Underdrain Construction: Guidelines For Inspectors and Contractors

Guidelines for
Underdrain Inspectors and

Construction Contractors
Underdrain Installation
Construction Methods of Underdrains
Although a relatively simple operation, the proper installation of

underdrains plays an important role in determining the life of any
type of pavement.
The following presentation contains “Points of Emphasis” for

construction of underdrains. It is recommended viewing for any
INDOT or consultant team involved in a contract that includes this
type of work. It is further recommended that, prior to construction,
the presentation be viewed jointly by the inspection team and any
contractor personnel that will be specifically responsible for
constructing underdrains on their project.
Trenching Machine
Whether a trencher is used or the

material is hand-dug, loose material,
including clumps, at the bottom of the
trench should either be removed or
compacted in order to keep drainage
from being compromised.
Trenching Machine
Periodic depth checks

should be made to ensure
appropriate depth below
subgrade is achieved.
Typically 24”
Check plans for trench Typically

dimensions specified, which 14”
are frequently found in the
“miscellaneous detail” section
of the plans.
Typical Cross Section
Underdrains prevent water
Open-graded material
from accumulating under
placed directly above the
the pavement and causing
underdrain helps move
premature subgrade failure.
water out from between
asphalt layers.
Depth:
24”
Width:
14”
Underdrain Tables
For bituminous pavement, the
drainage layer is an open graded
HMA mix. This mix also covers
the underdrain subgrade.
14”
The Coarse
For concrete pavement, Coarse Aggregate #8
Aggregate #8 is used for the combines with
drainage layer and the the Compacted
underdrain aggregate. Aggregate #53 to
form the
subbase.
14”
Underdrain Tables
Note the location of

the open graded
material within the
layers of a typical HMA
mix.
Underdrain Tables
Outlet
Outlet elevation essentially Stations Outlet
determines the offset. Once Elevations
the outlet elevation is staked,
be sure it is in a location that is
practical.
Underdrain table provides

useful information
regarding material
quantities, locations, and
instructions. Be sure to
check planned outlet
locations to determine if
they make sense.
Underdrain Tables
Field conditions must be checked to make sure of the following:
• Outlets must be placed at the sags of vertical curves

• Two outlet pipes must be placed at the sags of vertical curves to
accommodate water draining from two different directions
• Appropriateness of locations on the slope (offset)
2 Pipes per
outlet at bottom
of sag vertical
curve
No outlet pipes
1 Pipe per at crest of
outlet on curve – no
slope drainage will
occur here
Underdrain Tables
Note that the geotextile
material is to extend a
specified horizontal distance
outside the trench.
14”
14”
Geotextile material will be

specified by the plans to line
the trench.
Geotextile material is used to

prevent “fines” from the
surrounding soil from
contaminating the aggregate
backfill and hindering
drainage.
Make sure the correct Check pipe diameter:
material has been delivered
to the job site. Often 6”, but check plans
Check pipe for perforation:

Drains will be ineffective
without perforation.
Perforations
Geotextile Material
See 718.04 for additional information
regarding geotextile material. Check plan sheets for the
distance geotextiles should
extend to either side of the
trench.
Typically
12”
Proper placement and

verification of geotextiles
provides additional insurance
that “fine” material will not
contaminate the aggregate
envelope.
Geotextile Material
Fabric Pin The upstream roll should

overlap the downstream roll
when placing a subsequent
roll of material within a long
run. This overlap should be a
minimum of 1 foot, as per
718.04.
Pin the fabric as

shown here to keep
the fabric in place
during paving
Aggregate Fill
Aggregate should
easily fall to both
sides of the pipe.
Aggregate Fill
See section 718.02 for
appropriate aggregate sizes
Although close to one side of

the trench, the pipe does not
appear to be hindering the
aggregate from reaching the
bottom of the trench.
Aggregate Fill
Aggregate should be removed

from the fabric after placement
Fabric Pin
Pipe Outlets
Recurring Plan Detail 718-R-639d

contains important information
about the various aspects of out-
letting an underdrain.
Pipe will either connect directly

