Informational

Bulletin

Constructed Stone Underdrains

4/2006

Installation Sequence
The following illustrates the installation of a constructed stone
underdrain using perforated pipe surrounded by clean stone and
wrapped in geotextile fabric. In this example, the underdrain
was placed in the existing ditch prior to raising the road profile.
Where the elevation of the road road will not be raised, you may
have to excavate and place the underdrain in the new trench. In
extremely wet areas, it may be beneficial to install underdrain
under the road surface as well as in the ditches.
1

Place geotextile fabric in the ditch where underdrain is to

be installed. (excavation may be required first)
road surface

geotextile
fabric
road bank

ditch
Lay down a bed of clean stone and, if desired, unroll a
perforated pipe on top of it. Cover the pipe with clean stone.

clean
stone

perforated
pipe

Wrap the fabric around the stone to fully encase the drain.

Place fill material over the underdrain. If road is not being

filled, use excavated material to fill trench over top of drain.

sheet
flow

Outlet the downhill end of the underdrain to a stable area

separate from road surface drainage.

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additional information or assistance, contact: Center for Dirt & Gravel Roads Studies, Penn State University, 207 Research Unit
D, University Park, PA 16802 (Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-668-6683, Fax: 814-863-6787, Email: dirtandgravel@psu.edu).
Additional copies available on our website at: www.dirtandgravelroads.org.

All rights reserved 2006 PSU Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies

Types of Underdrains
All underdrains are designed to collect and transport subsurface water away from the road area. The type of
underdrain used will depend on site conditions such as hydrology, soil properties and road characteristics.

Prefabricated Underdrains
In most cases, prefabricated underdrains are the
cheapest to purchase and easiest to install. They
usually consist of a perforated plastic pipe wrapped
in geotextile fabric (see picture at right). The
permeable fabric allows water to pass through while
keeping fine material from clogging the underdrain.
Prefabricated underdrains typically come in 4 to 6
diameters, but many types are available.
Where to use:
Wet areas where the clay content of the soil is low.
Because of their small size, they are also useful
where there is not enough room to excavate.
Advantages:
- Inexpensive and easy to install
- Can be installed with a trenching machine
Disadvantages:
This prefabricated underdrain is a perforated pipe with a geotextile
- Collects less water than constructed drains
- Will clog more readily than constructed underdrains fabric sleeve around it. Road fill will be placed directly on top of this
underdrain.
- Use is limited to soils with low clay content

Constructed Stone Underdrains

Constructed underdrains typically consist of clean,
free-draining stone that is wrapped in fabric. These
are sometimes called French drains and are widely
used. To increase capacity, a perforated pipe can
be included within clean stone (see picture at right).
Where to use:
Wet areas where the clay content of the soil is high.
They are also useful in extremely wet conditions
where a prefabricated underdrain may not be
sufficient for the high volume of water.
Advantages:
- Collects and carries more water
- Adjustable size and shape for site conditions
- Can be used with clay soils because of larger
surface area of the drain
Disadvantages:
- More expensive and time consuming to install
- Requires additional excavation or fill material

The underdrain above is under construction. It is constructed of

perforated pipe, bedded in clean stone and wrapped in fabric. Road
fill will be placed directly on top of this underdrain.

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