SECTION 02315 – EXCAVATION AND FILL

PART 1 - GENERAL

A. EARTH FILLING GENERALLY: to be approved material arising from excavations or approved

imported filling material, free from harmful matter, organic materials and other materials liable to
decompose or chemically react, and capable of being compacted as specified.

B. EARTH FILLING FOR FOUNDATIONS AND GENERAL FILLING: to pass a 3-inch U.S.
standard sieve and material passing a No. 40 U.S. standard sieve is to have a maximum plasticity
index of 6%. No piece is to have its largest dimension greater than one third the thickness of a
compacted layer.

C. SAMPLES AND TESTS: submit 50 kg representative samples of filling materials to an approved

laboratory for tests as follows and submit results for approval:

1. for soils with less than 50% fines: sieve analysis and compaction
2. for soils with more than 50% fines: sieve analysis, Atterberg Limits Compaction
3. for all soils: test in accordance with ASTM D1557 (Method D) to determine the optimum
amount of water to be used with fill material to obtain maximum dry density.

D. Tests are to be conducted for every source of filling materials and for every type of filling material
encountered and as required by the Engineer.

E. APPROVAL: sources and types of filling materials and moisture contents at which they may be
placed and compacted are to be those approved after receipt of laboratory test results.

F. FIELD DENSITY TESTS on compacted soil are to be made at an average of one test every:

1. 200 m2 beneath buildings areas

2. 400 m2 beneath roads and paved areas
3. 600 m2 beneath other areas
4. for each layer of compacted fill.

G. Minimum density required on soils when made in accordance with ASTM D2167 Rubber
Balloon Method or ASTM D1556 Sand-Cone Method is to be:

1. for backfill under slabs within building area or under roads, parking areas and paved areas:
95% of maximum dry density
2. for backfill deeper than 600 mm under same areas as last described: 90% of maximum dry
density
3. else where such as landscaped areas: 90% of maximum dry density.

H. TOPSOIL: to BS 3882 (or similar codes in ASTM or DIN), medium texture, neutral to slightly
alkaline reaction, free of stones, pests, weed seeds and foreign matter.

I. DRAINAGE STONE: water-borne or crushed hard durable stone washed free of loam, sand, clay and
other foreign substances and evenly graded from 20 mm minimum to 50 mm maximum size. Drainage
material is to be coarse granual material as coarse gravel with permeability not less than 0.10 m/sec.

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 J. FILTERS (Graded Filter): Material to be used as a filter shall be natural granular material or crushed
aggregate, having the required gradation to satisfy the following criteria:

1. D 15f /D 85b <5

2. 5<D 50f /D 50b <20-60
3. D 20f /D 20b >5

K. When used around perforated pipes, the filter should satisfy the requirements for slot dimension of the
pipe.

L. The percentage of materials finer than 0.075 mm shall not exceed 5%.

M. The plasticity index of the material passing standard sieve No. 40 shall not exceed 6%.

N. The material shall be free from organic and other deleterious material, and the gradation approved by
the Engineer.

O. UNSUITABLE MATERIALS: remove from site imported filling materials deemed unsuitable by the
Engineer.

P. SURPLUS: remove surplus imported filling materials from site.

Q. PLACE FILLING using approved methods to required dimensions, levels, lines and profiles and to
permit water to drain freely.

R. EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT: do not use for compaction except where approved.

S. HEAVY STEEL OR PNEUMATIC ROLLERS: do not use inside building areas after construction
of ground beams. Take special precautions to safeguard existing structures when steel or pneumatic
rollers are used.

T. COMPACTION EQUIPMENT FOR BUILDING WORKS: compact backfilling using approved

compaction equipment suited to the type of material. Compact around columns, foundation walls and
small restricted areas using mechanical vibratory plates, tampers or hydraulic compactors

U. SURFACES TO RECEIVE FILLING are to be cleared and all vegetation removed off site before
filling is placed. Surfaces of ground are to be scarified and re-compacted to at least 95% of
maximum dry density as determined by ASTM D1557-91-Procedure C. Compaction is to be to a
depth of at least 200 mm below ground surface. Hard or smooth surfaces are to be roughened
before filling is placed. Existing road surf- aces and the like are to be
broken up and removed or used as part of fill.

V. SURFACES OF GROUND with gradient greater than 1 in 5 which are to receive filling are to have
horizontal benches cut to match depths of compacted layers of filling.

W. MOISTURE CONTENT: each layer of filling is to be moistened or dried to reach correct moisture
content for required dry density. Spread and compact each layer to at least 95% of maximum dry
density, unless otherwise specified, all as determined by ASTM D1557-91- Procedure C. Each
compacted layer is to be tested and approved prior to placing subsequent layers.

X. EARTH FILLING GENERALLY is to be selected fill spread and levelled in 250 mm maximum
layers each well consolidated with a suitable mechanical rammer.

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 Y. EARTH FILLING UNDER SLABS is to be selected fill up to the level of 600 mm below slab.
The last 600 mm top layer is to be approved imported filling material. Compaction is to be carried
out in layers not exceeding 150 mm compacted thickness to at least 95% of maximum dry density all
as determined by ASTM D1557 (Method D).

Z. DEPOSIT EARTH FILLING in a manner not to endanger the partly finished structure or sub-
structure either by direct pressure or indirectly by overloading banks contiguous to the operation or in
any other manner.

AA. MINOR UPFILLING and local adjustment of levels is to be selected fill spread and levelled in 150
mm maximum layers each well consolidated by suitable mechanical means.

