COMPLETE REVISION

May 2001

Process Industry Practices

Civil

SAMPLE
PIP CVS02100
Site Preparation, Excavation,
and Backfill Specification

NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL USE
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team
and will be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or
withdrawn. Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at
http://www.pip.org.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The

University of Texas at Austin, 3208 Red River Street, Suite 300, Austin,
Texas 78705. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice
for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any
kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written
authorization of PIP.

PRINTING HISTORY
March 1996 Issued
May 2001 Complete Revision

Not printed with State funds

 COMPLETE REVISION
May 2001

Process Industry Practices

Civil

SAMPLE
PIP CVS02100
Site Preparation, Excavation,
and Backfill Specification
Table of Contents

1. Introduction .................................. 2 6. Execution ................................... 11

1.1 Purpose ............................................. 2 6.1 Site Preparation............................... 11
1.2 Scope................................................. 2 6.2 Excavation ....................................... 12
6.3 Stockpiling ....................................... 13

NOT FOR
2. References.................................... 2
2.1 Process Industry Practices................ 2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards.......... 2
6.4
6.5
Drainage .......................................... 13
Disposal of Excess and Waste
Materials .......................................... 13

COMMERCIAL USE
2.3 Government Regulations................... 3 6.6 Fill and Backfill................................. 13
6.7 Base Course.................................... 14
3. Definitions .................................... 4 6.8 Dewatering ...................................... 15

4. General ......................................... 4
4.1 Quality Control................................... 4
4.2 Submittals .......................................... 6
4.3 Performance Requirements .............. 7
4.4 Environmental.................................... 8
4.5 Safety................................................. 9
4.6 Clean Up............................................ 9

5. Products ....................................... 9
5.1 General .............................................. 9
5.2 Topsoil ............................................... 9
5.3 Fill and Backfill Materials ................. 10

Process Industry Practices Page 1 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides the Contractor with site preparation, excavation, and backfill

SAMPLE
requirements.

1.2 Scope
1.2.1 This Practice describes the requirements for excavation, placement, inspection,
and management of earthen and organic materials during the site preparation,
excavation, and backfill phase of a construction project.
1.2.2 For excavation and backfill specifications for underground pipes, see
PIP CVS02700.
1.2.3 Any conflicts or inconsistencies between this Practice and the Contract
Documents shall be brought to the attention of the Owner for resolution. If
inconsistencies exist between the requirements of this Practice and those of the
Contract Documents, the more stringent requirements shall apply.
1.2.4 Excavation and backfill requirements from PIP CVS02315 have been
incorporated into this Practice; therefore, PIP CVS02315 is now obsolete.
1.2.5 This document is a complete revision of PIP CVS02100, and therefore revision
NOT FOR
markings are not provided.

2. References
COMMERCIAL USE
Applicable requirements in the following PIP Practices, codes and standards, and government
regulations shall be considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date
of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein when
appropriate.

2.1 Process Industry Practices (PIP)

– PIP CVS02700 - Underground Gravity Sewers Specification

2.2 Industry Codes and Standards

• American Concrete Institute (ACI)

– ACI 229 - Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM)
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
– ASTM C136 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates
– ASTM D422 - Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils
– ASTM D698 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics
of Soil Using Standard Effort 12,400 ft-lbf/ft3 (600 kN-m/m3)
– ASTM D1140 - Standard Test Method for Amount of Material in Soils Finer than
the No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve

Page 2 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

– ASTM D1241 - Standard Specification for Materials for Soil-Aggregate Subbase,

Base, and Surface Courses
– ASTM D1556 - Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place

SAMPLE
by the Sand-Cone Method
– ASTM D1557 - Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
Using Modified Effort 56,000 ft-lbf/ft3 (2700 kN-m/m3)
– ASTM D2167 - Standard Test Method for Density and Unit Weight of Soil in Place
by the Rubber Balloon Method
– ASTM D2487 - Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil
Classification System)
– ASTM D2922 - Standard Test Methods for Density of Soils and Soil-Aggregate in
Place by Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)
– ASTM D2937 - Standard Test Method for Density of Soil in Place by the Drive-
Cylinder Method
– ASTM D 3740 - Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock Used in Engineering
Design and Construction
– ASTM D4318 - Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and

