Embankment (earthworks)

A road, railway line, or canal is normally raised onto an embankment made of compacted soil (typically clay or rock-based) to avoid a change in level required by the terrain, the alternatives being either to have an unacceptable change in level or detour to follow a contour. A cutting is used for the same purpose where the land is originally higher than required.

A diagram showing an embankment

Disbanded West Somerset Mineral Railway embankment near Gupworthy, UK

Cream-colored concrete abutment marks a gap in an embankment and gives vertical support to the dark red rail bridge, and to the fill of the bridge approach embankment. To reduce the metal cost of the bridge here it is further supported by erecting metal piers.

Materials

Embankments are often constructed using material obtained from a cutting. Embankments need to be constructed using non-aerated and waterproofed, compacted (or entirely non-porous) material to provide adequate support to the formation and a long-term level surface with stability.

Intersection of embankments

To intersect an embankment without a high flyover, a series of tunnels can consist of a section of high tensile strength viaduct (typically built of brick and/or metal) or pair of facing abutments for a bridge.

Notable embankments

Burnley Embankment: The largest canal embankment in Britain.
Harsimus Stem Embankment: The remains of a railway built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Stanley Embankment: A railway, road and cycleway that connects the Island of Anglesey and Holy Island, Wales. It carries the North Wales Coast Line and the A5 road.

References

External links

Federal Highway Administration Design Manual: Deep Mixing for Embankment and Foundation Support Federal Highway Administration

bibliography

Scott, J., Loveridge, F., & O'Brien, A. S. (2007). of climate and vegetation on railway embankments.

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