Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee
Issue Date: 01 February 2022
Next Revision: 18 April 2024
Summary of Fill Placement and Compaction Requirements
Area/Region
Site preparation of areas to
receive fill, pavement or loads.
All Select Fill Material or any
fill beneath and/or adjacent to
grade beams, mats, buildings,
lined slopes or drainage
channels, and process areas.
Select Fill Material beneath
and/or adjacent to foundations
with static loads over 320 kPa
and foundations for vibrating or
heavy machinery. Asphalt and
concrete pavement subgrades
(roads and parking areas).
General Fill Material not
designated as open or
landscaped.
General Fill Material for areas
designated as open or
landscaped.
© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
PPENDIX
Compaction Requirement
The density of the top 150 mm in these areas
shall not be less than:
90% of the maximum Modified Proctor
density (ASTM D1557)
or
70% relative density (ASTM D4253 and
ASTM D4254) for cohesionless free draining
soil
Compacted to at least:
90% of the maximum Modified Proctor
density (ASTM D1557)
or
70% Relative Density (ASTM D4253 and
ASTM D4254) for cohesionless granular
soils that do not exhibit well-defined
moisture density relationship.
Compacted to at least:
95% of the maximum Modified Proctor
density (ASTM D1557).
or
85% relative density (ASTM D4253 and
ASTM D4254) for cohesionless granular
soils that do not exhibit well-defined
moisture density relationship.
Compacted to at least:
90% of the maximum Modified Proctor
density (ASTM D1557)
or
70% Relative Density (ASTM D4253 and
ASTM D4254) for cohesionless granular
soils that do not exhibit well-defined
moisture density relationship.
Compacted to at least:
85% of the maximum Modified Proctor
density (ASTM D1557)
or
65% Relative Density (ASTM D4253 and
ASTM D4254) for cohesionless granular
SAES-A-114
Excavation and Backfill
Comments
Site preparation
Areas shall be free of organic material, trash
or other unsuitable material.
Proper drainage so that the site is free of
standing water all the time.
In-situ soil proof rolled and inspected for soft
spots or loose zones. Proof roll may be
defined as crossing the area with a heavy
(minimum 10-ton weight) rubber-tire or
steel-wheel roller.
All observed soft spots or loose zones shall be
compacted in-place or excavated to firm soil
and replaced with properly compacted fill.
Top 6 inches (150 mm) scarified and re-
compacted.
Fill material shall be placed in uniform loose
lifts not exceeding the following criteria,
provided that the specified compaction is
achieved for the full depth.
Select Fill Material shall be placed in lifts of
200 mm maximum in loose depth.
General Fill Material shall be placed in lifts
of 300 mm maximum in loose depth.
General Fill Material and Select Fill Material
shall be placed in lifts of 100 mm maximum
in loose depth for hand-operated compaction
equipment.
Other lift thicknesses may be approved by the
appropriate Saudi Aramco Inspection
Representative based on a field test section
using the intended compaction equipment.
(Impact rollers can compact soils in lifts
exceeding 1 m).
Page 28 of 29
 Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee
Issue Date: 01 February 2022
Next Revision: 18 April 2024
Area/Region
Working platforms for
compaction on sabkha deposits.
Pavement Reconstruction after
Trenching
© Saudi Arabian Oil Company, 2022
Saudi Aramco: Company General Use
Compaction Requirement
soils that do not exhibit well-defined
moisture density relationship.
Exempted from compaction requirements.
A 500 mm thick layer of fill material placed
directly on the sabkha compacted as well as
possible is usually sufficient. Stripping of the
sabkha
recommended. A geotextile layer between the
sabkha and the working platform provides a
capillary break and improves both short-term
(construction) and long-term performance of
the engineered fill.
Compaction testing of working platforms is not
required.
Reinstatement of roads and pavements after
trenching shall comply with shall comply with
SAES-Q-006 and GI-1021.000.
SAES-A-114
Excavation and Backfill
Comments
Working platforms for compaction on sabkha
deposits shall be compacted as necessary to
achieve a stable base. Sabkha working
platforms must be indicated as such and
accounted for in the design.
Compaction to the required densities indicated
in Section 6.3 are virtually impossible to
achieve in the first layer placed directly on
sabkha and similar very weak soils. A working
platform to provide a stable base is often
required.
Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM), a
flowable, self-compacting fill, is recommended
for backfill of trenches crossing roads and
pavements.
Page 29 of 29