NOT FOR
Plasticity Index of Soils
– ASTM D3282, - Standard Classification of Soils and Soil-Aggregate Mixtures for

COMMERCIAL USE
Highway Construction Purposes
– ASTM D4253 - Standard Test Methods for Maximum Index Density and Unit
Weight of Soils Using a Vibratory Table
– ASTM D 4254 - Standard Test Method for Minimum Index Density and Unit
Weight of Soils and Calculation of Relative Density
2.3 Government Regulations

• U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

– OSHA 29 CFR 1926 - Safety and Health Regulations for Construction
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
– National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit [or a permit
issued by a state agency approved by the EPA as a substitute for the NPDES
permit]
– National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for
Construction Activity
– Storm Water Management for Construction Activities

3. Definitions
Civil Engineer of Record: Owner’s authorized representative with overall authority and
responsibility for the civil engineering design, referred to in this Practice as Engineer

Process Industry Practices Page 3 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

Contract Documents: Any and all documents, including design drawings, that the Owner has
transmitted or otherwise communicated (either by incorporation or by reference) and has made
part of the legal contract or purchase order agreement between the Owner and the Contractor

Contractor: The party responsible for performing site preparation, excavation, fill, and backfill,
including work executed through the use of sub-contractors

Engineer: See Civil Engineer of Record

Owner: The party who awards the contract. The Owner may be the Owner or the Owner’s
authorized agent

Structural Fill: Fill or backfill placed beneath or immediately surrounding footings, grade beams,
or mats, or beneath slabs, buildings, roads, paved areas, and parking areas

4. General

4.1 Quality Control

SAMPLE
Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, the Contractor shall institute a
quality control (QC) program that will verify or ensure that the work performed under the
contract meets the requirements of this Practice and the Contract Documents. As part of
the QC program, unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, the Contractor
shall retain a qualified independent inspection/testing firm meeting the criteria of ASTM
D3740 to perform the work identified in Sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 of this Practice. The
Contractor shall submit the name and qualifications of the proposed inspection/testing
firm(s) along with the Contractor’s bid for Owner approval. During construction, the
Owner shall have access to all the Contractor’s facilities and records for the purpose of
conducting performance inspection/audits. During the audit, any inspection, test reports,
and/or engineering analyses and calculations associated with the scope of work shall be
furnished upon request.
4.1.1 NOT FOR
Surveying

COMMERCIAL USE
The Contractor shall furnish all lines and grades for Contractor’s operations after
starting from horizontal and vertical control furnished by the Owner. The
Contractor shall be solely responsible for the accuracy of survey work performed.
4.1.2 Inspection
The inspection/testing firm required in Section 4.1 shall be responsible for QC
inspection and testing to assure that the Contractor’s work meets the
requirements of this Practice and the Contract Documents. The firm shall
perform tests as outlined in Section 4.1.3 or as otherwise directed in the Contract
Documents.
If the Owner performs testing and inspection, the Contractor shall not be relieved
of the responsibility to meet all requirements of this Practice and the Contract
Documents. Should some completed work be found not in compliance with this
Practice, the Contractor shall be responsible for repairing or reconstructing the
deficiencies to meet this Practice and other Contract Documents.

Page 4 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

4.1.3 Testing
4.1.3.1 Tests of gradation, plasticity, density, and moisture content shall be
performed for each type of fill material. These tests shall include one
standard sieve analysis (ASTM C136, ASTM D422, or ASTM D1140),
one liquid and plastic limit determination per ASTM D4318, and one
Modified Proctor Test per ASTM D1557 or one Standard Proctor Test per
ASTM D698. For granular soils exhibiting no well-defined moisture-
density relationship, index density, unit weight, and relative density shall

