets out the requirements for the supply and installation of vertical wick drains.

1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE SPECIFICATION

This Specification includes a series of annexures that detail additional requirements.

1.2.1 Project Specific Requirements

Project specific details of work are shown in Annexure R31/A.

1.2.2 (Not Used)

1.2.3 Schedules of HOLD POINTS and Identified Records

The schedules in Annexure R31/C list the HOLD POINTS that must be observed. Refer to
Specification TfNSW D&C Q6 for the definition of HOLD POINTS.

The records listed in Annexure R31/C are Identified Records for the purposes of TfNSW D&C Q6
Annexure Q/E.

1.2.4 Planning Documents

The PROJECT QUALITY PLAN must include each of the documents and requirements listed in
Annexure R31/D and must be implemented.

In all cases where this Specification refers to the manufacturer’s recommendations, these must be
included in the PROJECT QUALITY PLAN.

1.2.5 Referenced Documents

Standards, specifications and test methods are referred to in abbreviated form (e.g. AS 2350). For
convenience, the full titles are given in Annexure R31/M.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
The terms “you” and “your” mean “the Contractor” and “the Contractor’s” respectively.

The following definitions apply to this Specification:

Ed 1 / Rev 1 1
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

Wick drains A prefabricated synthetic geocomposite drain which, when installed vertically in
soil strata, acts as a drainage medium having the following characteristics:
(i) ability to permit porewater in the soil to seep into the drain; and
(ii) ability to transmit collected porewater along the length of the drain.

O 95 Geotextile Opening Size corresponding to 95% by mass of a single size soil which
would pass the stated opening size. This is usually referred to as the Equivalent
Opening Size or EOS.

O 50 Geotextile Opening Size corresponding to 50% by mass of a single size soil which
would pass the stated opening size.

Q In Plane Discharge (Flow) Capacity in litres per hour determined using ASTM
D4716.

2 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 GENERAL
Wick drains must consist of a plastic core and a geotextile filter. Wick drains may be manufactured
as a single unit or the filter may be wrapped around the core, and overlapped and sealed to contain
the core.

Wick drains must be made from polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene or other synthetic material or
combination of such materials. Unless otherwise specified on the Design Documentation, wick drains
must be 95 mm to 100 mm wide and 3 mm to 8 mm thick.

Manufacture wick drains from materials which are tough and flexible enough to retain their integrity
when subjected to the stresses imposed during storage, installation and subsequent ground settlements.

Wick drains must be able to conform to soil deformation without buckling or crimping of the core.

2.2 GEOTEXTILE FILTER REQUIREMENTS

The filter jacket for wick drains must be a non woven geotextile which:
(a) has been previously proved effective under similar soil conditions;
(b) is in all cases able to prevent excessive migration of soil particles into the core; and
(c) has a permeability not less than that of the surrounding soil.

The geotextile filter must comply with the opening size requirements specified in Annexure R31/A.

2.3 DISCHARGE CAPACITY REQUIREMENTS

The in-plane discharge (flow) capacity of wick drains (Q) must not be less than 40 litres per hour
when tested in accordance with ASTM D4716 under a hydraulic gradient of 1 and at a lateral
confinement test pressure of 250 kPa.

2 Ed 1 / Rev 1
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
Vertical Wick Drains D&C R31

2.4 PRODUCT CONFORMITY

Provide a Certificate of Compliance from the Supplier of each batch of wick drains to verify that the
wick drains comply with the requirements of the deed. The certificate must include the
manufacturer’s name and the date and place of manufacture.

The certificate must not be based on tests carried out more than six months before delivery.

If requested, provide to the Principal samples of the wick drains.

3 PACKAGING, DELIVERY AND STORAGE

Wick drains must be supplied in rolls and securely packed in light proof wrappings.

Deliver wick drains to the site at least 14 days prior to the commencement of installation.

Wick drains must be stored under protective cover or wrapped with a waterproof, opaque UV
protective sheeting to avoid damage prior to installation.

Do not store wick drains directly on the ground or in a manner in which they may be affected by heat.
The method of storage must be in accordance with the recommendations set out by the manufacturer.

Clearly label the protected wick drains showing the manufacturer, the type of wick drains and the
batch identification number.

