Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Cvs02100 (Site Excavation)
Cvs02100 (Site Excavation)
May 2001
PIP CVS02100
Site Preparation, Excavation,
and Backfill Specification
PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES
In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these
technical requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and
engineering costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While
this Practice is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users,
individual applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take
precedence over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and
particular matters or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering
situations should not be made solely on information contained in these materials. The
use of trade names from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of
preference but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the
same specifications are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All
Practices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and
regulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines
should conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or
regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional before applying or
acting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.
This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team
and will be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or
withdrawn. Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at
http://www.pip.org.
PRINTING HISTORY
March 1996 Issued
May 2001 Complete Revision
PIP CVS02100
Site Preparation, Excavation,
and Backfill Specification
Table of Contents
4. General ......................................... 4
4.1 Quality Control ................................... 4
4.2 Submittals .......................................... 6
4.3 Performance Requirements............... 7
4.4 Environmental.................................... 8
4.5 Safety................................................. 9
4.6 Clean Up............................................ 9
5. Products ....................................... 9
5.1 General .............................................. 9
5.2 Topsoil ............................................... 9
5.3 Fill and Backfill Materials ................. 10
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides the Contractor with site preparation, excavation, and backfill
requirements.
1.2 Scope
1.2.1 This Practice describes the requirements for excavation, placement, inspection,
and management of earthen and organic materials during the site preparation,
excavation, and backfill phase of a construction project.
1.2.2 For excavation and backfill specifications for underground pipes, see
PIP CVS02700.
1.2.3 Any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Practice and the Contract
Documents shall be brought to the attention of the Owner for resolution. If
inconsistencies exist between the requirements of this Practice and those of the
Contract Documents, the more stringent requirements shall apply.
1.2.4 Excavation and backfill requirements from PIP CVS02315 have been
incorporated into this Practice; therefore, PIP CVS02315 is now obsolete.
1.2.5 This document is a complete revision of PIP CVS02100, and therefore revision
markings are not provided.
2. References
Applicable requirements in the following PIP Practices, codes and standards, and government
regulations shall be considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date
of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein when
appropriate.
– ASTM D1140 - Standard Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer than
the No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve
– ASTM D1241 - Standard Specification for Materials for Soil-Aggregate Subbase,
Base, and Surface Courses
– ASTM D1556 - Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
Place by the Sand-Cone Method
– ASTM D1557 - Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
Using Modified Effort 56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2700 kN-m/m3)
– ASTM D2167 - Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in
Place by the Rubber Balloon Method
– ASTM D2487 - Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil
Classification System)
– ASTM D2922 - Standard Test Methods for Density of Soils and Soil-Aggregate in
Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
– ASTM D2937 - Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-
Cylinder Method
– ASTM D 3740 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock Used in Engineering
Design and Construction
– ASTM D4318 - Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
Plasticity Index of Soils
– ASTM D3282, - Standard Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for
Highway Construction Purposes
– ASTM D4253 - Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
– ASTM D 4254 - Standard Test Method for Minimum Index Density and Unit
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
3. Definitions
Civil Engineer of Record: Owner’s authorized representative with overall authority and
responsibility for the civil engineering design, referred to in this Practice as Engineer
Contract Documents: Any and all documents, including design drawings, that the Owner has
transmitted or otherwise communicated (either by incorporation or by reference) and has made
part of the legal contract or purchase order agreement between the Owner and the Contractor
Contractor: The party responsible for performing site preparation, excavation, fill, and backfill,
including work executed through the use of sub-contractors
Owner: The party who awards the contract. The Owner may be the Owner or the Owner’s
authorized agent
Structural Fill: Fill or backfill placed beneath or immediately surrounding footings, grade beams,
or mats, or beneath slabs, buildings, roads, paved areas, and parking areas
4. General
If the Owner performs testing and inspection, the Contractor shall not be relieved
of the responsibility to meet all requirements of this Practice and the Contract
Documents. Should some completed work be found not in compliance with this
Practice, the Contractor shall be responsible for repairing or reconstructing the
deficiencies to meet this Practice and other Contract Documents.
