2-Division 31 - Earthwork.pdf

CALN TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY

KING’S GRANT PUMP STATION UPGRADES

MARCH 2026

31 23 33 - EXCAVATION, BACKFILL AND COMPACTION

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PART 1 - GENERAL

1.01 SECTION DESCRIPTION

A. The Work of this Section Includes

1. Excavation, backfill and compaction associated with utility construction, including such related features as protection of adjacent utilities and structures, maintenance and protection of traffic, cutting paved surfaces, support of excavation, control of excavated materials, dewatering, pipe bedding, disposal of excavated materials, rough grading and restoration.

2. Excavation, backfill and compaction associated with construction or installation of structures including such related features as protection of adjacent utilities and structures, support of excavation, control of excavated materials, dewatering, structure bedding, disposal of excavated material, rough grading and restoration.

1.02 RELATED SECTIONS

A. Related Work Specified Elsewhere:

1. Section 01 55 26: Traffic Regulation

2. Section 32 12 23: Restoration of Paved Surfaces

3. Section 32 92 00: Finish Grading, Seeding and Sodding

1.03 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Testing Agent

1. Compaction testing for this Work shall be performed by an independent soils testing agent engaged and paid for by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer.

2. Contractor shall pay the cost of one series of tests on the area being evaluated. Contractor shall also pay the cost for additional testing as required in the event of improper performance of the Work.

B. Reference Standards

1. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Regulations Governing Occupancy of Highways by Utilities (67 PA Code, Chapter 459)

Publication 408 Specifications Pennsylvania Test Method, PTM 106 Pennsylvania Test Method, PTM 402 Publication 213, Work Zone Traffic Control

2. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):

ASTM D1557 Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil Using

Modified Effort (56,000 ft.- lbf/ft3)

ASTM D2922 Standard Test Method for Density of Soil and Soil - Aggregate in Place by

Nuclear Methods (Shallow Depth)

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C. Compaction Testing

1. Conduct compaction tests at locations on 50 foot centers (1 per 2500 square feet) or closer as required for every 8 inches of fill placed.

2. Compaction shall be determined by the testing procedure contained in ASTM D2922 based on previously determined compaction curve data as established by ASTM D1557.

3. Compaction in state highways and shoulders shall be determined by the testing procedure contained in Pennsylvania Test Method, PTM 106, Method B or PTM 402 or as noted in the PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

1.04 SUBMITTALS

A. Certificates

1. Submit certification attesting that the composition analysis of pipe embedment and select material stone backfill materials meet specification requirements in accordance with Section 01 33 00.

2. Submit certified compaction testing results from the soils testing agency per the submittal procedures in Section 01 33 00.

1.05 JOB CONDITIONS

A. Classification of Excavation

1. All excavation work performed under this contract is COMMON EXCAVATION. Common excavation is defined as the excavation and removal of all materials encountered that can be removed with a "Trac Hoe" style machine with a minimum weight of 70,000 pounds (without use of drilling and wedging, blasting, and/or mechanical surface impact equipment). If material must be removed to order to meet the requirements of the Drawings and specifications that cannot be removed with a "Trac Hoe" style machine with a minimum weight of 70,000 pounds (without use of drilling and wedging, blasting, and/or mechanical surface impact equipment), then the unit rate for rock removal shall apply at those specific locations. The contractor shall notify the Owner and Engineer if rock is encountered and shall precisely document the in-situ dimensions of rock that is removed. Rock is defined as “Solid mineral material of a size that cannot be removed with a "Trac Hoe" style machine with a minimum weight of 70,000 pounds (without use of drilling and wedging, blasting, and/or mechanical surface impact equipment).”

B. Compaction of Backfill:

1. Excavations shall be backfilled in lifts not exceeding 8 inches in loose thickness. Each lift shall be individually compacted.

2. The following percentages of maximum dry density shall be achieved:

Modified Effort ASTM D1557

a) Building Foundation and Structural Slab-on-Grade 95%

b) Exterior Side of Structure Walls 95% to point 5' from building wall, then 90%

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c) Trench Backfill under Pavement (not including base course materials) 95%

d) Trench Backfill within Unpaved Areas 90%

3. Contractor shall maintain moisture content of backfill materials at or near the optimum moisture content to attain the required compaction density.

C. Control of Traffic

1. Employ traffic control measures in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of

Transportation Publication 213, "Work Zone Traffic Control" and as shown on Drawings, and as required by the PennDOT Utility Highway Occupancy Permit.

