Backfilling Procedure for the Tower Foundation

1. According to the requirement of design drawings, the backfilling density should not be less than
the value in the table-1

Soil class SC1 SC2 SC3 SC4 SC5

Density in uplift 1600 1600 1400 800 800

check(kg/m3)
Minimum 1800 1800 1600 1000 1000
Construction
density(kg/m3)

2. The backfilling soil materials should satisfy the following requirements:

a. Good graded sand, gravel: when backfilling material is mainly pebble, gravel and stone
or rock debris, the maximum diameter of gravel is no more than 300 mm.
b. Soil: when back filling material is clay and silt, the water content should be optimum
water content and is determined by compaction test.
c. The backfilling quality is controlled by compaction test. The compaction density should
not be less than the minimum compaction density. The compaction coefficient should
not be less than 90%.
d. The backfilling material is the same excavated materials. However, if the tower
foundation soil is SC4, SC5 and backfilling soil is better (say SC2) and density of backfill
soil is not less than 1400 kg/m3, the compaction coefficient can be reduced
appropriately. Ooze, cultivated soil, frozen soil, expansive soil and organic matter
cannot be used as backfilling materials.
e. The thickness of compaction layer is 400 mm and number of pass 6-8 should be
determined after test backfill.
f. During tower foundation backfilling, special care should be taken on surface water
drainage measures. If it makes the water accumulates near tower foundations, the
water drainage trench or other drainage measures should be applied to drain out the
water.