EARTHWORKS

SECTION 1
Page 1 of 16

EARTHWORKS

B601. Definition, Classification and General Use of Earthworks Materials

The following definitions of earthworks materials shall apply to this and other Clauses of the
Specification in which reference is made to the defined materials :-

(i) ‘Top Soil” shall mean the top layer of soil that can support vegetation. It shall include
turf which is not acceptable for turfing under Clause B611.

(ii) ‘Suitable Material’ shall comprise all that which is acceptable in accordance with the
Contract for use in the Works, and where described in the Contract to attain the
specified CBR values.

(iii) ‘Unsuitable Material’ shall mean other than suitable material and shall comprise :

(a) material from swamps, marshes and bogs;

(b) peat, logs, sumps and perishable materials;

(c) material susceptible to spontaneous combustion;

(d) clay of liquid limit exceeding 90 /or plasticity index exceeding 65;

(e) materials having a moisture content greater than the maximum permitted for such
materials in the Contract, unless otherwise permitted by the E.R. The maximum
permitted moisture content shall be specified by the E.R. after carrying out field
test.

(iv) (a) Rock shall mean those geological strata of hard material which necessitate the use
of blasting or approved pneumatic tools for their removal. Rock boulders found
in general excavation shall constitute rock if such boulders are of size exceeding
0.17 cubic meter or if found in trenches and foundation pits such boulders shall
be classified as rock if the sizes exceed 0.08 cubic meter.

(b) Notwithstanding the above, rock shall not include material which in the
judgement of the E.R. can be loosened with a dozer mounted drawn ripper of the
following description:-
Dozer Unit :- Plant with a minimum weight of 236 kN (13.6 tons) and nett
horse power rating of 300 H.P. or 225kW. The tractor unit is to
be in good condition and operated by experienced personnel
skilled in the operation of ripping equipment.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 2 of 16

B601 Definition, Classification and General Use of Earthworks Materials (Cont’d)

1. (iv) (b) Ripper Unit :- The ripper to be attached to the dozer snail be the most efficient
parallelogram or ripper manufactured. The ripper shall have shanks in good
condition with sharpened cutting point.

(c) Shale and clay boulders will not be considered as rock. The S.O.’s decision as to
whether or not the materials of the excavation is classified as rock shall be final.

(v) ‘Rock fill’ shall consist of hard durable inert material of suitable size for
deposition as in Clause B607 and compaction as in Clause B608.

(vi) ‘Soft fill’ shall mean all suitable material within the groups in B601.2.

(vii) Impermeable layer and clay plug shall mean such soil of which 35-45% will pass
through the sieve no. 200 (0.075mm) and with a liquid limit of less than 40 and
with a plastic index of less than 20. The effective cohesive angle of friction
should greater than 15 KN/m2 and the effective angle of friction should be
greater than 5 degree as determined from a sample at optimum moisture content
under standard British Code of Practice for Compaction, Test 13, BS 1377 :
1975.

(viii) Suitable fill material shall in addition to Clause B601-1 of the Specification
compy with the following in accordance with BS 5930 : 1981 :-
(a) It shall be granite as in Table 9 of the BS 5930.
(b) It shall be Grade III to Grade IV in Table 10 of the BS 5930.

2. For the purpose of Clause B608 materials are grouped as follows :-

(i) ‘Cohesive soil’ includes clays with up to 20 per cent of gravel or rock and having
a moisture content not less than the value of the plastic limit (Determined in
accordance with BS 1377 test No. 3) minus 4; also chalk having a saturation
moisture concept of 20 per cent or greater.

(ii) ‘Well graded granular and dry cohesive soils; include clays containing more than
20 per cent of gravel or rock and / or having a moisture content less than the
value of the plastic limit (determined in accordance with BS 1377 test No. 3)
minus 4, well-graded sands and gravels with a uniformity coefficient exceeding
10, chalk having a saturation moisture content within ash and spent domestic
refuse.

(iii) ‘Uniformly-graded material’ includes sands and gravels with a uniformity

coefficient of 10 than or less, and all silts and pulverised fued ashes. Any soil
containing 80 per cent or more of material in the particle size range 0.06-
0.002mm will be regarded as silt for this purpose.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 3 of 16

B601 Definition, Classification and General Use of Earthworks Materials (Cont’d)

3. The Contractor shall employ only that plant which is suited to the soils to be handled. He
shall not at any time use any plant which damages or reduce the natural strength of the
soil either in its in-situ state or during handling and placing or in its final compacted state.

