2.

CHAPTER 2

SITE WORK

CSI DIVISION 2
02010 SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION
02100 CLEARING
02060 DEMOLITION
02200 EARTHWORK
02250 SOIL TREATMENT
02300 PILE FOUNDATIONS
02350 CAISSONS
02400 SHORING
02500 SITE DRAINAGE
02550 SITE UTILITIES
02600 PAVING AND SURFACING
02700 SITE IMPROVEMENTS
02800 LANDSCAPING

02010 SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION

When preparing estimates on any structures involving foundations or

earthwork, there is a need to obtain all information available concerning the
geotechnical conditions and characteristics of the soils to be encountered in
the subsurface. Frequently some of this information is made available on the
working drawings as an aid to the contractors, but complete reliance on such
limited information places the contractor at risk, especially when the
drawings provide for a disclaimer of responsibility by the architect/engineer
for the accuracy or completeness of the subsurface information. A site
investigation is mandatory, because many conditions can be determined
through adequate visual observations of the particular site involved and
adjacent property. There can be discovery of previous stream beds, evidence
of prior dumping of debris, existence of abandoned mining operations,
existence of flood plains, appearance of rock outcroppings, overhead
structures and wires including many other situations that would strongly
influence the construction means and methods and the associated costing
involved.
In urban areas records are usually available from utility companies
and highway authorities concerning subsurface conditions affecting their
installations. All 50 states and the District of Columbia plus Canada have
incorporated laws normally called Call Before You Dig telephone number.
Anyone, including home owners, is required to notify this agency before they
dig. The time to call prior to digging will vary with each location; the
telephone number is normally toll free. If a contractor digs before properly
notifying the local agency the contractor is responsible for all repairs if
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required and possibly subject to a fine. It must be recognized that any
penetration of the ground surface has attendant risk, and the accumulation of
knowledge of the conditions to be encountered during excavation will tend to
control the risk to a reasonable level thus avoiding exposure to a catastrophic
situation.
Excavating test pits or caissons produces accurate information in
cohesive soils, insofar as this method permits visual inspection of the soil in
place, and samples removed for laboratory tests may be carved out of the pit
walls in a relatively undisturbed condition. Costs of this work are high,
however, and will be about the same as excavating costs for comparable pits
and caissons.
However, most subsoil investigations require studies of the soil at
greater depths than can be economically reached by test pits. For these
projects, various methods of soil boring and sampling are used. A relatively
small diameter hole is sunk into the ground from which soil samples are
obtained.
Hand Auger Boring Method. The hand auger boring method,
satisfactory for highway explorations at shallow depths, can be used only for
preliminary investigations for foundations. Auger borings are used in
cohesive soils and cohesionless soils above ground water. Depths up to 20
feet (6 meters) may be reached. Soil samples obtained through this method
are disturbed to such an extent that little or no information is furnished about
the character of the soil in its natural state. Where the auger hole is filled with
water, sample disturbance is particularly acute. Auger holes are most useful
for ground water determination.
Hand auger borings generally cost from $20.00 to $50.00 per lin. ft.
($65.61 to $164.004 per m) depending on the soil, the amount of boring
necessary, and the diameter of the hole, which will vary from 4 to 8 (100 to
200 mm).
Split Spoon Sampling. A split barrel sampler known as a split spoon
is frequently used for obtaining representative samples. This method is
described in detail in ASTM Method D-1586 Standard Test Method for
Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils.
In securing split spoon samples, the drill hole is opened and cleaned to
the desired sampling level by drilling bits and wash water, or alternatively,
the hole may be drilled with a regular power auger. Drill casing or drilling
mud is used when it is necessary to prevent the soil above the sampling level
from closing the drill hole. A drive pipe is attached to the upper end of the
drill rod and a slip jar weight placed on the drive pipe.
The sampling spoon is then driven into the soil by repeated blows of a
drop hammer. The number of blows required to drive the spoon are recorded
in the logs. The spoon is then brought to the surface, and the sample is
removed, classified, and placed in a glass jar.
The ASTM method specifies a 2-inch (50 mm) OD x 1-3/8 inch (33
mm) ID split spoon driven 18 to 24 (450 to 600 mm) by a 140 lb. (64 kg)

