Subsurface Drainage Manual for Pavements in Minnesota 2009-17 Take the steps... Research ...K no wle dge...Innovativ e S olu ti on s! Transportation Research Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. 3. Recipients Accession No. MN/RC 2009-17 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Subsurface Drainage Manual for Pavements in Minnesota June 2009 6. 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Caleb N. Arika, Dario J. Canelon, John L. Nieber 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering University of Minnesota 11. Contract (C) or Grant (G) No. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Building (c) 89261 (wo) 10 1390 Eckles Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55108 12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Minnesota Department of Transportation Final Report 395 John Ireland Boulevard Mail Stop 330 14. Sponsoring Agency Code St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 15. Supplementary Notes http://www.lrrb.org/PDF/200917.pdf 16. Abstract (Limit: 250 words) A guide for evaluation of highway subsurface drainage needs and design of subsurface drainage systems for highways has been developed for application to Minnesota highways. The guide provides background information on the benefits of subsurface drainage, methods for evaluating the need for subsurface drainage at a given location, selection of the type of drainage system to use, design of the drainage system, guidelines on how to construct/install the subsurface drainage systems for roads, and guidance on the value of maintenance and how to maintain such drainage systems. 17. Document Analysis/Descriptors 18. Availability Statement Pavement subsurface drainage, drainage equations, drainage No restrictions. Document available from: system construction/installation, drainage system maintenance, National Technical Information Services, cost/benefits of subsurface drainage systems Springfield, Virginia 22161 19. Security Class (this report) 20. Security Class (this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 194 Subsurface Drainage Manual for Pavements in Minnesota Final Report Prepared by Caleb N. Arika Dario J. Canelon John L. Nieber Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering University of Minnesota June 2009 Published by Minnesota Department of Transportation Research Services Section Transportation Bldg. 395 John Ireland Boulevard, Mail Stop 330 St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-1899 This report represents the results of research conducted by the authors and does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and/or the University of Minnesota. This report does not contain a standard or specified technique. The authors and the Minnesota Department of Transportation and/or the University of Minnesota do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturers’ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to this report. Acknowledgments We wish to thank the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) and its Research Implementation Committee (RIC), and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT), for their financial support which made the development of this important resource a reality. The Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), which steered the project, was extremely helpful in sharing their knowledge, expertise, and experience in the use of subsurface drainage systems for transportation related pavement structures. We appreciate the assistance of the following people who served on the TAP: Dan Sauve, Clearwater County HWY Dept./RIC Member (Technical Liaison) Alan Rindels, Mn/DOT, RSS (Administrative Liaison) Chuck Howe, Mn/DOT Geology Gabe Guevara, Mn/DOT Maintenance Operations Joel Ulring, Wadena County Stephen Schnieder, Nobles County Kevin Muellerleile, Mn/DOT RSS Andrea Hendrickson, Mn/DOT Tracy Schimdt, Mn/DOT Aeronautics Finally, we wish to thank Ms. Angela Gorham, E.I.T., for assisting with the final edits of the document. Table of Contents Chapter 1 OVERVIEW..............................................................................................................1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL.................................................................................... 2 1.2 SCOPE OF THE MANUAL......................................................................................... 2 1.3 ORGANIZATION AND USE OF THE MANUAL .................................................... 2 1.4 DOCUMENTATION ................................................................................................... 3 1.4.1. Definitions............................................................................................................... 3 1.5 DISCLAIMER .............................................................................................................. 4 Chapter 2 SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS FOR PAVEMENT STRUCTURES.................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5 2.1 PURPOSE OF SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE .............................................................. 6 2.2 EFFECTS OF MOISTURE ON PAVEMENTS .......................................................... 7 2.3 SOURCES OF MOISTURE......................................................................................... 8 2.4 QUANTIFYING NET INFLOW BY SOURCE .......................................................... 9 2.4.1. Infiltration ............................................................................................................. 10 2.4.2. Groundwater ......................................................................................................... 11 2.4.3. Capillary Action and Water Vapor Movement..................................................... 12 2.4.4. Spring Thaw.......................................................................................................... 13 2.5 DRAINAGE NEED ANALYSIS............................................................................... 13 2.5.1. Subsurface Drainage Needs Analysis ................................................................... 14 2.5.2. Subsurface Drainage: Purpose and Approach....................................................... 14 2.5.3. Percent Drained..................................................................................................... 15 2.5.4. Percent Saturation................................................................................................. 16 2.5.5. Quantity of Free Water to be Drained................................................................... 16 2.5.6. Factors Increasing Potential for Moisture-Related Pavement Damage ................ 17 2.5.7. Subgrade Type, Strength and Condition............................................................... 17 2.5.8. Type and Condition of Pavement ......................................................................... 18 2.5.9. Traffic Loading..................................................................................................... 19 2.6 PAVEMENT GEOMETRY........................................................................................20 2.6.1. Longitudinal Grades..............................................................................................20 2.6.2. Subsurface Geometry............................................................................................ 22 2.7 OTHER FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE THE NEED FOR DRAINAGE .......... 22 2.7.1. Existing Pavements............................................................................................... 23 2.7.2. New Pavements..................................................................................................... 23 2.7.3. Site Conditions...................................................................................................... 23 2.8 TYPES OF SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS............................................... 24 2.8.1. Influence of Type of Base Materials on Pavement Drainage ............................... 29 2.8.2. Index Properties of Materials................................................................................ 29 2.8.3. Performance Characteristics................................................................................. 30 2.8.4. Types and Specification of Base Materials........................................................... 35 2.8.5. Positive Drainage of the Permeable Base ............................................................. 35 2.8.6. Longitudinal Drains.............................................................................................. 35 2.8.7. Transverse and Horizontal Drains ........................................................................ 38 2.8.8. Drainage Blankets................................................................................................. 39 2.8.9. Interceptor Drains................................................................................................. 42 2.8.10. Well Systems ........................................................................................................ 44 2.9 TYPES OF PAVEMENTS AND DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS.......................... 45 2.9.1. Rigid Pavements ..................................................................................................