SECTION 203 – EMBANKMENT
203.01 Description
This Section describes the requirements for constructing embankments and for preparing areas on which embankments are placed.
203.02 Materials
203.02.01 Materials
Provide materials as specified: Soil Aggregate (I-7, I-9, I-10, I-11, I-13, and I-14) ................................ ................................ ........................ 901.11
203.02.02 Equipment
Provide equipment as specified: Pneumatic-Tired Compactor ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 1002.01 Dynamic Compactor ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 1002.02 Steel-Wheel Roller ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 1002.03 Padfoot Roller ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 1002.04
203.03 Construction
203.03.01 Breaking Pavement
Break pavement into pieces. Ensure the piece sizes are no larger than 12 inches in all dimensions. Break pavement before placing embankment or any other unbound aggregate material, such as su bbase or dense-graded aggregate, on existing pavement
203.03.02 Soil Aggregate
A.Constructing Embankment Before beginning embankment, excavate and stabilize side ditches, and install perimeter SESC measures as specified in
158.03.02 Ensure that the ground surface is not frozen and is free from snow, ice, and mud before constructing
embankment. The ME will determine the classification of the subgrade material specified in Table 203.03.02-1. Compact the subgrade using the directed method as specified in 203.03.02.B.3 for the classification of the subgrade material. Do not backfill or begin constructing embankment against a structure until the forms can be removed as specified in
504.03.02 G. Where existing pipes and conduit have insufficient soil cover during embankment construction, protect the
pipes and conduit from damage by the equipment and operations. Backfill and compact low areas, holes, channels, and di tches using the directed method, as specified in 203.03.02.B.3, before constructing embankment. When constructing an embankment against an existing slope or when constructing an embankment in s tages, bench the existing slope against which the embankment is to be placed as the embankment is constructed in lifts. For each lift, bench a minimum of 6 feet into the existing slope to allow the new embankment to integrate with the existing slope. Com pact benched areas with the new embankment. If the RE determines that the moisture content of the existing ground, previously constructed embankment, or embankment material may adversely affect embankment construction, cease embankment construction until t he moisture content is corrected. Construct embankment to ensure adequate surface drainage is provided at all times. Construct the center of the roadbed higher than the sides, and keep the surface uniformly graded and compacted. At the end of each workin g day, construct temporary stabilized berms and slope drains along the top edges of the embankment to intercept surface runoff. During embankment construction, allocate adequate space in the embankment for excavated material. Begin constructing embankment by placing initial lifts in the deepest portion of the embankment. Continue placing lifts approximately parallel to the finished pavement grade line. If constructing embankments with material t hat is obtained from more than one source, do not commingle materials. When constructing embankment for the specified materials, the following apply:
1.Concrete or HMA. The Contractor may use concrete or HMA pieces to construct embankment if approved by the RE. Ensure that HMA o r concrete pieces are at least 2 fee t above the water table when constructing embankment.
2.Soil Aggregate and Rock. If I-14 soil aggregate is composed of soil aggregate and rock, fill the rock voids with soil aggregate. If constructing embankments outside the ROW or easement, construct the top 30 inches with I-14 soil aggregate that contains no aggregate exceeding 2 inches in any dimension.