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 SITE WORK 2.3
weight falling 30 inches (750 mm). Various other sizes of split spoons and
drop weights and lengths of drops are employed. The split spoon method is
most useful in granular or dense soils.
Thin-Wall Tube Sampling. The method that yields the least
disturbed samples is thin-wall tube sampling. This method is described in
detail in ASTM Method D-1587. Standard Practice for Thin-Walled Tube
Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes.
In this method the hole is opened and cleaned as in the split spoon
sampling method, but a thin-wall tube, usually with an outside diameter of
2, 3, or 5 (50, 75 or 125 mm) is then attached to the end of the drill rod
and lowered to the bottom of the boring. The tube is then pushed into the soil
by a hydraulic piston arrangement with a rapid and continuous motion.
The thin-wall tube is then raised to the surface, cleaned, labeled, and
sealed to prevent loss of moisture. It is then taken to the laboratory for
testing. Here it is usually cut into short lengths, and the sample in each length
is ejected and tested.
Samples are normally taken at 5-foot (1500 mm or 1.5 m) intervals or
every time a soil change is expected, determined by watching the
overflowing wash water and feeling the resistance to penetration of the drill
bit.
Cost of drilling and sampling is usually between $12.00 and $35.00
per lin. ft. ($40.00-$115.00per m) depending on the depth, diameter, and
difficulty of drilling, plus mobilization and demobilization charges for
equipment and workers.
Laboratory testing, for density, moisture content, compression, or
mechanical analysis, is performed at an additional cost, depending on what
tests are needed. This practice is limited to soils that can be penetrated by the
thin-walled tube. This sampling method is not recommended for sampling
soils containing gravel or larger size soil particles cemented or very hard
soils. Other soil samplers may be used for sampling these soil types.
Core Borings. In addition to soil samples, information is frequently
wanted on the nature or thickness of underlying rock. Core borings are made
for this purpose with rotating coring tools such as diamond drills, shot drills,
or carbide bits. Continuous samples are generally recovered for examination
and further testing. ASTM Standard D-2113, Standard Practice for Rock
Core Drilling and Sampling of Rock for Site Investigation. Diamond Core
Drilling for Site Investigation, should be called for in performing core
borings.
The cost of making core borings will depend upon the location of the
work, quantity, and the difficulty encountered in getting to the holes.
The drilling costs per lin. ft. (300 mm) should be estimated at from
$30.00 to $60.00 ($99.00-198.00 per m), with the lower costs on jobs of
larger size. To the above prices, add Mobilization and Demobilization
charges for equipment and workers and all required testing charges.

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Other Methods. There are many methods used to investigate soil
conditions for foundation purposes. Some are reliable and sufficient to use
for design purposes while others produce inadequate or dangerously
deceptive data. In problem soils the gathering of the basic information under
controlled conditions is important, but to obtain definitive and factual
information there is a need for professional engineering interpretation. In
such instances the best approach is to obtain the services of a soils or
geotechnical engineer with the laboratory facilities to perform a complete
subsurface investigation and provide a written report of the findings and
recommendations with a geotechnical profile for remedy of the problems to
be encountered.
Engineering and laboratory services are for the most part inexpensive
but can become expensive based on accessibility, weather, depth of
penetration, water, type(s) of soil, boulders, cobblers, and rock. However,
when balanced against the magnitude of potential loss and redesign that
could be encountered without this advance knowledge, the cost is justified.
Engineering costs vary widely by geographic location and services
required. There usually is enough competition to allow the contractor to
solicit proposals from several geotechnical engineering firms, who provide
services that are tailored to the specific project.
Seismic resistivity, vane shear tests, cone penetration test, and nuclear
methods are more frequently being used in subsurface investigations,
performed by specially qualified seismic engineers having the necessary
equipment and regularly engaged in this type of work. Cost estimates will be
tendered to the contractor predicated upon the services required.

