THE CITY OF TRENCH EXCAVATION, BACKFILL, Section 02315

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1. GENERAL

This Section specifies requirements for excavating trenches, and backfilling for
installation of pipelines, sewers, conduits, and appurtenances.

1.1 Related Work

.1 Hauling and Haul Roads Section 02321

.2 Soil Insulation Section 02344

.3 Boring or Jacking Conduits Section 02445

.4 Water Mains Section 02511

.5 Subdrain Systems Section 02620

.6 Storm Sewer Mains Section 02560

.7 Corrugated Steel Pipe Culverts Section 02610

.8 Catch Basin Leads Section 02562

.9 Manholes and Catch Basins Section 02563

.10 Sanitary Sewer Mains Section 02530

.11 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Force Mains Section 02531

.12 Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Section 02564

Service Connections

.13 Tree and Shrub Preservation Section 02901

1.2 Definitions

.1 Common Excavation: Excavation, placement, and compaction in

embankments of all on-site materials whatever nature, which are not
included under the definition of topsoil stripping, waste excavation,
borrow excavation, or rock excavation; including dense tills, hardpan,
frozen materials, and partially cemented materials which can be ripped
and excavated with heavy construction equipment.

.2 Rock Excavation: Rock excavation shall be paid for when the material
encountered consists of mass or bedrock or a boulder of volume greater
than 0.75 cubic meters. Such rock excavation is divided into two

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categories; (A) and (B), contingent upon its hardness and difficulty
experienced in excavation. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to
demonstrate, to the Engineer’s satisfaction that the material cannot be
removed or that difficulty is being experienced through excavation by
conventional means. In doing so, the Contractor may be required by the
Engineer to seek and explore planes of weakness or layers that may ease
the excavation process. Frozen material is not classified as rock.

.1 Type ‘A’ Rock

Type ‘A’ Rock refers to materials, such as fractured sandstone,

shale or ledge rock, which can be removed by a backhoe for the
depth of trench excavation and size of pipe being installed. For
open excavation, it refers to materials, which, in the opinion of the
Engineer, result in:

- Substantial delay or decrease in the normal rate of excavation

using conventional equipment.

- Significant damage or wear to the excavating equipment.

.2 Type ‘B’ Rock

Type ‘B’ Rock requires drilling, blasting, wedging or

jackhammering to remove, as determined by the Engineer.

.3 Bedding Material: Materials placed at the bottom of the trench beneath

and up to the springline of the pipe, as specified and approved by the
Engineer.

.4 Pipe Foundation: Subgrade material immediately below bedding.

.5 Initial Backfill: Material placed within the trench, above the spring line of
the pipe to 300 mm above the crown of the pipe.

.6 Bedding Class: Pipes to be bedded to one of following classes, as

specified on drawings:

Class A

.1 Concrete Cradle: Pipe is bedded in concrete up to ¼ outside pipe

diameter, for a minimum width of pipe diameter plus 200 mm.
Above cradle, granular backfill is placed and compacted to 300
mm above pipe.

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.2 Concrete Arch: Pipe is bedded in carefully compacted granular

bedding to spring line. Top half of pipe is covered with concrete to
minimum depth of ¼ of inside diameter of pipe. Arch width is to
be a minimum of pipe outside diameter plus 200 mm.

Class B

.1 Shaped Subgrade: Bottom of undisturbed excavation is shaped to

conform to pipe shape and uniformly support pipe. Pipe is bedded
on a 50 mm levelling course of sand. Granular bedding is placed
and compacted up to the spring line of the pipe. Pipe is backfilled
with imported granular or hand-placed native backfill and
compacted to 300 mm above crown of pipe.

.2 Granular Bedding: Pipe is bedded on compacted granular material

placed on flat trench bottom, depth of bedding to be:

Pipe Diameter (mm) Bedding Depth (mm)

675 and smaller 75

750 to 1500 100
1650 and larger 150

Granular bedding is placed and compacted up to the spring line of

the pipe. Pipe to be backfilled and compacted with imported
granular or hand-placed native backfill to 300 mm above crown of
pipe.

.7 Fill Concrete: Controlled density, low strength concrete used as trench

backfill material where specified by Engineer.