BB. BENCHING: where difference in level between adjacent areas of filling exceeds 600 mm, cut into
edge of higher filling to form benches having a minimum width of 600 mm and a height equivalent to
the depth of a layer of compacted filling. Spread and compact new filling to ensure maximum
continuity with previous filling

CC. PROTECTION OF FORMATION: do not allow construction traffic on completed filling until the
level has been raised not less than 150 mm above formation level by properly compacted temporary
protective filling

DD. remove temporary protective filling from site before beginning permanent construction

EE. do not stockpile materials on newly filled areas without permission. PART

2 - EXECUTION

2.1 SITE PREPARATION

A. SITE FEATURES: before starting work verify with the Engineer which existing fences, gates,
walls, roads, paved areas and other site features are to be removed. Materials arising are to be
removed from site.

B. TREES AND SITE VEGETATION: before starting work verify with the Engineer which trees and
site vegetation are to be removed.

C. TREES: cut down trees and tree stumps, grub up main roots, fill in voids with approved material and
dispose of all wood.

D. SITE VEGETATION: clear site of hedges, bushes, scrub and undergrowth, grub up and dispose of
large roots.

E. PROTECTION: any site features, trees or site vegetation within areas indicated to be protected
from damage are to be taken care of and protected in an approved manner.

F. RUBBISH: clear site of general debris and rubbish. Dispose by burning or removal from site as
directed.

G. TURF FOR PRESERVATION: before starting work verify with the Engineer which areas of turf
are to be preserved. Other turf may, at the Contractor's discretion, cost and/or profit be:

1. lifted and sold, or

2. left to be incorporated with existing topsoil.

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 H. WATERWAYS: temporarily divert as necessary ditches, field drains and other waterways
encountered during excavations and reinstate on completion. If reinstatement is not possible obtain
instructions.

I. EXISTING WATERCOURSES which have been diverted and are to be filled must be cleared
of all vegetable growth and soft deposits before filling.

2.2 EXCAVATING

A. MATERIALS AND CONDITIONS: assess the nature of the work and the materials to be
excavated. Take sole responsibility for your assessment of materials and conditions.

B. MATERIALS AND CONDITIONS are described in the factual geotechnical addendum attached as
part of the project documents. The Employer does not guarantee that materials and conditions
encountered in the site exploration will be found on other parts of the site. Assess the nature of the
work and the materials to be excavated.

C. METHODS: submit details of proposed methods of working which may cause nuisance, damage
or danger to people and/or property.

D. MATERIALS ARISING from excavations are to remain the property of the Employer un- less
specified or instructed to be removed from the site.

E. 2301 TOPSOIL FOR PRESERVATION: before beginning general excavation or filling, excavate
topsoil from required areas and keep separate from excavated subsoil.

F. ADJACENT EXCAVATIONS: where an excavation encroaches below a line drawn at an angle

from the horizontal of 45 degrees for dry stable soil or 30 degrees for wet clays or soils below
water table from the nearest formation level of another higher excavation then all work within the
lower excavation and backfilling thereto must be completed before the higher excavation is made.

G. FOUNDATIONS GENERALLY: obtain instructions if:

1. natural bearing formation of undisturbed subsoil is not obtained at depth shown on the
Drawings
2. formation contains soft or hard spots or highly variable material.

H. TRIM EXCAVATIONS to required profiles and levels and remove all loose material. I.

LEVEL AND COMPACT bottoms of excavations to approval.

J. SIDES OF EXCAVATIONS: responsibility for upholding sides of excavations rests with the
Contractor (refer to section 02260 EXCAVATION SUPPORT AND PROTECTION).

K. EARTHWORK SUPPORT: use as necessary to support sides of excavations and remove on

completion unless otherwise instructed. In the event of any collapse occurring while excavations are
open re-excavate and reinstate such excavations and other work affected (refer to section 02260
EXCAVATION SUPPORT AND PROTECTION).

L. SPECIAL SUPPORT: use as necessary to uphold excavations against sides of adjoining

buildings, public footpaths, roads and the like and remove on completion unless otherwise instructed
(refer to section 02260 EXCAVATION SUPPORT AND PROTECTION).

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 M. UNSTABLE GROUND: inform the Engineer without delay if any newly excavated face will not
remain unsupported sufficiently long to allow necessary earthwork support to be inserted. If
instability is likely to affect adjacent structures or roadways take appropriate emergency action.
Responsibility for preventing instability rests with the Contractor.

N. EXISTING FOUNDATIONS: where old foundations, beds, drains etc. are encountered obtain
instructions before proceeding. Break out old foundations, beds, drains etc., seal off drain ends,
remove contaminated earth and disinfect as instructed.

O. EXCESS EXCAVATION: backfill any excavations taken wider than required with approved
filling unless otherwise instructed. Backfill any excavations taken deeper than required with Class
B concrete unless otherwise instructed.

P. UNAUTHORISED EXCAVATIONS: backfill and compact as instructed.

2.3 DISPOSAL OF MATERIALS

A. TOPSOIL FOR PRESERVATION: stockpile excavated topsoil required to carry out subsequent
topsoiling operations in temporary spoil heaps on site as instructed.

B. SURPLUS TOPSOIL: remove from site to a tip.

C. SURPLUS SUBSOIL: remove from site to a tip, surplus excavated materials not required for
filling, spreading and levelling or stockpiling.

D. TIPS: use only authorised tips for disposal of surplus excavated material removed from site.
Pay all tipping fees.

E. WATER: keep excavations free from water and keep water from excavations clear of other work
(refer to section 2240 Dewatering).

F. PUMPING: do not disturb material in and around excavations by pumping operations (refer to section
2240 Dewatering).

G. SUMPS: obtain approval of location of any sumps and fill with approved material when no longer
required.

H. PERMANENT DRAINAGE SYSTEM is not to be used for disposal of water from excavations
without approval (refer to section 2240 Dewatering).

END OF SECTION 02315

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