SECTION - 1
EXCAVATION, TRENCHING AND
BACKFILLING
1.1 SCOPE
The work covered by this section of the Technical Specifications consists of
furnishing all plant, labour, equipment, appliances, and the materials for
performing all operations in connection with excavation, trenching and
back-filling for water supply, sewerage and structures including all incidental
works necessary for excavation to the required depth and dimensions in
accordance with the applicable drawings, or as directed by the Engineer. The
work shall be carried out in complete conformity with the specifications, setforth
hereunder.
1.2 SETTING OUT
The Contractor shall set out the works in accordance with the dimensions, lines
and levels shown on the Drawings. Where no precise positions or levels are
shown on the drawings, the works shall be set out by the Contractor to the
positions and levels determined by the Engineer's Representative as the work
proceeds.
1.3 CLEARING AND GRUBBING
The sites of all excavations shall be cleared of all shrubs, plants, bushes, large
roots, rubbish and other objectionable materials. All such materials shall be
removed from site of work or otherwise disposed of at no extra cost in a manner
satisfactory to the Engineer. All trees and shrubs that are designated by the
Engineer to remain shall be adequately protected and preserved in an approved
manner.
1.4 EXCAVATION
1.4.1 General
All excavation of whatever substance encountered shall be performed to the
depths indicated or as otherwise specified. During excavation, material suitable
for back-filling shall be stockpiled in an orderly manner at a sufficient distance
from the banks of the excavation to avoid overloading and to prevent sides from
caving. All excavated material unsuitable for backfill shall be removed and
placed at a location approved by the Engineer. Grading shall be done as may be
necessary to prevent surface water from flowing into the trenches or other
excavations, and any water accumulated therein shall be removed by pumping or
by other approved methods. Unless otherwise indicated or approved by the
Engineer, excavation shall be open cut. For Contract purposes hereunder the
1-1
earth excavation work has been classified into two categories, earth excavation
in trenches and earth excavation for structures.
1.4.2 Earth Excavation in Trenches
Unless otherwise directed or permitted by the Engineer not more than 100 ft of
any trench in advance of the end of the pipeline already laid shall be opened at
any time. Trenches shall be excavated to the dimensions and depths shown on
the drawings or ordered by the Engineer or in such a position or to such
dimensions and depths as shall allow for the proper construction of the relevant
structure or proper excavation of the relevant operation. Pipe trenches shall be
excavated to give a clear width of 6 inches on either side of the pipe. Additional
excavation shall be carried out to give ample space for making joints and, where
necessary, for concrete bedding or surround.
The banks of the pipe trench shall be as nearly vertical as practicable. Bell holes
and depressions for joints shall be dug after the trench bottom has been prepared.
The pipe, except for joints, shall rest on the prepared bottom for its full length.
Bell holes and depressions shall be only of such length, depth, and width as
required for properly making the particular type of joints. Stones shall be
removed to avoid point bearing. Whenever wet or otherwise unstable material
that is incapable of properly supporting the pipe as determined by the Engineer
is encountered in the bottom of the trench, such material shall be removed to the
depth required and the trench backfilled to the proper grade with coarse sand, or
other suitable approved granular material. Such replacement of unsuitable
material will be paid for at the contract unit price for that item of work as shall
be agreed upon, before execution of this work, with the Engineer.
Where the Contractor has excavated to depths in excess of the requirements,
from his neglect or from causes within his control, he shall refill and compact
the excess excavation with suitable material approved by the Engineer, upto
corrected level, at his own expense.
Excavation of appurtenances shall be sufficient to leave at least 12 inches but not
more than 24 inches between the outer surface and the embankment or timber
that may be used to hold and protect the banks. Any over-depth excavation
below such appurtenances that has not been directed by the Engineer, will be
considered un-authorized and shall be refilled with compacted sand, gravel or
concrete, as directed by the Engineer and at no additional cost to the Employer.
1.4.3 Earth Excavation for Structures
All earth excavation under this contract, which is not included under the
classification of "Earth excavation in Trenches" shall be classified and paid for
as earth excavation for structures.
The Contractor shall provide adequate timbering or shoring for excavations,
1-2
should the sides and ends of any excavations give way the Contractor shall, at no
extra cost, remove all disturbed ground. Any excavation carried outside the
limits shown on drawings and specified herein as the payment limits, shall not be
treated as excavated and shall not be paid for.
When foundation level or base of excavation is reached, the Engineer's
representative will inspect the exposed ground and give directions as to what
further excavation, if any, he considers necessary. The excavation should be
done in such a manner, as to ensure that the work rests on a solid and perfectly
clean foundation. If the Contractor allows any portion of such foundations to
deteriorate due to exposure, he shall make good the foundation to the satisfaction
of the Engineer without extra cost.
1.4.4 Replaced Soil under Foundations
1.4.4.1 Material
Selected well graded granular material shall be used for filling beneath the
structural foundations. This material should meet the requirements of A-2-4 &
A-3 (AASHTO soil classification).