4. Any fill material used within 50mm of concrete structures or cement bound materials
shall have a soluble sulphate content not exceeding 2.5g per litre when tested in
accordance with Test 10 of BS 1377, unless special precautions to the approval of the
E.R. are taken to protect the concrete or cement bound materials.

5. No excavated suitable material other than surplus to requirements of the Contract shall be
removed from the site except on the direction or with the permission of the E.R. who may
require material which is unsuitable only by reason of being frozen to be retained on site
when in that condition. Should the Contractor be permitted to remove suitable material
from the Site to suit his operational procedure, then he shall make good any consequent
deficit of filling arising therefrom.

6. If any suitable material excavated from within the Site is, with the permission of the E.R.,
taken by the Contractor for purposes other than the forming of embankments and other
areas of fill, sufficient suitable filling material to occupy after full compaction, a volume
corresponding to that which the excavated material occupied shall, unless otherwise
directed by the E.R. be provided by the Contractor from his own resources.

7. Suitable material and top soil surplus to the total requirements of the Works and all
unsuitable material shall, unless the E.R. permits otherwise, be run to spoil in tips
provided by the Contractor.

8. Where the excavation reveals a combination of suitable and unsuitable materials the
contractor shall, unless otherwise agreed by the E.R., carry out the excavation in such a
manner that the suitable materials are excavated separately for use in the Works without
contamination by the unsuitable material.

9. Unless otherwise described in the Contract turf not required for relaying and all top soil
shall be removed from the areas of cuttings and unless surplus to requirements stock
piled for re-use for the soiling of slopes of cuttings and embankments, berms, verges,
central reserves and for the provision of beds for the cultivation of trees and shrubs.

10. The Contractor shall make his own arrangements for stockpiling of top soil and/or
suitable material, and for the provision of sites for the purpose. Suitable material other
than top soil shall be compacted in accordance with Clause 608 when stockpiling.

11. Excavation shall be carried out only in the areas and to the levels shown in the Drawings
or as directed by the E.R.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 4 of 16

B602 Explosives and Blasting

1. The Contractor shall store explosive in a licensed store or magazine provided with a separate
compartment for detonators. Explosives shall be handled only by currently licensed shot
firers. The Contractor shall ensure there is no unauthorized issue or improper use of
explosives brought on the Site and shall maintain a strict check on quantities issued and
consumed. The requirements of Malaysian laws with respect to security, handling of
explosives and blasting shall be complied with. The Contractor shall also co-operate with the
relevant Local Authorities and local Crime Prevention Officer in these respects.

2. Explosives shall be used in the quantities and manner recommended by the manufacturers.
The written consent of the E.R. shall be obtained on each occasion the Contractor wishes to
use explosives.

3. When blasting is to be carried out the Contractor shall determine the danger zone likely to be
created and ensure, by the use of heavy blasting mats when necessary to prevent material
being projected, that no damage is caused to persons or property on or off Site.

4. Plaster shooting shall not be permitted within 400 metres of any building or structure.

5. Where blasting is proposed adjacent to building or other structure, existing or under

construction and being part of or outside the Works, the Contractor shall satisfy the E.R., by
preliminary site trials, that safe values of vibrational amplitude and particle velocity will not
be exceeded.

6. Unless otherwise agreed by the E.R. the vibrational amplitude shall not exceed 0.1mm and
the particle velocity shall not exceed :-

50mm/s where blasting is confined to single events

25mm/s where blasting is frequently repeated

Vibrograph readings shall be recorded throughout the period of blasting or as required by the
E.R.

7. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements of BS 4992 in respect of the use of
electrical detonators in the vicinity of static and mobile radio transmitters including normal
radio and television broadcasting stations and radar units associated with aircraft movements.

B603 Excavation of Cuttings

1. Hauling of material from cuttings or borrow pits to the embankments or other areas of fill
shall proceed only where sufficient spreading and compaction plant are operating at the place
of deposition to ensure compliance with the requirements of Clause B608.

