SUDAS Standard Specifications Division 3 - Trench and Trenchless Construction

Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

TRENCH EXCAVATION AND BACKFILL

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.01 SECTION INCLUDES

A. Trench Excavation for Pipe Systems

B. Trench Foundation Stabilization

C. Pipe Bedding and Backfill

1.02 DESCRIPTION OF WORK

A. Excavate trench for pipe installation.

B. Stabilize trench and install pipe bedding materials.

C. Place backfill material in trench.

1.03 SUBMITTALS

Follow the General Provisions (Requirements) and Covenants, as well as the following:

A. Gradation reports for bedding materials.

B. Results of required testing.

C. Dewatering plan.

1.04 SUBSTITUTIONS

Follow the General Provisions (Requirements) and Covenants.

1.05 DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

Follow the General Provisions (Requirements) and Covenants.

1.06 SCHEDULING AND CONFLICTS

Follow the General Provisions (Requirements) and Covenants.

1.07 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

None.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

1.08 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

A. General: The following items are incidental to the underground utility being installed and will
not be paid for separately:

1. Standard trench excavation.

2. Removal and disposal of unsuitable backfill material encountered during standard trench
excavation.

3. Removal of abandoned private utilities encountered during trench excavation.

4. Furnishing and placing granular bedding material.

5. Placing and compacting backfill material.

6. Dewatering.

7. Sheeting, shoring, and bracing.

8. Adjusting the moisture content of excavated backfill material to the range specified for
placement and compaction.

9. Temporary support for existing water, sewer, gas, telephone, electric, and other utilities
or services that cross the trench.

B. Rock Excavation:

1. Measurement: Measurement will be by cubic yards of rock removed.

2. Payment: Payment will be at the unit price per cubic yard for the quantity of rock
removed.

C. Trench Foundation:

1. Measurement: Measurement will be in tons for the quantity of stabilization material

required to replace material removed by over-excavation. Measurement will be based on
the scale tickets for the material delivered and incorporated into the project. Trench
foundation required to correct unauthorized over-excavation will not be measured.

2. Payment: Payment will be at the unit price per ton for the quantity of stabilization
material furnished and placed.

3. Includes: Unit price includes, but is not limited to, removal and disposal of over-
excavated material required to stabilize trench foundation; and furnishing, hauling, and
placing stabilization material.

D. Replacement of Unsuitable Backfill Material:

1. Measurement: Measurement will be in cubic yards for the quantity of backfill material
required to replace unsuitable backfill material removed during standard trench
excavation. Measurement will be based on compacted material in place.

2. Payment: Payment will be at the unit price per cubic yard for the quantity of backfill
material furnished.

3. Includes: Unit price includes, but is not limited to, furnishing, hauling, and placing
backfill material.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

1.08 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT (Continued)

E. Special Pipe Embedment or Encasement:

1. Measurement: Measurement will be by the linear foot along the centerline of pipe for
each type of special embedment or encasement.

2. Payment: Payment will be at the unit price per linear foot for each type of special pipe
embedment or encasement.

3. Includes: Unit price includes, but is not limited to, furnishing and placing all required
special pipe embedment or encasement materials.

F. Trench Compaction Testing:

1. The Contractor is not responsible for trench compaction testing unless otherwise
specified in the contract documents.

2. If the contract documents specify that the Contractor is responsible for trench compaction
testing performed by an independent testing laboratory hired by the Contractor,
measurement and payment will be as follows:
a. Measurement: Lump sum item; no measurement will be made.
b. Payment: Payment will be the contract lump sum price.

3. The Contractor will be responsible for payments associated with all retesting resulting
from failure of initial tests.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS EXCAVATED FROM A TRENCH

A. Standard Trench Excavation: All materials encountered during trench excavation, except
rock and over-excavation.

1. Suitable Backfill Material: Class II, Class III, Class IVA, or Class IVB as defined in
Section 3010, 2.02.

2. Unsuitable Backfill Material: Includes, but is not limited to, the following materials:
a. Soils not classified as suitable backfill material, as defined in Section 3010, 2.02.
b. Individual stones or concrete chunks larger than 6 inches and averaging more than
one per each cubic foot of soil.
c. Frozen materials.
d. Stumps, logs, branches, and brush.
e. Trash, metal, or construction waste.
f. Soil in clumps or clods larger than 6 inches, and without sufficient fine materials to fill
voids during placement.
g. Environmentally contaminated soils.
h. Materials removed as rock excavation or over-excavation.

