ITEM 204 SUBGRADE COMPACTION AND PROOF ROLLING
204.01 Description. This work consists of preparing suitable subgrade material by drying,
compacting, proof rolling, and grading. This work also consists of removing unsuitable subgrade material and constructing new embankment to the limits shown on the plans. The contract documents provide the anticipated amount of excavation for unsuitable subgrade material which includes unsuitable soil, rock, shale, and coal in the subgrade, and for unstable subgrade material. Use removed or excavated materials in the Work when the material conforms to the specifications; if not, then recycle or dispose of the material according to 105.16 and 105.17.
204.02 Materials. Furnish suitable material conforming to 203.02.R, 203.03, and 703.16, except
use soils in the top 12 inches of the subgrade that have a maximum dry density of at least 100 pounds per cubic foot. Furnish material that conforms to 703.16.B or 703.16.C when Granular Embankment is specified. Furnish material that conforms to 703.16.C when Granular Material, Type ___ is specified, except do not use RPCC, EAF slag, or BOF slag. Do not use Granular Material Type D, E, or F in the location where underdrains are to be constructed. Furnish geotextile fabric that conforms to 712.09, Type D. Furnish geogrid that conforms to 712.15.
204.03 Compaction of the Subgrade. Compact subgrade materials that have a maximum dry
density of 100 to 105 pounds per cubic foot to not less than 102 percent of maximum dry density. Compact all other subgrade materials to not less than 100 percent of maximum dry density. Determine the maximum dry density using AASHTO T 99, AASHTO T 272, or test section method described in Supplement 1015, according to the Engineer. Unless otherwise specified in the Contract Documents, the Engineer will perform all compaction tests according to Supplement 1015. The Department may check for compaction before or after the fine grading operation. If needed for compaction acceptance, use the test section method as follows:
A.Use a minimum of eight passes with a steel drum roller having a minimum effective weight of 10 tons.
B.Use 98 percent of the test section maximum dry density for acceptance of the production subgrade compaction.
C.Use at least the same number of passes and compactive effort used to construct the test section for the production subgrade compaction.
D.Construct a new test section when the subgrade material, supporting foundation or embankment material changes.
E.Reduce the moisture content if the material becomes unstable. The Engineer may reduce the minimum number of passes if the passes are detrimental to compaction. Use the moisture controls specified in 203.07.A. Compact the subgrade under pavements to a depth of 12 inches below the subgrade surface and 18 inches beyond the edge of the surface of the pavement, paved shoulders, or paved medians. Compact all subgrades under paved driveways, paved mailbox turnouts, curbs and gutters to a depth of 12 inches below the subgrade surface. Maintain and drain the subgrade according to 203.04.A.
204.04 Unstable Subgrade. If satisfactory subgrade stability cannot be obtained by moisture
control and compaction according to 204.03, the Engineer will direct the Contractor to remove the unstable material and to construct the replacement material to the finished grade within the tolerances specified in 203.08. Conduct the removal and replacement operations to allow the Engineer to measure the cross-sections before placing the replacement material. Remove the unstable subgrade material to the depth determined by the Engineer or specified in the Contract Documents. Replace with suitable material according to 204.07.
204.05 Rock, Shale , or Coal Subgrade . Excavate rock, shale, or coal encountered in the
subgrade to 6 inches below the final subgrade elevation. Ensure the excavated surface is shaped to drain and has a uniform surface that cannot trap water. Excavate for a width of 1 foot beyond the shoulders. Replace to the subgrade profile with suitable material conforming to 204.02 Granular Material Type B, following the gradation of 703.17, and compacted according to 204.03.
204.06 Proof Rolling. Test the stability and uniformity of the subgrade compaction by proof
rolling.
A.Use a proof roller conforming to the following:
1.Four heavy pneumatic tire wheels mounted on a rigid steel frame.
2.Wheels evenly spaced in one line across the width of the roller.
3.Wheels arranged so that all wheels carry approximately equal loads when operated over an uneven surface.