SAMPLE
be determined per ASTM D4253 and ASTM D4254. Where the type or
the source of material changes, these control tests shall be redone with
the new material.
4.1.3.2 The following in-place density and moisture content testing (field density
testing) on compacted fill shall be performed unless specified otherwise.
Use the sand-cone method per ASTM D1556, the nuclear method per
ASTM D2922, the rubber balloon method per ASTM D2167, or the drive-
cylinder method per ASTM D2937 to measure the moisture content and
dry density of the soil. The testing shall be performed at the following
frequencies unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents.
1. Under all foundations - one test every 1000 square feet
(90 square m) of each lift
2. Under area paving - one test every 2000 square feet
(180 square m) of each lift
3. Road base and sub-base - one test every 2000 square feet
(180 square m) of base or sub-base
NOT FOR
4. Backfill of trenches (for utility lines or foundations) - one test for
every 50 linear feet (15 m) of each lift
COMMERCIAL USE
5. General fill - one test every 5000 square feet (460 square m) of
each lift
4.1.3.3 As a minimum, at least one in-place moisture content and one density
test must be performed on every lift of fill, and further placement shall
not be allowed until the required dry density has been achieved.
4.1.3.4 The number of tests shall be increased if a visual inspection determines
that the moisture content is not uniform or if the compacting effort is
variable and not considered sufficient to attain the specified dry density.
4.1.3.5 The Engineer may approve a decrease in the number of tests once a
compaction procedure has met project requirements.
4.1.4 Protection
4.1.4.1 The Contractor shall place and maintain in good condition temporary
fences, guardrails, barricades, lights, and other protective measures
required for the safety of personnel and the premises.
4.1.4.2 All reference points, property markers, benchmarks, etc., shall be
carefully maintained during excavation, backfilling, compaction, and
earthwork. Damage to a reference point by the Contractor during

Process Industry Practices Page 5 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

performance of the work shall be repaired or replaced by the Contractor

to the satisfaction of the Owner.
4.1.4.3 Unless otherwise specified, all known utilities within the project limits
will be located and marked by the Owner or will be noted in the Contract
Documents before earthwork. Other utility locations may become evident
as earthwork progresses, and this may necessitate that work stop until
utilities are identified and until the Owner provides specific direction.
4.1.4.4 During earthwork, all necessary precautions shall be taken to protect and
preserve utilities scheduled to remain. The Contractor shall install

impractical.
SAMPLE
temporary service lines when such preservation and protection are

4.1.4.5 The Contractor shall use bracing and shoring to protect excavations
adjacent to existing underground installations (e.g., foundations, piping
manholes, electrical, and duct banks) during construction. No excavation
is permitted under foundations.
4.1.4.6 The Contractor shall be responsible for avoiding damage to and
preserving trees, shrubs, and all other vegetation in the areas beyond the
designated excavation area.
4.1.4.7 Any damage to structure, utility lines, or graded areas caused by erosion
shall be repaired by Contractor to the original condition at no cost to the
Owner. This includes areas that are seeded until such time that the
vegetation prevents erosion.

4.2 Submittals
4.2.1
NOT FOR
The testing/inspection firm shall be responsible for transmitting the following
submittals to the Owner and Contractor:
•
COMMERCIAL USE
A statement attesting to compliance of the Contractor’s work with the
requirements of this Practice and the Contract Documents
• Informal daily “pass” or “fail” reports. Formal reports including all test
logs and comments shall be submitted weekly. These formal reports shall
include density and moisture content test logs, indicating location of tests
by coordinates and elevation and any appropriate comments. All test logs
and comments shall be compiled and submitted at earthwork completion
for permanent project records.
• Sources and test results of all borrow materials used for fill
4.2.2 The Contractor shall be responsible for transmitting the following submittals to
the Owner:
• Accurately recorded as-built locations of project-installed underground
utilities and tie-in points/interferences encountered during project
construction. Data shall include horizontal dimensions, elevations, size,
and slope gradients, as appropriate for the utility as required by the Owner.

Page 6 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

4.2.3 The Contractor shall notify the Owner, in writing, not less than five (5) days in
advance of any blasting operation. Written approval from the Owner is required
before proceeding with intended blasting operations.
4.2.4 Shoring and sheeting - If excavation bracing is required, the Contractor is
responsible for providing plans, sketches, and/or detail along with supporting
calculations by a registered professional engineer. Further, the submittal shall
provide the following information:
• Description of the materials and shoring system to be used
•

•
SAMPLE
Indication of whether or not any components will remain after filling or
backfilling
Indication of the sequence and method of installation
4.2.5 Dewatering - If dewatering of an excavation is required, the Contractor shall
submit proposed methods and details to the Owner for review before beginning
excavation.
4.2.6 Soil erosion control and/or storm water runoff plan - The Contractor shall submit
a copy of any soil erosion or pollution prevention plan if required by the
authority having jurisdiction. These shall be provided to the Owner as well as to
the appropriate authority.