3. Topsoil: Class V material. Comply with Section 3010, 2.03.

B. Rock Excavation: Boulders or sedimentary deposits that cannot be removed in trenches

without continuous use of pneumatic tools or blasting.

C. Over-excavation: Excavation of unsuitable or unstable material in trenches below the pipe

zone, comply with Figure 3010.101 (SW-101).

2.02 BEDDING MATERIAL

A. Class I Material:

1. Crushed stone complying with the following gradation:

Sieve Percent Passing

1 1/2” 100
1” 95 to 100
1/2" 25 to 60
No. 4 0 to 10
No. 8 0 to 5

2. The Engineer may allow the use of gravel or authorize a change in gradation subject to
materials available locally at the time of construction.

3. The Engineer may authorize the use of crushed PCC for pipe sizes up to 12 inches.

4. Use aggregates having a percentage of wear, Grading A or B, not exceeding 50%,

determined according to AASHTO T 96.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

2.03 BACKFILL MATERIAL

A. Class II Material: Manufactured and non-manufactured open-graded (clean) or dense-

graded (clean) processed aggregate, clean sand, or coarse-grained natural soils (clean) with
little or no fines. Class II materials are further described in Table 3010.01.

Table 3010.01: Class II Material

Percentage Passing Sieve Sizes

Soil Group
1 1/2 in. No. 4 No. 200
Class Type Symbol Description
(40 mm) (4.75 mm) (0.075 mm)
D 2487
II Coarse-Grained Soils, GW Well-graded gravels and 100% <50% of < 5%
clean gravel-sand mixtures; little or "Coarse
no fines. Fraction"

GP Poorly-graded gravels and

gravel-sand mixtures; little or
no fines.
SW Well-graded sands and >50% of
gravelly sands; little or no "Coarse
fines. Fraction"

SP Poorly-graded sands and

gravelly sands; little or no
fines.

Coarse-Grained Soils, e.g. Sands and gravels which are 100% Varies 5% to 12%
borderline clean to with GW-GC, borderline between clean
fines SP-SM and with fines.

B. Class III Material:

1. Natural coarse-grained soils with fines. Class III materials are further described in Table
3010.02.

2. Do not use where water condition in trench may cause instability.

Table 3010.02: Class III Material

Soil Group
Class Type Symbol Description
D 2487
III Coarse-Grained Soils, with GM Silty gravels, gravel-sand-silt
fines mixtures.
GC Clayey gravels, gravel-sand-
clay mixtures.
SM Silty sands, sand-silt
mixtures.
SC Clayey sands, sand-clay
mixtures.

C. Class IVA Material:

1. Natural fine-grained inorganic soils. Class IVA materials are further described in Table
3010.03.

2. The Engineer will determine if material is not suitable for use as backfill material under
deep fills, surface applied wheel loads, heavy vibratory compactors, tampers, or other
conditions.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

2.03 BACKFILL MATERIAL (Continued)

3. Do not use where water conditions in trench may cause instability.

4. Material is suitable for use in dry trench conditions only.

Table 3010.03: Class IVA Material

Soil Group
Class Type Symbol Description
D 2487
IVA Fine-Grained Soils ML
Inorganic silts and very fine
(inorganic)
sands, rock flour, silty or
clayey fine sands, silts with
slight plasticity.
CL Inorganic clays of low to
medium plasticity, gravelly
clays, sandy clays, silty clay,
lean clay.

D. Class IVB Material:

1. Natural fine-grained inorganic (high elastic silts and plastic clays - fat clay) with a liquid
limit greater than 50%. Class IVA materials are further described in Table 3010.04.