4.A maximum center-to-center spacing between adjacent wheels not exceeding 32 inches.
5.A body for ballast loading capable of varying the gross load from 25 to 50 tons.
6.Tires capable of operating at inflation pressures ranging from 90 to 120 pounds per square inch. Provide a tire pressure gage for measurement before use.
7.Tires filled with liquid from 90 to 95 percent by volume. Provide ballast that consist of blocks of known weight, sand bags with a weight of 100 pounds, bags of other material of known weight, or other suitable material such that the total ballast weight is readily determinable at all times. Provide sufficient b allast to load equipment to a maximum gross weight of 50 tons. Furnish the Engineer information verifying that the weights and tire pressures can be met.
B.After compacting the subgrade according to 204.03 and before placing overlying course, proof roll designated subgrade areas. If proof rolling is performed after the underdrains are installed, do not use the proof roller within 1 1/2 feet of the underdrains. Ensure that the subgrade moisture content at the time of proof rolling is within 2 percent of the moisture used for acceptance in 204.03. Adjust the load and tire inflation pressure as directed by the Engineer or according to the following:
1.For soils classified as A-3, A-4, A-6, or A-7-6, use a 35-ton roller with a tire pressure of 120 pounds per square inch.
2.For granular soils, and mixtures of soil, rock, and granular materials, use a 50-ton roller with a tire pressure of 120 pounds per square inch.
3.When proof rolling areas where unsuitable or unstable subgrade materials have already been excavated and replaced with granular material, use the weight and tire pressure appropriate for the original subgrade material type. Measure the tire pressure in the presence of the Engineer. Operate equipment at a speed between 2 1/2 and 5 miles per hour. Adjust the speed to allow the Engineer to measure the deflections, ruts, or elasticity. Make only one trip of the proof roller over any area. Offset trips to completely cover the subgrade area. Where proof rolling indicates areas of unstable subgrade, the Engineer will investigate for the source of the problem. The Contractor is responsible for all problems found in the materials constructed under the Contract Documents. Correct all deficiencies found. Correct the subgrade to a uniform and satisfactory stability as directed by the Engineer. After proof rolling, check the subgrade for conformance to the plans, and correct all surface irregularities. Shape the subgrade within the tolerances specified in 203.08.
204.07 Spreading and Placing of Materials. Place materials, conforming to 204.02, in 8-inch
loose lifts. The Engineer may increase the lift thickness depending on the stability of the bottom of the excavation. The Engineer may increase the lift thickness up to 24 inches to obtain stability at the top of the lift. Doze, track, or manipulate the material to maximize the density and stability. Once stability is achieved, compact according to 204.03.
A.Geotextile. When specified, place geotextile fabric at the bottom of the undercut or at locations designated in the Contract Documents. Place the geotextile fabric smooth and free of tension or wrinkles. Fold or cut the geotextile fabric to conform to curves. Ove rlap a minimum of 18 inches at the ends and sides. Hold the geotextile fabric in place with pins or staples. End dump the suitable material on the geotextile fabric. Do not operate the equipment directly on the geotextile fabric. Unless stated otherwise, spread the end dumped material and maintain a minimum lift thickness of 12 inches. When granular material Type E is specified or allowed, use a geotextile fabric on the top, bottom and around the Type E granular material to prevent piping of material into the Type E granular material. The Engineer may use granular material Type E when excess water is at the bottom of the undercut.