2. See Section 01 55 26 - Traffic Regulation.

D. Protection of Existing Utilities and Structures

1. Take all precautions and utilize all facilities required to protect existing utilities and structures. In compliance with Pennsylvania Act 287 (1974) as last amended by Pennsylvania Act 181 (2006), advise each Utility at least three (3) working days in advance of intent to excavate, do demolition work or use explosives and give the location of the job site. Request cooperative steps of the Utility and suggestions for procedures to avoid damage to its lines.

2. Advise each person in physical control of powered equipment used in excavation or demolition work of the type and location of utility lines at the job site, the Utility assistance to expect, and procedures to follow to prevent damage.

3. Immediately report to the Utility and the Resident Project Representative any break, leak or other damage to the lines or protective coatings made or discovered during the work and immediately alert the occupants of premises of any emergency created or discovered.

4. Allow free access to Utility personnel at all times for purposes of maintenance, repair and inspection.

E. Protection of Trees and Shrubs

1. Any trees and/or shrubs to be protected which are damaged or destroyed during construction shall be replaced in kind as required by Owner.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.01 PIPE BEDDING OR EMBEDMENT MATERIAL

A. PVC Pipe or PE Pipe

1. Bedding to Springline of Pipe: AASHTO No. 57 (former PennDOT 2B), Table C, Section 703.2, Publication 408 Specifications. Do not use slag or cinders.

2. Springline of Pipe to 12" over Pipe: AASHTO No. 57 (former PennDOT 2B), Table C, Section 703.2, Publication 408 Specifications. Do not use slag or cinders.

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B. Ductile Iron Pipe or Steel Pipe

C. Copper Service Line

1. Screenings or PennDOT Fine Aggregate, Type B Bituminous Concrete Sand #3, Section 703.1, Publication 408 Specifications.

D. Concrete Pipe (Reinforced or Non-Reinforced)

E. Corrugated Galvanized Steel Pipe

2.02 SLAB OR BASE MATERIAL

A. Concrete Slab or Precast Base

1. AASHTO No. 8 (former PennDOT No. 1B) coarse aggregate or AASHTO No. 57 (former PennDOT No. 2B) coarse aggregate if trench water present, Table C, Section 703.2, Publication 408 Specifications. Do not use slag or cinders.

2.03 BACKFILL MATERIAL

A. State Highways and Shoulders

1. Refer to approved HOP permit and Plans.

B. Existing Municipal Streets, Parking Areas and Driveways (All Paved Surfaces)

1. From top of pipe embedment material to subgrade elevation: PennDOT No. 2A coarse aggregate, Table C, Section 703.2, Publication 408 Specifications.

C. Unimproved Areas

1. From top of pipe embedment or 12" over top of pipe to subgrade elevation: Excavated material if free of stones larger than 8" in size and free of wet, frozen, or organic materials.

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PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.01 EXAMINATION & PREPARATION

A. Identify required lines, levels, contours and datum.

B. Notify Engineer of unexpected subsurface conditions and discontinue work in area until notified to resume work.

C. Maintain and protect existing utilities identified by utility users within the Work area (see paragraph 1.05D).

D. Verify that structure walls are braced to support surcharge forces imposed by backfilling operations.

3.02 PROTECTION OF ADJACENT WORK

A. Underpin adjacent structures which may be damaged by excavation work, including utilities and pipe chases.

B. Grade excavation top perimeter to prevent surface water runoff into excavation or to adjacent properties.

3.03 MAINTENANCE AND PROTECTION OF TRAFFIC

A. See Section 01 55 26 on Traffic Regulation.

3.04 CUTTING PAVED SURFACES

A. Where installation of pipelines, structures, and appurtenances necessitate breaking a paved surface, make sawcuts in a neat uniform fashion forming straight lines parallel with the edge of the excavation. Cut offsets at right angles to the edge of the excavation. Sawcuts are mandatory.

B. Protect edges of cut pavement during excavation to prevent raveling or breaking; square edges prior to pavement replacement.

3.05 EXCAVATION

A. Depth of Excavation

1. Gravity Pipelines

a. Excavate trenches to the depth and grade shown on the profile drawings for the invert of the pipe plus that excavation necessary for placement of pipe bedding material.

b. Excavation for laterals to shallow sewers shall provide a straight uniform grade from the main pipeline to the required elevation at the right-of-way line, plus that excavation necessary for placement of pipe bedding material.

c. Excavation for laterals to deep sewers shall provide a straight grade at 45o from horizontal from the main pipeline to the required elevation, then continuing at a straight uniform grade to the required elevation at the right-of-way line, plus the excavation necessary for placement of pipe bedding material.

