SOIL CEMENT FLUMES
616.01 Description.
This Section shall cover the work of constructing soil cement flumes at locations designated in accordance with details shown on the plans.
616.02 Materials.
All materials shall conform to the requirements of Division 800, Materials. Specific reference is made to the following: Cement, Section 815. Water, Subarticle 807.01(b). Local Sand, Sand-Gravel, and Stone Screening for Miscellaneous Construction, Use Section 826. Preformed Joint Filler, Article 832.01. Test specimens will not be required for soil cement flume.
616.03 Construction Requirements.
a.Subgrade. Subgrade shall be finished and compacted to the section as shown on the plans or as designated. Side forms and transverse forms of the size and shape necessary to secure the desired section shall be placed prior to the placing of the mix and at such intervals which will ensure a true finished grade and section by screeding with a straightedge.
b.Mix. The mix shall be one part Portland cement and six parts, by loose moist volume, local sand or sand-gravel and shall be mixed in an approved concrete mixer or by approved hand methods to a consistency dry enough to stand on the slopes without subsequently settling and sloughing, and tamped, rough graded, and finished by means of a hand float. After screeding, the surface shall be finished by hand float methods.
c.Curing. As soon as the soil cement has hardened sufficiently to prevent marring of the surface, and not later than the morning following its placement, it shall be cured for a period of 72 hours using one of the methods provided in Article 450.03.
d.Joints. Transverse expansion joints shall be constructed at maximum intervals of 40 feet {12 m}. They shall be filled with either preformed joint filler or acceptable yard lumber board of 1 inch {25 mm} (nominal size) pine, S4S. The finished surface shall be scored transversely with a grooving tool to a depth of at least 1/2 inch {13 mm} so as to form a weakened plane joint at intervals of 6 feet {2 m}.
e.Toe Walls. Toe walls shall be constructed across the ends of each flume as follows: On upper end a toe wall of 6 inches {150 mm} in thickness and 12 inches {300 mm} in minimum depth below subgrade of the flume; on the lower end a toe wall 6 inches {150 mm} in thickness and 12 inches {600 mm} in minimum depth below subgrade.
f.Solid Sod Strip. A strip of solid sod shall be placed along each edge of the flume.
616.04 Method of Measurement.
Accepted soil cement flume will be measured in square yards {square meters}, complete in place, along the finished top surface both longitudinally and transversely and computed to the nearest 0.1 square yard {0.1 m²}.
616.05 Basis of Payment.
a.Unit Price Coverage. Accepted Soil Cement Flume, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price per square yard {square meter}, complete in place, which shall be payment in full for excavating and preparing the subgrade and foundation bed, furnishing and erecting forms, furnishing all materials, mixing and placing the mix, curing, backfilling, and for all other materials, tools, labor, and incidentals SECTION 617 BITUMINOUS TREATED GLASS FIBER FLUMES necessary to complete the work. Aggregate, available from the right-of-way, may be obtained by the Contractor without any charge for royalty and such material will not be included in excavation items. No direct payment will be made for toe walls. The solid sod strip will be paid for under Item 654, Solid Sod.
b.Payment will be made under Item No.: 616-A Soil Cement Flume - per square yard {square meter} SECTION 617 BITUMINOUS TREATED GLASS FIBER FLUMES
617.01 Description.
This Section shall cover the work of furnishing and placing a layer of bituminous treated glass fibers on planted ditch slopes and other areas as shown on the plans or directed.
617.02 Materials.
a.Glass Fibers. Glass fiber material used for mulching shall consist of continuous fibers drawn from molton glass, coated with a chrome-complex sizing compound; collected into strands and lightly bound together without the use of clay, starch or like deleterious substances. The glass fibers shall be formed or wound into a cylindrical package in such a manner that the glass fibers can be continuously fed through an ejector driven by compressed air and expanded into a mat of glass fibers on the soil surface. The material shall contain no petroleum solvents or other agents known to be toxic to plant or animal life. The glass fibers shall conform to the following specific requirements: Property Limits Test Method fiber diameter 0.00035 to 0.00053 inches {8.89 to 13.46 µm} ASTM D 578 yards/pound {m/kg} of fibers 340 - 600 ASTM D 578 organic content 1.65% Max. ASTM D 578 pkg. weight {mass} 30 - 45 pounds {14 - 20 kg} ASTM D 578
b.Bituminous Asphalt. Asphalt shall be one of the emulsified type permitted by Subitem 860.03(b)7.b and complying with the requirements noted therein.
617.03 Construction Requirements.
a.General. The surface to be treated shall have been installed and prepared by one of the methods provided in Section 652, 653, or 654, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. Application of the Bituminous Treated Glass Fibers shall be accomplished within 24 hours after completion of planting operations.
b.Application of the Glass Fibers. The glass fibers shall be dispersed by equipment specifically designed for the purpose of using compressed air as the moving force. The glass fibers shall be spread over the area to be treated at a rate of approximately 0.4 to .05 pounds per square yard {217 to 271 g/m²}. Where water is expected to enter the flume, the fiber blanket shall be anchored into the natural ground a minimum of 9 inches {225 mm}.
c.Bituminous Treatment of Glass Fibers. After application of the glass fibers, the area shall be treated with emulsified asphalt (undiluted) at the approximate rate of 0.25 to 0.35 gallons per square yard {1.13 to 1.58 L/m²}. After application of the asphalt and the emulsion has broken and become tacky, a light application of sand or pulverized soil shall be applied to the treated area, if so directed by the Engineer, so as to prevent adherence of objects which may come in contact with the asphalt. Care shall be taken not to apply sand or soil in an amount detrimental to the newly planted area.
d.Maintenance. The Contractor shall maintain and repair the treated area to the satisfaction of the Engineer until final acceptance.
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Source: 2026 Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 503–504 of 826. View official source ↗