2. The slopes of cuttings shall be cleared of all rock fragments which move when prised with a
crow-bar. Where in the slopes of cuttings layers of rock and soft material alternate and the
E.R. considers that the slope, immediately after dressing, will not permanently withstand the
effect of weather, the Contractor shall excavate any insecure material to an approved depth
build up the resulting spaces with Class E concrete to Clause B1602 or masonry using rock
similar to the adjoining natural rock so as to ensure a solid face.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 5 of 16

B603 Excavation of Cuttings (cont’d)

3. Constructional plant shall not use the surface of the bottom of a cutting unless the cutting is
in rock containing no soft material or the Contractor maintains the level of the bottom surface
at least 300mm above formation level. Any damage to the subgrade arising from such use of
the surface shall be made good by the Contractor with material having the same
characteristics as the material which has been damaged. From the time the Contractor begins
to trim the remaining material to formation level on any given area, the movement and use of
constructional plant thereon other than that used to complete this operation shall be in
accordance with the requirements of Clause B703 and all plant used shall comply with the
requirements of paragraph 1 of that Clause.

B604 Excavation Below Embankments and Below Formation Level in Cuttings

1. Where any material below the natural ground level under embankments or below formation
level in cuttings is required to be excavated, the resultant excavation shall be backfilled with
suitable material or as described in the Contract, deposited and compacted as specified for the
forming of embankments. Nevertheless where in these circumstances such backfill has to be
deposited below standing water the contractor shall use only an approved granular material of
maximum size not greater than 400mm and which on analysis by sieving complies with the
requirements of Table B6/1. Such material may be deposited below water without the
associated use of compaction plant.

___________________________________________________________________________
Table B6/1 Free-draining Material
___________________________________________________________________________
BS Sieve Size Percentage by Mass Passing
___________________________________________________________________________

10 mm Up to 100
5 mm Not more than 85
500 mm Not more than 45
75 mm Not more than 5
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Where shown on the Drawings approved rock fill material, graded from 400mm to 15mm and
with not more than 10 per cent less than 150mm in site, shall be placed directly on the
naturally occurring weak material. The rock fill material shall be deposited in accordance
with the requirements of Clause B607 and compacted so as to comply with the requirements
of Clause B608 for the compaction of rock.

3. If, after the removal of material as specified in the first paragraph of this Clause, the
Contractor allows the material so exposed to reach a condition where compaction of
backfilling is impracticable , he shall make good either by additional excavation and filling in
the manner specified in this Clause, or by waiting until the condition of the exposed material
is fit to receive the approved backfill.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 6 of 16

B605 Excavation of Foundation Pits and Trenches

1. The sides of pits and trenches shall be adequately supported at all times. Except where
otherwise described in the Contract they shall not be battered.

2. Trenches and pits shall be kept free of water in accordance with Clause B610.

3. The bottom of all excavations shall be formed to the lines and levels shown on the Drawings.
Any pockets of soft soil or loose resulting cavities and any large fissures filled with Class E
concrete to Clause B1602. After placing of any blinding concrete required by the Contract, no
trimming of the side faces shall be carried out for 24 hours.

4. All excavated materials from such excavations not required for refilling shall be disposed of
in accordance with the requirements of Clause B601.
5. The Contractor shall make good with suitable material or concrete (Class E concrete to
Clause B1602 as directed by the E.R.)
6. (i) Any excavation greater than the net volume required for the Works as described in the
Contract.
(ii) Any additional excavation at or below the bottom of foundations to remove material
which the Contractor allows to become unsuitable.

B606 Refilling of Foundation Pits and Trenches and Removal of Supports

1. Unless otherwise shown on the Drawings or directed by the E.R., all fillings for this purpose
shall consist of suitable material as defined in Clause B601 deposited and compacted by
approved plant in accordance with Clause B608. Timber sheeting and other excavation
supports shall be removed as the filling proceeds except where they are required by the
Contract to be left in position, but the removal of such supports will not relieve the
Contractor of his responsibilities for the stability of the Works.

B607 Forming of Embankments and Other Areas of Fill

1. Embankment and other areas of fill shall be formed of material defined as ‘suitable material’
in Clause B601.

2. All earthworks material placed in or below embankments, below formation level in cuttings
or elsewhere in the Works shall be deposited and compacted as soon as appropriate to the
compaction plant used as permitted in Table B6/2 of Clause B608 or as permitted departure
therefrom. Embankments shall be build up evenly over the full width and shall be maintained
at all times with a sufficient camber and a surface sufficiently even to enable surface water to
drain readily from them. During the Construction of embankments the Contractor shall
control and direct constructional traffic uniformly over their full width. Damage to compated
layers by constructional traffic shall be made good by the Contractor.