2. When approved by the Engineer, material may be used as final trench backfill in a dry
trench.

3. Do not use in the pipe embedment zone.

Table 3010.04: Class IVB Material

Soil Group
Class Type Symbol Description
D 2487
IVB Fine-Grained Soils MH
(inorganic) Inorganic silts, micaceous or
diatomaceous fine sandy or
silty soils, elastic silts.

CH Inorganic clays of high

plasticity, fat clays.

2.04 TOPSOIL

A. Class V Material:

1. Organic soils. Class V materials are further described in Table 3010.05.

2. Use only as topsoil outside of the pavement, unless otherwise specified or allowed by the
Engineer.

3. Do not use in the pipe embedment zone.

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2.04 TOPSOIL (Continued)

Table 3010.05: Class V Material

Soil Group
Class Type Symbol Description
D 2487
V Organic Soils OL
(Unsuitable for backfill) Organic silts and organic
silty clays of low plasticity.

OH
Organic clays of medium to
high plasticity, organic silts.

Highly Organic PT Peat and other high organic

(Unsuitable for backfill) soils.

2.05 STABILIZATION (FOUNDATION) MATERIALS

A. Clean 2 1/2 inch crushed stone with the following gradation:

Sieve Percent Passing

2 1/2” 100
2” 90 to 100
1 1/2” 35 to 70
1” 0 to 20
1/2” 0 to 5

B. The Engineer may authorize a change in gradation depending on materials available locally
at time of construction.

C. Crushed concrete may be used, if approved by the Engineer, if it is within + 5% of the

gradation for each size of material.

2.06 SPECIAL PIPE EMBEDMENT AND ENCASEMENT MATERIAL

A. Concrete Cradle, Arch, or Encasement: Use Iowa DOT Class C concrete.

B. Flowable Mortar: Comply with Iowa DOT Article 2506.02.

C. CLSM:

1. Approximate quantities per cubic yard:

a. Cement: 50 pounds
b. Fly ash: 250 pounds
c. Fine aggregate: 2,910 pounds
d. Water: 60 gallons

2. A compressive strength of at least 50 psi compressive strength at 28 calendar days can

be expected.

3. Comply with material requirements of Iowa DOT Article 2506.02.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.01 TRENCH EXCAVATION

A. Notify the Engineer prior to the start of excavation activities.

B. Remove topsoil to a minimum depth of 12 inches and stockpile.

C. Excavate trench to required elevations and dimensions. Comply with Figure 3010.101.

1. Protect existing facilities, trees, and shrubs during trench excavation.

2. Place excavated material away from trench.

3. Grade spoil piles to drain. Do not allow spoil piles to obstruct drainage.

D. Unsuitable Backfill Material:

1. If unsuitable backfill material is encountered, notify the Engineer.

2. Remove rock, rubbish, boulders, debris, and other unsuitable backfill materials at least 6
inches below and on each side of the pipe.

3. Keep unsuitable backfill material separated from suitable backfill material and topsoil.

4. Restore trench to design dimensions using bedding or stabilization material.

3.02 ROCK OR UNSTABLE SOILS IN TRENCH BOTTOM

A. Notify the Engineer prior to over-excavation.

B. The Engineer will determine the need for over-excavation and trench foundation stabilization
prior to installation of pipes and structures.

C. Comply with Figure 3010.101 for over-excavation of rock and wet or soft foundations.

3.03 TRENCH PROTECTION

A. Install adequate trench protection (sheeting, shoring, and bracing) to prevent ground
movement or damage to adjacent structures, pipelines, and utilities.

B. Move trench boxes carefully to avoid disturbing pipe, bedding, or trench wall.

3.04 DEWATERING

A. Maintain water levels below the bottom of trench excavation.

B. Perform the dewatering operation according to the dewatering plan approved by the
Engineer. The dewatering plan may be modified to meet actual field conditions, with approval
of the Engineer.

C. Ensure operation of the dewatering system does not damage adjoining structures and
facilities. Cease dewatering operations and notify the Engineer if damage is observed.

