County-Specs-02200-Earthwork.pdf

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GREENVILLE COUNTY

PUBLIC WORKS

STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS

SECTION 02200

EARTHWORK

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EARTHWORK

SECTION 02200

RELATED DOCUMENTS: Attention is directed to related sections of the Specifications, as they pertain to the guidelines, materials, and methods described in this section. Also, the General Provisions and Special Provisions of the Contract shall apply to all Sections of the Work. For the purpose of these specifications, the "County Engineer" shall mean the County Engineer or the County Engineer's representative, which shall include the County project manager, project inspector, or private testing firm hired by the County to oversee the earthwork operations.

1.0 SCOPE

a. General: This section includes furnishing all labor, material, equipment, and all services necessary to complete the earthwork within the project site including but not limited to road right-of-way, trenches, fill and/or cut slopes as shown on the drawings and as herein specified.

The scope of the project shall include but not be limited to the following:

1. Clearing and grubbing.

2. Backfilling and compaction.

3. Demolition of areas shown on drawings including but not limited to concrete, asphalt, walls, structures and pipe.

4. Provide and place any additional material if needed, to bring existing grades to new grades.

5. Temporary drainage of site.

6. Rock removal and replacement.

7. Trenching for utilities and drainage.

b. Contractor Verification: The Contractor shall visit the job site prior to the submission of the proposal to verify the actual conditions with those shown on the working drawings.

c. Limitations & Tolerances: Excavation and earthwork under this contract will be limited to rough grading the subgrade of roads in accordance with plans, details and specifications. Rough grading shall be within 0.1' (one-tenth of a foot) plus or minus making allowances for topsoil, road surfacing, etc.

d. Notification of Project Start: The Contractor shall notify the County Engineer seven (7) days prior to the beginning of grading operations.

e. Stockpiling of Topsoil: Topsoil shall be removed to its entire depth from all areas to be filled, excavated, or used for borrow and stockpiled at convenient locations approved by the County Engineer.

f. Maintenance of Reference Points: All reference points, property markers, right- of-way markers, etc., shall be carefully maintained. If disturbed or destroyed, the Contractor shall accurately replace same at his expense.

g. Protection of Existing Utility Lines: Existing utility lines shall be protected from damage during construction operations, and shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the Utility and County Engineer at the Contractor's expense, if damaged.

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h. Traffic Control: The Contractor shall be responsible for conducting his work in streets, roads, and highways in accordance with the requirements of the applicable Regulatory Authorities. As a minimum, for any work in State Highways, the Contractor shall meet the requirements of Traffic Controls for Street and Highway Construction and Maintenance Operations, Part V of the South Carolina Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways - 1982, latest revision.

2.0 TESTING

a. Scheduling and Coordination: The Contractor shall arrange for soil compaction testing to be performed by an independent Geotechnical testing firm at the contractor's expense for any areas which are deemed questionable by the County Engineer.

b. Proof-rolling: Prior to paving, the Contractor shall proof-roll the roadway in the presence of the

County Engineer. A fully loaded tandem dump truck or water truck shall be used to identify any unstable areas of base material. The unstable base material shall be promptly removed, replaced with suitable material, and recompacted until the proof-roll is satisfactory.

c. Additional Testing: Additional tests will be paid for by the Contractor for materials which do not meet the specifications.

3.0 STRIPPING

a. General Requirements: The entire area within the limits of grading shall be excavated to a depth sufficient to remove all vegetable matter, sod, muck, rubbish and other unsuitable material. Topsoil material from stripping operations shall be placed separate from other excavated materials and piled free of roots, stones, and other undesirable material for use in fine grading operations.

4.0 STOCKPILING TOPSOIL

a. General Requirements: Topsoil shall be removed to its entire depth from all areas to be filled, excavated, or used for borrow and stockpiled at convenient locations approved by the County Engineer.

5.0 PLACING TOPSOIL

a. General Requirements: Topsoil shall be placed on all shoulders, slopes, ditches and other earth areas to be grassed after grading. Topsoil shall be placed uniformly to a compacted depth of not less than 4". Soil material shall be free from clods, rocks, roots and other objectionable materials which might hinder subsequent grassing and mowing operations.

6.0 PREPARATION OF GROUND SURFACE FOR FILL

a. General Requirements: Sloped ground surfaces steeper than 1 vertical to 4 horizontal on which fill is to be placed shall be plowed, stepped or benched, or broken up as directed, in such manner that the fill material will bond with the existing surface. Prepared surfaces on which compacted fill is to be placed shall be wetted or dried as may be required to obtain the compaction specified.

