Test Methods and Specifications

Cover of Vertical Wick Drains
Vertical Wick Drains
  • Publication no: ATS-2260-25
  • Published: 16 May 2025
  • Edition: 1.1

Austroads Technical Specification ATS 2260 sets out the requirements for the supply and installation of vertical Wick Drains.

A wick drain is a prefabricated synthetic geocomposite drain which, when installed vertically in soft compressible soil strata, acts as a drainage medium with the ability to:

  1. permit porewater in the soil to seep into the drain; and
  2. transmit collected porewater along the length of the drain.

This technical specification can also be downloaded as a Word document.

Edition 1.1 published May 2020

  • Amends Clause 2.1.
  • Units of measurement changed in Clause 5.6 e).

Superseded editions

Edition 1.0 published January 2025

  • 1. Scope
  • 2. Referenced Documents
  • 3. Definitions
  • 4. Quality System Requirements
  • 5. Materials
    • General
    • Geotextile Filter Requirements
    • Certificate of Compliance
    • Discharge Capacity Requirements
    • Packaging, Delivery and Storage
  • 6. Construction – General Requirements
  • 7. Site Preparation
    • Clearing and Grubbing
    • Working Platform
  • 8. Installation
  • 9. Preboring
  • 10. Anchoring and Finishing
  • 11. Records
  • Annexure A: Summary of Hold Points, Witness Points and Records
  • Amendment Record