scope:

This Specification applies to the Design of all Earthworks, Earthwork Remediations and geotechnical aspects of foundations for structures as identified below, for which Network Rail is wholly or partially responsible, where instability or failure could affect the safety of train operations and/or the safety of others and/or cause damage to property.

Within this document, references to Specifications within the Group of Standards for Structures Works are made in relation to the Structure Categories, or group of Specifications for Project Management, as listed in Appendix B of RT/CE/P/044, i.e. SW(A) to (H), and the Volume number, as well as the Network Rail Standard number.

Specifically, and subject to the above qualifications, the requirements of this document apply to:

a) Earthworks (embankments, soil cuttings and rock cuttings) and remediation works to existing Earthworks;

b) Remediation works to natural slopes (soil and rock) owned or controlled by Network Rail;

c) Earthworks and Earthwork Remediations for which Network Rail is responsible to the extent that it has a duty to others to maintain and support (e.g. approach embankments to overline Bridges);

d) Gabions, piles and other Structural Elements associated with or forming part of Earthworks and Earthwork Remediations;

e) Geotechnical aspects of the design of foundations for any structures, including the requirements identified in Specification Volumes SW(A) 1 - "Design of Bridges and Culverts" (RT/CE/S/020), SW(B) 1 - "Design of Retaining Walls" (RT/CE/S/141), SW(E) 1 - "Design of Buildings and Station Structures" (RT/CE/S/066), and SW(G) 1 - "Design of Equipment Support Structures" (RT/CE/S/067);

f) The analysis of the effects of structure foundations on Earthworks and Earthwork Remediations.

The following are excluded:

g) Structural design of foundations for structures, which shall be designed in accordance with the relevant Specification Volume identified in (e) above, or as otherwise required by Network Rail;

h) The Permanent Way.

Purpose

The purpose of this Specification is to set out requirements for the Design of Earthworks, Earthwork Remediations, and geotechnical aspects of the design of foundations for structures as identified in the scope, for which Network Rail is wholly or partially responsible, with the aims of ensuring that such Earthworks and structure foundations will perform safely and satisfactorily in service and that they can be constructed with reasonable economy.

This Specification contains requirements supplementary to Network Rail Standard RT/CE/P/044 - "Managing Structures Works", in respect of the scope of this Specification. Compliance with this Specification, and with the Specifications referenced herein, will ensure compliance with RT/CE/P/044 and the Railway Group Standards as listed in Appendix A in respect of the Design of Earthworks, Earthwork Remediations and geotechnical aspects of foundations for structures, within the scope of this Specification.