SPECIFICATION 410

LOW STRENGTH INFILL

Copyright MAIN ROADS Western Australia
Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

REVISION REGISTER
Clause Authorised
Description of Revision Issue Date
Number By
Whole document Complete review of Specification GSME 23/02/2017
Whole document Complete review of Specification GSME 26/05/2010
Whole document Complete review of Specification GSME 23/11/2006
Whole document Complete revision of Issue No 1 to new format MCP 01/08/2006

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Contract No: XXX/XX [Contract Name]
Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

CONTENTS

Clause Page No

GENERAL ........................................................................................................................................ 4 
410.01  Scope........................................................................................................................... 4 
410.02  References .................................................................................................................. 4 
410.03  Definitions .................................................................................................................... 4 
410.04 Cement, Fine Aggregates and Admixture .................................................................... 5 
410.05  NOT USED .................................................................................................................. 5 

PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS ....................................................................................................... 5 

410.06  Properties .................................................................................................................... 5 
410.07 – 410.25  NOT USED ...................................................................................................... 6 

TESTING .......................................................................................................................................... 6 
410.26  Compressive Strength ................................................................................................. 6 
410.27  Settlement.................................................................................................................... 6 
410.28 Flow Consistency ......................................................................................................... 7 
410.29 - 410.30  NOT USED ....................................................................................................... 7 

CONSTRUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 7 
410.31  Placement .................................................................................................................... 7 
410.32 – 410.80  NOT USED ...................................................................................................... 8 

AS BUILT AND HANDOVER REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................. 8 

410.81 – 410.90  NOT USED ...................................................................................................... 8 

CONTRACT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 8 

410.91 – 410.99  NOT USED ...................................................................................................... 8 

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Contract No: XXX/XX [Contract Name]
Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

SPECIFICATION 410

LOW STRENGTH INFILL

GENERAL

410.01 SCOPE

1. The work under this specification consists of the mix design, production,
delivery and placing of low strength infill (LSI) for the backfilling of
redundant or abandoned pipes, culverts and other buried structures.

410.02 REFERENCES

Australian Standards
AS 1012.8.1 Methods of Testing Concrete – Method for making
and curing concrete - Compression and indirect
tensile test specimens
AS 1012.3.5 Determination of properties related to the
consistency of concrete—Slump flow, T500 and J-
ring test
AS 1478.1 Chemical admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout
Part 1: Admixtures for concrete
AS 3972 General purpose and blended cements
AS 3582.1 Supplementary Cementitious Material for use with
Portland and Blended Cement – Fly Ash
AS 3582.2 Supplementary Cementitious Material for use with
Portland and Blended Cement – Slag – Ground
Granulated Iron Blast Furnace

MAIN ROADS Specifications

Specification 404 CULVERTS

410.03 DEFINITIONS

1. Low strength infill (LSI) shall consist of a mixture of cementitious binder, Constituents
water aggregate and admixtures. The cementitious binder may include
Portland Cement, Fly Ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in
accordance with AS 3972, AS 3582.1 and AS 3582.2 respectively.

2. The compressive strength of the low strength infill shall be defined as the Compressive
average compressive strength of a minimum of two cylinder samples taken Strength
from the mix and made and cured and tested in accordance with the Section
TESTING. The sample age at test shall be as detailed in Table 410.01.
Where combinations of two or more binders are used the sample age at test
shall be the greater of the ages for the binders used.

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

3. Settlement shall be defined as the change in volume of the low strength Settlement
infill, between initial placement and the sample age specified in Table
410.01, measured as a percentage of the initial volume. The maximum
settlement of the proposed mix shall be determined prior to placement in
accordance with Clause 410.27.

TABLE 410.01 AGES OF TEST SAMPLES

BINDER TYPE SAMPLE AGE AT TEST

Portland Cement 28 days

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag 56 days

Fly Ash 56 days

410.04 CEMENT, FINE AGGREGATES AND ADMIXTURE

1. Cement used in the Works shall comply with the requirements of Type GP
cement as specified in AS 3972. Blended cement shall be a combination of
Type GP cement and fly ash complying with AS 3582.1.

