CONTENTS

1. Purpose:
2. Scope
3. Responsibility
4. Reference Documents
5. Component Parts of a Well Foundation
6. Well Foundation-step by step construction sequence
1. Purpose
The purpose of this Method Statement is to outline the general requirements for
construction of Circular Well Foundation using Jackdown Method.

2. Scope
The scope of this Method Statement is for Well Foundation works in site and includes
the following:
➢ Area Development/River reclamation
➢ Sheet pile cofferdam
➢ Cutting edge
➢ Well Curb
➢ Well Steining
➢ Earth anchor
➢ Sinking (Normal and Jackdown Method)
➢ Bottom Plug
➢ False Wall
➢ Well Cap

3. Reference Documents
➢ Contract Specifications
➢ Latest approved good for construction drawings
➢ MORT & H Specifications-Fifth Revision
➢ IRC: 78 – 2014
➢ IS: 2062 –2011 – Steel for General Structural Purpose
➢ IS:816-1969-Code of practice for use of metal arc welding for general construction
in mild steel
➢ IS: 814 (Part – 2) – 1991 Covered electrodes for Metal arc welding of structural steel
for welding sheet.
➢ IRC 112 -2011- code of practice for concrete road bridges
➢ IS 1786-2008 High strength deformed bar & wire for concrete and reinforcement
IS 2502-1963 Code of practice for bending & fixing of bars for concrete
reinforcement.
➢ IS 818-1968 Code of practice for safety & health requirement in electric & gas
cutting operation.
4. Roles & Responsibilities

Project Manager Construction Manager

• He shall be responsible to control all • Report to the Project Manager
the activities for the construction all • Ensure area is ready and safe to
works. start the works.
• Ensures that the project works in his • Concrete Mix design shall be
zone are carried out in accordance submitted to Employer’s
with company policies and in representative and take approval
accordance with the requirements of before use
the project quality plan. • Ensure reinforcement / structural
• Ensuring the full compliance of steel is ready before start of work.
subcontractor operations with • Set up necessary equipment and
corporate quality policies and with plant through discussion with the
the requirements of quality plan. Project Manager and Project
• Make sure that all the suitable Engineer/Works Supervisor.
equipment requirement to execute • Ensure the works are carried out
the works according to the according to the specification, quality
construction program are available, and approved shop drawings.
in good condition, and provide any • Liaise and coordinate with the
additional equipment. project manager for the agreed
• Coordinate with the Construction sequence of works with respect to the
Manager, Project Engineer, Safety construction methodology and
Engineer, for a safe and proper program.
execution of the works. • Allocation of required manpower
• To guide specific attention to all through co-ordination with the PM.
safety measures in co-ordination • Ensure the availability of the risk
with the safety officer/engineer. assessments for the works activities
• Selection of equipment’s according to in hand.
work condition in coordination with • Provide sufficient and safe access for
plant and machinery team. operatives, Crain, trucks and pumps.
• Take precautionary measures with
regards to protecting works from hot
weather, cold, sun and rain etc
HSE Engineer/Officer • The control of work performance by
• Report to the Project Manager means of checking the work before
• To ensure implementation of all safety consultants inspection and issuing
measures related to the nature of RFIs, punch lists as necessary.
works being carried out, and in • Completion of documentation to verify
accordance with the Project Safety the work performed.
Plan. • Controlling all inspection activities on
• Ensure that all the persons involved site in line with ITP’s.
in the works are aware of their • Ensuring that all test equipment
responsibilities, and that they have including surveying equipment is
enough understanding of the safety calibrated and is suitable for use on
procedures. the project site.
• The safety officer in co-ordination
with the Project Manager will ensure Plant In-charge
that all the implemented safety • Report to the Project Manager.
measures are effective enough to • Analyze suitability of Plants &
maintain safe working conditions on Machinery required to execute work,
the site. check technical specifications.
• To maintain continuous inspections • Ensure good working condition of all
of the site activities, advise and train P&M.
persons on a daily basis to prevent • Regular inspection of P&M along with
accidents and personnel injury. safety officer to maintain good
• Give special concern to housekeeping, mechanical condition of P&M.
and ensure that the site is well • Ensure all Third Party Inspections of
maintained clean and tidy. P&M as per statutory requirements.
• To ensure all the relevant safety sign • Ensuring suitable and skilled
boards for different works are in technicians to keep P&M in good
place. working condition and training to
workmen using P&M.
QA/QC In-charge • Controlling minimum spares
• Report to the Project Manager inventory at site to ensure smooth
• Ensuring that Consultant/Client operation of P&M and to tackle
inspection requests are implemented. breakdowns.
• Compilation of all necessary quality • Controlling storage, allocation of
control checklists. diesel, monitoring consumptions to
• Assisting consultants during the avoid misuse.
Inspections. • Monitoring performance, availability,
• Coordinating with the third party lab utilization of P&M
regarding tests and results.
Project Engineer • Ensure reinforcement ready to
• Report to the Construction Manager working as per requirement.
• The engineer will carry out his duties • To monitor and check all activities
in a manner that will be coordinated and ensure that works will be carried
by the Construction manager on a out according to specifications,
daily basis, and will ensure proper quality and approved drawings.
distribution of the workforce and • To inform the QC Inspector of the
equipment at different site locations. areas ready for inspection
• To be aware of test frequencies related
to the work. QC Engineer
• Control disposal of waste excavation • Report Site QA/QC In-Charge.
material according to the instructions • Shall be responsible for overall control
from the project manager/customer. and inspection of QC activities as
• Coordinate with the Safety Officer to per checklist and QAP at site during
maintain safe working and proper concrete work.
housekeeping of the site. To comply • Shall be responsible for performing all
with the safety measures and ensure checks and taking slump /
that all the HSE team is aware of the temperature tests and accepting /
same to prevent accident and loss. rejecting concrete.

