NL Master Specification Guide

for Public Funded Buildings

Issued 2017/05/31 Section 31 23 33.01 – Excavating, Trenching and Backfilling Page 1 of 8

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 RELATED SECTIONS

.1 Section 01 33 00 – Submittal Procedures.

.2 Section 01 35 43 - Environmental Procedures.

.3 Section 01 56 00 - Temporary Barriers and Enclosures.

.4 Section 02 41 16 – Structure Demolition

.5 Section 31 05 16 – Aggregate Materials.

.6 Section 31 22 13 – Rough Grading.

.7 Section 31 23 16.26 – Rock Removal.

.8 Section 33 11 16 - Site Water Utility Distribution Piping.

.9 Section 33 31 13 - Public Sanitary Utility Sewerage Piping.

.10 Section 33 41 00 – Storm Utility Drainage Piping.

.11 Section 33 46 13.01 - Foundation and Underslab Drainage.

1.2 REFERENCES
.1 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
.1 ASTM C117, Standard Test Method for Material Finer Than 0.075 mm (No.
200) Sieve in Mineral Aggregates by Washing.
.2 ASTM C136, Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse
Aggregates.
.3 ASTM D422, Standard Test Method for Particle-Size Analysis of Soils.
.4 ASTM D698, Standard Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics
of Soil Using Standard Effort (12,400 ft-lbf/ft3) (600 kN-m/m3).
.5 ASTM D1557, Test Method for Laboratory Compaction Characteristics of Soil
Using Modified Effort (56,000 ft-lbf/ft3) (2,700 kN-m/m3).
.6 ASTM D4318, Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and
Plasticity Index of Soils.
.2 Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB).
.1 CAN/CGSB-8.1, Sieves, Testing, Woven Wire, Inch Series.
.2 CA/CGSB-8.2, Sieves, Testing, Woven Wire, Metric
.3 Canadian Standards Association (CSA)
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for Public Funded Buildings
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.1 CAN/CSA-A3000, Cementitious Materials Compendium (Consists of A3001,

A3002, A3003, A3004 and A3005).
.1 CSA-A3001, Cementitious Materials for Use in Concrete.
.2 CSA-A23.1/A23.2, Concrete Materials and Methods of Concrete Construction/
Methods of Test and Standard Practices for Concrete.

1.3 DEFINITIONS
.1 Excavation classes: two classes of excavation will be recognized; common excavation and
rock excavation.
.1 Rock excavation: excavation of material from solid masses of igneous,
sedimentary or metamorphic rock which, prior to its removal, was integral with
its parent mass, and boulders or rock fragments having individual volume in
excess of 1 m3. Frozen material not classified as rock.
.2 Common excavation: excavation of materials of whatever nature, which are not
included under definitions of rock excavation.
.2 Unclassified excavation: excavation of deposits of whatever character encountered in
work.

.3 Topsoil: material capable of supporting good vegetative growth and suitable for use in top
dressing, landscaping and seeding.

.4 Waste material: excavated material unsuitable for use in work or surplus to requirements.

.5 Borrow material: material obtained from locations outside area to be graded, and required
for construction of fill areas or for other portions of work.

.6 Unsuitable materials:
.1 Weak and compressible materials under excavated areas.
.2 Frost susceptible materials under excavated areas.
.3 Frost susceptible materials:
.1 Fine grained soils with plasticity index less than 10 when tested to ASTM
D4318, and gradation within limits specified when tested to ASTM D422
and ASTM C136: Sieve sizes to CAN/CGSB-8.1.

Sieve Designation %Passing

2.00 mm 100
0.10 mm 45-100
0.02 mm 10-80
0.005 mm 0-45

.2 Coarse grained soils containing more than 20% by mass passing 0.075
mm sieve.

1.4 SUBMITTALS
.1 Inform Owner’s Representative at least 4 weeks prior to commencing work, of proposed
source of fill materials and provide access for sampling.
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.2 Submit 70 kg samples of type of fill specified including representative samples of

excavated material.

.3 Ship samples as directed by Owner’s Representative in tightly closed containers to prevent

contamination.

1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE

.1 Submit design and supporting data at least 2 weeks prior to commencing work.

.2 Design and supporting data submitted to bear stamp and signature of qualified
professional engineer registered or licensed in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

.3 Keep design and supporting data on site.

.4 Engage services of qualified professional engineer who is registered or licensed in Province

of Newfoundland and Labrador to design and inspect cofferdams, shoring, bracing and
underpinning required for work.

.5 Do not use soil material until written report of soil test results are reviewed and approved
by Owner’s Representative.