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7.0 PROOF ROLLING PRIOR TO FILLING

a. General Requirements: After any required clearing, grubbing and stripping of topsoil has been accomplished, and before beginning any earthwork operations, all areas to receive compacted fill, shall be proof rolled to detect any soft areas that may exist. A 4-wheel pneumatic tired roller of not less than 25 tons, or its equivalent, shall be used for this operation. At least 4 passes shall be made, (2) in each of the two directions at right angles. Any soft areas thus disclosed that do not harden up after successive passes of the roller shall be called to the attention of the County Engineer. The County Engineer may require the areas to be under cut and replaced with properly compacted material.

8.0 FILLING

a. Embankments: Approved material removed from the excavation shall be used in forming the fill. Fill material shall be free from roots, other organic material and trash, and from stones having a maximum dimension greater than 6 inches. No frozen material will be permitted in the fill. Soil material for fill shall be placed in successive horizontal layers of not more than 6 inches in loose depth for the full width of the fill embankment cross section. Each layer of fill or embankment shall be compacted by rolling with an approved tamping roller, vibrating roller or other compaction equipment, whichever is best suited for the types of soil encountered.

b. Trenches: Place backfill in not more than 6" thick compacted lifts, except as specified otherwise, and each lift shall be compacted as specified hereinafter. Backfill adjacent to structural elements shall be placed, as far as practicable, as the adjacent structural elements have been completed and accepted. Backfilling against concrete walls shall be done only after the walls have been adequately shored or have cured to sufficient strength to withstand the soil pressure. Backfilling of trenches shall progress as rapidly as the construction, testing and acceptance of the work permits. In backfilling pipe trenches, compact fill in 6" thick compacted lifts to a depth of 12" over the top of the pipe; backfill and compact the remainder of the trench as specified hereinafter. For trenches excavated in paved areas, place the backfill in not more than 6" compacted lifts to the top of the trench. For trenches excavated in unpaved areas place and compact backfill in 12" compacted lifts to the top of the trench.

c. Compaction: Each layer of fill or embankment shall be compacted to not less than 95% of maximum density at optimum moisture content. The upper 18" of fill under roads shall be compacted to 100% of this Specification.

1. The method of test for maximum density shall be in accordance with ASTM D-698

(Standard Proctor Test). The material to be compacted shall be of the proper moisture content to obtain the prescribed density. Wetting or drying of the material and manipulation to secure a uniform moisture content throughout each layer will be required.

2. When compaction is suspended for several days, before resuming operations, the existing soil surface shall be plowed if deemed necessary by the County Engineer. No allowance in payment will be made for this plowing.

9.0 FIELD CONTROL OF FILLING OPERATIONS

a. Testing: The Contractor shall retain the services of an independent testing laboratory to perform all tests required under this section. In areas where the density of the fill or embankment is specified, field density tests shall be performed in sufficient number to insure that the specified density is being obtained. Areas of the site in which testing reveals compaction below the specified density as stated hereinbefore shall be reworked by the

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Contractor until satisfactory to the County Engineer. The cost of the initial test shall be paid for by the Contractor unless other arrangements have been made; and subsequent tests required as a result of improper compaction shall be paid for by the Contractor.

10.0 EXCAVATION

a. General Requirements: Excavation of every description regardless of material encountered within the grading limits of the project shall be performed to the lines and grades indicated or necessary. Suitable excavated material shall be transported to and placed in fill areas within limits of the work. Surplus excavation material not required for fill shall become the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be removed from the site or disposed of as directed by the County Engineer. The construction, excavation and filling shall be performed in a manner and sequence that will provide drainage at all times. When required, the Contractor shall provide temporary drains, ditches, pumps, drainage lines, or other equipment to intercept, divert, or remove water which may affect the prosecution or condition of the work. Water shall be removed from the site to the satisfaction of the County Engineer.

b. Classification: Excavation shall pertain to cuts and fills, and shall be classified as one of the following: site excavation, muck excavation, borrow excavation, stripping, surplus excavation, water course and ditch excavation, and rock excavation. Site excavation, stripping, surplus excavation, and water and ditch excavation shall be included in the unit prices for various other pay items, but will not be considered as individual pay items. Borrow excavation, muck excavation, and rock excavation will be treated as individual pay items. Rock excavation shall be such material which cannot be removed by means other than by explosives or air hammers. Materials which can be removed by ripping shall not be considered rock excavation.