3. Compaction of embankments and other areas of fill shall be under-taken to the requirements
of Clause B608.

4. If the material deposited as fill subsequently reaches a condition such that it cannot be
compacted in accordance with the requirements of the Contract, the Contractor shall either :-
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 7 of 16

B607 Forming of Embankments and Other Areas of Fill (Cont’d)

4. (i) Make good by removing the material either to tip or elsewhere until it is a suitable
physical suitable material; or
(ii) Make good by removing the material by mechanical or chemical means; or
(iii) Cease work on the material until its physical condition is again such that it can be
compacted as described in the Contract.

5. Material used in rock fill embankments and rockfill toe shall, except for any specified
external cover to slopes or near formation level, be such size that it can be deposited in
horizontal layers each not exceeding 450mm loose depth and extending over the full width of
the embankment. Material shall be spread and leveled by a crawler tractor weighing not less
than 15 tonnes and compacted in accordance with Clause B608. Each layer shall consist of
reasonably graded material and all surface voids shall be filled with broken fragments before
the next layer is placed. The top surface and side slopes of embankments as formed shall be
thoroughly blinded with approved fine graded and verges be topsoil as defined in Clause
B601.

6. Isolated boulders within the range 0.015m 3 in size may be incorporated in embankments not
of rock fill at the discretion of the E.R., provided that the specified compaction requirements
are met and no stone exceeding 0.015m 3 shall be placed less than 600mm below formation
level of carriageways or hardshoulders.

7. Work on embankments and/or cuttings in areas required for the construction of bridges and
other structures shall not be carried out until the E.R. agrees that construction of such
structures is sufficiently advanced that there is no risk of interference or damage to them.

8. In carrying embankments up to or over culvert or pipe drains and where required in the
Contract, up to or over bridges, the Contractor shall bring the embankments up equally on
both sides. Where special forms of compaction, adjacent to structures are described in the
Contract, filling may proceed over widths less than the full width of the embankment and in
steps not exceeding the depth of one layer above the adjoining area of full. In rock fill
embankments the materials shall be carefully packed for such distance from the structure as is
described in the Contract.

9. If the Contractor wishes to continue to use the surface of embankments for constructional
plant before trimming to formation level, he shall bring up and maintain the area between the
extremities of any carriageway, including any central reserve and hardshoulders to a level not
less than 150mm above formation level whereupon constructional plant will be allowed to
use the surface so formed but any damage to the subgrade caused by the use of such surface
shall be made good by the Contractor.

10. In area of shallow filling where after removal of topsoil the ground level is within 300mm of
formation level, constructional plant shall not use the surface unless the Contractor brings up
and maintains the surface unless the Contractor brings up and maintains the surface level at
least 300mm above the formation level. Any damage to the subgrade arising from such use
shall be made good by the Contractor with the material having the same characteristics as the
material which has been damaged.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 8 of 16

B608 Compaction of Embankments and Other Areas of Fill

1. All materials used in embankments and as filling elsewhere shall be compacted as soon as
practicable after deposition. Compaction shall be undertaken to the requirements of this
Clause and Table B6/2 by approved plant, except where the E.R. directs or permits a
departure from the requirements of the Table. The Contractor shall use only those items of
plant listed in the Table which are appropriate to the soil and site conditions.

Site trials have to be carried out to determine the states of compaction attained.

2. Variations from the methods given in Table B6/2, or the use of plant not included therein,
will be permitted only if the Contractor demonstrates at site trials that a state of compaction is
achieved by the alternative method equivalent to that obtained using the approved by the E.R.

The procedure to be adopted for these site trials shall be agreed with and approved by the
E.R.

Before the Contractor commences compaction he shall inform the E.R. as to which of the
approved plants of Table B6/2 he proposes to use or whether he proposes to depart from the
methods set out in Table B6/2. The site trials shall then proceed.

The site trials are to be carried out to determine the laboratory and field optimum moisture
contents which are to be deduced from the laboratory and field dry density/moisture content
relationships and also to determine the specified requirements.