4.3 Performance Requirements

4.3.1 Preparation of Areas for Fill or Loading
4.3.1.1 Areas to receive fill, foundations, or pavement or areas to be used in the

NOT FOR
future to support structural loads as shown on the contract drawings shall
be free of roots, trash, snow, ice, or other foreign material and shall not
be frozen. Large areas (more than 3000 square feet [280 square m]) shall
COMMERCIAL USE
be proof-rolled, soft soils shall be removed and replaced with Structural
Fill, and the top 6 inches (150 mm) shall be scarified and recompacted.
The Engineer may require, in the Contract Documents, over-excavation,
moisture conditioning, and recompacting of the upper soils and chemical
stabilization or other methods of improving soil conditions before the
placement of fill or other loading. Proof rolling may be defined as
crossing the area repeatedly and methodically with a heavy (minimum
10-ton weight) rubber-tired roller or a loaded dump truck.
4.3.1.2 The density of the top 6 inches (150 mm) in these areas shall not be less
than 90% of the maximum Modified Proctor density, as determined by
ASTM D1557, or 95% of the maximum Standard Proctor density, as
determined by ASTM D698. Granular soil that exhibits no well-defined
moisture-density relationship shall be compacted to 80% relative density,
as determined by ASTM D4253 and ASTM D4254.
4.3.2 Fill or Backfill
4.3.2.1 Structural Fill shall be compacted to at least 90% of the maximum
Modified Proctor density, as determined by ASTM D1557, or 95% of the
maximum Standard Proctor density, as determined by ASTM D698.
Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM) may also be used (see

Process Industry Practices Page 7 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

Section 5.3.3). Structural Fill that is granular material shall be compacted

to 80% relative density, as determined by ASTM D 4253.
4.3.2.2 Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, fill other than
Structural Fill shall be compacted to at least 85% of the maximum
Modified Proctor density, as determined by ASTM D1557, or 90% of the
maximum Standard Proctor density, as determined by ASTM D698. Sand
without a well-defined moisture-density curve shall be compacted to 70%
relative density, as determined by ASTM D4253.

SAMPLE
4.3.2.3 The moisture content of the material being compacted shall be within
+3% of the optimum moisture content as determined by the applicable
ASTM D1557 or ASTM D698. The Contractor shall condition the
moisture content of fill materials as necessary to achieve the required
moisture content, without additional cost to the Owner.
4.3.2.4 Compaction by water jetting or flooding is not permitted.
4.3.2.5 Chemical stabilization is acceptable, when approved by the Owner in
writing, if modification of liquid limit (LL) and plasticity index (PI) are
necessary to obtain satisfactory compaction.

4.4 Environmental
4.4.1 Contaminated Soils
Known contaminated soils within the construction limits shall be managed in
accordance with a contaminated soil management plan provided by the Owner
before the start of excavation. If unexpected soil contamination is encountered
NOT FOR
during the work, the Contractor shall stop work and notify the Owner
immediately.
4.4.2
COMMERCIAL USE
Erosion/Sediment Control
The Contractor shall ensure that the following requirements are met:
1. All procedures and work shall be in accordance with local, state, and federal
regulations (e.g., terms of the NPDES General Permit for Construction
Activity, other USEPA documents such as Storm Water Management for
Construction Activities, or specific project permit).
2. All areas shall be maintained using temporary erosion and sediment control
measures during construction until the Contractor is relieved by the Owner
or until permanent measures are completed and functioning in a satisfactory
manner.

4.5 Safety
The Contractor shall comply with OSHA 29 CFR 1926 and any other applicable federal,
state, and local codes and with any safety requirements of the Owner.
4.5.1 Work Permit
A work permit shall be obtained from the Owner before performing any
earthwork, unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents.

Page 8 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

4.5.2 Rock Blasting

4.5.2.1 If rock blasting is required, the Contractor shall develop a written rock-
blasting safety plan for Owner’s approval.
4.5.2.2 The Contractor shall obtain and pay for required permits from authorities
having jurisdiction. The Contractor shall submit copies of such permits
to the Owner and shall obtain written permission from the Owner before
explosives are brought to the site or before drilling is started.
4.5.2.3 Explosives shall be stored, handled, and used in accordance with local
regulations and with the Owner’s safety practices. These criteria shall be
addressed in the rock-blasting safety plan.
4.5.2.4 The Contractor shall be responsible for all blasting operations.

