Track No.

II
Extension of Runway at Pantnagar Civil Airport for Water Logged Region
 Vivek Negi Shubham B. Goswami Rashmi Sharma
G.B.P.U.A.T G.B.P.U.A.T G.B.P.U.A.T
+91-8392810679 +91-8267848239 +91-8171894239
vivek.lional.negi7@gmail.com shubham5dragoon@gmail.com rashmisarma13@gmail.com
Pranav Kumar Pratyush Kr. Mandoria
G.B.P.U.A.T G.B.P.U.A.T
+91-8267007292 +91-9045867317
pranavkumar980@gmail.com pratyushmandoria@gmail.com
 Abstract
Water logging is the
natural occurrence of
water on the surface of
the soil, due to lack of
percolation and excessive
capillary action of water
in the sub-soil layers.
Water logged areas are
those lands where the
level of sub-soil water
and the standing water
layers are such that, the
sub layer just below the
land surface is well
beneath the capillary
fringe of the water table.
Various techniques like
providing sub-layer
drains, introducing
capillary cut-off, raising
embankment height, etc.
are considered in the
field while encountering
such conditions
Pantnagar airport
being a neighbour to the
Rudrapur city is also a
central hub for industries
which demand an
extension in length of the
existing runway. Water
logging is experienced at
different locations, as this
region receives a heavy
amount of rainfall year
long. This paper provides
details of field inspection,
laboratory test results
and remedial measures
suggested for lowering
ground water table for
future consideration of
extension of the runway.
1. Introduction
The Pantnagar Civil
Airport is located near G.
B. Pant University of
Agriculture & heavy rainfall conditions
Technology,
approximately at 247km
distance from Delhi, and
is a prime location for air
travels as is located on
the foothills of Himalayas
and lying at an elevation
of about 234m above
MSL. Also the airport is
situated at a distance of
mere 15km from
Rudrapur City and at a
distance of about 5km
from SIDCUL, Tata
Motors and Ashok
Leyland. Due to the
presence of heavy density
of industries and
commercial sectors the
airport gains a huge
amount of importance
from even business point
of consideration, leaving
part the transport point of
consideration. All these
aspects demand for a
smooth and regular
functioning of the airport
and hence there may arise
the need for extension of
the present runway or
even development of an
additional one.
Considering the future
perspective of
development a study of
the surrounding region of
the present airport
runway was conducted
and a mammoth problem
of water logging was
encountered. Water
logging is a natural
accumulation of water on
the surface of the soil and
in the sub-soil layers.
Pantnagar being a region
receiving a heavy rainfall
of about 80 to 90mm in a
single day and at times
have even registered as
heavy as 200 to 225mm in
a single day. Due to the
and a high ground water Table 2 for Point1 (P1)
table, the region and Point 2 (P2)
experiences a widespread respectively.
problem of water logging.
2. Sub-Soil Layer
Investigation
In order to get a clear
view of the various
considerations of the
geotechnical aspects, a
thorough study of the
sub-soil layers is
necessary. Hence, to
obtain a detailed
knowledge of the sub-soil
layers, certain disturbed Figure 1. Bore Hole at Point
2 (P2)
and undisturbed samples
of soil were collected
from different locations
and tested under standard
conditions as prescribed
by the Indian Standard
Codes (i.e. I. S. Codes).
The undisturbed soil
samples were collected
with the help of standard
core-cutters. Further the
disturbed soil samples
were obtained from the
two boreholes dug, namely Figure 2. Location of the
Point 1(P1) and Point 2 Points of Boring i.e. Points
(P2), both of depth 10.5 P1 and P2
feet, as shown in fig.1 with
a dia. of 100mm using a 1.1. Sub-Soil
hand auger and extension Investigation
rods. Laboratory Results at Point
experiments were 1(P1)
conducted at the Civil
Engineering Department’s Co-ordinates:
Laboratories of College of
Latitude: 29.034103N
Technology, G. B. Pant
L
University of Agriculture
and Technology, o
Pantnagar. n
A detailed description g
of the two bore holes P1 it
and P2 is provided below u
along with the various d
soil properties and the
e
results obtained after the
laboratory experiments :
tabulated in Table 1 and 7
 9 Table 2. Test Results on There is also a thin bituminous layer, and
. Sub-soil Samples at Point problem of water logging eventually leads to the
2(P2). being encountered in loss in binding capacity
4
several locations. The of the particles of
7 Properties major reason being the bitumen. This loss in
6 Depth 2.5 5.5location of the airport in a binding capacity may
1 (in feet) heavy rainfall region lead to development of
6 Soil Type SM MLwhich receives rainfall cracks on the runway and
2 Liquid Limit 26 ranging from a normal 80 may even make the
E (LL) to 90mm precipitation to surface of the pavement
Elevation: Plasticity N. P. a maximum of 200 to very much prone to
Index (PI) 225mm, considering a skidding.
762 feet MSL
Bulk Density of Soil: Gravel % 6.920 1.480
single day duration. The The results observed
3 Sand % 43.960 12.360
second major reason is from the above
1.543g/cm
Silt % 43.560 the poor drainage of soil,
67.440 conclusion clearly
Ground Water Table:
Clay % 5.560 which can be justified
18.720 demand for the adoption
9.5 feet below from the fact that a high of certain corrective
soil surface 3. Conclusion from concentration of clay is measures which may
Sub-Soil Layer present in the sub-soil at prove effective in
Table 1. Test Results on point P2. The clay checking the problems
Sub-soil Samples at Point Investigation content is 5.560% at a encountered at the airport
1(P1).