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2. Pressure Pipelines

a. Excavate trenches to the minimum depth necessary to place required pipe bedding material and to provide four (4) feet from the top of the pipe to the finished ground elevation, except where specific depths are otherwise shown on the Drawings. Provide additional depth, where necessary to avoid high points in the pipeline.

3. Structures

a. Excavate to the minimum depth necessary to install footings, concrete slab or precast base plus that excavation necessary to place the required base material as shown on the Drawings.

4. Where unsuitable bearing material including shattered rock due to drilling or blasting operations is encountered in the bottom of the excavation, continue excavation until the unsuitable material is removed, solid bearing is obtained or can be established, or concrete/ concrete cradle can be placed. If no concrete/ concrete cradle is to be installed, refill the excavation to required grade with pipe bedding/ embedment or slab/base material as appropriate.

5. Where Contractor, by error or intent, excavates beyond the minimum required depth, backfill the excavation to the required depth with pipe bedding/embedment or slab/base material as appropriate at no extra cost to Owner.

B. Width of Excavation

1. Gravity and Pressure Pipelines

a. Excavate trenches, including laterals, to a width necessary for placement and jointing of the pipe, and for placing and compacting pipe embedment under, around and over the pipe, but not less than 6" or more than 12" on each side of the pipe.

b. Shape trench walls completely vertical from trench bottom to at least two (2) feet above the top of the pipe.

c. For pressure pipeline fittings, excavate trenches to a width that will permit placement of concrete thrust blocks. Provide earth surfaces for thrust blocks that are perpendicular to the direction of thrust and are free of loose or soft material.

2. Structures

a. Excavate to the minimum distance necessary for placement/installation of the footings, concrete slab, walls or prefabricated structures and to permit proper backfill procedures to be performed.

C. Length of Open Trench

1. Do not advance trenching operations more than 200' ahead of completed pipeline provided the PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit and/or local Municipal Road Opening Permit does not impose a more restrictive requirement.

2. Backfill completed construction and any open trench in advance of construction at the end of each working day except for a limited area (no greater than 10 LF) at the end of pipe

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construction which may remain open but shall be protected by fencing or other secure means acceptable to Owner.

3.06 SUPPORT OF EXCAVATION

A. Support excavations with sheeting, shoring, and bracing or in the case of pipeline construction, a "trench box" as required to comply with Federal and State laws and codes. The need for excavation supports shall not entitle the Contractor to any extra compensation.

B. Install adequate excavation supports to prevent ground movement or settlement to adjacent structures, pipelines or utilities. Damage due to settlement because of failure to provide support or through negligence or fault of Contractor in any other manner, shall be repaired at Contractor's expense.

C. Withdraw shoring, bracing, and sheeting as backfilling proceeds unless otherwise directed by the

Resident Project Representative.

D. The neglect, failure or refusal of the Resident Project Representative to order the use of bracing or sheeting, or a better quality, grade, or section, or larger sizes of steel or timber, or to order sheeting, bracing, struts, or shoring to be left in place, or the giving or failure to give orders or directions as to the manner or methods of placing or driving sheetings, bracing, jacks, wales, stringers, etc., shall not in any way or to any extent relieve Contractor of any responsibility concerning the condition of excavation or of any of his obligations under the Contract, nor shall any delay, whether caused by any action or want of action on the part of Contractor, or by any act of Owner and Engineer or their agents, or employees, resulting in the keeping of an excavation open longer than would otherwise have been necessary, relieve Contractor from the necessity of properly and adequately protecting the excavation from caving or slipping, nor from any of their obligations under the Contract relating to injury of persons or property, nor entitle them to any claim for extra compensation.

3.07 CONTROL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL

A. Keep the ground surface, within a minimum of 2' of the sides of the excavation, free of excavated material.

B. Provide temporary barricades to prevent excavated material from encroaching on private property, walks, gutters, and storm drains.

C. Maintain accessibility to all fire hydrants, valve pit covers, valve boxes, curb boxes, fire and police call boxes, and other utility controls at all times. Keep gutters clear or provide other satisfactory facilities for street drainage. Do not obstruct natural water courses. Where necessary, provide temporary channels to allow the flow of water either along or across the site of the work.

D. In areas where excavations parallel or cross streams, ensure that no material slides, is washed, or dumped into the stream course. Remove diversion structures and/or cofferdams immediately upon completion of construction within the stream.

3.08 DEWATERING

A. Keep excavations dry and free of water. Dispose of precipitation and subsurface water clear of the work.

B. Maintain pipe trenches dry until pipe has been jointed, inspected, and backfilled, and concrete

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work has been completed. Prevent trench water from entering pipelines under construction.

C. Intercept and divert surface drainage away from excavations. Design surface drainage systems so that they do not cause erosion on or off the site, or cause unwanted flow of water.