4.6 Clean Up
Soil that is spilled or washed onto paved areas or streets shall be removed daily from the
surface. Soil that is spilled or washed into drains, pipes, gutters, or ditches or onto
adjacent property shall be removed promptly.

5. Products

5.1 General
SAMPLE
Fill and backfill materials shall be from either on-site excavation, designated borrow
areas, or from off-site sources conforming to the following criteria unless otherwise
recommended by the Engineer in the Contract Documents. Contractor shall obtain
approval from the Owner for all borrow material and all supply sources.

5.2 Topsoil
5.2.1 Before removing topsoil, clear the area of all debris.
5.2.2 Remove topsoil to full depth, or as indicated in the Contract Documents, unless
otherwise directed by the Engineer.
5.2.3 After completing grading operations and before grassing operations, the graded
areas that are not to be further improved shall be overlaid with topsoil of a

5.2.4
NOT FOR
compacted minimum thickness of 4 inches (100 mm).
Topsoil salvaged from within the limits of cut and fill shall be stored in
COMMERCIAL USE
stockpiles.

5.3 Fill and Backfill Materials

5.3.1 General Requirements
5.3.1.1 Fill and backfill shall contain no rocks or stones larger than 3 inches
(75 mm) and shall be free of frozen lumps, organic matter, trash, chunks
of highly plastic clay, snow, ice, contamination, or other unsatisfactory
material.

Process Industry Practices Page 9 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

5.3.1.2 Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, Structural Fill

shall also meet the requirements given in Sections 5.3.2 or 5.3.3 below.
Other materials may be used only with the Engineer’s approval.
5.3.1.3 Liquid limit and plastic limit shall be determined in accordance with
ASTM D4318.
5.3.2 Structural Fill Material
Fill and backfill to be used as Structural Fill shall be gravel, sand, clay, or silt, or

SAMPLE
a mixture of these constituents. Except for sands or gravels that exhibit no
plasticity characteristics, the material shall meet the following characteristics:
Soil Properties
Liquid limit 40 maximum
Plasticity index 6 minimum to 20 maximum

5.3.3 Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)

CLSM or “flowable fill” shall conform to ACI 229, unless otherwise specified.
The mix design shall be proportioned to produce a minimum 28-day compressive
strength between 100 and 200 psi (0.69 and 1.38 Mpa), shall be pretested using
the actual raw materials, and shall be approved by the Engineer before use on the
project. Unless otherwise specified, simple visual inspection is all that is required
for field testing.

NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL USE

Page 10 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

6. Execution

6.1 Site Preparation

6.1.1 Clearing and Grubbing
6.1.1.1 Clearing and grubbing shall consist of the removal and satisfactory
disposal of trees, stumps, roots, vegetation, logs, rubbish, and other
unsuitable material.
6.1.1.2 Areas designated for clearing and grubbing shall be cleared except for

SAMPLE
trees and shrubs in areas designated in the Contract Documents for
preservation. During construction operations, the Contractor shall
carefully protect from abuse, marring, or damage, those trees, shrubs, and
other landscape features specifically designated on the drawings for
preservation. No trees, bushes, or shrubs outside the construction area
shall be damaged in any manner.
6.1.1.3 In the areas designated for clearing and grubbing, trees, stumps, and
other vegetation shall be removed to the bottom of their root zone, unless
otherwise directed in the Contract Documents.
6.1.1.4 Depressions made by clearing and grubbing operations shall be filled
with suitable material and compacted to conform to the adjacent surface
of the original ground.
6.1.2 Stripping
6.1.2.1 Stripping shall consist of the excavation, removal, and satisfactory
disposal of all topsoil and soil containing organic material. The
excavation depth shall be to the bottom of the root zone but shall be no
NOT FOR
less than 6 inches (150 mm).
6.1.2.2 Reusable materials shall be stockpiled as necessary for the Contractor’s

6.1.3
COMMERCIAL USE
operations in areas approved by the Owner.
Rough Grading
6.1.3.1 General area grading shall be completed to within a tolerance of +0.20
feet (+60 mm) of the elevations shown in the Contract Documents.
6.1.3.2 Roads, parking areas, and building areas shall be excavated or filled to
subgrade elevations shown in the Contract Documents. Rock
encountered through cut sections shall be excavated to 1 foot (0.3 m)
below subgrade elevation and shall be backfilled to the proper elevation.
6.1.3.3 The Contractor shall suspend earthwork operations after consultation
with Engineer/Owner if unsatisfactory field conditions (caused by rain,
inclement weather, or other circumstances) prevent satisfactory progress
toward completion of the project.

