NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF THE HIGHLANDS

FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

DRAINAGE IN ROADS
SCHOOL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

IRON
DEVELOPED BY:
BELLIDO VILCA, Aldo Luis
MAMANI HANCCO, Javier
ROJAS QUISPE, Jonathan Martin
VILCA CÁCERES, Ronald
INTRODUCTION
When railways were designed in the 19th century, their designers
they viewed natural runoff as a reality to be respected, the
which is evidenced in the records that show the location of the works
of art and drainage.
If we compare this documentation with satellite images of
any period since its emergence, and we compare it with the inventory
of the water issues present in Peru, we will see that many of
they coincide geographically with the original location of those
works of art.
This is due to the development that took place after the implementation of the
railways did not have the same respect for the basic guidelines
mentioned above. In many cases where the artwork and drainage
it was of small magnitude, due to its catchment area or the use of
ground of the time when they were designed, it was slowly
deactivated through maneuvers of lack of cleanliness, favoritism of
growth of vegetation or blinding or its elimination.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
The technical reason for the preponderance of railways over other means
transportation lies in the fact that with a small expenditure of energy we can
to move considerable weights, so with three or four kilograms we can
move a ton considering this load on tracks or rails
perfectly rigid and aligned, while with wheeled transports
Twenty kilograms per ton are required for tires. This magnificent
the characteristic of the railroad makes it predominant over the others, but
it forces him to follow slopes no greater than 3% with steam locomotives or
Diesel and not greater than 6% with electric locomotives, which obliges them.
to have greater developments or require greater traction.
The moisture that is retained on the track is the main agent for
harm and disrupt the good preservation of the platforms and earthworks
and sleepers.
The most commonly used devices are the
following:
1. The Ditches. - They are works that allow for easy inspection and
cleaning, which can be either open or covered with lids
removable.
2. The Drains. - These works ensure the drying of the platforms and
earthworks, but they do not allow inspection and it turns out to be too much
difficult to clean.
3. The Collector Drains. - Works that aim to dry the
land that is boxed in, collecting and draining the water, no
presenting cleaning issues.
4. The Collectors. - They are works that allow for the collection and evacuation
waters coming from drains or collector drains. Their cleaning does not
presents difficulties.
APPLICABLE HYDROLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS
TO THE STUDY OF DRAINAGE

The factors applicable to the study of drainage are the

following:
Amount of precipitation.
Type of precipitation.
Size of the basin.
Superficial decline.
Permeability of soils and rocks.
Saturation conditions.
Amount and type of vegetation.
DRAINAGE CLASSIFICATION.
Artificial drainage is classified as surface and subsurface, depending on
whether the water drains or not through the layers of the Earth's crust. The drainage
superficial is considered longitudinal or transversal, depending on the position that
the works are aligned with respect to the axis of the road.

The longitudinal drainage aims to capture the runoff to

prevent them from reaching the path or staying on it causing damage.
This type of drainage includes ditches, counter ditches, curbs and
channeling channels. They are called longitudinal drainage because they
they are located more or less parallel to the axis of the railway track.
The transverse drainage provides free passage to the water that crosses from one side to the other of the road or well
remove it from the crown as soon as possible, like tubes, slabs, boxes, vaults. According to
the dimensions of the clear of the transverse drainage works, it has been agreed to divide the drainage
in major and minor. Major drainage requires works with a span greater than 6 meters to the
Major drainage works are called bridges, and minor drainage works are called culverts.
SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE

1.2. Generalities
The surface drainage aims to divert water away.

from the pathway, to avoid the negative influence of the

the same about its stability, as well as to limit the

conservation operations.
1.2. HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS

The dimensions of each surface drainage work will be

established by the designer with proportioning calculations
hydraulic, developed based on known theoretical methods and
taking as a starting point the available precipitation data
or the direct capacity at the location of the drainage work.

In case the railway is located in an area with

scarce or absent precipitation (for example, desert areas)
from the coast) and that it can therefore be dispensed with entirely or in
As part of the drainage works, the designer must demonstrate these
possibilities of exclusion; in these cases it is appropriate to anticipate, for the
less, the few minor drainage works necessary to do
in the face of potential exceptional cases.
1.3. DRAINAGE OF FLOWING WATER
NEXT TO THE TRACK.

