Exhibit_2_-_Crypts-101-Buried-Testing.pdf
PDF 6 MB Posted
- Attached to
- IFB - PCS-25-061 - ADVS-Sierra Vista-Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery Expansion
- Solicitation number
- BPM006982
- Issued by
- Cochise County, Arizona
About this file
This is an instructional presentation document prepared by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) under the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically addressing on-site buried testing procedures for cemetery crypts. The presentation, dated June 24, 2021, and developed by Andrew J. Walters, PE Specialist of the Cemetery Development & Improvement Service, provides comprehensive technical guidance for contractors, cemetery staff, inspection teams, and other stakeholders involved in the installation and testing of precast concrete crypts (PPC) at cemetery expansion projects. The document outlines the complete testing protocol, including site preparation requirements, backfill specifications, load testing procedures, inspection criteria, and post-testing verification steps. Key specifications include placement of test crypts on 6-inch drainrock, backfill compaction to 95 percent standard Proctor density around crypts and 85 percent over lids, simulation of 12,000-pound axle loads across crypt walls and lids, and verification of structural integrity through visual inspection of concrete for cracks and proper drainage hole clearance. The presentation emphasizes safety protocols, equipment restrictions, personnel requirements for witnessing testing, and specific documentation procedures such as numbering and painting of crypt lids.
The document provides detailed operational guidance rather than pricing or contractual terms, making it a technical reference document applicable to cemetery expansion projects such as the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery Expansion (IFB PCS-25-061). Critical procedural requirements include prohibition of bucket compaction methods, mandatory use of proper lifting devices with all four lid anchors, maintenance of 30 inches of clear space inside crypt walls for casket placement, and protective measures to prevent wall collapse from soil pressure or excavation errors. The presentation identifies suggested attendees for witnessed testing, including NCA representatives, cemetery and design personnel, contractors and subcontractors, inspection teams, and interested veterans. Special provisions address wet-weather testing conditions requiring drainrock for all backfill and approach roads, material storage restrictions maintaining 10-yard clearances from crypt fields, and protection protocols for newly installed precast crypt fields through temporary signage and fencing. Post-testing discussion items include crack assessment, concrete repair procedures, equipment delivery and positioning, headstone setting depth verification, and coordination with subsequent grass installation and road construction activities.
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Text version
On-site Buried Testing Crypts
June 24, 2021
Andrew J. Walters, PE Specialist, Cemetery Development & Improvement Service (41A2) National Cemetery Administration
Crypts 101 slides to date:
1. Overall
2. Inspection & Protection
3. On-site Buried Testing
4. Wall Repair
Buried Testing Crypts 101 Suggested Attendee List for witnessing on site NCA Crypt Specialist or his/her representative.
Cemetery Staff and Admin Staff.
Inspection Team (RE, COR or hired Inspectors) Contractor self-performing crypt install.
Specialized subcontractor hired for crypt install.
Subcontractors for Earthwork, Roads, Sod, Dust Control, etc.
Concrete Precast Plant representative for test load decision.
Design AE representative.
NCA District Engineers, SOs, PMs, COs, State Grants rep.
Local Press. Normal for Tribal Veteran Cemeteries.
Interested Veterans.
National Cemetery Administration
Pic of Maximum Load on two-wheel axle over crypts. EVER!
Hauls 2-1/2 yards of fill = 12,000-lbs axle weight.
In buried testing, get a wheel on all wall edges and over lids.
Testing failure is catastrophic per later slides.
Test crypts arriving on-site.
Two Perimeter Quads minimum.
Place test crypts on 6” drainrock. Configurations later slides.
Install pea gravel in 1” or 2” gaps. Never sand in gaps.
Backfill in lifts around test crypts to 95% std Proctor.
Backfill over lids in two 12” lifts to 85% std Proctor.
Do not use bucket for compaction EVER.
“Banging” bucket compaction over lid will collapse walls.
National Cemetery AdministrationYES
NO
On ground orange paint the location of buried test crypts.
Load with 2-wheel simulated 12,000-lb+ axle. (544K is 28,463 lbs.)
Or use Cemetery’s dumper. Run a wheel over every crypt wall.
Uncover lids ONLY, lift lid, test inside-shelf, remove shelf with tool.
Test failure from wheel load is catastrophic wall collapse!
Wall failure (below) caused by lateral load soil pressure.
Has never happened during 100+ buried crypt testings.
If happens, find out why, correct and redo buried test.
Hairline crack
Inspect walls & floor and for cement film over drainholes.
Cracks are caused by handling or bumpy truck ride.
Check 30” clear above casket rests.
Go over Items for Discussion. Then buried testing is DONE!
Casket rest
30” Clear inside walls
When DONE, leave testing site to avoid witnessing potential wall collapse from excavation of clayey soil sticking to walls or excavator error. If wall collapse seen, confidence is lost!
Just expose lids & lift. Do NOT dig up crypts during testing.
Use PPE to witness buried load testing.
Test Crypts Layout option Simplistic (and acceptable):
Test Crypts Layout option Comprehensive.
National Cemetery Administration
PERIMETER
QUAD
INTERIOR
QUAD
A typical rescue in saturated soils.
For wet-weather crypt buried testing with saturated soils, use drainrock for ALL backfill and approach roads.
Buried Testing Crypts 101
National Cemetery Administration
Keep fingers
AWAY!!!
Drainrock
Keep away from buried testing or risk wall collapse:
Keep away tall piles of material from crypts.
Piles over 6-ft same as wheel load over 12,000-lbs axle.
Items for Discussion after lids lifted:
PPC – PrePlaced Crypts
Protect PPC fields by install of signage & temp fencing for keeping heavy vehicles and tall piles 10-yards away.
Cracks in concrete crypts. Aesthetic or structural integrity.
Repairs of concrete crypts. Send pics to Crypt Specialist.
Extra lids, shelves, lifting devices to be left with Cemetery.
Use all 4 lid anchors to lift lids & paint #s. Shelf check.
Painting crypt lid #s. Paint inside-wall #s high. Verification.
Grass install uses heavy trucks, especially for “watering-in.”
Probe to verify fill depth over lids. Affects headstone setting.
Issues of road building adjacent to newly set PPC fields.
END
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