Part D – SUBBASE AND BASE COURSE

ITEM 200 – AGGREGATE SUBBASE COURSE

200.1 Description

This item shall consist of furnishing, placing and compacting an aggregate subbase course on a
prepared subgrade in accordance with this Specification and the lines, grades and cross-sections shown
on the Plans, or as directed by the engineer

200.2 Material Requirements

Aggregates for subbase shall consist of hard, durable particles or fragments of crushed stone,
crushed slag, or crushed or natural gravel and filler of natural or crushed sand or other finely divided
mineral matter. The composite material shall be free from vegetable matter and lumps or balls of clay,
and shall be of such nature that it can be compacted readily to form a firm, stable subbase.

The subbase material shall conform to Table 200.1, Grading Requiremnets

Table 200.1 – Grading Requirements

Sieve Designation
Mass Percent Passing
Standard, mm Alternate US Standard

50 2” 100
25 1” 55 – 85
9.5 3/8” 40 – 75
0.075 No. 200 0 – 12

The Fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve shall not be greater than 0.66 (two thirds) of
the fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve.

The fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No.40) sieve shall have a liquid limit not greater than 35 and
plasticity index not greater than 12 as determined by AASHYO T 89 and T 90, respectively.

The coarse portion, retained on a 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve, shall have a mass percent of wear not
exceeding 50 by the Los Angeles Abrasion Tests as determined by AASHTO T 96.

The material shall have a soaked CBR value shall be obtained at the maximum dry density and
determined by AASHTO T 180, Method D.

200.3 Construction Requirements

200.3.1 Preparation of Existing Surface

The existing surface shall be graded and finished as provided under Item 105, Subgrade
Preparation, before placing the subbase material.

200.3.2 Placing

The Aggregate subbase material shall be placed at a uniform mixture on a prepared subgrade in
a quantity which will provide the required compacted thickness. When more than one layer is required,
each layer shall be shaped and compacted before the succeeding layer is placed.
 The Placing of material shall begin at the point designated by the Engineer. Placing shall be from
vehicles especially equipped to distribute the material in a continuous uniform layer or windrow. The
layer or windrow shall be of such size that when spread and compacted, the finished layer shall be in
reasonably close conformity to the nominal thickness shown on the Plans.

When hauling is done over previously placed material, hauling equipment shall be dispersed
uniformly over the entire surface of the previously constructed layer, to minimize rutting or uneven
compaction.

200.3.3 Spreading and Compacting

When uniformly mixed, the mixture shall be spread to the plan thickness, for compaction.

Where the required thickness is 150 mm or less, the material may be spread and compacted in
one layer. Where the required thickness is more than 150 mm, the aggregate subbase shall be spread
and compacted in two or more layers of approximately equal thickness and the maximum compacted
thickness of any layer shall not exceed 150 mm. All subsequent layers shall be spread and compacted in
a similar manner.

The moisture content of subbase material shall, if necessary, be adjusted prior to compaction by
watering with approved sprinklers mounted on trucks or by drying out, as required in order to obtain
the required compaction.

Immediately following final spreading and smoothening, each layer shall be compacted to the
full width by means of approved compaction equipment. Rolling shall progress gradually from the sides
to the center, parallel to the centerline of the road and shall continue until the whole surface has been
rolled. Any irregularities of depressions that develop shall be corrected by loosening the material at
these places and adding or removing material until surface is smooth and uniform. Along curbs, headers
and walls, and at all places not accessible to the roller, the subbase material shall be compacted
thoroughly with approved tampers or compactors.

If the layer of subbase material, or part thereof, does not conform to the required finish, the
Contractor shall, at his own expense, make the necessary corrections.

Compaction of each layer shall continue until a field density of at least 100 percent of the
maximum dry density determined in accordance with AASHTO T 180, Method D has been achieved. In-
place density determination shall be made in accordance with AASHTO T191.

200.3.4 Trial Sections

Before subbase construction is started, the Contractor shall spread and compact trial sections as
directed by the Engineer. The purpose of the trial sections is to check the suitability of the materials, the
efficiency of the equipment and the construction method which is proposed to be used by the
Contractor. Therefore, the Contractor must use the same material, equipment and procedures that he
proposes to use for the main work. One trial section of about 500 m2 shall be made for every type of
material and/or construction equipment/procedure proposed for use.

After final compaction of each trial section, the Contractor shall carry out such field density tests
and other tests required as directed by the Engineer.

If a trial section shows that the proposed materials, equipment or procedures in the Engineer’s
opinion are not suitable for subbase, the material shall be removed at the Contractor’s expense, and a
new trial section shall be constructed.
 If the basic conditions regarding the type of material or procedure change during the execution
of the work, new trial sections shall be constructed.

