SECTION 731 - SUBSURFACE TENSILE ELEMENTS
731-01 Soil Nail Tendon Assembly
SCOPE. This specification covers the material requirements for the components for assembling a soil nail tendon generally used in a Soil Nail Wall System (SNWS) to internally stabilize a cut and/or underpin a structure. MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS.
A.SNWS Temporary. Provide materials meeting the following requirements:
1.SNWS Nail Tendons. Provide clean, straight, rust-free tendons meeting the following:
a.Solid Bar Soil Nail (SBSN). Provide solid bar tendons meeting AASHTO M31 of Grade 60 or 75, ASTM A722 for Grade 150. The deformed bar, continuous without splices or welds, undamaged, bare or epoxy coated or encapsulated (as shown on the approved Working Drawings), shall be threaded a minimum of 6 in. on the wall anchorage end to allow proper attachment of bearing plate and nut. Threading may be continuous spiral, deformed ribbing provided by the bar deformations (continuous threadbars) or may be cut into a reinforcing bar. If threads are cut into a reinforcing bar, the bar shall be sized based on the net throat of the threads. Hollow bars are not allowed.
2.SNWS Centralizers. Provide centralizers manufactured from Schedule 80 PVC pipe or tube, steel, or any material not detrimental to the nail steel, except that wood shall not be used, and approved by the Engineer.
3.SNWS Bar Couplers. Provide bar couplers capable of developing 100% of the Guaranteed Ultimate Tensile Strength (GUTS) of the bar as certified by the manufacturer.
B.SNWS Permanent. Provide materials meeting the requirements §731-01 A. SNWS Temporary with the following additions and exceptions
1.SNWS Nail Tendon Double Corrosion Protection. In addition to covering the bar with grout, provide an additional level of corrosion protection consisting of:
a.Epoxy Coating. Provide epoxy coating conforming to the requirements of §709-04 Epoxy- Coated Bar Reinforcement. The Bend Test requirements are waived, or
b.Encapsulation. Provide a minimum 40 mil thick corrugated HDPE tube conforming to AASHTO M252 or corrugated PVC tube conforming to ASTM D1784, Class 13464-B. Encapsulation shall provide at least 3/16 in. of grout cover over the nail bar and be resistant to ultraviolet light degradation, normal handling stresses, and grouting pressures. Factory fabrication of the encapsulation is preferred. Upon the Engineer’s approval, the encapsulation
731-02 Grouted Tieback Assembly
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 700 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 4 may be field fabricated if done in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. BASIS OF APPROVAL. Soil Nail Tendons will be approved based on the evaluation of the design submittal detailing the requirements of the assembly. BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE. Soil nail centralizers, epoxy coating or encapsulation will be accepted on the basis of a material certification that the product conforms to this specification. Solid bar nail tendons and bar couplers (if allowed) will be accepted on the basis of a material certification that the product conforms to this specification and certified mill test results from each heat specifying the ultimate strength, yield strength, elongation, and composition indicating conformance to the design submittal and specification.
731-02 Grouted Tieback Assembly
SCOPE. This specification covers the material requirements for the components for assembling a grouted tieback generally used in a Grouted Tieback System (GTS) to internally stabilize and supplement the resisting force of an external support system retaining a cut and/or underpinning a structure. MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS.
A.GTS Temporary. Provide materials meeting the following requirements:
1.GTS Tendons. Provide clean, straight, rust-free tendons meeting the following:
a.Wire Tendons. "Uncoated Seven-Wire Stress Relieved Strand for Prestressed Concrete" - ASTM A416, or "Uncoated Seven-Wire Compacted Stress Relieved Strand for Prestressed Concrete" - ASTM A779, or
b.Solid Bar. Continuously threaded "Uncoated High-Strength Steel Bar for Prestressing Concrete" - ASTM A722. Hollow bars are not allowed. The GTS tendons shall be of such size that the design load does not exceed 53% of the Guaranteed Ultimate Tensile Strength (GUTS) of the tendons.