02100 CLEARING

Clearing and grubbing of a construction site by the removal of trees

and vegetation has become costly because of federal, state and local
government environmental protection regulations. Most areas prohibit the
burning of trees. If the wood does not have a market value, the use of
chipping machines is employed. This method requires additional personnel to
cut the trees into manageable lengths, remove the branches, and transport
them to the chipping machine. Some of the cost can be recovered by selling
the by-product to nurseries and landscape companies to use as mulch. Stump
disposal is very expensive since stumps cannot be buried at the project and
have to be transported to a distant acceptable disposal area.

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Clearing, Cutting & Chipping
Per Acre
Light 6 " diameter $ 1,650 - $ 2,090
Medium 12 " diameter $ 2,750 - $ 3,300
Heavy 16 " diameter $ 3,850 - $ 4,950
Per Sq. Meter
Light 152 mm diameter $ 0.41 - $ 0.52
Medium 305 mm diameter $ 0.68 - $ 0.82
Heavy 406 mm diameter $ 0.95 - $ 1.22
Grub Stump Plus Haul Charge, per ea. . . . .$30.00 - $55.00
If chipping is not required, average prices can be reduced by
25%.

Selective Cutting Down and Removing Trees

The cost of cutting down and removing trees will vary with their size
and the method used in cutting and disposing of them.
The following production times are based on a crew of 3 or 4 workers,
cutting down trees by hand, removing branches, and cutting the trunk into 4-
0 (1.2 m) lengths. Labor costs of digging down around roots and removing a
stump are given extra. It is assumed the limited quantity would not require
chipping.

Cutting - Removing Trees by Hand

Approx. Diam. Approx. Height Labor Removing
of Tree of Tree Hours Stump, in Hrs
8" - 12 " 20 ' - 25 ' 9 - 12 8
14 " - 18 " 30 ' - 40 ' 12 - 16 10
20 " - 24 " 45 ' - 50 ' 20 - 24 12
203 mm - 305 mm 6.1 M - 7.6 M 9 - 12 8
356 mm - 457 mm 9.1 M - 12.2 M 12 - 16 10
508 mm - 610 mm 13.7 M - 15.2 M 20 - 24 12

If necessary to cut trunks and stumps into small pieces and load into
trucks, add extra for this work. Add also for removal from the site.
Todays projects benefit from the many improvements in portable
sawsgasoline, air, electric and hydraulic. Trees are removed with power
chain saws speeding the work. A chain saw will cut within 2 to 4 inches (50

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machine or operator. Also, as the tree begins to fall, the machine must be
backed up quickly so that the upturning root system will not come up under
the machine, possibly damaging the unit or hanging it up.
An experienced operator, using a medium to large tractor, 80-HP (60
kg) and up if crawler type, 160-HP (120 kg) and up if rubber-tired, with
ground conditions affording good traction, and no problems regarding steep
slopes, should fell trees at the following rates:

Removing Trees by Machine

Approximate Diam. Approximate Height Minutes Req'd
of Tree of Tree for Falling
8 " - 12 " 20 ' - 25 ' 5 to 10
15 " - 24 " 30 ' - 50 ' 15 to 20
27 " - 36 " 55 ' - 75 ' 25 to 30
203 mm - 305 mm 6.10 M - 7.62 M 5 to 10
381 mm - 610 mm 9.14 M - 15.24 M 15 to 20
686 mm - 914 mm 16.76 M - 22.86 M 25 to 30
Add time for pushing felled trees to disposal area and for
disposing of them or chipping them.