Pipe will either connect directly
into a storm inlet
into a storm inlet
Or will be out-letted onto a
Or will outlet onto a slope.
slope
A hole may have to be

cored into the side of the
inlet for underdrain pipe.
Pipe Outlets
Outlet pipes shall be

backfilled as shown here
Pipe Outlets: Slope Outlet
When out-letting to a slope, outlet
protectors are used.
It is a good idea to run the pipe as far down

the slope as possible in order to avoid
situations like this.
Erosion
Erosion
In many cases, it is not a matter of
“if” the slope below the protector
will wash out, but “when”.
Although 718-R-639d indicates
the placement of sod immediately
below the protector, erosion will
typically occur just below the
limits of the sod.
It is not uncommon to place a

strip of sod on either side of the
protector to prevent erosion
alongside the protector. However,
unless good sod notches are cut,
the slope will erode between the
sod and the seeded area.
Riprap is a common fix to the
area eroded out between the
protector and ditch or toe of
slope. This is a common
punch list item once the job is
substantially complete.
To prevent fine material under

the riprap from washing out,
geotextile material should be
placed under the riprap from the
outlet protector to the ditch.
To avoid spending money on

riprap or even remobilizing a
contractor’s crew, consider
extending the outlet pipe
further down the slope and
constructing the protector
closer to the ditch line. A
small amount of riprap can
then be placed as a matter of
course between the
protector and the ditch line.
Although pipe cost will
increase, the cost to repair
any eroded area by the
contractor or by an INDOT
maintenance crew is avoided
in the future. See 718-R-
639d (3 of 7, Note 1) for
parameters regarding
protector placement.
Here, the outlet protector was

constructed close to the bottom of
the slope. Any future repair of
erosion below the protector can be
performed easily and without heavy
equipment.
Pipe Outlets: Rodent Screen
Proper
Installation
Incorrect
Installation
Rodent screens
must also be placed
at inlet structures
See 718-R-639d (3 and 7

of 7) for more information
on rodent screens.
Rodent screens must be
placed on all outlet pipes
Pipe Outlets: Maintenance
Blockages can occur,

even during
construction
Pipe Outlets: Maintenance
Outlets should be checked occasionally during construction to ensure no blockages have

developed. Mulch from seeding operations or recently placed sod that has moved due to
heavy rains could lead to outlet blockages. Water back-up from these blockages could have a
relatively immediate impact on the life of the highway if not removed in a timely manner.
In addition to checking outlets during the course of the project, all outlets should be checked
again at the pre-final inspection. If significant time has elapsed between the pre-final and final
inspections, they should be checked again.
Pipe Outlet Protectors
There are 3 different types of
outlet protectors. The type for
any specific location is shown in
the underdrain table. Be sure
the type shown makes sense.
Pipe Outlet Protectors
Proper construction of the

Proper construction of the
lug is critical to keep the
lug is critical to keep the
outlet protector in place on
outlet protector in place.
the slope.

Underdrain Construction: Guidelines For Inspectors and Contractors

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Underdrain Construction: Guidelines For Inspectors and Contractors

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Guidelines for

Underdrain Inspectors and

Although a relatively simple operation, the proper installation of

The following presentation contains “Points of Emphasis” for

Whether a trencher is used or the

Periodic depth checks

Check plans for trench Typically

Note the location of

Underdrain table provides

Field conditions must be checked to make sure of the following:

• Outlets must be placed at the sags of vertical curves

Geotextile material will be

Geotextile material is used to

Check pipe for perforation:

Proper placement and

Fabric Pin The upstream roll should

Pin the fabric as

Although close to one side of

Aggregate should be removed

Recurring Plan Detail 718-R-639d

Pipe will either connect directly

A hole may have to be

Outlet pipes shall be

It is a good idea to run the pipe as far down

It is not uncommon to place a

To prevent fine material under

To avoid spending money on

Here, the outlet protector was

See 718-R-639d (3 and 7

Blockages can occur,

Outlets should be checked occasionally during construction to ensure no blockages have

Proper construction of the

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