In
geotechnical engineering, an interceptor ditch is a small ditch or channel constructed to intercept and
drain water to an area where it can be safely discharged.
These are used for excavation purposes of limited depth made in a coarse-grained soils. These are constructed around an area to be dewatered.
Sump pits are also placed at suitable intervals for installation of
centrifugal pump
Centrifugal pumps are used to transport fluids by the conversion of rotational kinetic energy to the hydrodynamic energy of the fluid flow. The rotational energy typically comes from an engine or electric motor. They are a sub-class of dynamic ...
s to remove the water collected in an efficient manner. In fine
sand
Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles. Sand has various compositions but is defined by its grain size. Sand grains are smaller than gravel and coarser than silt. Sand can also refer to a textural class o ...
s and
silt
Silt is granular material of a size between sand and clay and composed mostly of broken grains of quartz. Silt may occur as a soil (often mixed with sand or clay) or as sediment mixed in suspension with water. Silt usually has a floury feel ...
s, there may be
sloughing
In biology, moulting (British English), or molting (American English), also known as sloughing, shedding, or in many invertebrates, ecdysis, is the manner in which an animal routinely casts off a part of its body (often, but not always, an outer ...
,
erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is dis ...
or
quick conditions. For such type of
soil
Soil, also commonly referred to as earth or dirt
Dirt is an unclean matter, especially when in contact with a person's clothes, skin, or possessions. In such cases, they are said to become dirty.
Common types of dirt include:
* Debri ...
s the method is confined to a depth of 1 to 2 m. Interceptor ditches are most economical for carrying away water which emerge on the slopes and near the bottom of the foundation pit. Its size depends on the original ground slope, runoff area, type of soil and vegetation, and other factors related to runoff volume.
Construction guidelines
* The interceptor ditch commonly consists of a ditch and may have an associated dike.
* Sediment control measures may be required to filter or trap sediments before the
runoff
Runoff, run-off or RUNOFF may refer to:
* RUNOFF, the first computer text-formatting program
* Runoff or run-off, another name for bleed, printing that lies beyond the edges to which a printed sheet is trimmed
* Runoff or run-off, a stock marke ...
leaves the construction area.
* The construction of the interceptor ditch at the crown of a slope is normally accomplished prior to the
excavation of the cut section.
Maintenance
Inspection and maintenance is necessary after completion of construction of any structure. Here some steps followed in the maintenance of interceptor ditches are summarized below:
* Periodic inspection and maintenance will be required based on post-construction site conditions.
* Make any repairs necessary to ensure that it is operating properly.
* Locate any damaged areas and repair as necessary.
* Remove any channel obstructions (particularly waste materials) which would otherwise obstruct dewatering.
See also
*
Earthworks (engineering)
*
Digging
Digging, also referred to as excavation, is the process of using some implement such as claws, hands, manual tools or heavy equipment, to remove material from a solid surface, usually soil, sand or rock on the surface of Earth. Digging is actu ...
References
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Soil mechanics
Geotechnical engineering
Civil engineering