Stripping & Storing Topsoil

Following the site clearing operation, the stripping and storing of

topsoil, if available, will be the next phase. In the interest of economy, the
recovery of the maximum quantity of existing topsoil is important.
However, any area cleared of trees and stumps will have a loss factor
of approximately 15% to 50% depending on the number and size of stumps
removed. The remaining topsoil should be stripped, cleaned of foreign
materials, stored in a convenient location, and protected from erosion or
contamination.
The depth of the topsoil influences the production rate. Less quantity
would be available in a given area if it were 4 (100 mm) in depth as opposed
to 6 (150 mm) and yet the same area would have to be stripped by the dozer.
The selection of the storage area is important. It should not only provide
protection for the topsoil material, but it also should minimize the haul time
involved in the storing and redistribution of the material to the final location.

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quick budget estimate is needed, flat sawing concrete is usually priced by the
inch foot. For example a slab that is 6 deep would be priced at $0.20-
$0.60/inch foot or $1.20-$3.60/l.f. Asphalt 6 deep would be priced at $0.10-
$0.20/inch foot or $0.60-$1.20/l.f.

Cutting Concrete Door Openings with Wall Saw

Typical door openings are 3 x 7 x 12-16 deep (.91M x 2.13M x

300 mm 400 mm). To cut these openings a wall saw that operates on a
track is utilized. Wall saws are available from Diamond Products located in
Ohio, Electrolux located in Kansas City and many other manufacturers.
Costs for the wall saw units range between $10,000.00-$15,000.00 plus a
power unit to run the saw that ranges between $20,000.00 and 30,000.00.
These units are typically powered by hydraulic, diesel and electric. The
openings are cut with continuous water which can be controlled by damming
or with the use of a vacuum. Over cutting is generally allowed and there are
options using a chain saw and core drilling the corners when over cuts are not
allowed, but will not be discussed at this time. Diamond blades used for this
application are specifically manufactured for wall saws with diameters
between 1872 (450 mm 1800mm). The average wall saw blade is 30
(750 mm). The cost of cutting concrete with a wall saw varies considerably,
depending on age of concrete, size of rebar, type of aggregate, blade
specification used, accessibility of work, skill of operator, etc. Wall sawing is
usually performed by specialty subcontractors as Semcor Mr. Wayne Camp)
whose only business is to provide this service to general contractors. It is
best to obtain a firm price quote from any concrete cutting company for
cutting that is required for a project, but if a quick budget estimate is needed,
wall sawing is usually priced by the inch foot. For example a wall that is 12
(300 mm) deep would be priced at $3.00-$4.00/ inch foot ($9.84 -
$13.12/25mm-foot) or $36.00-$48.00/ l.f.($118.11 - $157.48 / LM)
Assuming proper blade specification is used for the cutting job, the
cutting rate will be 45 l.f. (1.221.55 m) per hour. Blade wear considering
proper specification should cost between $ 0.15-$0.20 /inch foot. Typically a
30 blade will cut 12 deep into a wall at a blade cost of approximately
$900.00 and last 4,500 inch feet.
When the depth of a wall exceeds 24 (600 mm) and cannot be cut
from both sides then other options is available including the use of a wire
saw. This saw utilizes pulleys, a main frame and wire with diamond beads.
2 (50 mm) holes are drilled into the concrete to sling the diamond wire. The
power unit can be electric, hydraulic, gas or diesel.