200.3.5 Tolerances

Aggregate subbase shall be spread with equipment that will provide a uniform layer which when
compacted will conform to the designed level and transverse slopes as shown on the Plans. The
allowable tolerance shall be as specified hereunder:

Permitted variation from design ± 20 mm

Permitted variation from design + 10 mm

Permitted SURFACE IRREGULARITY 20 mm

Permitted variation from design

Permitted variation from design

200.4 Method of Measurement

Aggregate Subbase Course will be measured by the cubic meter (m3). The quantity to be paid for
shall be the design volume compacted in-place as shown on the Plans and accepted in the completed
course. No allowance will be given for materials placed outside the design limits shown on the cross-
sections. Trial sections shall not be measured separately but shall be included in the quantity of subbase
herein measured.

200.5 Basis of Payment

The Accepted quantities, measured as prescribed in Section 200.4, shall be paid for at the
contract unit price for Aggregate Subbase Course which price and payment shall be full compensation
for furnishings and placing all materials, including all labor, equipment, tools and incidentals necessary
to complete the work prescribed in this Item.

Payment will be made under:

Pay Item Description Unit of Measurement

200 Aggregate Subbase Course Cubic Meter

201.1 Description

This Item shall consist of furnishing, placing and compaction an aggregate base course on a
prepared subgrade/subbase in accordance with this Specification, and the lines, grades, thickness and
typical cross-sections shown on the Plans, or as established by the Engineer.

201.2 Material Requirements

Aggregate for base course shall consist of hard, durable particles or fragments of crushed stone,
crushed slag, crushed or natural gravel, and filler of natural or crushed sand, other finely divided mineral
matter. The composite material shall be free from vegetable matter and lumps or balls of clay, and shall
be of such nature that it can be compacted readily to form a firm, stable base.

In some areas where the conventional base course materials are scarce or non-available, the use
of 40% weathered limestone blended with 60% crushed stones or gravel shall be allowed, provided that
the blended materials meet the requirements of this Item.

The Base course material shall conform to Table 201.1, whichever is called for in the Bill of
Quantities.

Table 201.1 – Grading Requirements

Sieve Designation Mass Percent Passing

Standard, mm Alternate US Standard Grading A Grading B

50 2” 100
37.5 1-1/2” - 100
25.0 1” 60 – 85 -
19.0 ¾” - 60 – 85
12.5 ½” 35 – 65 -
4.75 No. 4 20 – 50 30 – 55
0.425 No.40 5 – 20 8 – 25
0.075 No.200 0 – 12 2 – 14

The fraction passing the 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve shall not be greater than 0.66 (two thirds) of
the fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve.

The fraction passing the 0.425 mm (No. 40) sieve shall have a liquid limit not greater than 25 and
plasticity index not greater than 6 as determined by AASHTO T 96, respectively.

The coarse portion, retained on a 2.00 mm (No. 10) sieve shall have a mass percent of wear not
exceeding 50 by the Los Angeles Abrasion test determined by AASHTO T 96.

The material passing the 19 mm sieve shall have a soaked CBR value of not less than 80% as
determined by AASHTO T 193. The CBR value shall be obtained at the maximum dry density (MDD) as
determined by AASHTO T 180, Method D.

If filler, in addition to that naturally present, is necessary for meeting the grading requirements
or for satisfactory bonding, it shall be uniformly blended with the base course material on the road or in
a pugmill unless otherwise specified or approved. Filler shall be taken from sources approved by the
Engineer, free from hard lumps and shall not contain more than 15 percent of material retained on the
4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve.
201.3 Construction Requirements

201.3.1 Preparation of Existing Surface

The existing surface shall be graded and finished as provided under Item 105, Subgrade
Preparation, before placing the base material.

201.3.2 Placing

It shall be in accordance with all the requirements of Subsection 200.3.2, Placing.

201.3.3 Spreading and Compacting

It shall be in accordance with all the requirements of Subsection 200.3.3, Spreading and
Compacting.

201.3.4 Trial Sections

Trial sections shall conform in all respects to the requirements specified in Subsection 200.3.4.

201.3.5 Tolerances

The aggregates base course shall be laid to the designed level and transverse slopes shown on
the Plans. The allowable tolerances shall be in accordance with following:

Permitted variation from design ± 10 mm

Permitted variation from design + 5 mm

Permitted SURFACE IRREGULARITY 5 mm

Permitted variation from design

Permitted variation from design

201.4 Method of Measurement

Aggregates Base Course will be measured by the cubic meter (m3). The quantity to be paid for
shall be the design volume compacted in-place as shown on the Plans, and accepted in the completed
base course. No allowance shall be given for materials placed outside the design limits shown on the
cross–sections. Trial sections shall not be measured separately but shall be included in the quantity of
aggregate base course.

201.5 Basis of Payment

The accepted quantities, measured as prescribed in Section 201.4, shall be paid for at the
contract unit price for Aggregate Base Course which price and payment shall be full compensation for
furnishing and placing all materials, including all labor, equipment, tools and incidentals necessary to
complete the work prescribed in this Item.

Payment will be made under:

Pay Item Description Unit of Measurement

201 Aggregate Base Course Cubic Meter