4.1.3 Testing
4.1.3.1 Tests of gradation, plasticity, density, and moisture content shall be
performed for each type of fill material. These tests shall include one
standard sieve analysis (ASTM C136, ASTM D422, or ASTM D1140),
one liquid and plastic limit determination per ASTM D4318, and one
Modified Proctor Test per ASTM D1557 or one Standard Proctor Test
per ASTM D698. For granular soils exhibiting no well-defined moisture-
density relationship, index density, unit weight, and relative density shall
be determined per ASTM D4253 and ASTM D4254. Where the type or
the source of material changes, these control tests shall be redone with
the new material.
4.1.3.2 The following in-place density and moisture content testing (field
density testing) on compacted fill shall be performed unless specified
otherwise. Use the sand-cone method per ASTM D1556, the nuclear
method per ASTM D2922, the rubber balloon method per ASTM D2167,
or the drive-cylinder method per ASTM D2937 to measure the moisture
content and dry density of the soil. The testing shall be performed at the
following frequencies unless otherwise specified in the Contract
Documents.
1. Under all foundations - one test every 1000 square feet
(90 square m) of each lift
2. Under area paving - one test every 2000 square feet
(180 square m) of each lift
3. Road base and sub-base - one test every 2000 square feet
(180 square m) of base or sub-base
4. Backfill of trenches (for utility lines or foundations) - one test
for every 50 linear feet (15 m) of each lift
5. General fill - one test every 5000 square feet (460 square m) of
each lift
4.1.3.3 As a minimum, at least one in-place moisture content and one density
test must be performed on every lift of fill, and further placement shall
not be allowed until the required dry density has been achieved.
4.1.3.4 The number of tests shall be increased if a visual inspection determines
that the moisture content is not uniform or if the compacting effort is
variable and not considered sufficient to attain the specified dry density.
4.1.3.5 The Engineer may approve a decrease in the number of tests once a
compaction procedure has met project requirements.
4.1.4 Protection
4.1.4.1 The Contractor shall place and maintain in good condition temporary
fences, guardrails, barricades, lights, and other protective measures
required for the safety of personnel and the premises.
4.1.4.2 All reference points, property markers, benchmarks, etc., shall be
carefully maintained during excavation, backfilling, compaction, and
earthwork. Damage to a reference point by the Contractor during
performance of the work shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor
to the satisfaction of the Owner.
4.1.4.3 Unless otherwise specified, all known utilities within the project limits
will be located and marked by the Owner or will be noted in the Contract
Documents before earthwork. Other utility locations may become
evident as earthwork progresses, and this may necessitate that work stop
until utilities are identified and until the Owner provides specific
direction.
4.1.4.4 During earthwork, all necessary precautions shall be taken to protect and
preserve utilities scheduled to remain. The Contractor shall install
temporary service lines when such preservation and protection are
impractical.
4.1.4.5 The Contractor shall use bracing and shoring to protect excavations
adjacent to existing underground installations (e.g., foundations, piping
manholes, electrical, and duct banks) during construction. No excavation
is permitted under foundations.
4.1.4.6 The Contractor shall be responsible for avoiding damage to and
preserving trees, shrubs, and all other vegetation in the areas beyond the
designated excavation area.
4.1.4.7 Any damage to structure, utility lines, or graded areas caused by erosion
shall be repaired by Contractor to the original condition at no cost to the
Owner. This includes areas that are seeded until such time that the
vegetation prevents erosion.
4.2 Submittals
4.2.1 The testing/inspection firm shall be responsible for transmitting the following
submittals to the Owner and Contractor:
• A statement attesting to compliance of the Contractor’s work with the
requirements of this Practice and the Contract Documents
• Informal daily “pass” or “fail” reports. Formal reports including all test
logs and comments shall be submitted weekly. These formal reports shall
include density and moisture content test logs, indicating location of tests
by coordinates and elevation and any appropriate comments. All test logs
and comments shall be compiled and submitted at earthwork completion
for permanent project records.
• Sources and test results of all borrow materials used for fill
4.2.2 The Contractor shall be responsible for transmitting the following submittals to
the Owner:
• Accurately recorded as-built locations of project-installed underground
utilities and tie-in points/interferences encountered during project
construction. Data shall include horizontal dimensions, elevations, size,
and slope gradients, as appropriate for the utility as required by the Owner.
4.2.3 The Contractor shall notify the Owner, in writing, not less than five (5) days in
advance of any blasting operation. Written approval from the Owner is required
before proceeding with intended blasting operations.