3.Rock. Obtain RE approval before placing rock in embankments. Do not place rock in embankment in areas where piles or guide rail posts are to be driven, or drainage structures or utilities are to be constructed. Before placing rock on compacted embankment constructed of soil, grade the existing embankment surface to slope from the centerline to the sides at the rate of approximately 1 inch to the foot, and thorough ly compact the surface of the embankment. Place rock to form the base of embankments for the full width of the embankment. Place rock in uniform lifts to a depth that does not exceed 1 1/2 times the approximate size of the largest rock, but limited to a maximum lift depth of 3 feet. Reduce the size of rocks larger than 2 feet in any dimension. Distribute rock by blading or dozing to ensure proper placement in the embankment and to keep voids, pockets, and bridging to a minimum. Do not dump rock in final position. Ensure that the exterior 1 foot portion of the top and sides of rock in embankment contains no rock exceeding 8 inches in any dimension. Fill voids in the exterior 1 foot portion with granular material. Do not place rock in embankment within 2 feet of the finished subgrade elevation. When planting trees in the embankment, that contains concrete or rock, ensure that the exterior 2 foot portion of the top and sides of embankment contains no concrete or rock exceeding 2 inches in any dimension. F ill voids in the exterior 2 foot portion with granular material. When embankment includes HMA, ensure that no HMA is placed in the exterior 2 foot portion of the top and sides of embankment. Construct the balance of the embankment with soil aggregate. Place and grade material in lifts not exceeding 8 inches, and then compact using the directed method as specified in 203.03.02.B.3. When constructing embankment abutting structures before the abutments and wingwalls are completed, allow ample space for construction of the abutting structure. Construct the embankment abutting the structure at a slope of 5H:1V, or flatter. When the abutting structure is complete, finish placing the embankment to the structure. Place embankment around and adjacent to arches, rigid frame bridges, culverts, and piers simultaneously on both sides to the same elevation. Do not place embankment with pieces larger than 6 inches in any dimension within 2 feet of structur es, utilities, and drainage facilities. Place and compact material used for embankment as specified in Table 203.03.01-1: Table 203.03.01-1 Placing and Compacting Methods Placement Condition Method I-11 < 1 foot above water table or on unstable ground End-Dumping I-11 ≥ 1 foot above water table I-14 – Granular material Control Fill I-14 – Primarily rock or non-granular material Directed I-9/I-10 Density Control During embankment construction, route construction equipment, both loaded and empty, over the lifts with the travel distributed evenly over the entire width of the embankment. Before placing subsequent lifts, regrade and compact areas rutted by traffic. The RE will check the elevation of the subgrade as specified in 202.03.03.D. The allowable tolerance from the shown elevations is ±1/2 inch. Stabilize slopes either by temporarily seeding and mulching, or by topsoil spreading, permanently seeding, and mulching as specified in 806.03.01. Do not construct embankment more than 15 feet high without stabilizing the slope. Submit alternate methods for stabilizing slopes when seeding is not allowable due to seasonable constraints. Obtain RE approval of alternate methods before beginning embankment construction. B Placing and Compacting Methods
1.End-Dumping Method. Do not begin end-dumping until the RE tests the bottom of the excavation to determine that the wet material has been removed down to firm bottom or the lower limit as shown on the Plans. Do not interrupt end-dumping except as necessary to allow for testing and measuring. When interrupted for more than 24 hours, do not end -dump until the RE retests the bottom of the excavated area and determines it to be in satisfactory condition. Sequence excavation and end-dumping to ensure that wet material does not re-enter the excavated area. End- dump the embankment material only to an elevation that allows the use of compacting equipment. Construct the remainder of the embankment using the control fill method as specified in 203.03.02.B.2. Fill and advance the embankment wedge so that the remaining wet material is forced to the sides of the excavation and is not entrapped under the embankment. Remove wet material that accumulates at the sides of the excavated area as the embankment wedge advances. Remove wet material spilled or otherwise deposited on the top or sides of the embankment during this operation. When widening an existing embankment, place embankment material along and outward from the exi sting embankment in close coordination with the excavation to prevent entrapping wet material between the existing and new sections of embankment and displacing unstable materials that may be under the existing embankment. Prevent settlement of or damage to existing roadways, utilities, or other facilities. Repair or replace roadways, utilities, or other facilities to the preconstruction condition.
