ITEM 104 - EMBANKMENT

104.1 DESCRIPTION
This work shall consist of construction of embankment and other areas of fill by furnishing, placing, compacting and
shaping suitable materials of acceptable quality obtained from approved sources in accordance with this
specification and to the lines, grades and dimensions and cross-sections shown in the drawing or as required by the
Engineer. Unless otherwise stated, the term embankment, shall include all areas of fill.
104.2 MATERIALS
Embankment shall be constructed of suitable materials with a minimum California Bearing Ratio (CBR) rating of 8.0
%.
104.3 PREPARATION OF EMBANKMENT
Embankment areas shall be cleared and grubbed in accordance with the requirements in Item -100. All depressions
or holes below the ground surface whether caused by grubbing or otherwise shall be backfilled with suitable
material and compacted to ground surface before the construction of the embankment will be permitted to start.
Immediately prior to the placing of the fill materials, the entire area upon which the embankment is to be placed,
except where limited by rocks, shall be scarified and broken by means of 150 mm. Scarifying shall be done
approximately parallel to the axis of fill. All roots, debris, large stones, or objectionable material that would cause
interference with the compaction of the foundation or fill shall be removed from the area and disposed of as
directed. A thin layer (approximately 75 mm) of the fill material shall be spread over the scarified foundation and
the whole area compacted asrequired in the specifications.
Where embankments are to place on natural slopes steeper than 3:1, horizontal benches shall be constructed as
shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer. Suitable excavated material shall be incorporated in
embankments. Payment will be made for the material excavated at the unit price
for excavation.
No direct payment shall be made for the work performed under this section. The necessary clearing and grubbing
and the quantity removed or used will be paid for under the respective item of work.
104.4 STRIPPING
All vegetation such as brush, heavy sods, heavy growth of grass, decayed vegetable matter, rubbish, and any other
unsuitable material within the area upon which embankment is to be placed shall be stripped or otherwise removed
before the embankment is started, and in no case shall such objectionable material be allowed in or under the
embankment. No direct payment will be made for stripping. The quantity removed and disposed of shall be paid for
at the contract unit price per cubic meter for Unclassified Excavation, or for Common Excavation, when the
latter classification is provided for in the proposal.
104.5 COMPACTION OF EXISTING GROUND
The surface of the existing ground shall be compacted to a depth of 150 mm to the requirements of Table 104-A.
This work shall comply with the requirements for compaction of earthwork.

Soil Type Classification

according to AASHTO
M 125
A1
A-24
A-25
A3
A - 2 6
A27
A4
A5
A6
A7

TABLE 104-A COMPACTION REQUIREMENTS

Test Method for
Determining
AASHTO T 180
( 4.54 kg rammer )
Method D
AASHTO T 99
( 2.50 kg rammer )
Method D

Minimum Relative
(% Compaction )
95 %

100 %

104.6 PLACING AND FORMATION OF EMBANKMENTS

1.

Embankment shall be formed of satisfactory materials placed in successive horizontal layers of not more
than 200 mm in loose depth for full width of the cross-section.

2.

The grading operations shall be conducted, and the various soil strata shall be placed, to produce a soil
structure as shown on the typical cross-section or as directed. All materials entering the embankment
shall be reasonably free of organic matter such as leaves, grass, roots, and other objectionable material.
Soil, granular material, shale, and any other material permitted for use in embankment shall be spread
successive layers as specified.

3.

Operations on earthwork shall be suspended at any time when satisfactory results cannot be obtained
because of rain, freezing weather, or other unsatisfactory conditions of the field. The contractor shall drag,
blade, or slope the embankment to provide proper surface drainage.

4.

The material in the layers shall be of the proper moisture content before rolling to obtain the prescribed
compaction. Wetting or drying of the material and manipulation when necessary to secure a uniform
moisture content throughout the layer shall be required. Should the material be too wet to permit proper
compaction of rolling, all work on portions of the embankment affected shall be suspended until the
material has dried to the required moisture content.

5.

Materials of different characteristics shall not be mixed and the Contractor shall carry out selection,
processing or stockpiling as necessary. Each layer shall contain only one type of material.

6.

Embankments in or over swamps or in water shall be placed as shown in the drawings or as specified in
the Special Specification or as instructed by the Engineer.

7.

Except as otherwise specified, rock embankments shall be constructed in successive layers not more than
0.5 meter deep for the full width of the cross-section. When the rock necessitates a greater depth of layer
and the height of the fill will permit, the layer depth may be increased as necessary, not to exceed 1
meter. Each layer shall be constructed by starting at the one end of the section of embankment under
construction and dumping the rock on top of the layer being constructed then pushing ahead with crawler
dozer weighing not less than 15T in such manner that the larger rock will be placed on the ground or
proceeding layer and the voids between the larger stones will be filled with small stones and spalls by this
operation. The surface of the layer shall be blended with fine material and sealed by watering so that all
voids on the surface are completely filled.

8.

The maximum dimension of any rock shall be less than the depth of the embankment layer. All oversized
rock which; is suitable for the construction shall be broken to the required dimension and used in
embankment construction or placed at the points of embankment where the layer is of greater depth. No
additional payment for this work will be allowed. Where excavated rock in wasted, the contractor shall at
his own expense, replace the rock wasted with other suitable materials.