The suitability of the material shall be supported by adequate tests in the
laboratory.
1.4.4.2 Equipment and Procedure
Suitable equipment shall be selected by the Contractor on the basis of field trials
for compaction. The contractor shall indicate his planning to carry out
compaction in his Method Statement for Engineer's approval before undertaking
actual compaction. A test section would be required to select the most suitable
equipment, layer thickness, moisture content, No. of passes etc.
1.4.4.3 Compaction Standard
The contractor shall place the material to be compacted in layers. Each layer
shall be of specified thickness and shall be compacted by the optimum number
of passes as explained in above section. Compaction less than 75% of relative
density or 95% of Modified Proctor Density shall not be acceptable.
1.4.4.4 Quality Control
Every compacted layer shall be tested for quality of compaction by performing
in-situ density tests. Sand replacement method of density measurement shall be
used. The evaluation of 75% relative density or 95% Modified Proctor Density
shall be based on measurement of maximum, minimum and maximum Modified
Proctor Densities in the laboratory. The frequency of this testing shall be
instructed by the Engineer at the site.
1-3
1.5 PRECAUTIONARY AND REMEDIAL MEASURES
1.5.1 Protection of Existing Facilities and Structures
The Contractor shall take every necessary precaution not to endanger the safety,
occupation or operation of any property, structures, installations or services in
the vicinity of his operations and shall observe any restrictions imposed by the
Authority concerned and the Engineer to this end. Should any such property,
structures, installations or services be endangered or damaged as a result of the
Contractor's operations, he shall immediately report any such danger or damage
to the Engineer's Representative and any Authority concerned and shall
forthwith undertake remedial measures to the satisfaction of the Engineer and
the appropriate Authority with out additional cost.
1.5.2 Planking and Strutting
The Contractor shall provide at his own expense to the satisfaction of the
Engineer all timbering, poling, shoring, strutting and other approved supports to
the sides of all excavations, trenches and all other works in such a way as will be
sufficient to secure them from falling and to prevent any movement. All
responsibilities connected with this part of the work shall rest with the
Contractor.
In removing timbering, shoring and strutting and all other supports from
excavation and trenches, special care shall be taken to avoid pressure on fresh
concrete or any other work until it is sufficiently safe to resist such pressure.
1.5.3 Dewatering
The Contractor shall build all drains and do ditching, pumping, well pointing,
bailing, and all other work necessary to keep the excavation clear of ground
water, sewage and storm water during the progress of the work and until the
finished work is safe from injury. All water pumped or drained from the work
shall be disposed of in a manner satisfactory to the Engineer and necessary
precautions against flooding shall be taken. The procedure for dewatering of
subsoil water from excavation for the purpose of construction of sewer lines and
other structures shall be in accordance with the method given below:
- Dewatering of subsoil water from excavations of trenches and
excavations for other structures shall be arranged by an adequate process
of well-pointing, bailing and/or pumping or by any other suitable method
approved by the Engineer on the basis of the method (statement to be
submitted by the Contractor).
- If well-points are used then the following requirements shall be met with.
Well-pointing shall consist of bore holes, provided with necessary
strainers, blind pipes and pumping machinery, and these shall be of
suitable size and depth and shall be located on both sides of the trench
1-4
and along the periphery of water level to a sufficient depth to keep the
excavations clear of subsoil water during the process of construction.
- As a part of the work and at no extra cost, the Contractor shall provide
all strainer pipes and other requisite material, and boring tools and plant,
etc. for the well pointing and shall also provide pumping equipment as
well as operating personnel, power, etc. Dewatering of subsoil water
shall be continuous process round the clock during the progress of the
work and until the finished work is safe, from injury to the complete
satisfaction of the Engineer's representative and any interruption in
continuous pumping and causing injury to the works done or under
construction shall require the Contractor to repair or rebuild the works to
the entire satisfaction of the Engineer's representative at no extra cost. No
extra payment shall be made to the Contractor for the disposal of storm
water and for dewatering in trenches and building structures less then 5
ft. depth.
1.5.4 Maintenance of Excavation
All excavation shall be properly maintained while open and exposed. Sufficient
suitable barricades, warning lights, flood lights, reflective signs, and similar
items shall be provided by the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible
for any damage due to his negligence.
1.5.5 Surplus Materials
All surplus materials shall be disposed of at locations approved by the Engineer.
The disposal of surplus material shall not interfere with other works and shall
not damage or spoil other material. When it is necessary to haul earth or rock
material over street or pavement, the Contractor shall prevent such material from
falling on the street or pavement.