1.3 Protection

.1 Existing Buried Utilities

.1 Size, depth, and location of existing utilities shown on Drawings

are for guidance only; completeness and accuracy are not
guaranteed.

.2 Prior to commencing any excavation work, notify applicable utility

authorities, and establish location and state of use of buried
services. Clearly mark such locations to prevent disturbance during
work.

.3 Maintain and protect from damage, water, sewer, gas, electric, or

other utilities encountered.

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.4 Obtain written authorization of owner of utility and Engineer

before moving or otherwise disturbing utility.

.2 Existing Surface Features

.1 Protect existing buildings, trees and other plants, lawns, fencing,

service poles, wires or paving located within right of way or
adjoining properties from damage while work is in progress.
Repair to Engineer's satisfaction any damage which may occur.

.2 Where excavation necessitates root or branch cutting, do so only

under direct control of the Engineer.

.3 Protect existing trees and shrubs in accordance with Section

02901.

.3 Shoring and Bracing

.1 Whenever shoring, sheeting, timbering and bracing of excavations

is required, engage services of a professional engineer to design
and assume responsibility for adequacy of shoring and bracing.
Professional engineer is to be registered in Alberta.

.2 When requested by the Engineer, submit for review Drawings and

calculations signed and stamped by the professional engineer
responsible for their preparation.

.3 Close sheeting, when required, to be designed and constructed to

prevent adjacent soil or water from entering excavation.

.4 Access

Maintain unobstructed access to fire and police appurtenances, telephone,

electric, water, sewer, gas or other public utilities and private properties.

.5 Flooding

Protect open excavation against flooding and damage from surface water
run-off.

1.4 Safety Requirements

.1 Adhere to Municipal and Provincial requirements relating to safety of

trenching work, including shoring and bracing as required.

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.2 Adhere to all crossing permit (railway, pipeline, telecommunications duct,

etc.) requirements.

.3 Provide barricades, flares, etc. to adequately denote area of excavation

adjacent to roadways.

1.5 Measurement for Payment

.1 Payment for trench excavation, initial backfill, backfill, and compaction

will be made at the unit price tendered, within the depth ranges specified,
per lineal metre of trench excavated, backfilled, and compacted in
accordance with this Section. Horizontal measurement for each type of
installation will be made as follows:

.1 Water Mains: Along centre line of main, including hydrant

laterals, through valves and fittings.

.2 Subdrains: From centre to centre of manholes and catch basins, or

from centre of manhole/catch basin to designated termination
point.

.3 Storm Sewer Mains: From centre of manhole to centre of manhole,

or from centre of manhole to designated termination point.

.4 Corrugated Steel Pipe Culverts: Along invert of pipe from inlet to

outlet, included bevelled end section.

.5 Catch Basin Leads: From centre of manhole to centre of catch

basin.

.6 Sanitary Sewer Mains: From centre of manhole to centre of

manhole, or centre of manhole to designated termination point.

.7 Sanitary and Storm Sewer Force Mains: From centre of manhole

to centre of manhole, or from designated start point to designated
termination point.

.8 Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Service Connections: As

specified in Section 02564.

.9 Concrete Encased and Direct Buried Duct Bank: From designated

start point to designated termination point, including length
through manholes.

.2 Trench depth shall be the vertical distance between the ground surface
immediately prior to excavation and the pipe invert as measured at

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intervals determined by the Engineer.

.3 Payment for supply and placement of sand bedding material according to

this Section will be made at the unit price tendered, within the pipe ranges
specified, per lineal metre of sand bedding material installed, measured
horizontally as specified in Clauses 1.5.1.1 through 1.5.1.9. Unit price to
include supply and placement of sand bedding material from the trench
bottom (75 mm to 150 mm below bottom of pipe as specified on
Specification Drawing 1.02) to spring line of the pipe or to 300 mm above
top of pipe, as specified in the Tender Form.

.4 Payment for supply and placement of screened rock bedding material

according to this Section will be made at the unit price tendered, within
the pipe ranges specified, per lineal metre of screened rock bedding
material installed, measured horizontally as specified in Clauses 1.5.1.1
through 1.5.1.9. Unit price to include supply and placement of screened
rock bedding material from the trench bottom (75 mm to 150 mm below
bottom of pipe as specified on Specification Drawing 1.02) to spring line
of the pipe or to 300 mm above top of pipe, as specified in the Tender
Form.

