IMGTP-CN-01 Spec

IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

GSA

SECTION 8
EXCAVATION AND EARTHWORKS

IMGTP-CN-01 Spec
IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

SECTION 08
EXCAVATION AND EARTHWORKS
PART 1

GENERAL

1.1

SETTING OUT

1.1.1

The Contractors calculations for setting out from established points shall be available for
inspection by the Engineer.

1.1.2

The Contractor shall take all necessary precautions during the progress of the Works to
ensure that the coordinated points are not damaged.

1.2

SITE LEVELS

1.2.1

The Contractor shall check that the existing ground levels as indicated on the drawings
or schedule of levels are correct. Should there appear to be any errors he shall submit
to the Engineer a schedule of the position of the levels considered to be in error and a
set of revised levels.

1.2.2

The existing ground relevant to the disputed levels shall not be disturbed until the
Engineers decision as to the correct level has been given.

1.3

RECORD PROCEDURE

1.3.1

If the Engineer requires foundation depths to be varied from that shown on the drawings
it shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that proper records of the actual
excavated levels are kept.

1.3.2

The Contractor shall ensure that the revised levels are measured in the presence of the
Engineer and are clearly identified, recorded, dated and signed by both parties as
agreed.

1.4

SITE INVESTIGATION

1.4.1

The Contractor shall be deem to have satisfied himself as to the character of the site
and all the various materials, strata, ground water levels, etc., and of all items and things
liable to affect or be encountered in the excavation and earthworks.

1.4.2

Site investigation is available however, it is provided solely for the guidance of the
Contractor and no guarantee is given regarding its accuracy, nor it is guaranteed that
similar conditions apply elsewhere on the site.

IMGTP-CN-01 Spec
IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

1.5

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF AUTHORITIES

1.5.1

Prior to commencing excavation work the Contractor shall ascertain from the responsible
parties whether any mains or services need to be diverted or cut-off.

PART 2 -

EXCAVATION WORKS

2.1

Workmanship

2.1.1

Excavation works shall comply with BS800 Part 1, Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.

2.1.2

BS6031 recommendations should be referred to.

2.1.3

Excavation shall be carried out accurately to the lines and levels shown in the drawings,
or as directed by the Engineer.
Permissible deviations from formation levels are as follows:
-

Beneath mass concrete foundations

: +/-25mm
Beneath ground bearing slabs and R.C. Foundations : +/-15mm
Embankment and cuttings
: +/-50mm
Ground abutting external walls, but such as to ensure : +/-50mm
that finished level is not less than 150mm below dpc.

2.1.4

Excavation shall be carried out to such widths, lengths, depths and profiles as are
specified or shown on the drawings plus any necessary allowance for working space for
temporary works.

2.1.5

Excess Excavation
Where excavations are taken out to greater depths or wider than required, the
Contractor shall make good with concrete or other approved, compacted material.

2.1.6

The sides of excavations shall be adequately supported to prevent slips or subsidence,

and shall be close-sheeted where necessary to prevent the entry of running sand, mud
etc.

2.1.7

Recorded and Unrecorded Features

The contractor shall break out old Foundations, beds, drains, etc. where and to the
extent shown on the drawings. Seal off drain ends, remove contaminated earth and
disinfect as required by the Local Authority and backfill as specified in the drawings.
Where old foundations, beds, service pipes, drains, etc., not shown in the drawings are
encountered, the contractor shall obtain instructions before proceeding.

IMGTP-CN-01 Spec
IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

2.1.8

Surplus excavated material shall be removed from the Site to an approved tip.
Remove from site all surplus subsoil excavated material that are not specified to be
spread and leveled or stockpiled.

2.1.9

Removal of Water

2.1.9.1 The excavations shall at all times be kept free from standing water from whatever source
arising by pumping or other approved means.
2.1.9.2 The Engineer must be informed should continuous or near continuous pumping be
required and, if necessary, arrangements shall be made for the prevention of withdrawal
of support from adjacent structures.
2.1.10 Dewatering
Where bottoms of excavations are below the water table the Contractor shall lower the
water table to ensure the Excavations are kept dry. The method of dewatering shall be in
accordance with recommendations given in BS8004 and shall be to the approval of the
Engineer.
The water table shall be lowered to an appropriate depth below the excavation in order
to prevent water rising into the excavation by pumping action of mechanical plant.
All water arising from dewatering shall be disposed of in a manner and in such a way
that it does not affect other parts of the work or neighboring properties.
Throughout the period when dewatering is in progress, the contractor shall maintain on
site, 24hours a day, a competent operative and sufficient spares to ensure that any
breakdowns or problems with the dewatering system can be immediately attended to.
2.1.11 Temporary supports to excavations
The contractor shall be responsible for the design and provision of all temporary support
systems which may be required to carry out excavations.
2.1.12 Unstable Ground
The contractor shall inform the engineer without delay if any newly excavated face does
not remain unsupported sufficiently long to allow the necessary earthworks support
insertion. If the instability is likely to affect adjacent structures or roadways, the
Contractor should take appropriate action until instructions are obtained.
2.2

Inspection

2.2.1

No excavation for foundations shall be filled in or covered with concrete until the
Contractor has notified the Engineer that it is ready for inspection and has received his
instruction to proceed with works.