1.5.6 Cutting Pavement
In cutting or breaking street surfacing, the Contractor shall not use equipment
which will damage the adjacent pavement. Existing paved surfaces shall be cut
back beyond the edge of trenches to form neat square cuts. The road ballast,
brick pavement, and other materials shall be placed on one side and shall be
preserved for reinstatement when the trench is filled. Wherever necessary or
required for the convenience of the public or individual residents, at street
crossings and at private driveways, the Contractor shall provide suitable
temporary bridges which shall be maintained in service until backfilling has been
completed. The Contractor shall keep the road crossings manned 24 hours per
day. During night time, enough red lights shall be provided to warn the traffic. If
detour is necessary, the Contractor shall make proper detour for the traffic and
shall install signs 3 ft. x 4 ft. in size indicating the detour.
1-5
1.6 TRANSPORTATION OF MATERIAL
All carts, trucks or other vehicles used by the Contractor for transportation of the
material shall be suitably constructed or lined not to permit any leakage/spillage
of soil while the vehicles are on the move. These would be so loaded and
arranged as not to spill on the site and public roads. Whenever any vehicle so
used is found leaking/spilling and unsuitable, it shall be immediately withdrawn
from the work on notification by the Engineer.
1.7 COMPACTED FILL AND BACKFILL
1.7.1 General
After the completion of water and sewer lines, foundations, walls and other
structures below the elevation of the final grade, all voids shall be backfilled
with suitable materials, as specified below.
1.7.2 Backfilling for Structures
Backfilling operations for structures shall be performed as part of the
Contractor's work under the payment items for earth excavation and at no extra
cost to the Owner. It would comprise returning and filling the selected excavated
material around foundations, and at back of walls etc., upto finished levels
shown on the Drawings or as required in layers not exceeding 6 inches, carefully
rammed and consolidated (with addition of water if required) so as to achieve a
minimum relative density of 90% of modified proctor test at optimum moisture
content. No fill shall be made until the concrete foundations and footings etc.,
have been inspected and approved by the Engineer. Earth to be used for filling
must be free of all the organic impurities, debris or any other foreign matter.
Earth which contains more than 1% of salts particularly sulphates will not be
used in filling.
1.7.3 Backfilling of Trenches
The trenches shall not be completely backfilled until all required pressure tests
are performed and until the water lines as installed conform to the requirements
of specifications. Where in the opinion of the Engineer, damage is likely to
result from withdrawing sheeting, shoring, the same shall be left in place and cut
off at a level 1 ft. below ground surface. Sheeting left in place shall be paid for at
the approved rate for that item of work. Trenches shall be backfilled to the
ground surface with selected excavated material or other material that is suitable
for proper compaction. Trenches improperly backfilled shall be reopened to the
depth required for proper compaction, then refilled and compacted to the
specified density. The surface shall be restored to its original or better condition.
Pavement and base course disturbed by trenching operations shall be replaced.
1-6
1.7.4 Lower Portion of Trench
Backfill material below and around pipe shall be deposited in 6 inch maximum
thickness layers and compacted with suitable hand tampers to 90% of maximum
density until there is a cover of not less than 1 ft. over the pipe. The backfill
material in this portion of trench shall consist of sandy clay or other approved
materials free from stones and lumps.
1.7.5 Remainder of Trench
The remainder of the trench portion above pipe shall be backfilled with material
that is free from stones larger than 6 inch in any dimension. Backfill material
shall be compacted to achieve a minimum relative density of 90% of modified
proctor test at optimum moisture content for cohesive soils and 95 percent of
maximum density for others.
1.8 BORROW
In case of insufficiency of excavated material and un-suitability of earth for
backfilling, conforming to the above specifications, such material shall be
brought from the source approved by the Engineer.
1.9 GRADING
After the completion of all backfilling operations, the Contractor shall grade the
work areas to the lines, grades and elevations shown on the drawings or as
directed by the Engineer. Finished grading shall not be done until the installation
of all utilities or appurtenance. All damage due to settlement shall be repaired by
and at the expense of the Contractor.
1.10 TESTING OF SOIL IN PLACE
The Engineer will make tests using the calibrated cone method/core cutter
method to determine the density of soil in place. If soil in place fails to meet the
specified degree of compaction the areas represented by the failing tests shall be
removed, replaced and compacted to the specified density in the manner directed
by the Engineer and at no additional cost to the Owner.
1.11 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT
1.11.1 Excavation and Backfilling
1.11.1.1 Method of Measurement
The measurement shall be made in cubic feet of earth acceptably excavated and
backfilled for trenches and structures within the lines and grades shown on the
drawing or as directed by the Engineer.
1-7
1.11.1.2 Basis of Payment
Payment for earth excavation and backfilling in trenches or structures will be
made at the contract unit price per cubic ft.
The cost of dewatering, disposal of earth & earth & any shuttering or support
required for excavation is included in the execution unit price.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Description Unit
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Excavation for structures and compacted
backfill including dewatering & disposal
of surplus material. Cft.
Excavation for trenches and compacted
backfill including dewatering & disposal
of surplus material.
Cft.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
1-8