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3.04 DEWATERING (Continued)

D. Discharged Water:

1. Do not discharge water into sanitary sewers.

2. Discharging water into storm sewers requires Engineer's approval.

3. Obtain permission of adjacent property owner prior to discharging water onto their
property.

4. Maintain and control water discharge as necessary to prevent a safety hazard for
vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

5. Direct water discharge away from electrical facilities or equipment.

6. Use dewatering equipment that will minimize disturbance from noise and fumes.

7. Protect discharge points from erosion. Provide sediment control for sediment
contaminated water discharged directly from trench.

3.05 PIPE BEDDING AND BACKFILL

A. General: Comply with Figures 3010.101 through 3010.105, as appropriate.

1. Bedding and backfill used for pipe installation will depend on:
a. Type of installation (water main, sanitary sewer gravity main, sanitary sewer force
main, or storm sewer).
b. Pipe material.
c. Depth of bury.
d. Pipe diameter.

2. After pipe installation, place remaining bedding material and immediately place backfill in
trench.

3. Adjust the moisture content of excessively wet, but otherwise suitable, backfill material by
spreading, turning, aerating, and otherwise working material as necessary to achieve
required moisture range.

4. Adjust the moisture content of excessively dry, but otherwise suitable, backfill material by
adding water, then turning, mixing, and otherwise blending the water uniformly
throughout the material until the required moisture range is achieved.

5. Hydraulic compaction (flooding with water) is not allowed unless authorized by the
Engineer.

B. Pipe Bedding:

1. Granular Material:
a. Class I granular bedding material is required for all gravity mains. Use when
specified for pressure pipes.
b. Comply with Figures 3010.101 through 3010.105.
c. Place bedding material in the bottom of the trench in lifts no greater than 6 inches
thick. Consolidate and moderately compact bedding material.
d. Shape bedding material to evenly support pipe at the proper line and grade, with full
contact under the bottom of the pipe. Excavate for pipe bells.
e. Install pipe and system components.
f. Place, consolidate, and moderately compact additional bedding material adjacent to
the pipe to a depth equal to 1/6 the outside diameter of the pipe.
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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

3.05 PIPE BEDDING AND BACKFILL (Continued)

2. Suitable Backfill Material:

a. Only use with pressure pipe. Comply with Figure 3010.104.
b. Use suitable backfill material to shape trench bottom to evenly support pipe at the
proper line and grade, with full contact under the bottom of the pipe. Excavate for
pipe bells.

3. Special Pipe Embedment and Encasement Materials:

a. Concrete, Flowable Mortar, or CLSM:
1) If specified in the contract documents, use concrete, flowable mortar, or CLSM in
lieu of other bedding materials.
2) Secure pipe against displacement or flotation prior to placing concrete, flowable
mortar, or CLSM.
b. Waterstop:
1) Place Class IVA clay backfill material, and compact to at least 90% of Standard
Proctor Density. Obtain required compaction within a soil moisture range of
optimum moisture to 4% above optimum moisture content.
2) If trench stabilization material is required, extend waterstop through stabilization
material to bottom of trench.

C. Haunch Support: Place from the top of the pipe bedding to the springline of the pipe.

1. Granular Material:
a. Place Class I material in lifts no greater than 6 inches thick.
b. Consolidate and moderately compact by slicing with a shovel or using other approved
techniques.

2. Suitable Backfill Material:

a. Place in lifts no greater than 6 inches thick.
b. For Class II backfill material, consolidate and moderately compact by slicing with a
shovel or using other approved techniques.
c. For Class III and Class IVA backfill materials, compact to at least 90% of Standard
Proctor Density. Obtain required compaction within a soil moisture range of optimum
moisture to 4% above optimum moisture content.

3. Special Pipe Embedment and Encasement Materials:

a. Concrete, Flowable Mortar, or CLSM:
1) If specified in the contract documents, use concrete, flowable mortar, or CLSM in
lieu of other bedding materials.
2) Secure pipe against displacement or flotation prior to placing concrete, flowable
mortar, or CLSM.
b. Waterstop: Place and compact Class IVA clay backfill material according to the
suitable backfill material requirement above.