2. Fine aggregates for low strength infill shall be natural sand and shall
comply with the requirements of AS 2758.1.

3. Any admixture shall comply with the requirements of and be used in

accordance with AS 1478.1.

410.05 NOT USED

PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS

410.06 PROPERTIES

1. Low strength infill shall be homogeneous, free of lumps of unmixed material

and without segregation. The highly flowable mixture is self-compacting and
can be placed easily without vibration or tamping.

2. Low strength infill shall comply with the requirements of Table 410.02.

3. The Contractor may submit alternate mix designs to the Superintendent for
approval prior to placement of the low strength material.

4. Documentary evidence that the mix will comply with the specified
requirements of the Contract under consideration from previous production
of the mix (the test results must not be more than 12 months old).

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

TABLE 410.02 ACCEPTANCE LIMITS

PROPERTY LIMIT

Minimum Compressive Strength 500kPa

Maximum Compressive Strength 1500kPa

Maximum Allowable Settlement 2%

5. Multiple pours are permitted to achieve the Maximum Allowable Settlement Multiple Pours
specified provided the Contractor can demonstrate that the void can be
completely filled with the low strength infill.

410.07 – 410.25 NOT USED

TESTING

410.26 COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH

1. All cylinder moulds shall be 100mm diameter by 200mm long conforming to Test Cylinders
AS 1012.8.1. Each cylinder mould shall be filled in approximately 2 equal
layers by pouring the low strength infill into the mould. Air bubbles in the
sample may be removed by gentle tapping of the mould. The sample shall
not be compacted by rodding or vibration. Following removal of air bubbles
the mould should be sealed with a tight fitting lid.

2. The mould may be stripped from the specimen when sufficient strength has
been attained to ensure the specimen is removed without damage.

3. Store specimen in a 100% humidity environment at a temperature of 23°C ± Storage

2°C until the age specified for testing in Clause 410.03 is achieved.

4. The rate of loading during compressive strength testing shall be 1 mm per Loading Rate
minute.

410.27 SETTLEMENT

1. The percentage settlement shall be determined by completely filling a

vertical 1 metre section of 50 millimetre nominal bore uPVC pipe, capped at
the base, with the proposed low strength infill mix. Air bubbles in the
sample may be removed by gentle tapping of the mould. The sample shall
not be compacted by rodding or vibration.

2. The exposed surface of the sample should be screeded level with the top of
the uPVC pipe then sealed to prevent loss of water and stored in a vibration
free environment at 23°C ± 2°C.

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

3. The sample settlement shall be measured daily until the difference between Settlement
any two consecutive readings is less than 1 millimetre. Where free water is Measurement
seen to collect on the surface of the sample this shall be noted and the
depth of water measured. A final reading shall be taken of settlement at the
sample age specified in Table 410.01. The total change in volume from
sample preparation is calculated as a percentage of the initial sample
volume.

410.28 FLOW CONSISTENCY

The slump flow of the LSI shall be determined in accordance with AS 1012.3.5.

TABLE 410.03 FLOWABILITY FOR FINE AGGREGATES

PROPERTIES OF LOW STRENGTH INFILL MEASUREMENT OF THE

SLUMP FLOW

Slump Flow 550-650 mm spread

The slump flow of the LSI shall comply with the requirements of Table 410.03.

410.29 - 410.30 NOT USED

CONSTRUCTION

410.31 PLACEMENT

1. Prior to the commencement of filling operations the Superintendent HOLD POINT

shall be provided with details of the proposed mix design and results
of testing (e.g. site performance test/check) demonstrating
conformance with the Specification.

2. Pipes, culverts and other buried structures shall be filled with low strength
infill strictly to the limits shown on the Drawings. To place, low strength
materials, use a pump suitable for the type of void to be filled and its
accessibility or other means acceptable to the Superintendent.

3. Any formwork used to contain the infill shall be removed on completion of

the works. The Contractor shall remove at its own cost any low strength
infill placed outside these limits without damage to the surrounding
permanent structure. Any damage resulting from this work shall be repaired
to the satisfaction of the Superintendent.

