Efficient Earthwork Methods for Constructing Canal Embankments

The Bustan Canal construction site is located in the southwest of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan. The main territory is the delta of the Amu Darya River, and the entire area is flat. The purpose of the reconstruction was to convert the canal from machine irrigation to gravity irrigation, as well as to increase the efficiency of the canal and guarantee water supply to farmers, especially during the vegetation season. Engine irrigation is the organization of water supply using pumps. Using gravity irrigation helps to overcome the problem of rising prices of agricultural products due to the increase in the price of fuel and lubricants. As a result, this lowers the cost of agricultural products and improves farm profits. The Makhtumkuli borrow area is situated at a distance of 7.5 km to 10.5 km and is used to construct the western part of the Bustan Canal between pickets PK245+00 and PK328+00. The soils are sandy loam and sandy with natural moisture ranging from 5.2% to 13.4%. Transportation was carried out by dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 20 and 40 tons. Removal of the vegetation layer under the embankment and leveling of the embankment soil were conducted using bulldozers and graders, respectively. The embankment was constructed using sandy material and compacted layer-by-layer with a thickness of 15 cm at an optimum moisture content of 17-22%. The soil was compacted with 18-ton and 26-ton vibratory rollers to achieve a design density of 1.62–1.66 g/cm3. The density of the soil on each layer of the site was checked using a density-moisture meter by engineer N.P.Kovalev with Vasiliev's balancing cone.