Surveyor
• Co-ordinate with the Foreman
Foremen/ Works Supervisor
/Project Engineer and Construction
Manager • Report to the Project Engineer
• To establish benchmarks from • Ensure the work progress inline with
agreed reference points, provide the targets and sequence as per the
required setting out and level PM directions and orders.
markings and follow up with regular • Liaise with the Project /
checks. Construction Manager for the
• Co-ordinate with the Project allocation of the work force, ensuring
Engineer / Foreman and ensure the adequate manpower is available.
approved shop • Liaise with the site manager to
drawings/construction drawings will ensure all the plant/materials are
be implemented properly. available to perform the construction
• Maintain survey details and reports, works.
• Full time supervision to ensure the
periodically check the progressing
works and advise the project works are in accordance to
manager of any deviation from the specifications, quality and IFC
drawings. drawings.
5. Component Parts of a Well Foundation
1. Cutting Edge
Structure of the well at the bottom is tapered to end in a steel ‘cutting edge’ which facilitates
cutting through soil for the sinking of the well.

2. Well Curb
The tapered portion or steel cutting edge being thin has to be strengthened suitably to take
up the heavy loading. This portion is called the well curb. The well curb supports the
steining. The curb remains slightly projected from the steining to reduce the skin friction
during sinking of well.
 Well curb carries cutting edge for the well and is made up of reinforced concrete using
controlled concrete of grade M25. The cutting edge usually consists of a mild steel equal
angle of side 150 mm. In case blasting in anticipated, the outer face of the well curb should
be protected with 6 mm thick steel plate and the inner face should have 10 mm thick plate
up to the top of the curb and 6 mm plate further up to a height of 3 m above the top of the
curb.

3. Well Steining
It is the wall of well & is built above the well curb. The steining is designed such that it can be sunk
under it’s own weight. Steining is normally of reinforced concrete. Minimum grade of concrete used
in steining is M20 with cement content not less than 310 kg/m3. To facilitate well sinking an off-
set of 75 mm to 100 mm is provided in well steining at its junction with the well curb.

The thickness of well steining should not be less than 500 mm nor less than that given
below.
t = KD*(L1/2)
Where,
t = minimum thickness of concrete steining, m,
D = external diameter of circular well or dumb bell shaped well or smaller plan dimension
of twin D well, m,
L = depth of well in m below L.W.L. or top of well cap whichever is greater,
K = a constant depending on the nature of subsoil and steining material (taken
as 0.30 for circular well and 0.039 for twin – D well for concrete steining in sandy strata
and 10% more than the corresponding value in the case of clayey soil).

4. Bottom Plug
The bottom plug transmits load from steining to soil below. When sunk to its final depth
bottom part is concreted to seal the bottom completely. Te bottom plug is made bowled
shape in order to have an arch action. It acts like an inverted dome supported by the
steining on all the sides and transmits the load to the subsoil and acts as a raft against soil
pressure from below.
Minimum grade of concrete used in bottom plug is M15. Thickness of bottom plug should
not be less than the half of dredge-hole diameter nor less than the value calculated using
following formula.

Where,
W = total bearing pressure at the base of well,
fc = flexural strength of concrete in bottom plug, and,
ϑ = Poisson’s ratio for concrete, 0.18 to 0.20.

5. INTERMEDIATE PLUG
As discussed above, for wells resting on clayey strata, it is not preferable to fill the space
inside the well completely with sand. In such cases, sand filling is not done or sand is filled
up to the scour level. A concrete plug covering the filling is usually provided, known as
intermediate plug. Usually, thickness of intermediate plug is taken as 500 mm.

6. Well Cap
At the top of the well steining, an adequately designed “well cap” is laid which transmits the
loads and forces from the substructure (piers or abutments) to the foundations (body of
well).
6. Well Foundation-step by step construction sequence

Description
The process flow of well foundation work will be as follows:-

Resource Mobilisation

Cofferdam Construction

Surveying & fix well control point

Cutting Edge Placing

Well curb - Shuttering & Concreting

Well steining – Shuttering & Concreting

Soil Grabbing & Well Sinking

Bottom Plug Concreting

Water Filling / Sand filing

Well Cap Construction

 This work consists of construction of well foundation, taking it down to the founding level
through all kinds of sub strata, plugging the bottom, filling the inside of the well, plugging
the top and providing a well cap in accordance with the details shown on the drawing and
as per the specification, or as directed by the Client.

The foundations are Circular wells for all river piers including the end piers. All these wells
are to be sunk by the jack down method with thickened steining below scour level.

The wells are cast on the ground and sunk up to full depth, by normal and jack down
method. The jack down method is preferred because it is less sensitive to sand blows and
helps maintaining improved contact with the ground along the periphery. The wells once
sunken to full depth will be plugged, filled with sand as required and capped by a layer of
concrete. The well cap and pier are thereafter executed in the normal manner.