2.GTS Couplers. Provide couplers for tendons capable of developing 100% of the GUTS.
3.GTS Sheath. Provide a sheath for corrosion protection encasing the entire stressing length of the tendon. Acceptable sheaths for the stressing length shall be one of the following:
a.A polyethylene (PE) tube applied over a corrosion inhibiting grease coated strand. The polyethylene shall be Type II, III or IV as defined by ASTM D1248. The tubing shall have a minimum wall thickness of 60 mils.
b.A hot-melt extruded polypropylene tube applied over a corrosion inhibiting grease coated strand. The polypropylene shall PP 210 B55542-11 as defined as ASTM D4101. The tubing shall have a minimum wall thickness of 60 mils.
c.A corrugated PVC tube applied over a corrosion inhibiting grease coated strand. The PVC tube shall conform to ASTM D1784 Class 13464-B. The tubing shall have a minimum wall thickness of 60 mils.
731-02 Grouted Tieback Assembly
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 700 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 4
d.A heat shrinkable tube coated with an elastic adhesive applied over bar tendons. Prior to shrinking the tube shall have a nominal wall thickness of at least 24 mils and the elastic adhesive inside the tube shall have a nominal thickness of 20 mils. A smooth bond breaker shall be placed around the heat shrinkable tube in the free length.
4.GTS Grease. Provide a grease compound for corrosion inhibiting and lubricating properties to completely cover the steel in the stressing length. Provide grease for the stressing length meeting the requirements shown in Table 731-02-1 Grease Properties: TABLE 731-02-1 GREASE PROPERTIES Property Test Method Acceptance Criteria Dropping Point ASTM D566 Minimum 300° F Oil Separation @ 160° F FTMS 791B Method 321.2 0.5% Maximum by mass Water Content ASTM D95 0.1% Maximum Flash Point ASTM D92 Minimum 300° F Accelerated Corrosion Test: 5% Salt Fog @ 100° F @ 5 mil, min. hrs, Q Panel Type S ASTM B117 Rust Grade 7 or better after 1000 hrs. of exposure according to ASTM D610 Water Soluble Ions Chlorides ASTM D512 10 ppm Maximum Sulfides ASTM D4500-S2E 10 ppm Maximum Nitrates ASTM D3867 10 ppm Maximum Soak Test: 5% Salt Fog @ 100° F @ 5 mil coating, Q Panel Type S. (Immerse panels 50% in a 5% salt solution and expose to salt fog). ASTM B117 (modified) No emulsification of the coating after 720 hrs. of exposure. Sheathing Compatibility: 40 days @ 150° F Hardness Change ASTM D4289 15% Change Volume Change ASTM D4289 10% Change Tensile Strength Change ASTM D638 30% Change
5.GTS Centralizers and Spacers. Provide centralizers and spacers consisting of plastic, steel or any material not detrimental to the tendon. Wood shall not be used. Centralizers and spacers shall permit free flow of grout. Combination centralizer/spacers will be permitted.
6.GTS Trumpet. Provide a trumpet integral with the bearing plate. The trumpet shall consist of an epoxy coated steel pipe or tube conforming to the requirements of ASTM A53 for pipe or ASTM A500 for tubing. The trumpet shall have an inside diameter equal to or larger than the hole in the bearing plate, and shall be long enough to accommodate movements of the structure during loading and testing. For encapsulated strand tendons, the trumpet shall be long enough to enable the tendon to make a transition from the diameter of the tendon in the stressing length to the diameter of the tendon at the anchor head without damaging the encapsulation. A seal to retain grease or grout within the trumpet shall be provided between the trumpet and the stressing length corrosion protection. If grout is used to fill the trumpet, then the seal shall be a deformable seal. If grease is used to fill the trumpet, a description of the seal shall be submitted to the Engineer for approval.