Considering the depth of 2.5feet and is as region. There are various
Properties results obtained from the high as 19.120% at methods to be
sub-soil layer 7.5feet depth. It is also implemented as
Depth 2.5
investigation, a common observed that the point P2 corrective measures to
(in feet)
occurrence of the sandy lies at a lower elevation check sandy soil
Soil Type SM
nature of the soil is than the present airport disadvantages as well as
Liquid Limit 30 location hence, it is a that of water logging. The
(LL) evident, for example,
considering the point P1, prime location for water following listed methods
Plasticity 8 accumulation from the may be considered most
Index (PI) we obtain consecutive
SM nature at depths 2.5 surrounding regions. suitable.
Gravel % 9.15
feet, 5.5 feet and 7 feet.
Sand % 44.650 38.120
Silt %
Also, from point P2 a
46.850 56.480 2. Corrective
sandy nature exhibited by Measures
Clay % 3.475
the soil is obtained at
depths 2.5feet, 7.5feet
1.2. Sub-Soil and 10.5feet with specific 2.1. Corrective
Investigation nature being SM, SC and Measures for
Results at Point SM respectively. Checking Sandy
2(P2) Soil Problems
Figure 3. Water Logging at
1.3. Disadvantages of Extension Site
Co-ordinates: Presence of Sand Adoption of French Drains
Latitude: 29.035521N in the Sub-Soil 1.4. Disadvantages of French Drain, also
Layer Water logging known as Rubble Drain
Longitude:
or Rock Drain or Blind
79.455629E The presence of water The prolonged Drain or Perimeter Drain,
Elevation: in the soil layers reduces exposure of the sub-soil provides an easy channel
745 feet MSL the bearing capacity of layer towards water for water to flow through
Bulk Density of Soil: the soil, and especially in logging results in the in sandy soil regions
1.687g/cm3 case of the sandy soil, the development of shallow where the soil can’t retain
Ground Water Table: bearing capacity of the water table, which in turn the water from surface.
5 feet below soil soil reduces up to 50%, causes wearing on the Water runs into gravel-
which in turn results in surface layer of the filled trench, then into
surface
erosion of the soil. pavement, composed of
perforated pipe at the for such a critical type of
bottom of the trench. corrective measure may
Water flows freely be considered as the
through the pipe and digging of certain depth
empties a safe distance. of a foundation trench
The slope of the trench (a.k.a. C=cut-off layer)
should be maintained at and then pumping out the
1inch to 8feet in the present water, either
direction of flow of manually or through the
water. The diversion of usage of certain
water can be as per the mechanical pump. The
situation, and hence can cut-off layer provided
be diverted to: should comprise of
 Low lying area certain means to drain out
 Drainage ditch the regular inflow of
water. This task maybe
 Dry well
carried out using certain
A standard French Drain perforated pipes which
is depicted in the figure drain the water to certain
other location. Some
below (Fig. 3). The
additional material may
dimensions commonly
adopted are 2feet and also be provided to
1.5feet across. support the foundation
cut-off layer beneath the
embankment.
layer of the pavement and
thus drain the water as
soon as it falls on the
surface of the pavement.
This drained water can
then be drained out with
the help of perforated
pipes present in the lower
lying sub-soil. The
presence of perforated
pipes may even enhance
the draining away of the
ground water, if present,
to a separate location
away from the pavement
surface, hence
minimizing the effect of
water logging. This
method is still under
research, and hence in
future may work out as a
boon for further
construction, with
sufficient cost
effectiveness.
kind permission to
publish this paper.
5. References
[1] Indian Roads Congress
(IRC) 34:1970,
"Recommendations for
Road Construction in
Waterlogged Areas".
[2] Punmia, B.C., Jain, A.K.,
and Jain, A.K., "Soil
Mechanics and Foundation".
[3] Gibbons, J., "Pavements
and Surface Materials",
UConn Extension Land Use
Educator, 1999.
[4] Vittal, U.K.G., Prasad,
P.S., Mathur, S.,"Remedial
Measures for Lowering the
Ground Water Table at
Pantnagar Airport", IGC
2009, Guntur, India.

The problem of water
logging in the airport
region arises due to either
the presence of high
water table or due to the
lack of percolation of the
Figure 4. Cross Section of surface water, i.e. lack of
French Drain drainage. If there happens
to be a situation that both
2.2. Corrective these problems need to be
Measures for handled simultaneously,
Checking Water then a cumulative
Logging Problem approach off draining the
surface water and
2.2.1. Raising the lowering the water table
Embankment can be applied together.
below the Surface Hence, a unique
of the Pavement combination of usage of
“Thirsty
The problem of water Concrete” and that of
logging can be mitigated perforated pipes can be
by providing a sufficient adopted. In this approach
difference between the a concrete made up of
existing water table and Top mix permeable
the surface water. The (manufactured by
most preferred method Tarmac) as the surface
4. Acknowledgemen
ts
The work reported in
this paper was taken up
for a project work under
TEQIP Phase-II. We are
thankful to Airports
Authority of India (AAI)
for lending their
unconditional support for
this study. The
cooperation and help
extended by several
officers of AAI to us is
gratefully acknowledged.
The contributions made by
Shri Ajay Singh and Shree
Ankit Jain of AAI and Dr.
S.S Gupta and Shree
Kundan Singh during field
work and laboratory
testing are thankfully
acknowledged. Authors
are thankful to Dr. Jyothi
Prasad, TEQIP
Coordinator and for her