The foundations are to be cast in the dry after providing a filled up island or by sheet pile
Cofferdam of adequate diameter as per requirement at site. The cofferdam is dewatered,
maintained dry and well foundation is sunk upto the design level as indicated on the
drawings. Care should be taken to see that the diameter of the cofferdam is higher than
that of the well foundation by a suitable margin for construction purposes.

6.1 General
➢ The process of taking down the well to the founding level is known as well sinking. After
reaching the founding level, the hollow inside the well,(“dredge hole”) is plugged at the
bottom by concrete (“bottom plug”) upto well curb top level. The dredge hole is then filled
with approved filling material upto the level indicated on the drawing and provide well cap
at top.
➢ To facilitate sinking of well, steel cutting edge is fabricated and connected to a concrete well
curb of required shape. On top of the well curb, adequate height of the well steining is cast
and the process of sinking is carried out. After the portion of well has been sunk, another
height of well steining is cast on top of the previous section and further sinking carried out.
This process is continued till the bottom level of the well (cutting edge) reaches the founding
level.
➢ At the top of the well steining, an adequately designed “well cap” is laid.
➢ Controlled blasting shall be resorted in order to facilitate sinking through difficult strata,
such a boulders and rocks etc. In case blasting is anticipated, protective/ strengthening
measure specified in IRC: 78 shall be taken. In case the borehole data shows the presence
of steeply dipping rocks, chiseling shall be resorted to so as to obtain proper seating of
foundation.
6.2 Area Development / River Reclamation, Setting out and preparation
for sinking
➢ Prior to start of work the total site shall be cleared.
➢ Reference pegs are to be made permanent and kept clear of all obstruction. A base line
will be fixed by the Client and agency would make use of this base line for fixing the
centerline of the piers.
➢ Necessary reference points shall also be fixed, away from the zone of blow-ups or
possible settlement resulting from well sinking operations. Such reference points shall
be connected to the permanent theodolite stations with the base line on the banks. The
center of the individual wells shall be marked with reference to these stations. The
distance wherever practicable, shall be checked with the help of accurate tapes and
precision survey instrument.
➢ A temporary benchmark shall also be established near the well foundation, away from
the zones of blow-ups or possible settlement. The benchmark shall be checked regularly
with respect to the permanent benchmark established at the bridge site.

6.3 Equipment
Jack down method of controlled sinking on wells to ensure that the tilts and shift are
within acceptable limits. The reaction system and jacks required for the jack down
method, cranes with grab buckets, pumps, compressor, diving helmets and other items
including that normally used for reinforced concrete operations required for this project
will be arranged.

6.4 Sheet Pile Cofferdam

General
➢ Site Establishment & Setting out- Good firm access will be provided to allow safe
passage of plant and equipment throughout the construction area.
➢ Adequate hard & all weather platforms will be provided and maintained for the execution
of the driven of sheet pile operations.
➢ Flow of water shall be controlled/diverted using suitable bund/hume pipes.
➢ Using guide frame & suitable capacity crane sheet pile shall be carried out in the
sequence & direction as listed below.
1) Alignment survey shall be carried out.
2) Guide piles shall be driven at the marked locations.
3) Brackets for placing the guide frame shall be fixed.
4) Guide frame shall be placed over the guide piles.
5) The sheet piles shall be started driving.
6) All the sheet piles shall be driven in clockwise direction.
7) After driving all the sheet piles waler shall be placed as per requirement.
8) The cofferdam shall be filled completely till sheet pile top.
➢ Timber shall be placed at exact location & cutting edge placement & curb assembly shall
be carried out.
➢ Reinforcement, shuttering shall be placed & concreting shall be carried out for curb &
steining lifts stage by stage.
➢ The well shall be started sinking.
➢ Ground anchors shall be installed & further sinking shall be carried out with jack down
system & grabbing with crane if required.
➢ A tentative drawing of sheet pile arrangement & procedure for installation is at end of
the statment.

Sheet Pile –Step by step details

Sheet Pile positioning-

➢ Interlocking U Section sheet pile will be lifted using a service crane with adequate wire
rope sling and a D-Shackle fixed to the hole (2 to 3 m below the top) in the sheet pile
and erected over the exact location set out to the reference lines.
➢ The clamping head of Vibro hammer shall be attached from the 75T crawler crane and
other end will be firmly clamped to the sheet pile.
➢ The D-shackle and sling of the service crane will be released 2m above the ground. After
the erection of sheet pile it will be checked for its correct position orientation and
verticality.
➢ Any fine-tuning required for position, orientation and verticality will be carried out to
make the Sheet pile correctly positioned, oriented and truly vertical before starting to
drive.

Verticality of Sheet Pile.

➢ Top of crane should exactly be at the top of Sheet Piles while positioning the Sheet Piles
for driving.
➢ One signal man will be provided to guide crane to maintain the sheet pile verticality
while positioning / driving the sheet pile.
 ➢ Hand levelling device (spirit level) will be used regularly to check the verticality of the
sheet pile in both directions during driving.

Driving of Sheet Pile

➢ Vibro hammer shall be attached to the crane by a hoist line and correctly centered on
top of the sheet pile.
➢ Care has to be taken to drive the sheet pile in perfectly plumb position.
➢ Once this segment of sheet pile is drive inside the ground, start with the other segment
and drive it one after the other and cover all the area.