The slope of the ditch will be

projected with a slope
longitudinal no less than 5%
avoiding the horizontal sections,
  
in order to facilitate movement
from water to its outlets or
sewers.
1.4. GUTTER

1.4.1. SECTION Y MINIMUM DIMENSIONS OF THE

Gutters
DIMENSIONS OF THE DEEP WIDTH
REGION
GUTTERS. DAD (m) (m)
Dry 0.20 0.50
In general, the ditches will have a section Rainy 0.30 0.50
triangular and will be projected for everyone Very Rainy 0.50 0.80
the sections at mid-slope and cut
closed.
Its dimensions will be set at
agreement to the conditions VARIABLE

pluviometric, as has been indicated in RAMPANT

item 6.2.1 being the dimensions

minimums as indicated in table [Link].
0.50

0.80
1.4.2. COATING OF THE
GUTTERS.
In rainy areas, when the soil is
despicable, this must be covered.
The coating can also be
necessary to reduce the roughness of the
ditch and ensure the drainage of the
flow in the case of a gradient
very mild longitudinal.
1.4.3. DRAINAGE OF THE
Ditches.

The removal of water from the

ditches will be carried out by means of
of sewers and/or spillways of
gutters as indicated in the
sheet [Link].B.
DRAINAGE OF THE GUTTERS.- Sheet [Link].B.

ENTRY OF THE FALL WITH WIDENING

VIEW DETAIL

Paved with grout

THE SETTLED STONE

Sewer and headwall when

IT IS NECESSARY
1.4.4. LOCATION OF THE DRAINAGE

The location of these outlets

it should be established by the
designer taking into account the
maximum achievable length in the
drainage ditch, in relation to the rainfall of
the area and to the dimensions of the
same.
It is also recommended that, in the
low points of concave vertical curve
in which it is not considered necessary
a sewer, a projection is made
spillway.
1.4.5. DESIGN OF DITCH SECTION

Design criteria, there are

different factors that are
2
∗ 3
∗ 1 /2
they consider in the design of channels, =
which will take into account: the
flow to drive, factors
geometric and hydraulic of the Where:
section materials of Q = Flow (m3/s)
coating, the topography
existing, the geology and geotechnics of n =Rugosidad
the area, climate, altitude, etc. A =Área (m2)
S = Slope of the ditch
R = Hydraulic radio
[Link]. Rugosidad:

n Surfaces
0.010 Very smooth, glass, plastic, copper.
0.011 Very smooth concrete.
0.013 Soft wood, metal, scraped concrete.

0.017 Earth channels in good condition.

0.020 Natural earth channels, free of vegetation.

0.025 Natural channels with some vegetation and

scattered stones on the bottom

0.035 Natural channels with abundant vegetation.

0.040 Mountain streams with many stones.

DESIGN OF DITCH SECTION:

Sections:
[Link]. Maximum Speeds:
Recommendation that, in the case of
channel linings of
unreinforced concrete, the speeds
should not exceed 2.5 - 3.0 m/s.
To avoid the possibility that the RESISTANCE DEPTH OF THE SLOPE (m)
coating lifts. When it (kg/cm2)
0.5 1 3 5 10
you have to project side shots
and lateral relief works, it should be 50 9.6 10.6 12.3 13.0 14.1

take into account that the speeds 75 11.2 12.4 14.3 15.2 16.4

they must be previously 100 12.7 13.8 16.0 17.0 18.3

controlled (regulation ponds), 150 14.0 15.6 18.0 19.1 20.6

in order to prevent it from occurring 200 15.6 17.3 20.0 21.2 22.9

turbulence what origin

disturbances and cannot fulfill
with its objective.
 [Link]. CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE GUTTER
The main processes in the construction of a
The ditch consists of excavation and profiling, formwork and

placed of the cladding or finishing material.

 1.5. CROWN AND DRAINAGE DITCH
The crown ditches are built to prevent the
erosive effect of runoff water on cut slopes
at the foot of the embankment slopes, they are also known as
drainage of slopes. (See Annex B)

These trenches are designed to ensure the lifespan, that is,

time (in years) that the railway platform must remain and
its accessory works (works of art) in service and without failure.
 1..5.1. LOCATION OF THE DITCHES
[Link]. Location of the crown trench.

A crown ditch (or crown gutter) is built in the

top of a cut slope, with the aim of collecting water

that descend through the natural slopes and lead them towards the area of

nearest discharge of the general drainage system, avoiding this

how the erosion of the land, particularly in sloped areas

pronounced.
 [Link]. Location of the drainage trench
The drainage ditches are built in the part
lower part of the fill slopes in shape
longitudinal, lateral, or transversal to
alignment of the railway track. These ditches
they collect the waters that flow down the slope and
adjacent lands, and lead them towards the
nearest break or discharge of the system
drainage general, thus avoiding the
land erosion.
Location of the drainage ditch - Location of the drainage ditch -
base of the fill slope. base of the embankment

These drainage ditches are generally built in the areas

subject to flooding, on the other hand, are often not necessary in

slopes of soils resistant to erosion.

 1.5.2. TRENCH DIMENSIONS
The dimensions of the crown trenches as well as

The drainage ones will be set according to the flow rates by

evacuate in the area.

