4. Design and Drawing Review

Design and Drawing Review is a critical responsibility of the Authority’s Engineer (AE) or Construction Supervision Consultant (CSC) in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode highway projects, where the contractor assumes design responsibilities under the Design-Build approach. The AE/CSC ensures that all designs and drawings comply with statutory, safety, technical, performance, and environmental requirements as stipulated by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and applicable environmental regulations.

4.1 Review of Contractor’s Design Submissions

In EPC mode, the contractor submits detailed designs, drawings, and technical reports for review and approval by the AE/CSC prior to construction.

Tasks of the Consultant:

  • Review General Arrangement Drawings (GAD), structural drawings, drainage designs, geometric designs, and technical reports for completeness, accuracy, and constructability.
  • Verify compliance with technical standards, safety norms, performance specifications, and contractual obligations as per the EPC agreement.
  • Conduct iterative review cycles, issuing comments, requesting revisions, and granting approvals in a timely manner to avoid project delays.
  • Ensure submissions include a Design Basis Report (DBR) outlining assumptions, methodologies, and compliance with standards.

EPC Contract References:

  • Clause 2.5: Review and Approval of Design
  • Clause 6.1–6.5: Design Obligations of the Contractor
  • Schedule-D: Technical Specifications and Design Standards

4.2 Conformance to IRC, MoRTH, and BIS Standards

The AE/CSC ensures that all designs adhere to the minimum prescribed codes, manuals, and standards to ensure quality and durability.

Key References:

  • IRC:SP:84-2019 – Manual of Specifications & Standards for Highway Projects (EPC)
  • MoRTH Specifications (5th Revision) – Standards for construction materials and methods
  • IRC:6-2017 – Code of Practice for Road Bridges (General Features)
  • IRC:112-2020 – Code of Practice for Concrete Road Bridges
  • IRC:37-2018 – Guidelines for the Design of Flexible Pavements
  • IRC:58-2015 – Guidelines for the Design of Rigid Pavements
  • IS:456-2000 – Plain and Reinforced Concrete – Code of Practice
  • IS:800-2007 – General Construction in Steel – Code of Practice
  • IRC:SP:73-2015 – Manual of Specifications and Standards for Two-Laning of Highways

Tasks:

  • Verify that the contractor provides a compliance checklist mapping design elements to specific clauses of the referenced standards.

4.3 Geometric Design and Safety Compliance

The AE/CSC scrutinizes geometric design elements to ensure safety, functionality, and user comfort.

Review Focus Areas:

  • Horizontal and vertical alignments, super-elevations, transition curves, and curve radii.
  • Sight distances, including Stopping Sight Distance (SSD), Intermediate Sight Distance (ISD), and Overtaking Sight Distance (OSD).
  • Cross-sectional elements such as lane widths, shoulders, medians, side slopes, and clear zones.
  • Junction and interchange designs for safe merging and diverging movements.

References:

  • IRC:73-1980 – Geometric Design Standards for Rural Roads
  • IRC:86-2018 – Geometric Design Standards for Urban Roads in Plains
  • IRC:SP:23-1983 – Vertical Curves for Highways
  • MoRTH Circulars and Design Guidelines
  • IRC:SP:88-2019 – Manual on Road Safety

Tasks:

  • Conduct a road safety audit of geometric designs as per IRC:SP:88-2019 to identify potential hazards.

4.4 Structural Design Vetting

The AE/CSC certifies the structural adequacy of critical infrastructure components.

Review Scope:

  • Culverts, minor and major bridges, flyovers, Reinforced Earth (RE) walls, and Railway Over/Under Bridges (ROB/RUB).
  • Loading conditions as per IRC:6-2017 and Indian Railway Standard (IRS) loading classes for railway structures.
  • Soil-structure interaction for foundations, embankments, and retaining structures.
  • Seismic design compliance as per IS:1893-2016 (Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures).

Key Tasks:

  • Verify the application of structural analysis tools (e.g., STAAD.Pro, MIDAS, or equivalent bridge design software).
  • Conduct independent peer reviews for critical structures as mandated by the Authority.
  • Ensure serviceability, durability, and compliance with fatigue and deflection limits.
  • Review bar bending schedules and reinforcement detailing for constructability and compliance with IS:2502-1963.

Relevant Codes:

  • IRC:SP:13-2004 – Guidelines for the Design of Small Bridges and Culverts
  • IRC:SP:64-2005 – Guidelines for Analysis and Design of Skew Bridges
  • IRC:78-2014 – Standard Specifications and Code of Practice for Road Bridges
  • IRC:SP:87-2013 – Manual for Design and Construction of RE Walls and Soil Nail Structures
  • IS:1893-2016 – Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures

4.5 Drainage and Hydrology Review

The AE/CSC validates hydraulic designs to ensure effective water management and infrastructure protection.

Review Scope:

  • Longitudinal and cross-drainage systems, including culverts and minor bridges.
  • Embankment protection measures such as toe walls, gabions, and pitching.
  • Flood level assessments, High Flood Level (HFL) marking, and hydrological models based on catchment data.
  • Scour protection measures for bridge foundations as per IRC:78-2014.

References:

  • IRC:SP:42-2014 – Guidelines for Road Drainage
  • IRC:SP:50-2013 – Guidelines on Urban Drainage
  • IRC:SP:33-1989 – Guidelines on Supplemental Measures for Design, Detailing, and Construction of Bridges
  • MoRTH Circulars on Stormwater Management

Tasks:

  • Ensure integration of climate-resilient design principles, accounting for extreme weather events as per MoRTH Circulars on Climate Resilience (2023).