1.6 EXISTING CONDITIONS

.1 Buried services:
.1 Before commencing work verify location of buried services on and adjacent to
site.
.2 Arrange with appropriate authority for relocation of buried services that interfere
with execution of work: pay costs of relocating services.
.3 Remove obsolete buried services within 2 m of foundations: cap cut-offs.
.4 Size, depth and location of existing utilities and structures as indicated are for
guidance only. Completeness and accuracy are not guaranteed.
.5 Prior to commencing excavation work, notify applicable Owner or authorities
having jurisdiction, establish location and state of use of buried utilities and
structures. Owners or authorities having jurisdiction to clearly mark such
locations to prevent disturbance during work.
.6 Confirm locations of buried utilities by careful test excavations.
.7 Maintain and protect from damage, water, sewer, gas, electric, telephone and
other utilities and structures encountered as indicated.
.8 Where utility lines or structures exist in area of excavation, obtain direction of
Owner’s Representative before removing or re-routing.
.9 Record location of maintained, re-routed and abandoned underground lines.
.10 Confirm locations of recent excavations adjacent to area of excavation.
.2 Existing buildings and surface features:
.1 Conduct, with Owner’s Representative condition survey of existing buildings,
trees and other plants, lawns, fencing, service poles, wires, rail tracks, pavement,
survey bench marks and monuments which may be affected by work.
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.2 Protect existing buildings and surface features from damage while work is in
progress. In event of damage, immediately make repair to approval of Owner’s
Representative.
.3 Where required for excavation, cut roots or branches as approved by Owner’s
Representative.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 MATERIALS
.1 .1 Backfill Type 1 and Type 2 fill: properties to Section 31 05 16 - Aggregate
Materials and the following requirements:
.1 Crushed, pit run or screened stone, gravel or sand.
.2 Gradations to be within limits specified when tested to ASTM C136 and ASTM
C117. Sieve sizes to CAN/CGSB-8.1.

Sieve Designation %Passing

Type1 Type2
75 mm - 100
50 mm - -
37.5 mm - -
25 mm 100 -
19 mm 75-100 -
12.5 mm - -
9.5 mm 50-100 -
4.75 mm 30-70 22-85
2.00 mm 20-45 -
0.425 mm 10-25 5-30
0.180 mm - -
0.075 mm 3-8 0-10
.2 Type 3 fill: selected material from excavation or other sources, approved by Owner’s
Representative for use intended, unfrozen and free from rocks larger than 75 mm, cinders,
ashes, sods, refuse or other deleterious materials.

PART 3 EXECUTION

3.1 SITE PREPARATION

.1 Remove obstructions, ice and snow, from surfaces to be excavated within limits indicated.

3.2 PREPARATION/PROTECTION
.1 Protect existing features in accordance with Section 01 56 00 - Temporary Barriers and
Enclosures and applicable local regulations.

.2 Keep excavations clean, free of standing water, and loose soil.

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.3 Where soil is subject to significant volume change due to change in moisture content, cover
and protect to Owner’s Representative’s approval.

.4 Protect natural and man-made features required to remain undisturbed. Unless otherwise
indicated or located in an area to be occupied by new construction, protect existing trees
from damage. Protect buried services that are required to remain undisturbed.

3.3 STRIPPING OF TOPSOIL

.1 Commence topsoil stripping of areas as indicated by Owner’s Representative after area has
been cleared of brush, weeds and grasses and removed from site.

.2 Strip topsoil to depths as indicated by Owner’s Representative. Do not mix topsoil with
subsoil.

.3 Stockpile in locations as directed by Owner’s Representative. Stockpile height not to

exceed 2 m.

.4 Dispose of unused topsoil as directed by Owner’s Representative.

3.4 STOCKPILING
.1 Stockpile fill materials in areas designated by Owner’s Representative. Stockpile granular
materials in manner to prevent segregation.

.2 Protect fill materials from contamination.

3.5 COFFERDAMS, SHORING, BRACING AND UNDERPINNING

.1 Maintain sides and slopes of excavations in safe condition by appropriate methods and in
accordance with Section 01 35 30 - Health and Safety Requirements and Occupational
Health and Safety Act for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

.2 Obtain permit from authority having jurisdiction for temporary diversion of water course.

.3 Construct temporary works to depths, heights and locations as indicated or approved by

Owner’s Representative.

.4 During backfill operation:

.1 Unless otherwise as indicated or as directed by Owner’s Representative remove
sheeting and shoring from excavations.
.2 Do not remove bracing until backfilling has reached respective levels of such
bracing.
.3 Pull sheeting in increments that will ensure compacted backfill is maintained at
an elevation at least 500 mm above toe of sheeting.
.5 When sheeting is required to remain in place, cut off tops at elevations as indicated.

.6 Upon completion of substructure construction:

.1 Remove cofferdams, shoring and bracing.
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.2 Remove excess materials from site and restore water courses as indicated and as
directed by Owner’s Representative.

3.6 DEWATERING AND HEAVE PREVENTION

.1 Keep excavations free of water while work is in progress.

.2 Submit for Owner’s Representative's review details of proposed dewatering or heave

prevention methods, such as dikes, well points, and sheet pile cut-offs.

.3 Avoid excavation below groundwater table if quick condition or heave is likely to occur.
Prevent piping or bottom heave of excavations by groundwater lowering, sheet pile
cut-offs, or other means.