Classification of excavation which is disputed shall be determined by the County Engineer. It shall be the Contractor's responsibility to notify the County Engineer when rock excavation or muck excavation is encountered.

c. Notification for Rock Excavation: It shall be the Contractor's responsibility to notify the County

Engineer when rock excavation is encountered. The Contractor will not be credited for any rock quantities removed before such notice is given. The County inspector must measure rock quantities before the excavation is backfilled in order for credit to be given and payment to be made.

d. Insurance for Blasting: If conditions are such that blasting or any use of explosives is required, the Contractor, prior to blasting, shall submit to the County Engineer satisfactory evidence of blasting and explosive insurance in the amounts of bodily injury and property damage insurance required in the Special Conditions and shall provide to the satisfaction of the County Engineer the experience and capability of the Contractor's organization to safely handle and perform such operations.

e. Qualifications and Safety for Blasting: Handling and storing of blasting materials shall be performed only by qualified persons skilled in such work. Adequate precautions shall be taken to prevent accidents, injury to persons or damage to property. Qualifications of blasting operation personnel and safety precautions shall be in full compliance with all codes governing such operations and shall be approved by the County Engineer. Full responsibility for all blasting operations shall remain with the Contractor, and he shall make good any damage that may result.

f. Trenches: Excavate for trenches to depth indicated or required to establish indicated flow lines or invert elevations. Maintain uniform width required for particular item to be installed, including width to provide adequate working room and compaction or as directed by the Engineer. Rock shall be excavated to a depth of 6 inches below the invert and 12 inches on each side of all structures or utilities.

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11.0 EXCESS MATERIAL AND BORROW

a. Disposal of Excess Material: Any excess material from excavation shall be disposed of by the

Contractor at the Contractor's expense.

b. Dumped Material: The dump shall be uniformly piled, with top flattened and edge sloped to present a neat appearance and permit drainage. Silt fencing shall be installed around the stockpile as necessary for erosion and sedimentation control.

c. Approval of Fill Material: The Contractor shall furnish all material required for fill work. Fill material shall be approved by the County Engineer prior to filling operations.

d. Offsite Borrow: When necessary to borrow material for filling, the Contractor shall obtain fill material from offsite unless directed otherwise by the County Engineer.

12.0 GRADING

a. General Requirements: Grading of all areas within the project including excavated and fill sections and adjacent transition areas shall be reasonably smooth, compacted and free from irregular surface changes. The Contractor shall protect newly graded areas from action of the elements. Any settlement or washing which occurs prior to acceptance of the work shall be repaired and grades re-established to required elevations and slopes. Fill to grade levels any areas where settlement occurs. This fill material shall be placed in accordance with the articles as previously described.

b. Spreading of Topsoil: Topsoil shall be uniformly spread to a minimum depth of 4" over all earthen areas disturbed during construction.

13.0 DRAINAGE

a. General Requirements: Drainage, both temporary and permanent, shall be constructed and maintained during the performance of the work. Existing drains, culverts, and ditches not interfering with new work shall be kept clean and operating during construction operations. The surface of unfinished fills shall be bladed smooth to a crown or grade at the conclusion of the day's work or before shutdown for any cause to permit water runoff. Fill that has become saturated with water because of improper drainage shall be removed to a depth determined by the County Engineer. Such saturated fill shall be disposed of as directed by the County Engineer, or reconditioned to conform to these specifications. The Contractor shall control grading so that ground is pitched to prevent water from running into excavated areas and provide all pumping required to keep excavated areas free of water. Should springs or running water be encountered in excavation, the County Engineer shall be notified immediately. The Contractor shall provide free discharge of such water by providing trenching which shall drain to an appropriate point of disposal.

14.0 REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF UNSUITABLE MATERIAL

a. Definition: Unsuitable material shall be defined as any muck material or other objectionable excavated material which is deemed unsatisfactory for road construction purposes or pipe backfill, based on the judgment of the County Engineer. Unsuitable material does not include stripping from clearing and grubbing operations or other excavated materials not intended for roadway fill or pipe backfill.

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b. Removal and Disposal: Removal of unsuitable material shall include complete removal and disposal. If directed by the Engineer, unsuitable materials may be blended with suitable soils and used for non-structural fill in approved areas. All organic and otherwise objectionable materials removed as a result of stripping and removal of unsuitable material not intended for road construction or pipe backfill as described in this section shall become the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be removed without charging as muck excavation.

16.0 SUBGRADE ELEVATIONS

a. Finished Elevations: The grading elevations shown on the drawings are finished elevations.

b. Roadway Subgrade Elevations: In roadway sections, the subgrade elevations will be below finished elevations by the thickness of the paving.

17.0 EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL

a. General Requirements: Erosion and sedimentation control measures as shown on the drawings or as required by local ordinances shall be installed and operational prior to starting any work on the project site.

END OF SECTION