The dry density/moisture content, field density and specified tests shall be carried out using
the appropriate methods described in B.S. 1377, except that in the case of the CBR tests the
test specimen shall be undisturbed samples obtained from the field. The method of obtaining
the disturbed samples shall be approved by the E.R.

The E.R. may at his discretion also permit the CBR tests to be carried out in situ provided
that the Contractor shall first submit his proposal in writing for the approval of the E.R.

The methods of compaction determined from the site trials giving results which satisfy the
Contractor shall follow the same methods for the rest of the compaction works. The
Contractor may not depart from the accepted method unless further trials are carried out.

From the results of the site trials it shall be determined whether the material used by the
Contractor may be defined as suitable material with respect to the specified requirements.

In the event that the material used fails to attain the specified requirement, the Contractor
shall either increase his compactive effort above that recommended in Table B6/2 of Clause
B608 or alternatively at the site trials that the requirements can be obtained.

3. Earthmoving plant shall not be accepted as compaction equipment under this Clause.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 9 of 16

B608 Compaction of Embankments and Other Areas of Fill (cont’d)

4. The E.R. may at any time carry out comparative field density tests on material which he
considers has been inadequately compacted. If the test results, when compared with the
results of similar tests made on approved work in similar materials carried out in accordance
with Table B6/2, show the state of compaction to be inadequate and this is held to be due to
failure of the Contractor to comply with the requirements of the Contract the Contractor shall
carry out such further work as the E.R. may decide is required to comply with the terms of
the Contract. If however the Contractor has fully complied with the requirements of the
Contract the E.R. will issue a Variation Order to cover any remedial works.

5. Without prejudice to the provisions of the Conditions of Contract and in order that the E.R.
may make proper provision for the supervision of compaction in the permanent work, the
Contractor shall not less than 24 hours before he proposes to carry out compaction processes
during period of overtime, apply in writing to the E.R. for permission to do. If compaction is
carried out during periods of overtime without such permission the E.R. will carry out field
density tests to determine the state of compaction achieved. The results of these tests will be
compared with results of similar tests made on the work known to have been carried out in
accordance with Table B6/2 under supervision. If the state of compaction is thereby shown to
be inadequate the Contractor shall at his own expense carry out such further work as the E.R.
may decide is required to comply with the terms of the Contract.

6. Each layer of rock used as rock fill in embankments shall be spread and levelled in
accordance with Clause B607 and systematically compacted by at least 12 passes of a towed
vibratory roller with a static load per metre width of roll of at least 1800 kg or a grid roller
with a load per metre width of roll of at least 8000 kg or other approved plant. Where,
however the rock contains sufficient soil material for satisfactory compaction to the
requirements of Table B6/2 for well-graded granular soil the fill shall be compacted to such
latter requirements.

7. When materials of widely divergent characteristics are used in embankments and fill areas
they shall be spread and compacted in separately clearly defined areas in such manner as to
comply with the requirements.

8. If more than one class of material is being used in such a way that it is not practicable to
define the areas in which each class occurs, compaction plant shall be operated as if only the
material which requires the greatest compactive effort is being compacted.

Definitions and Requirements Associated With Table B6/2

A. A depth of compacted layer is the height by which the embankment is raised by each
successive compacted layer.

B. The number of passes is the number of times that each point on the surface of the layer
being compacted has been traversed by the item of compaction plant.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 10 of 16

B608 Compaction of Embankments and Other Areas of Fill (cont’d)

C. The compactive effort of each compactor is a function of the mass of the machine and the
compaction plant in Table B6/2 is listed in terms of their masses. The mass per metre
width of roll is the total mass on the roll divided by the total roll width. Where a
smoothwheeled roller has more than one axle the machine shall be assessed on the basis
of the axle giving the highest value of mass per metre width.

D. A camping roller, for the purposes of this Specification, is a machine with a roll or rolls
from which ‘feet’ project. The projected end area of each ‘foot’ shall exceed 0.01m 3 and
the sum of the areas of the feet shall exceed 15 per cent of the area of the cylinder swept
by the ends of the feet. The requirements for tamping rollers apply to machines that have
2 rolls in tandem. If only one tamping roll traverses each point on the surface of the layer
on any one pass of the machine, the minimum number of passes shall be twice the
number given in Table B6/2.