.5 Payment for supply and placement of screened rock bedding material

according to this Section for unsuitable pipe foundation will be made at
the unit price tendered per cubic metre. Unit price to include excavation
of unsuitable foundation material and replaced with screened rock. (See
Specification Drawing 1.01).

.6 Measurement for solid rock excavation to be neat trench width as

indicated on the Drawings multiplied by depth of rock from rock surface
to 150 mm below pipe barrel multiplied by length. No overbreak to be
measured. Measurement for boulders and rock fragments exceeding 0.75
cubic metres in volume to be determined from three mutually
perpendicular dimensions.

.7 Measurement for payment of pipeline and utility crossings shall only be

applicable to oil and/or gas pipelines and other underground mainline
municipal utilities and shall be on a lump sum basis for each crossing
made. Measurement for payment shall not be applied to building service
lines or buried cables unless specifically provided for in the Contract.
Notwithstanding the above statements, payment shall not be made where
pipeline or utility being crossed falls below pipe being installed or where
pipe being crossed was installed under this Contract.

Tendered unit price for each crossing shall include all extra costs,
including but not limited to, support of the utility, utility crossing
agreements, and utility inspection charges over and above normal

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excavation costs.

2. PRODUCTS

2.1 Bedding and Initial Backfill Materials

.1 Initial backfill and bedding materials shall consist of the following:

.1 native fill sand,

.2 40 mm screened rock,

.3 screened pea gravel,

.4 16 mm crushed gravel, or

.5 native hand placed material may be used as initial backfill.

Gradation to be in accordance with Section 02701 Aggregates
General.

.2 Material to be used as specified by Engineer or as shown on Drawings.

.3 Concrete required for Class A bedding, grades, supports, encasement to be

25 MPa sulphate resistant (Type 50) to Section 03300.

.4 Native backfill to be approved material selected from trench excavation or

other source, unfrozen and free from deleterious material, and with
moisture content within 3% of optimum.

2.2 Roadway Trench Backfill Material

.1 To minimize fill settlement under self weight, excavated soil with a water
content exceeding the plastic limit of the soil by more than 10% should
not be used as fill unless the moisture content is lowered.

.2 Wet fill material should be dried or blended with drier material prior to
use as a trench backfill. If this is not practical, the wet material should be
wasted or used in landscape areas and berms where bearing capacity is not
required.

.3 Suitable replacement soils would include imported clay with a moisture

content within 3% of its optimum moisture content for compaction, or
imported sand materials suitable for compaction.

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3. EXECUTION

3.1 Site Preparation

.1 Remove trees, shrubs, vegetation, fences, and other obstructions, ice and
snow, from surfaces to be excavated within limits indicated.

.2 Strip top soil from within limits of excavation and stockpile as directed,
for respreading after backfilling.

3.2 Dewatering

.1 Keep excavations dry while work is in progress.

.2 Dispose of water in a manner not detrimental to public health,

environment, public and private property, or any portion of work
completed or under construction.

3.3 Excavation

.1 Excavate to lines, grades, elevations and dimensions indicated on

Drawings. Ground profiles are approximate only. Precise line and grade
will be set out by Engineer. Allow Engineer two working days advance
notice to set out line and grade.

.2 Cut pavement or sidewalk neatly along limits of proposed excavation.

.3 Where edge of existing pavement is damaged as a result of trench

excavation in shoulder, a minimum 300 mm width to be cut neatly and
continuously and reinstated in accordance with Clause 3.9 of this Section.
Work included under restoration.

.4 Notify Engineer when soil at proposed elevation of trench bottom appears

unsuitable for foundation of installation. Remove unsuitable material and
replace with approved 40 mm screened rock bedding as shown in Division
20 Drawing 1.01.

.5 Notify Engineer if new construction conflicts with discovered obstruction.

Allow Engineer sufficient time to consider alternative alignment to avoid
conflict with obstruction. Modify alignment as directed by Engineer.

.6 Unless otherwise authorized by Engineer, do not excavate more than 30 m

of trench in advance of installation operations and do not leave open more
than 15 m of open trench at end of days operation.

.7 Stockpile suitable excavated materials required for trench backfill in

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approved location.