4.2.4 Shoring and sheeting - If excavation bracing is required, the Contractor is
responsible for providing plans, sketches, and/or detail along with supporting
calculations by a registered professional engineer. Further, the submittal shall
provide the following information:
• Description of the materials and shoring system to be used
• Indication of whether or not any components will remain after filling or
backfilling
• Indication of the sequence and method of installation
4.2.5 Dewatering - If dewatering of an excavation is required, the Contractor shall
submit proposed methods and details to the Owner for review before beginning
excavation.
4.2.6 Soil erosion control and/or storm water runoff plan - The Contractor shall submit
a copy of any soil erosion or pollution prevention plan if required by the
authority having jurisdiction. These shall be provided to the Owner as well as to
the appropriate authority.
4.4 Environmental
4.4.1 Contaminated Soils
Known contaminated soils within the construction limits shall be managed in
accordance with a contaminated soil management plan provided by the Owner
before the start of excavation. If unexpected soil contamination is encountered
during the work, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Owner
immediately.
4.4.2 Erosion/Sediment Control
The Contractor shall ensure that the following requirements are met:
1. All procedures and work shall be in accordance with local, state, and
federal regulations (e.g., terms of the NPDES General Permit for
Construction Activity, other USEPA documents such as Storm Water
Management for Construction Activities, or specific project permit).
2. All areas shall be maintained using temporary erosion and sediment control
measures during construction until the Contractor is relieved by the Owner
or until permanent measures are completed and functioning in a satisfactory
manner.
4.5 Safety
The Contractor shall comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and any other applicable federal,
state, and local codes and with any safety requirements of the Owner.
4.5.1 Work Permit
A work permit shall be obtained from the Owner before performing any
earthwork, unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents.
4.5.2 Rock Blasting
4.5.2.1 If rock blasting is required, the Contractor shall develop a written rock-
blasting safety plan for Owner’s approval.
4.5.2.2 The Contractor shall obtain and pay for required permits from
authorities having jurisdiction. The Contractor shall submit copies of
such permits to the Owner and shall obtain written permission from the
Owner before explosives are brought to the site or before drilling is
started.
4.5.2.3 Explosives shall be stored, handled, and used in accordance with local
regulations and with the Owner’s safety practices. These criteria shall be
addressed in the rock-blasting safety plan.
4.5.2.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for all blasting operations.
4.6 Clean Up
Soil that is spilled or washed onto paved areas or streets shall be removed daily from the
surface. Soil that is spilled or washed into drains, pipes, gutters, or ditches or onto
adjacent property shall be removed promptly.
5. Products
5.1 General
Fill and backfill materials shall be from either on-site excavation, designated borrow
areas, or from off-site sources conforming to the following criteria unless otherwise
recommended by the Engineer in the Contract Documents. Contractor shall obtain
approval from the Owner for all borrow material and all supply sources.
5.2 Topsoil
5.2.1 Before removing topsoil, clear the area of all debris.
5.2.2 Remove topsoil to full depth, or as indicated in the Contract Documents, unless
otherwise directed by the Engineer.
5.2.3 After completing grading operations and before grassing operations, the graded
areas that are not to be further improved shall be overlaid with topsoil of a
compacted minimum thickness of 4 inches (100 mm).
5.2.4 Topsoil salvaged from within the limits of cut and fill shall be stored in
stockpiles.
6. Execution
6.2 Excavation
6.2.1 Structural Excavation
Structural excavation shall include excavations for footings, grade beams, pits,
basements, retaining walls, manholes, catch basins, etc.
6.2.1.1 Excavation shall be performed as required by the Contract Documents to
the dimensions, grades, and elevations as noted and as required for
formwork.
6.2.1.2 When soft and compressible soil is encountered at footing grades as
shown in the Contract Documents, such soil shall be removed and
replaced with fill or backfill as specified in Section 5.3 and compacted
according to Section 4.3.2.
6.2.1.3 Over-excavation at footings may be backfilled with lean concrete or
CLSM according to Section 5.3.3.
6.2.2 Earthen Structures
Earthen structures include permanent work items such as ponds, canals, ditches,
etc. Excavation for such work shall be made to the lines, grades, and cross
sections as shown in the Contract Documents.