E. (i) For pneumatic-tyred rollers mass per wheel is the total mass of the roller divided
by the number of wheel.

(ii) In assessing the number of passes of pneumatic-tyred rollers the effective width
shall be the sum of the widths of the individual wheel tracks together with the
sum
of the spacing between the wheel 230mm. Where the spacings exceed 230mm the
effective width shall be the sum of the individual wheel tracks only.

F. Vibrating rollers are self-propelled or towed smooth-wheeled rollers having means of

applying mechanical vibration to one or more rolls.

(i) The requirements for vibrating rollers are based on the use of the lowest gear
on a self-propelled machine with mechanical transmission and a speed of 1.5
– 2.5 km/h for a towed machine, or a self-propelled machine with hydrostatic
transmiss. If higher gears or speeds are used an increased number of passes
shall be provided in proportion to the increase in speed of travel.

(ii) Where the mechanical vibration is applied to two rolls in tandem, the
minimum number of passes shall be half the number given in Table B6/2 for
the appropriate mass per metre width of one vibrating roll. If one roll differs
in mass per metre width from the other the number of passes shall be
calculated as for the roll with the smallest value. Alternatively the machine
may be treated as having a single vibrating roll with the higher value.

(iii) Vibrating type rollers operating without vibration will be classified as smooth-
wheeled rollers.

(iv) Vibrating rollers shall be operated with their vibration mechanism operating
only at the frequency of vibration recommended by the manufacturers. All
such rollers shall be equipped or provided with a device automatically
indicating the frequency at which the mechanism is operating.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 11 of 16

B608 Compaction of Embankments and other Areas of Fill (cont’d)

G. Vibrating-plate compactors are machine having a base-plate to which is attached a

Source of vibration consisting of one or 2 eccentrically weighted shafts.

(i) The mass per unit area of base-plate of a vibrating-plate compactor is

calculated by dividing the total mass of the machine in its working condition
by its area in contract with compacted soil.

(ii) Vibrating-plate compactors shall be operated at the frequency of vibration

recommended by the manufacturers. They shall normally be operated at
travelling speeds of less than 1 km/h but if higher speeds are necessary the
number of passes shall be increased in proportion to the increase in speed of
travel.

H. Vibro-tampers are machines in which an engine-driven reciprocating mechanism

acts on a spring system through which oscillations are set up in a base-plate.

I. Power rammers are machines which are actuated by explosions in an

internal
combustion cylinder, each explosion being controlled manually by the operator.

J. In the case of power rammers and dropping-weight compactors one pass

will be
considered as made when the compacting shoe has made one strike on the area in
question.

K. For items marked * the rollers shall be towed by track-laying tractors. Self-
propelled rollers are unsuitable.

L. Where combinations of different types of categories of plant are used, the

compaction requirements shall be :-

(i) The depth of layer shall be that for the type of plant requiring the
least depth of
layer, and

(ii) The number of passes shall be that for the type of plant requiring the greatest
number of passes.However where the Contractor uses a lighter type of plant to
provide some preliminary compaction only to assist the use of heavier plant, this
shall be disregarded in assessing the above requirements.

B609 Preparation and Surface Treatment of Foundation

1. Preparation and surface treatment of the formation shall be carried out only after completion
of any subgrade drainage and unless otherwise agreed by the E.R. immediately prior to laying
the sub-base or road-base where no sub-base is required. The sequence of operations shall be
as follows:-
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 12 of 16

B609 Preparation and Surface Treatment of Foundation (cont’d)

(i) Formation of Soft Materials

(a) All surface below carriageways, laybys, cycle tracks, footways and hardshoulders
shall, after reinstatement of any soft areas, be well cleaned and freed from mud
and slurry.

(b) The surface shall be compacted by 4 passes of a smooth-wheel roller having a

mass per metre width of roll of 4400 kg – 6000 kg.

(c) The trimmed formation shall be rolled by 1 pass of a smooth-wheeled roller

having a mass per metre width of roll not less than 2100 kg or a vibrating roller
having a mass per metre width of vibrating roll of not less than 700 kg or a
vibrating-plate of not less than 1400 kg per m2.

Where the completed formation is not immediately covered with sub-base or

roadbase material, it may be protected by a membrane of 125 um thick impermeable
plastic sheeting with 300 mm laps set to prohibit ingress of moisture or by sealing. If
the Contractor allows the moisture content of accepted compacted material to reach
a value above the maximum permitted for the material under the Contract for
compaction the Contractor shall allow the material to revert to an acceptable
moisture content and if directed by the E.R., make good the surface by recompaction
before laying the sub-base or roadbase.