02200 EARTHWORK

It is not difficult to compute the number of cubic yards of earth to be

excavated or removed from the premises on a specific project, but it is quite

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another matter to estimate the actual cost of performing this work, because of
the many factors and possible unknown items entering into the cost. This
includes such items as type of soil, whether or not water will be encountered,
pumping, whether the banks of the excavated portion will be self-supporting
or whether it will be necessary to brace and sheet them, disposal of excavated
earth, length of haul to dump, type of material, etc.
The prudent estimator will examine the equipment that is available
when preparing the cost estimate. The accurate choice of equipment at the
bidding stage will determine the final costs. Type of equipment selected, as
well as the size of equipment, should be based on several factors-subsurface
information, site conditions, volume of material to be moved, and availability
of specific equipment.
Estimating Quantities of Excavation. Excavating is measured by the
cubic yard, cu.yd. (cubic meter, cu.m, m3). One cubic yard contains 27 cu. ft.
(3 x 3 x 3)
General or Mass Excavation. When computing the volume or cubic
contents of any basement or portion to be excavated, take all measurements
from the outside face of wall footings, add 6 to 1-0 (150 to 300 mm) on
each side to allow for placing and removing forms, and then allow for sloping
the sides of the excavation so they will stand reasonably stable without being
supported by bracing or sheet piling. The amount of slope necessary to
provide a safe hole will vary with the kind of soil to be excavated, depth of
excavation, etc.
On construction projects the Federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), as well as state and local agencies, require for
excavations of five feet deep and over soil support of sheeting or some other
type. If none is used, then the side banks of the excavation shall be sloped
back to the soils natural angle of repose so that the excavation sides will
remain stable.
Digging in previously undisturbed material and assuming that no
water or unstable conditions exist, most estimators, when taking off
quantities for excavation, use a 1:1 slope; that is, one horizontal to one
vertical, for sand and gravel; a 1:2 slope for ordinary clay and a 1:3 or 1:4
slope for stiff clay.
In some cases job conditions may not permit the sloping of banks and
then it is usually necessary to sheet and brace the banks to prevent accidents
that result in damage to adjoining property, or worse, worker injury or death.
On jobs with column footings that project beyond the wall footings,
additional cuts must be made into the banks at the column locations to
accommodate the additional width of the footings. The volume of this cut is
computed by taking the column footing length plus 1-0 or 2-0 (300 or
600 mm) for work space plus layback of banks on both ends and
multiplying by the amount of projection beyond the wall footing to obtain the
area of the additional cut, which is then multiplied by the depth of the cut to
obtain the volume of additional excavation required.

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The depth of the general cut is usually taken from the underside of the
topsoil, previously removed, to the underside of the floor slab. Where sand,
gravel, or other fill material is to be placed under the concrete floor, the depth
should be taken to the underside of the fill material.
Example: Assume you are figuring the general or mass excavation for
a building 100'-0" x 50'-0" (30 x 15 m) at grade. The bottom edge of the
excavation is to be 2'- 0" (600 mm) from the edge of footing(s). Also assume
the depth of the excavation to be 8'-0" (2.4 m) and the soil will stand at a
slope of 1:1, one horizontal to one vertical. The calculation for excavation
volume shall be figured as follows:

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 SITE WORK 2.35
Backfilling By Hand
With Compaction Material From Stockpile
Ordinary Light Soils
Cu. Yd. Man-hours
Description
per 8-Hr Day per Cu. Yd.
Soil distribution laborer 12.00 0.67
Compactor operator 12.00 0.67
Cu. Meters Man-hours
Description
per 8-Hr Day per Cu. M.
Soil distribution laborer 9.18 0.51
Compactor operator 9.18 0.51
No allowance for compactor equipment cost.

MACHINE EXPLORATION

Excavating Using Hydraulic Backhoe

Tractor (Crawler) 1.0 Cu.Yd. (.76 Cu.Meter) Bucket
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.Yd per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.Yds.
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 720 1.11
Gravel/Sand 690 1.16
Clay, Hard 570 1.40
Rock, Well Blasted 450 1.78
Rock, Poorly Blasted 300 2.67
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.M per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.M
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 551 0.00
Gravel/Sand 528 0.00
Clay, Hard 436 1.45
Rock, Well Blasted 344 2.33
Rock, Poorly Blasted 229 3.49
Above production is based on the following: project conditions, average
to above average; operator, average; obstructions, none; swing to 60
degrees or1/4 turn. Material placed into waiting trucks.