2.Control Fill Method.
a.Control Strip. Construct a control strip to determine compaction requirements. Construct a new control strip for each change in the character or source of the material or for any change in the compaction equipment. Each control strip is to remain in place and become a portion of the completed embankment. Obtain RE approval of the subgrade or course upon which a control strip is to be constructed before constructing the control strip. Construct a 400 square yard or greater control strip consisting of 3 equally thick lifts not exceeding 12 inches each. Compact each of the first 2 lifts of the control strip using the directed method as specified in 203.03.02.B.3. Compact the third lift of the control strip with a minimum of 2 passes of the compaction equipment. Continue compacting until additional passes result in no appreciable increase in density. The ME will determine density of th e control strip according to AASHTO T 310 (Direct Transmission Method). Provide a final lift surface that is smooth, dense, and free from ruts and roller marks. After the Contractor completes compaction of the control strip, the ME will perform a minimum of 10 tests at random locations to determine the average in-place dry density of the control strip. If the average dry density of the material in the control strip is equal to or greater than 95 percent of its maximum density as determined according to AASHTO T 99, Method C, including the replacement option, then the RE will approve the compaction equipment and its method of use for compaction of embankment of the same materials and thicknesses on the Project. If the control strip fails to achieve the required density, remove and construct a new control strip. Revise compaction operations for subsequent control strips to achieve the required density.
b.Embankment. Continue constructing the embankments in the same manner as the approved control strip. If an area is inaccessible to the compacting equipment used to construct the control strip, compact each lift to a density of at least 95 percent of the maximum density as determined according to AASHTO T 99, Method C. The ME will determine the density of such inaccessible areas from the average of 5 randomly located measurements according to AASHTO T 310 (Direct Transmission Method).
3.Directed Method. Place embankment materials, except rock, in lifts not exceeding 8 inches thick. Place rock as specified in 203.03.02.A.3. Compact each lift as specified in Table 203.03.02-1. Table 203.03.02-1 Compaction Requirements Embankment Material Equipment Passes Per Lift Sand, Sand and Gravel Pneumatic-Tired Roller 5 minimum Dynamic Compactor Number of passes to optimize density Silt, Clay Pneumatic-Tired Roller 5 minimum Padfoot Roller 8 minimum Rock 3 Wheel 10 Ton Roller 4 minimum Dynamic Compactor (Vibratory roller with 6 ton min. static weight at drum) 2 to 5 If an area is inaccessible to the compacting equipment specified in Table 203.03.02 -1, compact each lift following the density control method as specified in 203.03.02.B.4.
4.Density Control Method . If required, submit a dewatering plan i ncluding the method of dewatering and controlling sediment and contaminants from entering adjacent waterbodies, wetlands , and environmentally sensitive areas. Dewater areas according to the dewatering plan before and during embankment construction if areas are below the water table. Construct embankment in lifts not exceeding 12 inches thick after compaction. Do not blend I -9 soil aggregate to meet gradation requirements at the placement site. Compact embankment materials to a density of at least 95 per cent of maximum density. For bridge foundations without piles, determine maximum density according to AASHTO T 180, Method D, including the replacement option. For other instances, determine maximum density according to AASHTO T 99, Method C, including the replacement option. The ME will determine the compacted density of embankments by taking the average of 5 randomly located measurements for each course or at a minimum of each 3 foot increment of elevation according to AASHTO T 310 (Direct Transmission Method). If any individual measurement is less than 90 percent of the maximum density, or the average is less than 95 percent of the maximum density, continue compaction or take corrective action until the ME verifies that the required density is achieved.
203.04 Measurement and Payment
The Department will measure and make payment for Items as follows: Item Pay Unit BREAKING PAVEMENT SQUARE YARD ___ SOIL AGGREGATE CUBIC YARD Payment for I-14 SOIL AGGREGATE will not include quantities of I-14 SOIL AGGREGATE constructed from material excavated or reused from the Project. The Department will make payment for SESC measures, as specified in 158.04, for this work specified in the various Items of this Subsection. The Department will pay for temporary seeding under FERTILIZING AND SEEDING, TYPE ___, as specified in 806.04, for this work specified in the various Items of this Subsection.
Referenced in this section
Embankment in other states
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2019 (rev. 2022-12-21) Edition. Pages 171–175 of 651. View official source ↗