.4 Protect open excavations against flooding and damage due to surface run-off.

.5 Dispose of water in accordance with Section 01 35 43 - Environmental Procedures and in

manner not detrimental to public and private property, or any portion of work completed or
under construction.

.6 Provide flocculation tanks, settling basins, or other treatment facilities to remove

suspended solids or other materials before discharging to storm sewers, water courses or
drainage areas.

3.7 EXCAVATION
.1 Excavate to lines, grades, elevations and dimensions as indicated by Owner’s
Representative.

.2 Remove concrete, masonry, paving, walks, demolished foundations and rubble and other
obstructions encountered during excavation in accordance with Section 02 41 13 -
Selective Site Demolition.

.3 Excavation must not interfere with bearing capacity of adjacent foundations.

.4 Do not disturb soil within branch spread of trees or shrubs that are to remain. If
excavating through roots, excavate by hand and cut roots with sharp axe or saw.

.5 For trench excavation, unless otherwise authorized by Owner’s Representative in writing,

do not excavate more than 30 m of trench in advance of installation operations and do not
leave open more than 15 m at end of day's operation.

.6 Keep excavated and stockpiled materials a safe distance away from edge of trench as
directed by Owner’s Representative.

.7 Restrict vehicle operations directly adjacent to open trenches.

.8 Dispose of surplus and unsuitable excavated material off site.

.9 Do not obstruct flow of surface drainage or natural watercourses.

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.10 Earth bottoms of excavations to be undisturbed soil, level, free from loose, soft or organic
matter.

.11 Notify Owner’s Representative when bottom of excavation is reached.

.12 Obtain Owner’s Representative approval of completed excavation.

.13 Remove unsuitable material from trench bottom to extent and depth as directed by
Owner’s Representative.

.14 Correct unauthorized over-excavation as follows:

.1 Fill under bearing surfaces and footings with concrete specified for footings.
.2 Fill under other areas with Type 2 fill compacted to not less than 95% of
corrected maximum dry density.
.15 Hand trim, make firm and remove loose material and debris from excavations. Where
material at bottom of excavation is disturbed, compact foundation soil to density at least
equal to undisturbed soil. Clean out rock seams and fill with concrete mortar or grout to
approval of Owner’s Representative.

3.8 FILL TYPES AND COMPACTION

.1 Use fill of types as indicated or specified below. Compaction densities are percentages of
maximum densities obtained from ASTM D698 corrected maximum dry density.
.1 Exterior side of perimeter walls: use Type 3 fill to subgrade level. Compact to
95%.
.2 Within building area: use Type 2 to underside of base course for floor slabs.
Compact to 98%.
.3 Under concrete slabs: provide 150 mm compacted thickness base course of Type
1 fill to underside of slab. Compact base course to 100%.
.4 Retaining walls: use Type 2 fill to subgrade level on high side for minimum 500
mm from wall and compact to 95%. For remaining portion, use Type 3 fill
compacted to 95%.
.5 To correct over excavation in trenches: use Type 2 fill to underside of sand
bedding compacted to 95%.

3.9 BEDDING AND SURROUND OF UNDERGROUND SERVICES

.1 Place and compact granular material for bedding and surround of underground services as
indicated.

.2 Place bedding and surround material in unfrozen condition.

3.10 BACKFILLING
.1 Vibratory compaction equipment: approved by Owner’s Representative.

.2 Do not proceed with backfilling operations until Owner’s Representative has inspected and
approved installations.
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.3 Areas to be backfilled to be free from debris, snow, ice, water and frozen ground.

.4 Do not use backfill material which is frozen or contains ice, snow or debris.

.5 Place backfill material in uniform layers not exceeding 150 mm compacted thickness up to
grades indicated. Compact each layer before placing succeeding layer.

.6 Backfill around installations.

.1 Place bedding and surround material as specified elsewhere.
.2 Do not backfill around or over cast-in-place concrete within 24 hours after
placing of concrete.
.3 Place layers simultaneously on both sides of installed work to equalize loading.
Difference not to exceed 600 mm.
.4 Where temporary unbalanced earth pressures are liable to develop on walls or
other structures.
.1 Permit concrete to cure for minimum 14 days or until it has sufficient
strength to withstand earth and compaction pressure, and approval
obtained from Owner’s Representative, or
.2 If approved by Owner’s Representative, erect bracing or shoring to
counteract unbalance, and leave in place until removal is approved by
Owner’s Representative.

3.11 RESTORATION
.1 Upon completion of work, remove waste materials and debris, trim slopes, and correct
defects as directed by Owner’s Representative.

.2 Replace topsoil as indicated by Owner’s Representative.

.3 Reinstate lawns to elevation which existed before excavation.

.4 Reinstate pavement and sidewalks distributed by excavation to thickness, structure, and

elevation which existed before excavation.

.5 Clean and reinstate areas affected by work as directed by Owner’s Representative.

.6 Use temporary plating to support traffic loads over unshrinkable fill for initial 24 h.

END OF SECTION