Sheet pile supporting arrangement

➢ The brackets shall be fixed at outer face of the sheet piles, above which fabricated
Wallers are placed.
➢ Wallers are connected at the both the ends in all directions.
➢ All this operation shall be carried out with crane & care shall be taken while lowering
the assembly at lower level as not to touch assembly at upper level.
➢ This may cause serious accident.
➢ In dismantling the procedures are reversed with the removal of each level of strut taking
place when the RC structure is completed below the corresponding level of the strut &
acquired adequate strength. Remove the strut, waller, runner beam & brackets one by
one & stage wise.

6.5 Cutting Edge

Fabrication
➢ Concrete/Steel platform shall be made in the fabrication yard for making the layout of
cutting edge.
➢ Plan of the cutting edge layout shall be marked over the platform.
➢ Fabricate the template according to the curvature of the cutting edge.
➢ Place the plate over the leveled platform.
➢ Mark the cutting line as per the dimension for the outer plate, splice plate, inner bottom
and top plate respectively.
➢ Cut the plate as per marking using flame cutter. Holes will be using power drill machines
where ever required as shown in the drawing
➢ Cutting edge shall be fabricated in 4 to 5 pieces. Bend the plate using plate-bending
machine as per the template made for curvature.
➢ Weld inner side plates together and check the slopes at every 600 mm intervals.
➢ Place the outer plate over the zig made at fabrication platform. Verticality of the plate and
outer diameter of the unit will be checked.
➢ Entire unit shall be welded except the connection locations shown in drawing. The inner
plates shall be placed inside the already welded outer plate by leaving the connections.
Fix the temporary tie angles on the top of outer plate. Connect the bottoms of both the
plates by tack weld.
➢ Check the diameter, height and width. If all the dimensions are as per cutting edge
drawing weld entire joints. After completion of welding recheck the dimensions once
again.
➢ Fixing of stiffener plates and their welding shall be done as shown in the drawing. The
parts of cutting edge shall be numbered for easier assembly.
➢ The assembly shall be got checked from engineer in-charge.
➢ Individual parts shall be marked with paint before dismantling and transporting to the
actual location.

Placing and Assembling of Cutting Edge

➢ All the parts of the fabricated
cutting edge shall be erected on a
level firm ground at the relevant
location. Temporary supports
shall be provided to facilitate the
erection and maintaining the
assembly in true shape as per
drawings and specifications.
➢ The platform on which cutting
edge shall be placed shall be
leveled and well compacted
uniformly to preclude possibility
of settlement during curb
concreting.
➢ 300mm thick wooden planks
(750mmx300mm) shall then be placed on leveled ground at 500 to 600 mm c/c intervals
in zigzag manner to facilitate easy removal of the same during sinking of curb.
➢ The cutting edge shall be placed on the compacted platform at existing ground level as
per site condition. The level of the platform on which the cutting edge is assembled shall
be recorded.
➢ The planks are numbered to track the same during grounding, so that no plank remains
below cutting edge after grounding. Before placing the cutting edge on the wooden planks,
the layout of the cutting edge (on wooden planks) and the center point of the well shall
be marked as per the alignment / drawings.
➢ Each piece of cutting edge shall be lifted and placed in position as per the numbering
sequence with the help of crane. The loading/unloading, lifting activities shall be carefully
handled under expert supervision such that the curvature & profile of cutting edge parts
are not deformed.
➢ The inner and outer diameter shall be checked with reference to the centre point and
adjust accordingly. Tack welding shall be done for the cutting edge parts to fix them in
position.
➢ Minor adjustments shall be done in leveling of the cutting edge by providing shim plates
between the cutting edge and timber planks, if required.
➢ The following parameters shall be checked before permanent welding.
▪ Accuracy of the center
▪ Dimensions of the cutting edge
▪ Rigidity of the connections between the plates
➢ The parts of the cutting edge shall be welded permanently to true alignment and as per
the drawings. The cutting edge shall be laid at or around low water level and then sunk
as indicated in the activity schedule.

6.6 Well Curb

Inner Shuttering & Supporting Arrangement
Reinforcement Fixing
➢ The bar bending schedule shall be prepared as per the latest revised drawing, submitted
and approved by engineer in-charge. The approved BBS shall be circulated to site
engineer.
➢ Cutting and bending the reinforcement steel
bars at yard shall be as per the approved bar
bending schedule. The rebar shall be treated
with inhibitor slurry of 1Kg cement & 600 CC
inhibitor solution as per specification.
➢ The cut & bend rebar’s shall be shifted to site for
fixing. The rebar shall be fixed at site as per the
spacing mentioned in the drawing. Welding of
anchor will be done with the cutting edge as
shown in the drawing.
➢ The bars shall be tied by 18 SWG binding wire.
The Laps shall be provided as mentioned in the drawings or by mechanical splicing as
suited at site.

Outer Shuttering & Supporting Arrangement

➢ The outer shutter shall be fabricated as per drawing.
➢ The shutter shall be fixed at the outer face after fixing the reinforcement
➢ 75mm clear cover shall be maintained from the outer most reinforcement
➢ After fixing of shutters, proper supporting arrangement shall be done as mentioned in
the drawings. Checking of the shutter for verticality shall be done and approved by
engineer in-charge prior to start of concrete.