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Excavating Using Hydraulic Backhoe
Tractor (Crawler) 1 1/4 Cu.Yd. (.96 Cu.Meter) Bucket
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.Yd per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.Yds.
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 900 0.89
Gravel/Sand 840 0.95
Clay, Hard 570 1.40
Rock, Well Blasted 450 1.78
Rock, Poorly Blasted 300 2.67
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.M per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.M
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 688 1.16
Gravel/Sand 642 1.25
Clay, Hard 436 1.84
Rock, Well Blasted 344 2.33
Rock, Poorly Blasted 229 3.49
Above production is based on the following: project conditions, average
to above average; operator, average; obstructions, none; swing to 60
degrees or1/4 turn. Material placed into waiting trucks.

Excavating Using Hydraulic Backhoe

Tractor (Crawler) 1 1/2 Cu.Yd. (1.15 Cu.Meter) Bucket
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.Yd per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.Yds.
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 1080 0.74
Gravel/Sand 1020 0.78
Clay, Hard 870 0.92
Rock, Well Blasted 660 1.21
Rock, Poorly Blasted 300 2.67

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 SITE WORK 2.37
Excavating Using Hydraulic Backhoe
Tractor (Crawler) 1 1/2 Cu.Yd. (1.15 Cu.Meter) Bucket
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.M per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.M
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 826 0.97
Gravel/Sand 780 1.03
Clay, Hard 665 1.20
Rock, Well Blasted 505 1.59
Rock, Poorly Blasted 229 3.49
Above production is based on the following: project conditions, average
to above average; operator, average; obstructions, none; swing to 60
degrees or1/4 turn. Material placed into waiting trucks.

Excavating Using Hydraulic Backhoe

Tractor (Crawler) 1 3/4 Cu.Yd. (1.34 Cu.Meter) Bucket
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.Yd per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.Yds.
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 1260 0.63
Gravel/Sand 1200 0.67
Clay, Hard 1020 0.78
Rock, Well Blasted 750 1.07
Rock, Poorly Blasted 510 1.57
Backhoe &
Avg. No. Cu.M per
Type of Material Operator hours
8-hour day
per 100 Cu.M
Sandy Clay/Moist Loam 963 0.83
Gravel/Sand 918 0.87
Clay, Hard 780 1.03
Rock, Well Blasted 573 1.40
Rock, Poorly Blasted 390 2.05
Above production is based on the following: project conditions, average
to above average; operator, average; obstructions, none; swing to 60
degrees or1/4 turn. Material placed into waiting trucks.

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Dozer, D4 Series (Courtesy Caterpillar, Inc.)

Daily Scraper Production for Various Operation Cycles

Based on a 50- Minute Hour and an 8-Hour Day
Operation
Struck Capacity of Scraper
Cycle in
Minutes 7 CY 14 CY 24 CY 5.35 Cu.M 10.7 Cu.M 18.35 Cu.M
3 930 1,860 3,200 711 1,422 2,447
4 700 1,400 2,400 535 1,070 1,835
5 560 1,120 1,920 428 856 1,468
6 465 930 1,600 356 711 1,223
7 400 800 1,370 306 612 1,048
8 350 700 1,200 268 535 918
9 310 620 1,070 237 474 818
10 280 560 960 214 428 734

Sample Estimate for Scraper Excavation

Based on a site grading cut containing 8,000 cu. yds. (6116 cu. m),
excavated material to be spread-dumped in low areas requiring fill, good
conditions permitting a 50-minute hour, an operation cycle of 6 minutes and
using two 14 cu. yd. (11 cu. m), struck measure, self-propelled scrapers.