B.GTS Permanent. Provide materials meeting the requirements §731-02 A. GTS Temporary with the following additions and exceptions
731-03 Rock Bolt Assembly
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 700 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 4
1.GTS Encapsulation. Provide an additional level of corrosion protection for the GTS Tendon consisting of:
a.Encapsulation. Provide encapsulation consisting of a tube of corrugated PVC, high density polyethylene or steel. The encapsulation shall have sufficient thickness to resist damage due to shipping, handling and installation. BASIS OF APPROVAL. Grouted Tiebacks will be approved based on the evaluation of the design submittal detailing the requirements of the assembly. BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE. Grouted Tieback Assembly will be accepted on the basis of a Material Certification for the grouted tieback centralizers and spacers, encapsulation, sheath, trumpet, and grease compound. Grouted tieback tendons and couplers (if allowed) will be accepted on the basis of a material certification and certified mill test results from each heat specifying the ultimate strength, yield strength, elongation, and composition indicating conformance to the design submittal and this specification.
731-03 Rock Bolt Assembly
(Last Revised May 2019) SCOPE. This specification covers the material requirements for the components for assembling a rock bolt generally used in reinforcing a rock slope or as part of a rock catchment system. The following materials are evaluated in this specification:
A.731.0301 – Resin Rock Bolt Assembly, 1 in. Diameter Steel Bar
B.731.0302 – Resin Rock Bolt Assembly, 1 ¼ in. Diameter Steel Bar
C.731.0303 – Resin
D.731.0304 – Cement Grouted Rock Bolt Assembly, 1 ¼ in. Diameter Steel Bar MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS.
A.Bolts. Provide bolts of at least Grade 150 (ASTM A722) prestressing steel of the diameter shown in the contract documents. Bolts must have rolled thread-like deformations over the entire length.
B.Appurtenances. Provide appurtenances as recommended by the bolt manufacturer for the size and grade bolt supplied, consisting of a steel bearing plate, a hardened washer, if required, and a convex bottom anchor nut. Two beveled or wedge washers per bolt may be required. The upper, or bearing washer, shall be countersunk on the side opposite the bevel to match the bottom of the anchor nut. For cement grouted rock bolts, furnish trumpets (for single stage grouting), schedule 40 PVC sleeve, grease/wax gel corrosion protection, centralizers, grout tubes, grout sealers, and anchor head protection as recommended by the bolt manufacturer.
C.Resin. Provide resin of the two-component type, and of two different setting times, specifically manufactured for rock bolting. Use only resin that is within the unexpired shelf life designated on the package by the manufacturer. Provide cartridges of the appropriate diameter as recommended by the manufacturer for the bolt/drill hole/cartridge diameter combination used. Furnish sufficient fast setting resin to fill 3 ft. of annular space in the bottom of the hole. Greater amounts of fast setting resin will be necessary in
731-15 for Site Manager Use
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Section 700 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS (USC) January 1, 2026 VOLUME 4 some rock types to meet the pull test requirements. Furnish slower setting resin with a setting time of no less than fifteen minutes. Install enough slow setting resin in the remainder of the hole to fully encapsulate the bolt.
D.Grout. Provide grout consisting of concrete grouting material conforming to the requirements of §701-05 Concrete Grouting and Anchoring Material. BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE. Rock bolts and appurtenances will be accepted on the basis of a material certification that the product conforms to this specification and certified mill test results from each heat specifying the ultimate strength, yield strength, elongation, and composition indicating conformance to the specification. Larger diameter bolts are acceptable if supplied at no additional cost to the State. Rock bolt resin will be accepted on the basis of a material certification that the product conforms to this specification. Rock bolt cement grout will be accepted in accordance with the requirements of §701-05 Concrete Grouting and Anchoring Material.
731-15 for Site Manager Use
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Source: Standard Specifications (US Customary Units), 2026 (Jan) Edition. Pages 1435–1439 of 1,489. View official source ↗