Concreting:-
➢ Working platform shall to be at inside and outside area and position all vibrators and
needles at required locations
➢ Concrete of specified grade shall be mixed in the batching plant and shall be shifted to
site by transit mixers.
➢ Concrete shall be poured in layers of 300mm thick in clockwise & anticlockwise to avoid
tilting of well by using boom placer or crane and bucket. Slump of concrete, temperature
 shall be checked at batching plant and site as required and the cube moulds shall be
filled as specified in the agreement.

Dismantling Of Inner/Outer Supports:-

➢ Removal of the outer supporting arrangement shall be after 24 hours of concreting and
inner supporting arrangement after 3 days.
➢ Marking of gauge lines on four sides of the well shall be done.

6.7 Grounding the Curb

➢ The bottom level of cutting edge shall be checked.
➢ At least Four Gauges, two in traffic direction and two normal to the traffic direction are
to be made on the outer periphery of the well curb by 100 mm wide strip painted on the
well, with every meter mark shown in black paint. The gauge shall start with 50mm at
the bottom of the cutting edge. Marking shall be done with steel tape.
➢ Checking shall be done for the pre-sinking shift and tilt of curb. For measuring the tilt
reduced levels of the gauge marks painted on the well surface shall be taken. Then the
level of cutting edge shall be calculated by deducting the gauge height from the reduced
level.
➢ For measuring the shift, the position of well center and steining center points are to be
checked with actual coordinate points. The difference between the actual and site
positions gives the horizontal displacement, which is the shift.
➢ The sleepers from bottom of the cutting edge shall be removed. Always it has to be
ensured that sleepers are removed alternatively as well as diagonally.
➢ Manual excavation of the earth material from the dredging portion of the curb shall be
done allowing the curb to sink. This operation will be carried out till the curb is sunk for
at least 1.00m.
➢ Check to be made for the tilt and shift and shall be corrected by excavating the dredge
hole by crane and grab.

6.8 Well Steining & Falsewall

➢ The dimensions, shape, concrete strength and reinforcement of well shall strictly conform
to those shown on the drawings.
➢ Reinforcement fixing same as fixing of reinforcement mentioned above.
➢ Water jetting and air jetting arrangement shall be provided to inner & outer faces as
mentioned in the drawing for sinking of well till top of steining. A tentative drawing of
water & airjetting arrangement is been attached here for your reference.

Shutter Fixing
➢ Well steining of 2.50 m height shall be cast except tapered portion where steining
thickness gets reduced and same procedure will be followed as curb shuttering.
➢ Recess box shall be left in the inner face final lift of steining so as to accommodate
sacrificial beams and slabs. These beams & slabs act as shuttering arrangement for well
cap.
➢ False wall of required thickness and height shall be casted above the steining to
accommodate empty sinking of well.

Concreting
➢ Same procedure will be followed as well curb concreting.

Deshuttering
➢ Remove the shutter after 24 hours of concreting.
➢ Curing shall be done continuously and gauge marking shall be done on four sides of the
well
➢ Laitance formed on the top surface of the lift shall be removed to expose coarse aggregates
before setting of concrete at the proposed construction joints. As far as possible
construction joints shall not be kept at the location of laps in the vertical steining bars.
➢ The height of steining shall be calibrated by making at least 4 gauges (preferably in traffic
and in a direction normal to traffic direction) distributed equally on the outer periphery
of the well each in the form of a 100mm wide strip painted on the well, with every metre
mark shown in black paint. The gauges shall start with zero at the bottom of cutting
edge. Marking of the gauges shall be done carefully with a steel tape.
➢ After reaching the founding level, the well steining shall be inspected to check any
damage or cracks. The Client will direct and the agency shall execute the remedial
measures before acceptance of the well steining.

6.9 Well Sinking

General:
➢ The well shall be sunk true and
vertical within the tolerance limits,
through all types of strata by the
Jack down method.
➢ Sinking of well shall be commenced
only after the steining has been
cured for at least 48 hours or as
specified in the drawings.
➢ No well shall be permitted to be
placed in a pre-dredged hole.
➢ The well shall be sunk by
excavating materials uniformly
from inside the dredge hole. Use of
water jetting, explosive and divers
may be adopted for sinking of wells
through difficult strata with prior approval of the Client.
➢ Sinking history of the well shall be maintained in the format given in MORTH
Specifications for Road and Bridge works (Appendix 1200/1).

Normal Sinking:
➢ Levels of the cutting edge
at such four positions (i.e
Grid and Axis.) shall be
taken by level instrument.
➢ The pre-sinking tilt & shift
in both directions shall be
taken with help of auto
level and total station
respectively from survey
control stations.
➢ The sump position at eight
equidistant locations along
dredge hole sides and at
well center are taken, and
recorded. The dredge hole
water level is also recorded.
➢ Vertical reinforcement of
steining shall be bent and
tied properly to facilitate the grab movement during sinking operation. 75T crane with
double drum is placed on platform near well, strengthened with sand bags and sleepers.
➢ Sinking crew shall take respective positions; skilled khalasis on the ground for controlling
the grab movement, when the grab is above the well top (during muck disposal and
reentry of empty grab into the dredge hole), and one signalman on well top.
➢ The soil below the inclined portion of well curb (where grab cannot be reached) shall be
removed manually and deposited in the dredged hole for grabbing.
➢ Grabbing process shall commence normally with grabbing at the above designated
sounding positions; the sinking engineer/foreman shall vary the pattern depending on
the tilt and pre –sump positions.
➢ Levels shall be noted daily and tilt and shift shall be calculated and recorded.
➢ If the well is not sinking after reasonable amount of grabbing is done, say after two rounds
of grabbing, the sump position shall be checked, and accordingly, in combination with
the tilt position, the grabbing pattern shall vary. The sump should not normally exceed
1.75meters average; Jack down sinking shall be done.
➢ The sinking operation shall be done in two shifts, day and night. In normal course, the
sump and dredge hole water levels shall be observed twice in each shift (one at mid shift
and one at the end of the shift), and the cutting edge reduced level (CERL) shall be
checked by level at the four positions at the end of the shift.
➢ The shift shall be taken at the end of the sinking cycle and recorded.
➢ Leaving the well with considerable sump shall be avoided after completion of a sinking
cycle. The well top should be at around half meter above ground level on completion of
the cycle.
➢ This operation shall be continued till the cutting edge reaches the founding level
mentioned in the drawing.