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 SITE WORK 2.79
Description Hours Rate Total
Bring scrapers to project,
$ 675.00 $ 1,350.00
Move-in Charge 2 ea.
Labor Foreman 35.00 $ 18.06 $ 632.10
Scraper Operators 70.00 $ 30.36 $ 2,125.20
Scraper Hours 70.00 $ 76.38 $ 5,346.25
Total Direct Costs $ 9,453.55
Cost per Cu.Yd $ 1.18
Cost per Cu. Meter $ 1.55

If a 105-Hp (78 kW) bulldozer is needed to give pusher assistance in

loading, to maintain the operation cycle time of 6 minutes, the additional cost
per cu. yd. (cu. m) would be as follows:

Description Hours Rate Total

Bring scrapers to project,
$ 675.00 $ 675.00
Move-in Charge 1 ea.
Bulldozer Operator 35.00 $ 30.36 $ 1,062.60
Bulldozer Charge 35.00 $ 44.88 $ 1,570.63
Additional Direct Costs $ 2,633.23
Cost per Cu.Yd $ 0.33
Cost per Cu. Meter $ 0.43

Trenching and Ditching Machine Excavation

Designed strictly for the purpose of cutting ditches, the trenching

machine is the fastest earthmover for its weight and horsepower. Before a
contractor can reap the benefits of this potential output, he must select a
trenching machine of a type and size that fits the work to be done, and even
more important, must put an operator on the machine who has both skill and
experience.
There are two basic types of machine, the wheel type and the ladder
type. The wheel type is generally considered to be the fastest and is by far the
most common type in use today. Each type has advantages and disadvantages
for performing certain classes of work.
Because most trenching or ditching operations in building
construction will be foundations, service trenches, etc., the following data
covers the cost and operation of a general purpose, crawler-mounted, wheel
machine of the type and size generally used for this work.

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 SITE WORK 2.143
rapidly. The joints are made by a coupling sleeve very much like that used
with plumbing PVC piping. It is wise to lay a strip of filter cloth above the
plastic tubing prior to installing the washed gravel to keep all sandy fines
from entering the plastic tubing and creating a stoppage. All other grading
preparation and gravels are installed around this particular material the same
as for vitrified clay tile.
Subsoil drains, whether perimeter or underslab, can be connected to
an existing storm sewer (in some localities, to a sanitary sewer), can be
trenched to an outfall at grade level away from the structure (depending on
the existing terrain), or connected to a sump pump area within the lower level
of the building. If subsoil drainage piping terminates at a sump pump, a
submergible pump with an automatic float control switch and discharge
piping will be needed.

DRAINAGE STRUCTURES

There are a number of types of drainage structures required in storm

drain piping systems. These structures can be of masonry, cast-in-place
concrete, or precast concrete.
Curb inlets and yard drains are one type of structure that is used to
collect surface water run-off and discharge it into the storm water piping
system. The size of the inlet is determined by the area of run-off, as well as
the size of the discharge pipe leading away from the inlet structure itself. An
average price for a curb inlet drainage structure is $250 to $300 per vertical
lineal foot ($820-984 per vertical meter), and the average price of a yard
drainage structure is $175 to $210 per vertical lineal foot ($574-689 per
vertical meter).
Storm drainage manhole structures are required at certain intervals
along a storm pipe line, depending on the local codes, and whenever a storm
drainage pipe system changes direction. The majority of manholes are precast
concrete. It is much quicker to set an entire manhole in the course of the day
instead of keeping the open pit shored while constructing a cast-in-place
concrete manhole and bottom chamber. Once the manhole structure is in
place and the piping connected, the bottom of the manhole structure is
channeled using brick and mortar to aid the water flow from the inlet pipe to
the outlet pipe.
Headwalls and endwalls are usually cast-in-place reinforced concrete
walls at the ends of pipe, where either water enters the pipe (headwall) or
where the water discharges from the pipe (endwall). Quite often at a
headwall, there is a concrete flume entrance slab, and there might be a trash
rack (a grillage screen) at the entrance to collect debris.
At the endwall an outfall slab or rip-rap area is installed that prevents
the discharge water from eroding the soil away. The price of headwalls and
endwalls varies tremendously, because each is sized individually depending

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2.144 BUILDING ESTIMATORS REFERENCE
upon the size of the inlet or discharge pipe and the amount of earth and
height of the earth bank above the pipe that is being retained.