.8 Dispose of surplus and unsuitable material at a waste site designated by

Engineer or a site located by Contractor, and approved by Engineer.

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

.10 Obtain Engineer’s approval for method of excavation.

.11 Excavated rock to a level 150 mm below the barrel of pipe.

3.4 Trench Bottom Preparation

.1 Where required due to removal of unsuitable material or unauthorized

over-excavation, bring bottom of excavation to design grade with
approved material.

3.5 Pipe Bedding and Initial Backfill

.1 Concrete Bedding and Encasement

.1 Do concrete work to Section 03300. Place concrete to details

indicated or directed.

.2 Pipe may be positioned on concrete blocks to facilitate placing of

concrete. When necessary rigidly anchor or weight pipe to prevent
flotation when concrete is placed.

.3 Do not backfill over concrete within 24 hours after placing.

.2 Granular Bedding

.1 Place granular bedding materials to Class B unless otherwise

indicated on drawings.

.2 Shape bed true to grade to provide continuous uniform bearing

surface for pipe exterior. Do not use blocks when bedding pipe.

.3 Shape transverse depressions in bedding as required to make

joints.

.4 Compact full width of bed to a density of 100% Standard Proctor.

.5 Place layers simultaneously on both sides of installed work to

equalize loading.

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.6 Place material by hand under, around, and over pipe until 300 mm
of cover is provided. Dumping material directly on pipe will not be
permitted.
3.6 Backfilling

.1 Do not place backfill in freezing weather without written permission of

Engineer.

.2 Shoring, sheeting, and bracing

.1 Unless otherwise indicated, or directed by Engineer, remove

sheeting and shoring from trench during backfilling operations.

.2 Do not remove bracing until backfilling has reached level of

bracing.

.3 Pull sheeting in 150 mm increments until clear of installations,

simultaneously placing and compacting backfill to fill voids left by
pulled sheeting.

.4 Pull sheeting thereafter in increments that will ensure backfill is

maintained at an elevation at least 450 mm above toe of sheeting.

.5 When sheeting is to remain in place, cut off tops at elevations

indicated or directed.

.3 Place backfill material in uniform layers not exceeding 300 mm in

compacted thickness up to subgrade elevation or top of trench. Compact
each layer before placing succeeding layer.

.4 Compact native backfill materials to a minimum density of 95% Standard

Proctor. In lane, utility lot, and park areas, the Engineer may reduce the
compaction requirement to 100% of a one-point proctor test if, in his
opinion, it is not feasible to achieve the specified density. The one-point
proctor density is to be measured at the insitu soil moisture content. In
street areas, drying and/or mixing of backfill soil may be necessary to
achieve the 95% maximum Standard Proctor density as specified.

.5 Compact imported granular backfill material to a minimum density of

95% Standard Proctor.

.6 Compact using approved mechanical tamping devices, or by hand tamping

to achieve specified compaction.

3.7 Trench Backfill and Compaction for Shallow Utilities

.1 This Clause shall apply to the installation of power, gas, telephone, and
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cable television in new development areas.

.2 Road and lane crossings, or other areas to be hard surfaced, are to be

backfilled as outlined in Clause 3.6 of this Section.

.3 Trenches in landscaped areas; such as boulevards, rear yard easements,

front yard easements, side yard easement, parks, etc.; shall be backfilled
and compacted as follows:

.1 Place initial 750 mm ± lift of native backfill material and compact

to 90% Standard Proctor Density.

.2 Place of backfill material and compact to 90% Standard Proctor

Density.

.3 Following compaction of final lift, fill depression with native

material. Level surrounding area.

.4 It is the intent of this Clause that the 90% Standard Proctor Density
be achieved using a rubber-tired backhoe or similar construction
equipment.

3.8 Fill Concrete Backfill

.1 Place bedding and initial backfill material as per Clause 3.6.

.2 Backfill with fill concrete to level directed by Engineer.

.3 Vibrate to ensure all voids are filled.

.4 Allow 48 hours curing time prior to working over top of fill concrete.

3.9 Restoration

.1 Replace topsoil as directed by Engineer.

.2 Restore travelled areas to the pavement or concrete structure shown on the

contract drawings.

.3 Clean and reinstate areas affected by work as directed.

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