Jackdown Sinking:
➢ Jack down sinking is basically transferring the forces exerted by the hydraulic jacks on
the earth anchors through the heavy duty pressurization girders resting on the steining
top on stools. The earth anchor pairs are placed such that two girders systems, both
crossing the well sides, can be positioned, with hydraulic jacks at the ends of the girder,
located such that they are directly above the centre of the earth anchor pair.
➢ The area where earth anchoring is done shall be excavated and the cables are bought
out.
➢ The anchor head consists of holes to accommodate the HT strands. The HT strands are
bolted to the anchor head.
➢ The anchor head shall
have an opening at centre
for fixing of gripper rods
which are connected to
hydraulic Jacks at top.
➢ Supporting stools are
then placed on the
steining to suit the
location of the anchors.
➢ Pressurization girders are
then erected over the
stools and pressure plates
fixed on top of the girders
at ends.
➢ Sufficient capacity
hydraulic jacks along
with upper gripper
attachments are erected and the gripper rods are fixed by locking the upper gripper
attachment.
➢ Gripper rod is fixed with the adjustment rods at required height and held in position by
locking the lower gripper assembly.
➢ All jacks are aligned and leveled properly. The pressure hoses are connected with power
pack and jacks. Loading is applied with power pack.
➢ After lifting of ram by about 40 to 100mm wedges are placed on bearing plates on either
side of the anchor couplers.
➢ The lower gripper assembly is locked and upper gripper assembly is released.
➢ Ram is brought to its original position and upper gripper assembly is locked.
➢ Lower gripper assembly is then unlocked.
➢ Now pressure is applied on the jacks and after lifting of about 400mm the above 5points
is repeated. In case of Jacks Set No 1 the above locking and releasing will be automatically
done after initial setting of the Gripper rods.
➢ A tentative drawing of jackdown arrangement is at end of the statement
 Load Application:
➢ Each Jack has separate Control valve for application of pressure. The adjustment
wherever required will be maneuvered by closing or releasing the control valve.
➢ The jacks placed on upper side of the tilted well shall be given with additional load than
that of the lower side.
➢ Releasing of pressure on any one jack shall be done with proper care. In case of tilting of
the girder on any side due to releasing of pressure, then releasing shall be done on both
the jacks placed on the said girder.
➢ To cater for additional safety precautions against lifting of girder in case of any failure of
grips or larger uneven loading the girders shall be arrested to additional rebar placed in
the steining. 25 mm dia. Bar shall be placed in the steining during concreting on each
supporting stool.

Sinking Procedure
➢ In sandy clay strata first sump condition shall be made to the extent of 1.5 to 2 meters
and then loading shall commence with initial 50 MT per Jack and gradually in increments
of 25 MT till well starts sinking. The intensity of loading shall be kept constant till
appreciable sinking is achieved and well is not further going down. Thereafter sump /
hump will be checked and loading shall be released in case of hump / or less sump to
resume grabbing once more.
➢ In sandy strata each jack shall be loaded to 100 MT and then grabbing operation is
started. The loading shall be kept at 100 MT till sinking of well starts. After appreciable
sinking is over and with the above loading the sump / hump of the well is checked, and
grabbing with the above loading is continued.

6.10 Inspection
➢ Check for the tilt and shift during and after sinking shall be done. Sinking shall be
recorded in Sinking history register.
Tilts and Shifts
➢ The inclination of well from the vertical is known as tilt and horizontal displacement of
the centre of well at the founding level from its theoretical positions is known as shifts.
➢ Necessary precautions shall be taken at site such that tilt of any well shall not exceed
1(horizontal) in 100 (vertical), and the shift at the well base shall not be more than D/40
or 150mm in any resultant direction whichever is less.
➢ Tilts and shifts shall be carefully checked and recorded in the format as per Appendix-
1200/I- I & Appendix -1200/II of MOST specifications for Road & Bridge works regularly
during sinking operations. For the purpose of measuring the tilts along the two axis of
bridge, reduced level of the marks painted on the surface of steining of the well shall be
taken. For determination of shift, location of the ends of two diameters shall be precisely
measured along the two axes, with reference points.
➢ Whenever any tilt is noticed, adequate preventive measure like placing eccentric
kentledge, pulling, strutting, anchoring or dredging unevenly and depositing dredge
 material unequally, putting obstacles below cutting edge, water jetting etc. shall be
adopted before any further sinking. After correction, the dredged material shall be spread
out uniformly.
➢ A pair of wells close to each other has a tendency to come closer while sinking. Timber
struts may be introduced in between the steining of these wells to prevent tilting.
➢ Tilts occurring in a well during sinking in dipping rocky strata can be safeguarded by
suitably supporting the curb.
➢ In the event of a well developing tilt or shift beyond the specified permissible values, the
contractor shall have to carry out, at his own cost, suitable remedial measures to the
satisfaction of the Client to bring the tilt and shift within permissible values, as far as
practicable.
➢ If the resultant tilt and/or shift of any well exceed the specified Permissible values, as
defined in earlier para, the well so sunk shall be regarded as not conforming to
specifications and a substandard work. The Client in his sole discretion may consider
accepting such a well at reduced rates provided, calculations for foundation pressures
and steining stresses, accounting for the actual tilt and shifts furnished by the contractor
show that the well is safe. Any remedial measure required to bring the stresses within
permissible values (such as increase in the dimension of the well cap, provision of dummy
weight on the well cap etc.) shall be carried out by the contractor without claiming for
any extra cost. Further any reduction in cost decided by Client shall be binding on the
contractor.