(ii) Formation of Rock Fill

(a) The formation shall be regulated and blinded in accordance with the
requirements of Cause B607.

(b) The trimmed formation shall be rolled by 1 pass of a smooth-wheeled roller

having a mass per metre width of roll of not less than 2100 kg or a vibrating roll
not less than 700 kg or a vibrating-plate compactor having a mass per unit area
under the base-plate of not less than 1400 kg per m 2.

(iii) Formations of Rock Cuttings

Surface irregularities under formation level remaining after trimming of the rock
excavation shall be regulated to the requirements of sub-base material as described in
the Contract. Small fissures in the rock or areas where compaction of sub-base is
impracticable shall be filled only with lean concrete.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 13 of 16

B610 Earthworks to be Kept Free of Water

1. The Contractor shall arrange for the rapid dispersal of water shed on to the earthworks or
completed formation during construction or which enters the earthworks from any source and
where practicable, the water shall be discharged into the permanent outfall for the pipe
drainage system. Adequate means for trapping silt shall be provided on temporary systems
discharging into permanent drainage systems. The arrangement shall be made in respect of all
earthworks including excavations whether for pipe trenches, foundations of cuttings.

2. The Contractor shall provide where necessary temporary water course, ditches, drains,
pumping or other means of maintaining the earthworks free from water. Such provision shall
include carrying out the work of forming the cuttings and embankments in such a manner that
their surface have at all times a sufficient minimum crossfall and, where practicable, a
sufficient longitudinal gradient to enable them to shed water and prevent ponding.

B611 Soiling, Grassing and Hydraulic Mulch Grass Seeding

1. Except where otherwise specified, the areas to be grassed shall be covered with topsoil which
shall be reduced to a fine tilth free from stones and other debris with any dimension greater
than two thirds the thickness of the topsoil layer. Any remaining stones or other debris shall
not be upstanding more than 30mm. The topsoil shall then be lightly compacted to the
thickness described in the Contract.Prior to seeding or turfing, fertilisers shall be evenly
distributed on the topsoil at a rate not less than 75g per m2.

2. The Contractor shall test the soil prior to application of hydraulic mulch seeding and shall
carry out all necessary treatment to ensure that the seeded areas will be satisfactorily
established.

3. The types and mixtures of seeds and mix proportions shall be as follows :-

70% Panicum Maximum Cv Hamil.

10% Parts Calopogonium muconoides.
10% Parts Centrosema pubescens.
10% Part Pueraria phaseoloides.

Alternative mixtures of seeds and mix proportions may proposed by the Contractor for the
approval of the E.R. whose decision shall be final.

The mixture of the seeds shall be by weight. The seed shall be furnished in separate
containers with seed name, lot number, net weight percentage of purity and germination and
percentage of maximum weed seed content clearly marked for each kind of seed. The
Contractor shall furnish the E.R. with duplicate signed copies of statement by the Vendor
certifying that each lot of seed testing within six months of date of delivery. This statement
shall include name and address of laboratory, date of test, lot number for each kind of seed
and results of tests as to name, percentage of purity and germination, percentage of weed
content for each of seed furnished.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 14 of 16

Seeding shall not be done during windy weather or when the ground is excessively wet or dry
or otherwise untillable. Seeding shall only be done when conditions are favourable. Seeding
shall be sown at the rate of not less than 1.8kg per 100m 2 by the use of seed chills, rotary
B611 Soiling, Grassing and Hydraulic Mulch Grass Seeding (cont’d)

hand seeders, power sprayers, blowers or other equipment approved by the E.R. When
required seed shall be inoculated before mixing and sowing in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Mulch material shall be clean hay, straw or other local non-toxic material approved by the
E.R.

5 The Mulch material shall be spread uniformly over the seeded areas. It may be spread by
hand or by a blower or other equipment approved by the E.R. The mulch shall be loose
enough to allow sunlight to penetrate air to circulate but large enough to shade the ground
and reduce water evaporation and to prevent or reduce water or wind erosion. The mulch
shall be held in place by spraying with Asphaltic Material, staking and tying light discing or
other methods approved by the E.R.