D. Primary and Secondary Backfill:

1. General:
a. For primary backfill, place from the springline of the pipe to the top of the pipe.
b. For secondary backfill, place from the top of the pipe to 1 foot above the top of the
pipe.

2. Granular Material:
a. Place in lifts no greater than 6 inches thick.
b. Compact to at least 65% relative density.

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

3.05 PIPE BEDDING AND BACKFILL (Continued)

3. Suitable Backfill Material:

a. Place in lifts no greater than 6 inches thick.
b. For Class II backfill material, compact to at least 65% relative density.
c. For Class III and Class IVA backfill materials, compact to at least 95% of Standard
Proctor Density. Obtain required compaction within a soil moisture range of optimum
moisture to 4% above optimum moisture content.

4. Special Pipe Embedment and Encasement Materials:

a. Concrete, Flowable Mortar, or CLSM:
1) If specified in the contract documents, use concrete, flowable mortar, or CLSM in
lieu of other bedding materials.
2) Secure pipe against displacement or flotation prior to placing concrete, flowable
mortar, or CLSM.
b. Waterstop: Place and compact Class IVA clay backfill material according to the
suitable backfill material requirement above.

E. Final Trench Backfill:

1. Place suitable backfill material from 1 foot above the top of the pipe to the top of the
trench.
a. Use no more than 8 inch thick lifts for backfill areas more than 3 feet below the
bottom of pavement.
b. Use no more than 6 inch thick lifts for backfill areas less than or equal to 3 feet below
the bottom of pavement.

2. Place backfill material after recording locations of connections and appurtenances or at

the Engineer’s direction.

3. Class I and Class II Backfill Material:

a. Compact to at least 65% relative density within right-of-way.
b. Compact to at least 50% relative density outside right-of-way.

4. Class III and Class IVA Backfill Material:

a. Compact to at least 95% of Standard Proctor Density within right-of-way.
b. Compact to at least 90% of Standard Proctor Density outside right-of-way.
c. Obtain required compaction within a soil moisture range of optimum moisture to 4%
above optimum moisture content.

5. In areas to remain unpaved, terminate backfill material 8 inches below finished grade.
Use topsoil for the final 8 inches above trench backfill material.

6. Terminate backfill material at subgrade elevation in areas to be paved.

3.06 TRENCH COMPACTION TESTING

A. General: When trench compaction testing is specified in the contract documents as the
Contractor’s responsibility, provide testing of trench backfill material using the services of an
independent testing laboratory approved by the Engineer.

B. Soil Testing:

1. Cohesive Soils:
a. Determine moisture-density relationships by ASTM D 698 (Standard Proctor).
Perform at least one test for each type of cohesive soil used.
b. Determine in-place density and moisture content. Use ASTM D 1556 (sand-cone
method) and ASTM D 2216 (laboratory moisture content), or use ASTM D 6938
(nuclear methods for density and moisture content).

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Section 3010 - Trench Excavation and Backfill

3.06 TRENCH COMPACTION TESTING (Continued)

2. Cohesionless Soils:
a. Determine maximum and minimum index density and calculate relative density using
ASTM D 4253 and ASTM D 4254.
b. For Class I granular bedding material, determine gradation according to ASTM C
136.

C. Field Testing:

1. Testing Frequency and Locations: Perform testing of the final trench backfill,
beginning at a depth of 2 feet above the top of the pipe, as follows:
a. Coordinate the timing of testing with the Engineer.
b. The Engineer will determine the location of testing.
c. For each 2 vertical feet of consolidated fill, provide tests at a maximum horizontal
spacing of 200 feet and at all street crossings.
d. Additional testing may be required by the Engineer in the event of non-compliance or
if conditions change.
e. If necessary, excavate to the depth and size as required by the Engineer to allow
compaction tests. Place backfill material and recompact.

2. Test Failure and Retesting: Rework, recompact, and retest as necessary until specified
compaction and moisture content is achieved in all areas of the trench. In the event of
failed tests, the Engineer may require retesting as deemed necessary.

END OF SECTION

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