6.11 Use of Water & Air Jetting

➢ Water and air jetting shall be employed for well sinking wherever necessary.

6.12 Use of Explosives

➢ Mild explosive charges under controlled condition may be used as an aid for sinking of
the well only with prior permission of Client. This shall only be resorted to when all other
methods of well sinking have been exhausted. Controlled blasting of any sort shall only
be done in the presence of the Engineer-in- Charge and not before the concrete in the
steining has hardened sufficiently and is more than 7 days old. When likelihood of
blasting is predicted in advance, protection of the bottom portion of the well shall be done
as per these specifications. After blasting operations are completed, the well curb and
steining should be examined for any cracks and remedial measures taken.
➢ If blasting has been used after the well has reached the design foundation level, normally
24hours shall be allowed to lapse before the bottom plug is laid.
➢ The charges shall be exploded well below the cutting edge by making a sump so as to
avoid chances of any damage to curb or to the steining of the well. A minimum sump of
1 meter depth should be made before resorting to blasting. Use of large charges, 0.7 kgs
or above may not be allowed except under expert direction and with the permission from
the Client. Suitable pattern of charges may be arranged with delay detonators to reduce
the number of charges fired at a time. The burden of the charge may be limited to 1 metre
and spacing of holes may normally be kept as 0.5 to 0.6 metre. All prevalent laws
 concerning handling, storing and using of explosive shall be strictly followed during the
blasting operation.
➢ All safety precautions shall be taken as per IS: 4081 “Safety Code for blasting and related
drilling operations”, to the extent applicable, whenever blasting is resorted to.
➢ There should be no equipment inside the well nor there any labour in the close vicinity
of the well at the time of exploding the charges.
➢ If rock blasting is to be done before seating of the well, the damage caused by flying debris
should be minimized by covering blasting holes by rubber mats before blasting.

6.13 Use of Divers

➢ Use of divers may be made both
for sinking purpose like removal
of obstructions, rock blasting and
for inspection. All safety
precautions shall be taken as per
any acceptable safety code for
sinking with divers or any
statutory regulations in force.
➢ Only person trained for the diving
operations shall be employed and
shall be certified to be fit for
diving by an approved doctor.
➢ They shall work under expert
supervision. The diving and other
equipment shall be of acceptable standard and certified to this effect by an approved
independent agency. It shall be well maintained for safe use.
➢ Arrangement for ample supply of low pressure clean cool air shall be ensured through an
armoured flexible hose pipe. Stand-by compressor plant shall be provided in case of
breakdown.
➢ Separate high pressure connection for use of pneumatic tools shall be made. Electric
lights where provided shall be at 50 volts (maximum). The raising of the diver from the
bottom of wells shall be controlled so that decompression rate conforms to the rate as
laid down in appropriate regulations.

6.14 Precautions during Sinking

➢ When the wells have to be sunk close to each other and clear distance between them is
not greater than the diameter of wells, Sinking shall be taken up on all wells and they
shall be sunk alternately so that sinking of well proceeds uniformly. Simultaneous and
even dredging shall be carried out in the wells in such a manner that the difference in
the levels of sump and cutting edge in the adjacent wells does not exceed half the clear
gap between them. Plugging of all the well shall be done together
➢ Bore chart shall be referred to constantly during sinking for taking adequate care while
piercing different types of strata. The types of soil as obtained during the well sinking
should be compared with bore chart so as to take prompt decisions.
➢ Before seasonal floods all wells on which sinking is in progress shall be sunk to sufficient
depths below the designed scour level. Further, they shall be temporarily filled and
plugged so that they do not suffer any tilt or shifts during the floods.
➢ All necessary precautions shall be taken against any possible damage to the foundations
of existing structures in the vicinity of wells, prior to commencement of dredging from
inside the well.
➢ The dredge material shall not be allowed to accumulate over the well. It shall be dumped
and spread, as far away as possible, and then continuously and simultaneously removed,
as directed by the Client. In case the river stream flows along one edge of the well-being
sunk, the dredged material shall not be dumped on the dry side of the bank but on the
side on which the river current flows.
➢ Very deep sump shall not be made below the well curb, as it entails risk of jumping
(sudden sinking) of the well. The depth of sump shall be generally limited to one-sixth of
the outer diameter/least lateral dimension of the well in plan. Normally, the depth of
sump shall not exceed 3.0metres below the level of the cutting edge unless otherwise
specifically permitted by the Client.
➢ In case a well sinks suddenly with a jerk, the steining of the well shall be examined to
the satisfaction of the Client to see that no damage has occurred to it.
➢ Dewatering shall be avoided if sand blows are expected. Any equipment and men working
inside the well be brought out of the well as soon as there are any indications on sand-
blow.
➢ Sand blowing in wells can often be minimized by keeping the level of water inside the well
higher than the water table and also by adding heavy kentledge.