6 During the currency of the Contract, the Contractor shall mow once those areas which are
stated in the Contract. The mowing shall be carried out when the grass or other vegetation is
100mm high and the grassed or turfed areas shall be cleared of grass cuttings.

7 The seeded areas shall be watered and maintained during the period of the Contract and during
the Defects Liability Period. Any areas not satisfactorily established shall be redeemed at the
Contractor’s own cost. The Contractor’s attention is drawn to Clause 45 of the Conditions of
Contract when applied to hydraulic mulch seeding.

B612 Watercourses

1. Excavations carried out in the diversion, enlargement, deepening or straightening of

watercourses shall include the operations of any necessary trimming of slopes, grading of
beds, disposal of excavated materials and pumping, timbering works and material necessary
for dealing with the flow of water.

2. The beds and sloping sides of watercourses shall, where shown in the Contract, be protected
against the action of water by rubble paving to form a flat or curved surface as indicated.
The protection shall consist of large smooth faced stones or of mass or pre-cast concrete.
Stones for rubble paving shall be roughly dressed square: no stone shall be less than 250mm
in depth nor 0.03 m3 in volume and no rounded boulders shall be used.

3. Where stone protection is required in the beds of watercourses the stones shall be set on
edge and securely bedded, breaking bond with the longest dimension at right angles to the
flow of water and fitted closely so as to leave only a minimum of voids between the stones
which shall be filled in with suitably shaped and tightly wedged spalls. The Contractor shall
ensure that the paving stones or concrete, especially at the ends, will not be undermined or
damaged by the action of water during construction.
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 15 of 16

4. Where stones protection is described in the Contract on the sloping sides of watercourses,
the stones of the size and shaped as described above shall be set in a similar manner to that
required for paving in the bed, but in additional shall be bedded onto a 75mm layer of non-
fines concrete.

B613 Filling Existing Watercourses

1. Where watercourses have to be diverted from sites of embankments or other works, the
original channels shall be cleared of all vegetable growths and soft deposits and carefully
filled with suitable materials deposited and compacted as specified in Clause B607 and
608.

B614 Clearing Existing Ditches

1. Existing ditches shall, where shown in the Contract, be cleared by removing vegetable
growths and deposits. The sides shall be trimmed throughout and the bottoms uniformly
graded and the ditches kept clean and maintained during the currency of the Contract.
Material removed from existing ditches shall be disposed of in tips provided by the
Contractor outside the Site.

B615 Granular Fill to Structures

1. Granular fill required for compaction against earth-retaining structures shall consist of
well-graded crushed or uncrushed gravel, stone, rock fill, crushed concrete or slag or
natural sand or a combination of any of these. It shall not contain unsuitable material as
defined in Clause B601.1 (iii) nor have a soluble sulphate content exceeding 2.5g per litre
as defined in Clause B601.4.

2. Not less than 95 per cent of the material shall pass a 125 mm BS sieve and at least 90 per
cent shall pass the 75 mm BS sieve but not more than 10 per cent shall pass the 75 mm BS
sieve.
B615 Granular Fill to Structures (cont’d)

3. Up to 5 per cent of the material may be made up from isolated boulders not exceeding
0.015m3 in size provided that the fill can be compacted in the manner specified in Clause
B608.

B616 Aggregates for Berms

1. Aggregates for berms shall conform to the grading requirements given in Table B6/3.

________________________________________

BS 410
Sieve Size Percentage by Weight
mm Passing B.S. Sieves
________________________________________

Table B6/3
 EARTHWORKS
SECTION 1
Page 16 of 16

When the aggregates are subjected to five (5) alternations of the sodium sulphate
soundness test (ASTM C 88-76, “Soundness of Aggregates by use of sodium sulphate or
magnesium sulphate”, 1976) the weighted loss shall not exceed 10 mass percent.

B616 Aggregates for Beams cont’d

The aggregates shall be deposited and compacted to the lines and levels shown in the
Drawings and in accordance with the Specifications.

B617 Protection of Completed Earthworks from Erosion

The Contractor’s attention is drawn to the Preliminaries when applied to erosion of

completed earthworks. Besides measures specified in Clause B610 of the Specifications,
the Contractor where required, shall in addition carry out Hydraulic Mulch Grass Seeding
in the erodable areas before Hydraulic Mulch Grass Seeding works commence in other
areas.