4. CONSTRUCTION

4.1 GENERAL
Submit to the Project Verifier your Method Statement which must include the following:

(a) Details of wick drains, including manufacturer’s literature and Certificate of Compliance;

(b) Details of installation equipment, methods of installation of wick drains, mandrels and drain
anchors and method of recording depth of installation;

(c) Procedure for assessing the rake of wick drain installation equipment to ensure that
specification tolerance is achieved;

(d) Sequence of construction of wick drains; and

(e) Details of your previous experience of installation of wick drains using similar drains and
installation equipment..

Submission of the Method Statement constitutes a HOLD POINT.

Ed 1 / Rev 1 3
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

HOLD POINT
Process Held: Commencement of installation of wick drains.

Submission Details: At least 10 working days before the commencement of installation of wick
drains, submit to the Nominated Authority your Method Statement
including the details stated in Clause 4.1.

Release of Hold Point: The Nominated Authority will consider the submitted documents prior to
authorising the release of the Hold Point.

Provide wick drains with an outer casing or mandrel of rhomboidal or rectangular cross section for
the purpose of installation. Also provide wick drains with an anchor in accordance with Clause 4.5.

Mandrels must possess adequate strength and stiffness and be suitably guided during penetration into
the ground. The cross sections of mandrels must be as small as practicable. As a guide, the
circumference of mandrels must not exceed 0.45 m.

4.2 SITE PREPARATION

4.2.1 Clearing and Grubbing

Fill or trim round furrows or undulations exceeding 0.3 m deep. Grass and topsoil may be left in
place to minimize disturbance to the vegetation root system or underlying soil profile.

4.2.2 Working Platform

Where specified under the deed or as shown in the Design Documentation, construct a working
platform at the designated area prior to wick drain installation.

This working platform comprises the following:

(a) a bottom layer of non woven geotextile complying with Strength Class C and Filtration Class 1
of specification TfNSW D&C R63;

(b) biaxial geogrid layer(s) placed above the geotextile; and

(c) a drainage blanket layer of thickness 700mm (–0 mm, +100 mm), consisting of material
meeting the following properties:

Property of Drainage Banket Criterion

for Wick Drains Installation (% by mass)
Percentage passing 4.75 mm sieve 90 – 100
Percentage passing 1.18 mm sieve 40 – 85
Percentage passing 300 µm sieve 2 – 30
Percentage passing 150 µm sieve 0–7
Percentage passing 75 µm sieve 0–3

The requirements for drainage blanket stated in Specification TfNSW D&C R44 do not apply to
drainage blankets provided for the purpose of wick drain installation.

4 Ed 1 / Rev 1
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
Vertical Wick Drains D&C R31

The drainage blanket layer must extend past the outer edges of the base of the embankment to
provide a clear drainage path across the whole foundation area.

Place and spread the drainage blanket material in such a way to avoid segregation and to ensure that
it is not contaminated with foreign materials. This layer may be placed without compaction.

4.3 INSTALLATION
Install wick drains at the locations shown in the Design Documentation, and through the working
platform into the underlying soil to the required depths.

Each wick drain must be installed in one continuous length without joints, and with minimum
disturbance to the surrounding ground and smearing of soil around the drain.

The installation equipment must incorporate provision for adjustment of the rake of the mandrel. Do
not install wick drain if the rake of the mandrel and supporting leaders exceeds 1 in 100. Check and
record the rake of the mandrels for the wick drains installed along the three adjacent rows at both
sides of proposed instrumentation lines.

The installed locations of wick drains at the ground surface must be within 100 mm of the specified
locations on plan and the rake of the drains must be within 2% from the vertical.

The depth of wick drains must be as shown on the drawings or as directed by the Design Geotechnical
Representative based on the resistance of the soil to penetration during installation. Notify the
Project Verifier immediately of any sudden change in the penetration resistance to the mandrel.

4.4 PREBORING
Prebore holes at locations where the soil conditions could impede the installation of wick drains.

The diameter of the prebored hole must not exceed 300 mm.

HOLD POINT
Process Held. Preboring holes (when required)

Submission Details. Details of method and depth of preboring, method of removal and disposal
of materials from the wick drain site to prevent contamination of the holes
and method of prevention of ingress of water and ensuring safety.