STORM PIPING

Concrete, HOBAS, PVC, Ductile Iron Pipe and corrugated metal

are often used for piping other than sewer. The relative material costs per
lineal foot (meter) are about as follows:
Storm Piping
Weight of Corrugated PVC Pipe (per
Size of Pipe Concrete per
Conc. Pile (per LF) LF)
(In.) LF
(Lbs) 20' Lengths 10' Lengths
6 $ 4.20 ----- $ 3.12 $ 2.95
8 $ 4.60 ----- $ 6.93 ** $ 5.24
10 $ 5.10 ----- $ 8.39 ** $ 7.79
12 * $ 12.20 93 $ 10.12 ** $ 8.75
15 * $ 15.10 127 $ 12.50 ** $ 12.25
18 * $ 15.20 168 $ 15.71 ** $ 14.40
24 * $ 22.20 265 $ 19.28 ** -----
30 * $ 30.90 384 $ 24.99 ** -----
36 * $ 43.40 524 $ 36.89 ** -----
42 * $ 59.50 686 $ 41.06 ** -----
48 * $ 73.80 867 $ 56.53 ** -----
60 * $ 118.40 1295 $ 73.19 ** -----
72 * $ 167.80 1811 $ 111.27 ** -----
84 * $ 305.80 2409 ----- -----
96 * $ 368.90 3090 ----- -----
*Reinforced Concrete ** Coated

Storm Piping
Corrugated
Weight of PVC Pipe
Size of Pipe Concrete per Uncoated
Conc. Pile (per m)
(mm) m (per m)
(Kg) 3m Lengths
6m Lengths
150 $ 13.78 ----- $ 10.23 $ 9.68
200 $ 15.09 ----- $ 22.72 $ 17.18
250 $ 16.73 ----- $ 27.52 $ 25.57
300 * $ 40.03 42.18 $ 33.19 $ 28.70
375 * $ 49.54 57.61 $ 40.99 $ 40.19
450 * $ 49.87 76.20 $ 51.54 $ 47.24

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 SITE WORK 2.155
Two mechanics and a helper should set forms for 90 to 100 l.f. (27.5
to 30.5 m) of 30 (750 mm) concrete curb per 8-hr. day, at the following
labor cost per 100 l.f.:
Form Curb and Gutter
Description Hours Rate Total
Mechanics 17 $ 30.36 $ 516.12
Helpers (laborers) 8.5 $ 14.06 $ 119.51
Cost per 100 lin.ft. $ 635.63
per lin.ft. $ 6.36
per m $ 20.85
When setting wood forms for combined concrete curb and gutter, two
mechanics and a helper should set forms for 80 to 90 l.f.(24.4 to 27.5 m) of
curb and gutter per 8-hr. day at the following labor cost per 100 l.f. (30 m):
Form Curb and Gutter
Description Hours Rate Total
Mechanics 18.8 $ 30.36 $ 570.77
Helpers (laborers) 9.4 $ 14.06 $ 132.16
Cost per 100 lin.ft. $ 702.93
per lin.ft. $ 7.03
per m $ 23.06
Wood forms for concrete curb and gutter are ordinarily built of 2 (50
mm) lumber. Including all bracing, it requires 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 b.f. of lumber
per s.f. of forms (0.004 to 0.005 cu.m per sq.m). This cost will run from
$0.18 to 0.22 per s.f. ($1.93 to $2.36 per sq.m) and should be added to the
above setting costs, taking into consideration the number of uses expected
from the forms. These forms can be used many times, if properly taken care
of.
Placing Ready-mix Concrete for Curb and Gutter. A two-worker
crew should place about 1 c.y. (0.76 cu.m) of concrete per hr. at the
following labor cost per c.y.:
Placing Concrete
Description Hours Rate Total
Mechanics 2 $ 30.36 $ 60.72
Cost per Cu.Yd. $ 60.72
Cost per Cu.M $ 79.41

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