6.15 BOTTOM PLUG

➢ For bottom plug, the concrete mix for --- grade shall be designed to attain the strength
as mentioned on the drawing. However, the total cement content shall not be less than
330
➢ kg/cu.m of concrete with a slump in the range of 150 mm to 200mm. Admixture may
added to impart the required characteristics indicated herein.
➢ Underwater concreting shall be done by 250mm dia tremmie pipes and hopper at the top.
Concreting shall be done upto 300mm above the curb as mentioned in the drawings.
Tremie concrete when started shall be continued without interruption for full concreting
in the bottom plug.
➢ Proper platform shall be
provided above the steining
for sounding check and for
concreting.
➢ Before commencing
plugging, all loose material
from the bottom of the well
shall be removed.
➢ Concreting shall be done in
one continuous operation
till the dredge hole is filled
upto the required height
and thereafter sounding
shall be taken up to ensure
that the concrete has been
laid to the required height.
➢ Least disturbance shall be caused to the water inside the well while laying concrete in
the bottom plug.
➢ In order to check any rise in the level of the bottom plug soundings should be taken at
the close of concreting and once every day for the subsequent 3 days.
➢ Water rise test shall be done after 7 days from the day of casting.The soundness of the
bottom plug may be tested by dewatering the well by 5 metre below the surrounding
water level and checking the rise of water. The rate of rise shall preferably be less than
10 cms per hour. In case the rate is higher, suitable remedial measures as directed by
the Client shall be taken.

6.16 Water filling in well

➢ After completion of water rise test, the well shall be filled up with water upto the bottom
level of well cap.
➢ Place the sacrificial beams
& slabs in the
pockets/opening left in the
final lift of the steining
➢ Start filling water in the
well through the opening
sacrificial slabs using a
pump of suitable capacity
till the bottom of the well
cap and get it checked &
approved by the Engineer
in-charge
 ➢ After getting approval, seal the beam & slab arrangement and start fixing the
reinforcement for well cap.

6.17 WELL CAP

Reinforcement Fixing:
➢ The layout shall be marked for the
bottom reinforcement position
and pier reinforcement as per
drawing.
➢ The reinforcement shall be cut &
bent at yard as per the approved
bar bending schedule (BBS).
➢ Fixing of the reinforcement for
well cap shall be as per the latest
approved drawing
➢ Fixing of bottom layer
reinforcement with necessary
cover blocks to be done. The
bottom layer rebar shall be
checked with engineer in-charge.
➢ Fixing of chairs and spacer bars
will be provided at appropriate location to maintain the desired depth and position of
rebar.

Concreting:
➢ False wall shall act as a shuttering arrangement for well cap.
➢ Concrete of Grade M__ shall be used for casting of well cap.
➢ Concrete shall be prepared at batching plant as per design mix and shall be transported
by transit mixers.
➢ Boom placer shall be used for concrete placement, Crane & concrete bucket shall be kept
as a standby.
➢ Electric vibrator 2 No's shall be used and 1 No. Diesel vibrator shall be kept as a stand
by.
➢ 60 mm & 40mm Diameter needles (4 to 8 m long) shall be used according to the depth of
well cap. 40 mm Ø of needles also shall be kept as a stand by.
➢ Air compressor with hosepipe shall be used for cleaning the well cap before concrete
starts.
➢ Sufficient number of Concrete cube moulds shall be used for concreting according to the
specification.
➢ Slump and temperature of concrete shall be checked and concrete shall be poured layers
of 300 mm to 500mm with proper vibration.
➢ The pier starter shall also be casted and the concrete surface shall be roughened on top
for proper bonding.
 Curing and Deshuttering:
➢ Initial curing shall be done over shuttering.
➢ De-shuttering shall be done after 24 hrs of completion of concrete.

6.18 TOLERANCE
For the well steining and well cap the permissible tolerance shall be as follows
➢ Variations in diameter :+ 50mm,-10mm
➢ Misplacement from specified position in plan :15mm
➢ Surface unevenness measured in plan with 3m straight edge: 5mm
➢ Variation of levels at the top : ± 25mm

6.19 Test And Standards Of Acceptance

The materials shall be tested in accordance with the specification and shall meet the
prescribed criteria. The work shall conform to these specifications and shall meet the
prescribed standard of acceptance.

6.20 Tests And Control Plan:

➢ History of well sinking shall be updated regularly and shall be submitted after total
sinking is completed.
➢ Final tilt & Shift report of the well shall be submitted after sinking is completed.
➢ Non Destructive tests shall be conducted at welding joints and reports shall be submitted
to engineer in charge.
➢ Cubes cast during concreting shall be tested for 7 days & 28 days in presence of engineer
in charge.

Records
➢ Concrete Pour
➢ Checklist-Reinforcement
➢ Checklist-Formwork
➢ Checklist-Concreting Work
➢ Format for Well Sinking History
➢ Format for Tilt & Shift
For sheet pile