B.Geogrid. When specified, place geogrid at the bottom of the undercut or at locations designated in the Contract Documents. The geogrid may be attached to the underlying geotextile fabric when both materials are placed at the bottom of the excavation. Roll out the geogrid longitudinally along the roadway, in line with the placement of the granular fill. Do not drag the geogrid across the subgrade. Place the geogrid smooth and free of wrinkles. Hold the geogrid in place with pins, staples, sandbags or piles of granular material to prevent movement during granular fill placement.. Cut the geogrid to conform to curves. Folding over the excess portion of the geogrid into the fill may be used as an alternative to cutting, if acceptable to the Engineer . Maintain the vertical position of the geogrid at the specified depth. Overlap geogrid a minimum of 2.0 feet at the ends and sides. Overlap geogrid 3.0 feet in all directions if foot traffic causes movement of the subgrade. Place the beginning of each new roll beneath the previous roll to prevent the advancing fill from lifting the geogrid. Stagger end overlaps at least 10 feet from other end overlaps in adjacent rolls or consecutive layers. Place the granular material as specified in the Contract Documents. Cover the geogrid with material within three calendar days after placement. Place, spread, and compact the granular material in a manner that prevents the development of wrinkles or movement of the geogrid. Keep the geogrid taut during the placement of the initial lift. End dump granular material on the geogrid. Do not operate construction equipment directly on the geogrid. Place the end dumped material along the roadway centerline and spread outward to the roadway edges. Unless stated otherwise, maintain a minimum lif t thickness of 12 inches for the lift immediately above the geogrid. Do not turn equipment or brake suddenly on the first lift of material over the geogrid. Fill in any ruts that form during construction by adding material. Do not cut down the fill between the ruts. If rut depths exceed 3 inches, reduce the size, weight, or both of the equipment. The Engineer may increase the lift thickness to obtain stability at the top of the lift. The Engineer may waive density requirements for the first lift if the subgrade is too soft to support compaction equipment. Patch damaged geogrid. Place a geogrid patch that extends at least 3.0 feet beyond the damaged area in all directions. If the damaged portion is larger than 50 percent of the roll width, cut across the entire width of the roll to remove the damaged portion and overlap the cut ends. Replace or repair damaged geogrids at no expense to the Department.
204.08 Method of Measurement. The Department will measure Subgrade Compaction by the
number of square yards computed from the profile grade and typical sections and actually compacted. The Department will measure 18 inches beyond the edge of the pavement surface, paved shoulders, and paved medians. The Department will measure the surface area of the paved driveways, paved mailbox turnouts, curb, and gutter. The Department will measure Proof Rolling by the number of hours accepted. The Department will not measure idle time for repairs, servicing, loading and unloading ballast, adjusting tire pressure, bad weather, wet subgrade, usage at times and at locations other than Department directed, and stand -by time to be available when next needed or other cause for stand-by time. The Department will measure Excavation of Subgrade; Embankment; Granular Embankment; and Granular Material, Type according to 203.09. All excavation is unclassified. The Department will measure Geotextile Fabric by the number square yards of surface area of geotextile fabric placed. The Department will not include overlaps in the measurement. The Department will measure the quantity of Geogrid by the number of square yards of subgrade covered by the geogrid. The Department will not include overlaps in the measurement.
204.09 Basis of Payment. The Department will pay according to 109.05 for changes or extra
work that increases the haul distance more than a 1/2 mile to the work detailed in the Contract Documents. The Department will pay for additional quantities that increase the haul distance 1/2 mile or less at the unit bid price. If unstable subgrade results from inadequate surface drainage or lack of maintenance, as required by
203.04 A, the Department will not pay for replacing the unstable subgrade and disposing of the
removed material. For problems identified in 204.06 that are the result of soils or conditions at lower elevations than the Contract work, the Department will pay for the corrections. The Department will pay for the subgrade compaction in areas requiring excavation and replacement in 204.04, 204.05, and 204.07. The Department will not pay for subgrade compaction in areas stabilized under Item 206. The Department will pay for accepted quantities at the contract prices as follows: Item Unit Description 204 Square Yard Subgrade Compaction 204 Hour Proof Rolling 204 Cubic Yard Excavation of Subgrade 204 Cubic Yard Embankment 204 Cubic Yard Granular Embankment 204 Cubic Yard Granular Material Type ___ 204 Square Yard Geotextile Fabric 204 Square Yard Geogrid
Referenced in this section
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Source: Construction and Material Specifications, 2023 (rev. 7/17/2026) Edition. Pages 101–106 of 892. View official source ↗