Process Industry Practices Page 11 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

6.2 Excavation
6.2.1 Structural Excavation
Structural excavation shall include excavations for footings, grade beams, pits,
basements, retaining walls, manholes, catch basins, etc.
6.2.1.1 Excavation shall be performed as required by the Contract Documents to
the dimensions, grades, and elevations as noted and as required for

SAMPLE
formwork.
6.2.1.2 When soft and compressible soil is encountered at footing grades as
shown in the Contract Documents, such soil shall be removed and
replaced with fill or backfill as specified in Section 5.3 and compacted
according to Section 4.3.2.
6.2.1.3 Over-excavation at footings may be backfilled with lean concrete or
CLSM according to Section 5.3.3.
6.2.2 Earthen Structures
Earthen structures include permanent work items such as ponds, canals, ditches,
etc. Excavation for such work shall be made to the lines, grades, and cross
sections as shown in the Contract Documents.
6.2.2.1 Side slopes of excavations shall be cut true and straight and shall be
graded to the proper cross section. Unstable soil in the slopes shall be
removed, and the slopes properly prepared. The bottoms of excavations
shall be graded to the elevations and configurations as shown in the
NOT FOR
Contract Documents.
6.2.2.2 Over-excavation shall be backfilled with suitable material and compacted

6.2.3 Trenching
COMMERCIAL USE
in accordance with Section 4.3.2.

Trenching for underground pipe, conduits, and duct banks shall conform to
PIP CVS02700.
6.2.4 Rock Excavation
6.2.4.1 Rock Definition
Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, rock excavation
shall consist of excavation of boulders or pieces of detached rock
measuring 1 cubic yard (0.76 cubic m) in volume or greater, or rock in
ledges, bedded deposits, and conglomerate deposits so firmly cemented
that they present all the characteristics of solid rock, which cannot be
excavated with heavy equipment. All other excavation shall be earth
excavation.
6.2.4.1 Mechanical Method
In areas where blasting is not permitted, rock may be excavated with
mechanical rippers, mechanical breakers, or mechanical drills with non-
explosive demolition agents.

Page 12 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

6.2.4.2 Blasting Method

In areas of rock where blasting is permitted and required, blasting
operations shall be managed in accordance with the rock-blasting plan
(see Section 4.5.2). If unexpected hard rock is encountered during the
work, the work shall stop until a blasting plan is developed or until the
Owner provides specific direction.

6.3 Stockpiling
6.3.1

6.3.2
SAMPLE
Material shall be stockpiled as directed by the Owner. The Contractor shall place,
grade, and shape stockpiles for proper drainage.
Storage or stockpiling of material will not be permitted on a completed subgrade.
6.3.3 Stockpiling of contaminated soils shall be in compliance with an approved
contaminated soils management plan or as directed by the Owner.

6.4 Drainage
6.4.1 Drainage of cuts, excavations, fills, stockpiles, spoil areas, surcharge
embankments, and borrow areas shall be maintained at all times to prevent
ponding of surface water following rainfall by providing temporary ditches,
swales, culverts, and/ or pumping systems as required in each respective site area.
Temporary drainage facilities shall be removed at the completion of the project
or as directed by the Owner.
6.4.2 A surface seal shall be performed as needed to prevent saturation during wet
weather or temporary shutdown of operations. Soil that becomes saturated shall
NOT FOR
be removed completely or as directed by the Owner. Such saturated soil shall be
disposed of as directed by Owner or shall be reconditioned to conform to this
Practice.

6.5
COMMERCIAL USE
Disposal of Excess and Waste Materials
6.5.1 Insofar as practicable, all suitable materials removed by excavation shall be
utilized as fill.
6.5.2 Excavated material in excess of that required for normal embankment
construction shall be stockpiled within the construction limits or shall be placed
in a designated spoil area beyond the construction limits as directed by the
Owner.
6.5.3 Material unsuitable for fill and debris removed by clearing, grubbing, stripping,
and excavation shall be removed to a disposal area approved by the Owner.
Burning of combustible materials shall be done only with the written approval of
the Owner and only if permitted by local authorities.