6.2.2.1 Side slopes of excavations shall be cut true and straight and shall be
graded to the proper cross section. Unstable soil in the slopes shall be
removed, and the slopes properly prepared. The bottoms of excavations
shall be graded to the elevations and configurations as shown in the
Contract Documents.
6.2.2.2 Over-excavation shall be backfilled with suitable material and
compacted in accordance with Section 4.3.2.
6.2.3 Trenching
Trenching for underground pipe, conduits, and duct banks shall conform to
PIP CVS02700.
6.2.4 Rock Excavation
6.2.4.1 Rock Definition
Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, rock excavation
shall consist of excavation of boulders or pieces of detached rock
measuring 1 cubic yard (0.76 cubic m) in volume or greater, or rock in
ledges, bedded deposits, and conglomerate deposits so firmly cemented
that they present all the characteristics of solid rock, which cannot be
excavated with heavy equipment. All other excavation shall be earth
excavation.
6.2.4.1 Mechanical Method
In areas where blasting is not permitted, rock may be excavated with
mechanical rippers, mechanical breakers, or mechanical drills with non-
explosive demolition agents.
6.3 Stockpiling
6.3.1 Material shall be stockpiled as directed by the Owner. The Contractor shall
place, grade, and shape stockpiles for proper drainage.
6.3.2 Storage or stockpiling of material will not be permitted on a completed subgrade.
6.3.3 Stockpiling of contaminated soils shall be in compliance with an approved
contaminated soils management plan or as directed by the Owner.
6.4 Drainage
6.4.1 Drainage of cuts, excavations, fills, stockpiles, spoil areas, surcharge
embankments, and borrow areas shall be maintained at all times to prevent
ponding of surface water following rainfall by providing temporary ditches,
swales, culverts, and/ or pumping systems as required in each respective site
area. Temporary drainage facilities shall be removed at the completion of the
project or as directed by the Owner.
6.4.2 A surface seal shall be performed as needed to prevent saturation during wet
weather or temporary shutdown of operations. Soil that becomes saturated shall
be removed completely or as directed by the Owner. Such saturated soil shall be
disposed of as directed by Owner or shall be reconditioned to conform to this
Practice.
6.6.2 Compacting shall begin only after the fill or backfill has been properly placed
and after the material to be compacted is at the proper moisture content. Fill
material shall be placed in lifts not exceeding 8 inches (200 mm) in loose depth.
Compaction shall be performed with equipment compatible with soil type. Fill
and backfill layers shall be uniformly compacted to the density as specified in
Section 4.3.
6.6.3 Fill and backfill adjacent to structures such as retaining walls, pits, and
basements shall not be compacted with heavy equipment but instead shall be
compacted with hand-operated equipment to a distance of 4 feet (1.2 m) or
greater beyond the sides of the structures. Unless otherwise approved by the
Owner, fill materials shall be placed in lifts not exceeding 4 inches (100 mm) in
loose depth for hand-operated compaction equipment. Every effort shall be made
to place backfill materials symmetrically and in uniform layers to prevent
unnecessary eccentric loading on a structure or foundation. Do not backfill
around or over cast-in-place concrete until the concrete has attained 75% of its
specified strength, unless permitted otherwise in writing by the Owner.
6.6.4 Compacted surfaces of fill and backfill shall be finish-graded to the cross
sections, lines, grades, and elevations as indicated in the Contract Documents.
6.8 Dewatering
6.8.1 All dewatering methods and disposal of water are subject to approval of the
Owner. All work shall be in accordance with Sections 4.2.5 and 4.4.2.
6.8.2 If required for construction, before excavation, an approved dewatering system
shall be installed and operated when necessary to lower the groundwater. The
design of the dewatering system shall be the responsibility of the Contractor,
unless otherwise noted in the Contract Documents. Contractor shall be
responsible for any effects of dewatering on adjacent facilities.
6.8.3 Surface water shall be prevented from flowing into excavations by installing
ditches, trenches, protective swales, pumps, or other approved measures.
6.8.4 All diverted and pumped water shall flow to existing drainage. Excavations for
foundations and other underground installations shall not be used as temporary
drainage ditches.
6.8.5 The Contractor shall provide and maintain, at all times during construction,
ample means with which to remove and properly dispose of all water from every
natural source entering the excavation.
6.8.6 Any water the Contractor discharges shall be tested for water quality to
determine whether discharge can be disposed of through the natural waterways
or whether it shall be contained for treatment.