IMGTP-CN-01 Spec
IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

PART 3 -

MATERIALS

3.1

Selected Excavated Materials

3.1.1

Selected excavated material shall be the most suitable portions of excavated material
free from harmful matter to other material in the work, which is capable of being
compacted in the manner specified to form stable fill.

3.2

Desert Fill

3.2.1

Desert fill shall be imported from an area approved by the Engineer.

3.2.2

It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to locate suitable material and to carry out
such tests as the Engineer may require to demonstrate the suitability of the fill to be
supplied.

3.2.3

The fill shall have a maximum stone size of 75mm, liquid limit less than 35% and a
plasticity index of not more than 10.

3.3

Hardcore
Hardcore shall be granular material, free from harmful matter, well graded, passing a
75mm BS sieve and in any one layer of the following:
-

crushed band rock or quarry waste (other than chalk)

crushed concrete
gravel or hogging

Spread and level backfilling and general filling in layers not exceeding 150mm.
Thoroughly, compact each layer with a vibrating roller, vibrating plate compactor, vibro tamper, power rammer or other suitable means as required.
Where hardcore is specified under concrete slabs it shall be not less than 150mm thick.
Excavate extra material as necessary. Increase the thickness of hardcore as necessary
to make up the levels from stripped site levels to underside of slabs.
PART 4 BACKFILLING
4.1

Excavations shall only be backfilled after the permanent works therein have been
approved and after the removal of any building debris or deleterious material from the
excavations.

4.2

Selected excavated material shall normally be used for backfilling in the manner
described in Clause 4.5. Where the excavated material is not considered suitable,
selected material from an approved source shall be used.

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IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

4.3

The backfill shall be brought to a suitable level above grade to provide for anticipated
settlement and unless indicated otherwise, shall be sloped away from the structure.

4.4

Soft Spots

4.4.1

The bottom of all excavations shall be probed and any poor bearing areas shall be
reported to the Engineer who will direct remedial work. Soft spot shall be cut out and
filled with either compacted desert fill or concrete as directed by the Engineer.

4.5

Compacting Imported or Selected Excavated Fill Material

4.5.1

Fill shall be compacted in layers using suitable plant as follows:

Smooth
wheeled
roller:
Tonnes per meter width of
roll
2.1 2.7
2.7 5.4
Over 5.4

Maximum
depth
compacted layer (mm)
125
125
150

Vibrating Roller: static load

in tones per m width of
roller
0.7 1.3
1.3 1.8
1.8 - 2.3
2.3 3.6
Over 3.6

Maximum
depth
compacted layer (mm)

Vibrating Plate Compactor:

Static load in tones per
square m. of base plate
1.2 1.4
1.4 1.8
Over 1.8

Maximum
depth
compacted layer (mm)

125
150
150
175
225

75
125
150

Vibro tamper: Static load Maximum

depth
in kg
compacted layer (mm)
50 -75
100
Over 75
150

of Minimum no. of passes

10
8
8
of Minimum no. of passes
12
8
4
4
4
of Minimum no. of passes
6
6
5
of Minimum no. of passes
3
3

Power rammer: Static load Maximum

depth
of Minimum no. of passes
in kg
compacted layer (mm)
Over 100
150
6

IMGTP-CN-01 Spec
IMGTP-V02-S008
Excavation and Earthworks

4.5.2

The material shall be placed in loose layers within the effective range of compaction of
the plant, however the maximum loose layer thickness shall be limited to 150mm
irrespective of plant type.

4.5.3

The material shall be watered and mixed as necessary to ensure that prior to
compaction the moisture content of the whole layer is + 3% of the optimum moisture
content. Compaction of each layer shall continue until a density of at least 95% of the
maximum dry density has been achieved.

4.5.4

The dry density/moisture content relationship shall be determined by the heavy

compaction test (4.5kg. rammer method) of BS 1377.

4.6

Fill below ground slabs

4.6.1

The installation of cable ducts for service entries and service pipe work shall be
completed before preparation of the fill to receive the ground slab.

4.6.2

The compacted fill or hardcore shall be shaped and trimmed to the required levels and
dimension and blinded with sand or other approved fine material which shall also be
watered and compacted to provide a smooth surface.

4.7

Backfilling to Foundations

4.7.1

Backfill around foundation walls, concrete and paving shall be in hardcore, as defined in
Clause 3.3, laid and compacted in layers not exceeding 150mm thick at Optimum
Moisture content.
Material under grassed or landscaped areas may, subject to Engineers approval, be
material from the excavations, laid in compacted in layer not exceeding 300mm thick.
Each layer shall be watered to give a Moisture Content of +/-2% of the Optimum, prior to
compaction.

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