Dimensions - of the ditch

of coronation.
Dimensions - of the
drainage ditch.

Dimensions REGION OR ZONE PROFUNDIDAD (m) WIDTH (m)

minimums of the
gutters in the ditch Drought 0.20 0.50

of coronation and of
drainage Rainy 0.30 0.50

Very rainy 0.50 0.80

 1.5.3. TRENCH LINING

OF CROWNING
[Link]. Coating of the crown trench.

There are lined and unlined crown ditches as shown in

(Appendix A) and in the following figure:

In what case or for what purpose is it necessary to inspect a crown trench?

In the case where the longitudinal slope is greater than 2%, it is necessary that

the ditch or channel should have a simple concrete or rock cover.

In a rainy area, when the soil is unstable, it should be covered.

The lining is necessary to reduce the roughness of the ditch and ensure

the flow runoff in the case of a very gentle longitudinal gradient.

The trenches must be lined in case leaks are expected.

that could endanger the stability of the cut slope.

 [Link]. Drainage trench lining
Drainage ditches are generally lined with concrete,
cobbled with concrete grout in a masonry form and in
some cases with arranged stone.

In what case or for what purpose is it necessary to inspect a crown trench?

The trenches must be lined in case water runoff is expected.

railway platform that could endanger the stability of the slope in

filling.
1.5.4. DRAINAGE OF THE

Ditches

According to (Specifications
techniques for road design
iron in Peru, 1978), the
location of the points of
drainage must be fixed by the
designer taking into account
the location of the sewers
and the maximum length that can be
reach the ditch in relation to
its dimensions and to the
rainfall in the area.
 1.6. DOWNSTREAM CHANNEL
When the railway in a mid-slope or in a closed cut crosses a drain
that it is not possible to divert, it is necessary to channel the waters with a canal of
slope, with the aim of also preserving the embankment.
 1.7. SEWERS

1.7.1. TYPE AND LOCATION

The type of sewer must be

chosen in each case by the
designer taking into account
the flow to be eliminated, the
nature and the slope of the
cause, and finally the cost in
relationship with availability of
the materials.
 1.7.2. MINIMUM DIMENSIONS
The minimum internal dimension of the sewer (tubular)

It should be the one that allows for its cleaning and preservation.

2.7.3. DRAG DEFLECTORS

In order to prevent the blockage of the sewers

Due to water runoff, measures will be taken if necessary.

drag deflectors.
 1.7.4. TYPES OF SEWERS

PIPE TYPE CULVERTS

The pipes are sewers of
usual interior section
circular and requiring a
minimum of 0.60 m for a
better functioning
structural
ARCH TYPE CULVERTS
The vaults are structures whose
interior cross section this
composed of three main parts: the
floor, two vertical walls that are the
inner faces of the stirrups and on
this is a semicircular arch or
reduced, what is the intrados of an arch
variable section structural with a
minimum thickness at the key
 BOX TYPE DRAINS
They are made of reinforced concrete. They can be

of square and rectangular section and of

one or more bodies and with their

corresponding wing walls.

 HYDRAULIC DESIGN

The hydraulic design of a work consists of calculating the necessary area.

to allow the volume of water that accumulates at its entrance
a prior study is required that covers rainfall, area,
slope and geological formation of the basin.
The Talbot formula was determined through a large amount of
observations in areas of high rainfall.

3
a= hydraulic area needed in the work, in square meters
=0.183 * some text 4
A = hydraulic area of the watershed per hectare to drain
C=coefficient that varies according to the characteristics of
land
C = 1 for mountainous terrain with rocky soil and slope
pronounced
C = 0.65 for broken terrain with moderate slopes
C=0.50 for very long irregular basins
1.7.5. ELECTION OF THE TYPE OF WORK

Keep in mind that in the choice of the type of

the sewer intervenes in the proper functionality
hydraulic and structural, as well as the aspect
economic

a) Height of embankment
b) Shape of the section in crossing
c) Pending from the work template
d) Bearing capacity of the ground
e) Available building materials
in the region
 2. GROUNDWATER DRAINAGE

2.1. DEFINITION
It is that part of the water
existing beneath the surface
terrestrial that can be
collected through
drillings, tunnels or
drainage galleries or the one that
flows naturally towards the
surface through
springs or leaks to
the river courses
 2.2. V drainage in railways

The effect of groundwater on land stability

about which the railway will be built, must be examined by the
designer taking into account all the elements that influence
about the stability itself, nature, and slope of the aquifer,
amount of water, etc.

In areas where it is necessary to intercept the groundwater table, it

it will provide an adequate subsurface drainage system

They can be applied

geomembranes for
counteract the effect of
the groundwater.