4.6 Pavement Design Approval

The AE/CSC confirms the adequacy of pavement designs to withstand traffic and environmental conditions.

Review Scope:

  • Traffic loading in Million Standard Axles (MSA) based on traffic surveys.
  • California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values, subgrade strength, and material testing reports.
  • Material layers, thickness, and composition for flexible and rigid pavements.
  • Drainage provisions within pavement layers to prevent water ingress.

References:

  • IRC:37-2018 – Guidelines for the Design of Flexible Pavements
  • IRC:58-2015 – Guidelines for the Design of Rigid Pavements
  • IRC:SP:89-2010 – Guidelines for Soil and Granular Material Stabilization
  • IRC:SP:76-2015 – Guidelines for Design of Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC) and Dry Lean Concrete (DLC)
  • IRC:3-1983 – Dimensions and Weights of Road Vehicles

Tasks:

  • Review pavement design calculations for compliance with axle load spectra as per IRC:3-1983.

4.7 Construction Drawings and As-Built Review

The AE/CSC approves drawings at various project stages to ensure constructability and accurate documentation.

Key Tasks:

  • Approve “Good for Construction” (GFC) drawings prior to execution, ensuring all comments are incorporated.
  • Post-construction, verify As-Built Drawings to reflect all changes made during construction, including variations and deviations.
  • Ensure As-Built Drawings are digitally archived in a format compatible with NHAI’s Project Management System (e.g., PDF/A, DWG).
  • Verify that As-Built Drawings include a revision log detailing changes from GFC drawings.

4.8 Integration with GAD and Utility Drawings

The AE/CSC ensures seamless integration of design elements with external interfaces.

Key Tasks:

  • Confirm compatibility between GAD, utility diversion plans, and the highway profile.
  • Verify approvals from affected utility agencies (e.g., railways, irrigation, telecom, power distribution) and ensure no conflicts with existing infrastructure.
  • Review utility relocation plans for compliance with MoRTH Guidelines on Utility Shifting (2020).

4.9 Safety Features Design Review

The AE/CSC scrutinizes safety-related design elements to enhance road user safety.

Review Scope:

  • Crash barrier layouts, pedestrian facilities (footpaths, crossings), road signs, pavement markings, and lighting arrangements.
  • Retro-reflective signage and high-mast lighting for visibility in adverse weather conditions.

References:

  • IRC:SP:55-2014 – Guidelines on Traffic Safety Barriers
  • IRC:SP:99-2013 – Manual on Road Safety Audit
  • IRC:67-2012 – Code of Practice for Road Signs
  • IRC:SP:87-2013 – Manual for Design and Construction of Lighting and Electrical Features
  • IRC:SP:84-2019 – Provisions for Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety

Tasks:

  • Ensure compliance with IRC:SP:84-2019 provisions for Vulnerable Road User (VRU) safety, including pedestrian and cyclist facilities.

4.10 Design Review Reporting and Logs

The AE/CSC maintains comprehensive records to track the design review process.

Key Tasks:

  • Maintain a Design Review Register documenting submission dates, review comments, approvals, revisions, and resolution timelines.
  • Submit Monthly Design Review Reports to NHAI Headquarters and Regional Office, including a summary of pending issues and mitigation plans.
  • Use digital tools (e.g., NHAI’s Data Lake, BIM software) for real-time tracking and reporting of design review status.

4.11 Environmental and Social Compliance

The AE/CSC ensures that designs incorporate environmental and social safeguards as per statutory requirements.

Review Scope:

  • Compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) as per MoEFCC Guidelines.
  • Incorporation of noise barriers, green belts, and erosion control measures where specified.
  • Resettlement and rehabilitation provisions for project-affected persons as per NHAI’s R&R Policy.

References:

  • MoEFCC EIA Notification, 2006 (Amended 2020)
  • IRC:SP:108-2015 – Guidelines on Preparation and Implementation of EMP
  • NHAI Circulars on Environmental Clearances

4.12 Quality Assurance and Independent Verification

The AE/CSC implements quality assurance measures to enhance the reliability of the design review process.

Key Tasks:

  • Establish a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) for design review, outlining roles, responsibilities, and review timelines.
  • Engage third-party consultants for independent design verification of critical structures (e.g., major bridges, flyovers) as per NHAI Guidelines on Third-Party Quality Audit (2022).
  • Conduct regular training for AE/CSC staff on updates to IRC, MoRTH, and BIS standards.

4.13 Key Clauses and Documents Summary

Design Review ItemReference Document / Clause
Review ObligationsEPC Cl. 2.5, Cl. 6.1–6.5
Road GeometryIRC:73-1980, IRC:86-2018, IRC:SP:23-1983
Pavement DesignIRC:37-2018, IRC:58-2015, IRC:SP:76-2015
Structural DesignIRC:6-2017, IRC:112-2020, IRC:78-2014, IS:1893-2016
Drainage DesignIRC:SP:42-2014, IRC:SP:50-2013, IRC:SP:33-1989
Safety FeaturesIRC:SP:55-2014, IRC:67-2012, IRC:SP:99-2013
Drawings ApprovalSchedule-D (EPC), GFC/As-Built Drawings
Environmental ComplianceMoEFCC EIA Notification, IRC:SP:108-2015
ReportingMoRTH Supervision Guidelines, NHAI Data Lake

This section ensures that the AE/CSC fulfills its responsibilities in reviewing and approving designs and drawings, maintaining compliance with all relevant standards, contractual obligations, and environmental regulations for NHAI/MoRTH highway projects. The handbook provides a comprehensive, error-free guide for effective design review, incorporating modern tools and best practices.

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