D. Comply with Federal and State requirements for dewatering to any watercourse, prevention of stream degradation, and erosion and sediment control.

3.09 PIPE LAYING

A. Provide required pipe bedding placed in accordance with the Drawings and Specifications (Paragraph 2.01). A minimum bedding depth of 6" shall be provided when bedding is required.

B. Shape recesses for the joints or bell of the pipe by hand. Assure that the pipe is supported on the lower quadrant for the entire length of the barrel.

C. Lay pipe as specified in the appropriate Section of these Specifications for pipeline construction.

3.10 STRUCTURE PLACEMENT/INSTALLATION

A. Provide required base material in accordance with the Drawings and Specifications (Paragraph 2.02).

3.11 BACKFILLING EXCAVATIONS

A. Pipeline Trench

1. After pipe installation and inspection, provide material to complete the pipe embedment in accordance with the Drawings and Specifications.

2. The material shall be hand-placed and carefully compacted with hand-operated mechanical tampers in layers of suitable thickness to provide specified compaction around and under the haunches of the pipe. Backfill and compact the remainder of the trench with specified backfill material in accordance with the Drawings and any relevant permit conditions.

Employ a placement method so not to disturb or damage the utility line in the trench. Use of a Hydra-hammer or jumping-jack type compaction device is not permitted within two (2) feet of the utility line. A vibratory plate type compaction device and/or trench roller is acceptable.

Vibratory compaction equipment or trench rollers shall be used for the lifts of coarse aggregate backfill within existing streets and paved areas. Any settlement which occurs because of consolidation of the backfill during the construction period or during the required maintenance period shall be corrected by Contractor.

B. Structure Excavation

1. After structure installation and inspection, backfill the excavation with specified backfill material in accordance with the Drawings. Employ a placement method so not to disturb or damage foundation perimeter drainage, foundation damp proofing or water proofing and protective cover or utility lines. Backfill against supported foundation walls; backfill simultaneously on each side of unsupported foundation walls. Pipelines entering the structure must be provided with the specified bedding material hand placed and carefully compacted with hand-operated mechanical tampers in layers of suitable thickness to provide specified compaction around and under the haunches of the pipe. Use of a Hydra-hammer or jumping-jack type compaction device is not permitted within two (2) feet of a pipeline. A vibratory plate type compaction device and/or trench roller is acceptable and shall be used

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for the lifts of coarse aggregate backfill within existing paved areas. Any settlement which occurs because of consolidation of the backfill during the construction period or during the required maintenance period shall be corrected by Contractor at no cost to Owner.

C. Lift Thickness Limitations

1. Lift thicknesses shall be limited to four (4) inches for pipe embedment, eight (8) inches maximum for pipeline trenches within paved areas and twelve (12) inches maximum for pipeline trenches in non-paved areas and for structure excavations. Lift thicknesses shall also comply with requirements imposed by any State Highway Occupancy Permit. In no case shall maximum lift thickness placed exceed the maximum limits specified by the manufacturer's recommendations for the compaction equipment to be utilized. Compaction equipment shall not be used over the pipe until sufficient backfill has been placed to ensure that such equipment will not damage or disturb the pipe.

2. Lift thickness limitations specified for State highways, shoulders, or embankments govern over the compaction equipment manufacturer's recommendations.

D. Unsuitable Backfill Material

1. Where the Resident Project Representative deems backfill material to be unsuitable and rejects all or part thereof due to conditions prevailing at the time of construction, remove the unsuitable material and replace with suitable backfill material.

3.12 DISPOSAL OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL

A. Excavated material remaining after completion of backfilling shall remain the property of Contractor, removed from the construction area, and disposed of legally. Contractor shall either allow saturated soils to sufficiently dry prior to any hauling off-site or else use a sealed, watertight truck.

3.13 ROUGH AND FINE GRADING

A. Grade areas disturbed by construction to a uniform finish. Form the bases for terraces, banks, lawns and paved areas.

B. Grade areas to be paved to depths required for placing subbase and paving materials. Top surface of exposed subgrade to be plus or minus one inch.

C. Grade areas to be topsoiled and seeded to 4" below indicated finish contours.

D. Slope grade away from structures at a minimum 2 inches in 10 feet unless otherwise noted on

Drawings.

3.14 RESTORATION OF UNPAVED SURFACES

A. Restore unpaved surfaces disturbed by construction to equal the surface condition prior to construction.

B. Restore grassed areas in accordance with Section 32 92 00: Finish Grading, Seeding, and

Sodding.

3.15 RESTORATION OF PAVED SURFACES

A. See Section 32 12 23.