104.7 EQUIPMENT
The contractor may use any type of earth moving compaction and watering equipment he may desire or has at his
disposal, provided the equipment is in a satisfactory condition and of such capacity that the construction schedule
can be maintained as planned by the Contractor and as approved by the Engineer in accordance with the total
calendar days in the contract period. The Contractor shall furnish, operate and maintain such equipment as
necessary to control uniform density, layer, section and smoothness of grade.
104.8 PREPARATION AND PROTECTION OF THE TOP OF THE SUB-GRADE
On the areas to be paved, the specified depth in cut areas and the top of embankment shall be compacted to the
density specified. When completed, the Engineer shall true to lines, grades and cross-section shown on the plans
or as direct the surface. After all drains, structures, ducts, and other underground appurtenances along the edges
or under the pavement have been completed, the sub-grade shall be compacted to the depth specified at not less
than 95% density for cohesive soils and 100% for non-cohesive soils, as determined by the compaction control
tests specified in FAA T 611. Any irregularities or depressions that developed under rolling shall be corrected by
loosing the material at these places and adding, removing or replacing material until the surface is smooth and
uniform, any portion of the area which is not accessible to a roller, shall be compacted to the required density by
approved mechanical tampers. The material shall be sprinkled with water during rolling or tampering, when
directed by the Engineer.
All soft and yielding material and material, which will not be compacted readily when rolled or tampered, shall be
removed as directed by the Engineer and replaced with suitable material. After grading operations are completed,
all loose stones larger than 50mm in their greatest dimensions shall be removed from the surface of all proposed
graded paving areas and disposed of as directed by the Engineer.
At all times, the top of the sub-grade shall be kept in such condition that it will drain readily and effectively. In
handling materials, tools and equipment, the Contractor shall protect the sub-grade from damage by 7 laying
planks when directed and take other precautions as needed. In no case will vehicles be allowed to travel in a single
track. If ruts are formed, the sub-grade shall be reshaped and rolled. Storage or any stockpiling of materials on the
top of the sub-grade will not be permitted. Until sub-grade has been checked and approved, no sub-base, base
surface course, or pavement shall be laid thereon.
104.9 HAUL
No payment will be made separately or directed for haul or any part of the work. All hauling will be considered as
necessary and incidental work and its cost shall be considered by the Contractor and included in the contract unit
price for the pay items of work involved.
104.10 TOLERANCE
In those areas upon which a sub-base or base course is to be placed, the top of the sub-grade shall be of such
smoothness that when tested with a 5-meter straight-edge applied parallel and at right angles to the center lines,
it shall not show any deviation in excess of 12.5 mm. Any deviation in excess of these amounts shall be corrected
by loosening, adding, or removing materials, reshaping and re-compacting by sprinkling and rolling.
On landing strips, intermediate and other designated areas, the surface shall be of such smoothness that it will not
vary more than 30 mm from true grade as established by grade hubs. Any deviation in excess of this amount shall
be corrected by loosening, adding or removing materials and reshaping.

104.11 TOPSOIL
When topsoil is specified or required, as shown on the plans, it shall be salvaged from stripping or other grading
operations. The topsoil shall meet the requirements of Item-101 or shall be approved by the Engineer. If, at the
time of excavation or stripping, the topsoil cannot be placed in its proper place and final section of finished
construction, the materials shall be stockpiled within 15 meters of pavement areas and shall not be placed on areas
which subsequently will require any excavation or embankment.
Upon completion of grading operations as specified, topsoil shall be handled and placed as directed, or as required
in Item-101. The Engineer shall set grade for grading operation in both cut and fill so that the topsoil will be placed
at the finished plan elevation.
No direct payment will be made for topsoil as such under Item-104. The quantity replaced or stockpiled shall be
paid for at the contract unit price per cubic meter for COMMON EMBANKMENT or for SELECTED EMBANKMENT
when the latter classification is provided in the proposal. When stockpiling of topsoil and later re-handling of such
material is directed by the Engineer to produce the specified soil structure, the material so re-handled shall be paid
for at the contract unit price for placing and compaction per cubic meter of COMMON EMBANKMENT or
SELECTED EMBANKMENT when the latter classification is provided in the proposal.
104.12 METHOD OF MEASUREMENT
The quantities for compacting existing ground below embankment shall be the area of the base of the embankment
at original ground level, compacted and accepted by the Engineer. The quantities for breaking up or scarifying
existing pavement shall be the surface area of the pavement to be broken up or scarified and accepted by the
Engineer.
104.13 BASIS OF PAYMENT
The quantities, determined as provided above, shall be paid for at the appropriate contract unit price for each of
the particular pay items shown in the Bill of Quantities which price and payment shall be full compensation for all
the costs of furnishing, placing, compacting and shaping material from any source in embankments and other
areas of fill including all labor, equipment, tools and incidentals necessary to complete this Item.
Item 104 (1)
Item 104 ( 1.1)
Item 104 (2)
tem 104 (2.1)

Common Embankment
Placing and Compaction of Common
Embankment
Selected Embankment
Placing and Compaction of Selected
Embankment

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