4. The filling of each section of pipe shall proceed from both ends. The job
shall only be considered complete when the material is seen to flow out of
the other end full to the soffit, i.e. the soffit of the pipe must be wet by the
material. Where both ends of the pipe cannot be open, the LSI must be
injected via a sacrificial hose inserted to the far end of the pipe being filled.
The Superintendent shall be provided with details of the volume of low
strength infill placed after each pour.

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

5. Disused pipes and pits must be removed or entirely filled in-situ by injecting
with low strength infill under pressure. The LSI shall be placed in a manner
that allows all air or water, or both, to be displaced readily as the flowable
(LSI) fills the enclosure.

6. At no time after final set of the low strength infill shall any vertical cross
section of the filled void be less than 98% of the total void filled with low
strength infill of the specified compressive strength range.

410.32 – 410.80 NOT USED

AS BUILT AND HANDOVER REQUIREMENTS

410.81 – 410.90 NOT USED

CONTRACT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

410.91 – 410.99 NOT USED

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

GUIDANCE NOTES

FOR REFERENCE ONLY – DELETE GUIDANCE NOTES FROM FINAL DOCUMENT

1. All edits to downloaded Specifications shall be made using Track Changes, to clearly show
added/deleted text.

2. If all information relating to a clause is deleted, the clause number should be retained and the
words “NOT USED” should be inserted.

3. The proposed documents with tracked changes shall be submitted to the Project Manager for
review, prior to printing the final batch of documents. When this final printing is carried out, the
tracked changes option is to be turned off.

4. Before printing accept all changes in the document, turn off Track Changes and refresh the
Table of Contents.

5. The Custodian of this specification is Geomechanical and Structural Materials Engineer.

1. USE OF LOW STRENGTH INFILL

1.1. For redundant or disused pipes and associated drainage structures which are located
under roadways or portions of roadways not scheduled for reconstruction, the use of a low
strength infill is an acceptable alternative to removal and backfilling to avoid unnecessary
destruction of an existing pavement.

1.2. In such cases, existing culverts and drainage structures which may be treated in this way
must be indicated on the Drawings. It would normally only apply to the smaller
diameter (< 300 mm) pipes, culverts and associated drainage structures.

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

CONTRACT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

The following clauses are to be placed under the CONTRACT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, as
required. After inserting the clause, change the clause number and heading to style “H2 SP” so it
appears in the Table of Contents.

XXX.XX SUB HEADING (H2 SP)

1. Insert text (Main Table SP) Keyword SP

2. Insert text (Main Table SP)

XXX.XX SUB HEADING (H2 SP)

1. Insert text (Main Table SP)

2. Insert text (Main Table SP)

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Specification 410 Low Strength Infill – 04/10109 Issued 23/02/2017

AMENDMENT CHECKLIST

Specification No. 410 Title: LOW STRENGTH INFILL Revision No:

Project Manager: Signature: Date:

Checked by: Signature: Date:

Contract No: Contract Description:

ITEM DESCRIPTION SIGN OFF

Note: All changes/amendments must be shown in Tracked Changes mode until approved.
1. Project Manager has reviewed Specification and identified Additions and
Amendments.
2. CONTRACT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS addressed? Contract specific
materials, products, clauses added? (Refer Specification Guidance Notes for
guidance).
3. Any unlisted materials/products proposed and approved by the Project
Manager? If “Yes” provide details at 16.
4. Standard clauses amended? MUST SEEK approval from Manager
Commercial.
5. Clause deletes shows as “NOT USED”.
6. Appropriate INSPECTION AND TESTING parameters included in Spec 201
(Text Methods, Minimum Testing Frequencies verified).
7. ANNEXURES completed (refer Specification Guidance Notes).
8. HANDOVER and AS BUILT requirements addressed.
9. Main Roads QS has approved changes to SMM.
10. Project Manager certifies completed Specification reflects intent of the
design.
11. Completed Specification – independent verification arranged by Project
Manager.
12. Project Manager’s review completed.
13. SPECIFICATION GUIDANCE NOTES deleted.
14. TABLE OF CONTENTS updated.
15. FOOTER updated with Document No., Contract No. and Contract Name.
16. Supporting information prepared and submitted to Project Manager.
Further action necessary:

Signed: (Project Manager) Date:

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