Release of Hold Point. The Nominated Authority will consider the submitted documents prior to
authorising the release of the Hold Point.

Do not leave prebored holes open for more than 48 hours and cover any holes left open for more than
7 hours to prevent ingress of water and to avoid endangering people.

After the installation of a wick drain, backfill the prebored hole within 24 hours with clean dry sand
from the bottom of the hole to the ground surface. Ensure that no voids are formed. Tamp down the
sand at the ground surface to a level slightly above the surrounding ground to ensure discharge of
water without ponding.

Ed 1 / Rev 1 5
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

4.5 ANCHORING AND FINISHING

Anchor each vertical drain at the specified depth by securing the wick drain to a disposable shoe.

After the mandrel is fully withdrawn, and the wick drain is anchored at the specified depth, the wick
drain must be cut off above the surface and secured at the surface by suitable means so that the wick
drain remains vertical and straight after backfilling.

6 Ed 1 / Rev 1
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
Vertical Wick Drains D&C R31

ANNEXURE R31/A – PROJECT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

A1 Geotextile Filter Requirements

The geotextile filter must comply with the following opening size requirements when determined in
accordance with AS 3706.7 or approved wet sieving test such as that specified in ISO 12956.

Opening Size Microns (µm)

O 95 Less than 120
O 50 Less than 75

A2 Wick Drain Depth (Contractor to Nominate)

Location
Depth (m)
From Station To Station

Ed 1 / Rev 1 7
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

ANNEXURE R31/B – (NOT USED)

ANNEXURE R31/C – SCHEDULES OF HOLD POINTS AND IDENTIFIED

RECORDS
Refer to Clause 1.2.3.

C1 SCHEDULE OF HOLD POINTS

Clause Description
4.1 Submission of Method Statement
4.4 Preboring holes (when required)

C2 SCHEDULE OF IDENTIFIED RECORDS

The records listed below are Identified Records for the purposes of TfNSW D&C Q6 Annexure Q/E.

Clause Description of Identified Record

2.4 Certificate of compliance
4.3 Conformity records for wick drain installation

8 Ed 1 / Rev 1
 (TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
Vertical Wick Drains D&C R31

ANNEXURE R31/D – PLANNING DOCUMENTS

Refer to Clause 1.2.4.

The following documents are a summary of documents that must be included in the PROJECT
QUALITY PLAN. The requirements of this Specification and others included in the deed must be
reviewed to determine additional documentation requirements.

The information to be supplied by you as part of the PROJECT QUALITY PLAN must include, but
not be limited to, the following:

(a) Details of wick drains, including manufacturer’s literature and Certificate of Compliance
(Clauses 2.4 and 4);

(b) Details of method of packaging, delivery and storage (Clause 3);

(c) Details of installation equipment, methods of installation of wick drains, mandrel and drain
anchors and method of recording depths of installation (Clause 4.1);

(d) Procedure for assessing the rake of wick drain installation equipment to ensure that
specification tolerance is achieved (Clauses 4.1 and 4.4);

(e) Sequence of construction of wick drains (Clause 4.1);

(f) Details of your previous experience of installation of wick drains using similar drains and
installation equipment (Clause 4.1); and

(g) Details of method of preboring holes (Clause 4.4).

Ed 1 / Rev 1 9
(TfNSW COPYRIGHT AND USE OF THIS DOCUMENT - Refer to the Foreword after the Table of Contents)
D&C R31 Vertical Wick Drains

ANNEXURES R31/E TO R31/L – (NOT USED)

ANNEXURE R31/M – REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

Refer to Clause 1.2.5.

TfNSW Specifications

TfNSW D&C Q6 Quality Management System (Type 6)

TfNSW D&C R44 Earthworks
TfNSW D&C R63 Geotextiles (Separation and Filtration)

Australian Standards

AS 3706.7 Determination of Pore-size Distribution – Dry-sieving Method

ISO Standards

ISO 12956 Determination of the Characteristic Opening Size

ASTM Standards

ASTM D4716 Standard Test Method for Determining the (In-plane) Flow Rate Per Unit
Width and Hydraulic Transmissivity of a Geosynthetic Using a Constant Head

10 Ed 1 / Rev 1