6.6 Fill and Backfill

6.6.1 Before placement of fill or backfill, the area to receive the fill shall be prepared
in accordance with Section 4.3.1. On sloping sites, the Engineer may also
require, in the Contract Documents, the excavation of natural soils to key the new
fill into the underlying soil.

Process Industry Practices Page 13 of 15

PIP CVS02100 COMPLETE REVISION
Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification May 2001

6.6.2 Compacting shall begin only after the fill or backfill has been properly placed
and after the material to be compacted is at the proper moisture content. Fill
material shall be placed in lifts not exceeding 8 inches (200 mm) in loose depth.
Compaction shall be performed with equipment compatible with soil type. Fill
and backfill layers shall be uniformly compacted to the density as specified in
Section 4.3.
6.6.3 Fill and backfill adjacent to structures such as retaining walls, pits, and
basements shall not be compacted with heavy equipment but instead shall be
compacted with hand-operated equipment to a distance of 4 feet (1.2 m) or

SAMPLE
greater beyond the sides of the structures. Unless otherwise approved by the
Owner, fill materials shall be placed in lifts not exceeding 4 inches (100 mm) in
loose depth for hand-operated compaction equipment. Every effort shall be made
to place backfill materials symmetrically and in uniform layers to prevent
unnecessary eccentric loading on a structure or foundation. Do not backfill
around or over cast-in-place concrete until the concrete has attained 75% of its
specified strength, unless permitted otherwise in writing by the Owner.
6.6.4 Compacted surfaces of fill and backfill shall be finish-graded to the cross
sections, lines, grades, and elevations as indicated in the Contract Documents.

6.7 Base Course

The base course for roads, parking areas, and other areas to be surfaced shall be prepared
in accordance with the following:
6.7.1 The existing ground to the toe of fill slopes shall be cleared, grubbed, and
stripped in accordance with Sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2.
6.7.2 Excavation of areas in cut shall comply with Sections 4.3 and 6.2. Backfill of
NOT FOR
base course shall comply with Sections 4.3 and 6.6, with the following exception.
Compaction shall be to at least 95% of the maximum Modified Proctor density,

COMMERCIAL USE
as determined by ASTM D1557, or 100% of the maximum Standard Proctor
density, as determined by ASTM D698.
6.7.3 Fill and backfill materials shall comply with Section 5.3 unless otherwise
specified.
6.7.4 Geosynthetic materials, if required by the Contract Documents, shall be installed
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and/or as detailed in the
Contract Documents.
6.7.5 The compacted base course shall be shaped to a smooth and even surface, free of
voids, and to the required elevation. Any deviation in excess of 1/4 inch (6 mm)
in cross section or 1/4 inch (6 mm) in length when measured with a 16-foot
(5-m) straightedge shall be corrected by loosening, adding, or removing material
and then reshaping and recompacting by sprinkling and rolling. The base course
shall be maintained in a smooth, true-to-grade, compacted condition until it is
covered by other construction.

6.8 Dewatering
6.8.1 All dewatering methods and disposal of water are subject to approval of the
Owner. All work shall be in accordance with Sections 4.2.5 and 4.4.2.

Page 14 of 15 Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVSION PIP CVS02100
May 2001 Site Preparation, Excavation, and Backfill Specification

6.8.2 If required for construction, before excavation, an approved dewatering system

shall be installed and operated when necessary to lower the groundwater. The
design of the dewatering system shall be the responsibility of the Contractor,

6.8.3
SAMPLE
unless otherwise noted in the Contract Documents. Contractor shall be
responsible for any effects of dewatering on adjacent facilities.
Surface water shall be prevented from flowing into excavations by installing
ditches, trenches, protective swales, pumps, or other approved measures.
6.8.4 All diverted and pumped water shall flow to existing drainage. Excavations for
foundations and other underground installations shall not be used as temporary
drainage ditches.
6.8.5 The Contractor shall provide and maintain, at all times during construction,
ample means with which to remove and properly dispose of all water from every
natural source entering the excavation.
6.8.6 Any water the Contractor discharges shall be tested for water quality to
determine whether discharge can be disposed of through the natural waterways or
whether it shall be contained for treatment.

NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL USE

Process Industry Practices Page 15 of 15