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202.01 DESCRIPTION. This work consists of excavation, and the satisfactory placement and
compaction, or disposal, of all materials encountered within the limits of the work and which are necessary for the construction of the roadway. Excavation and embankment shall be in reasonably close conformity with the dimensions and sections indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer, all in accordance with these Specifications. Excavation will be classified as "earth excavation," "rock excavation," "rock excavation - mechanical,” "muck excavation," "channel excavation-earth," "channel excavation-rock," "channel excavation rock-mechanical,” "loam excavation,” and "unclassified excavation,” all as hereafter described. 202.01.1 Earth Excavation. Earth excavation shall include the removal of suitable and unsuitable soils not otherwise classified herein, and the removal of boulders and rock fragments less than 1 cubic yard in volume, from the following areas:
a.Within the design excavation section.
b.Beyond the design excavation section of the roadbed or side slopes where unsuitable materials are encountered.
c.Beyond the design excavation section of shallow embankments when unsuitable materials are encountered. 202.01.2 Presplitting Bedrock. This work shall consist of producing a plane of split rock prior to any drilling or blasting for roadway rock excavati on. This plane will be formed to follow the design of rock slope lines and shall be extended from the top of the bedrock surface to the proposed rock shelf levels and to the toe of finished rock slope, to the invert of side drains, or to the depths specified on the Plans.
202.01.3 Rock Excavation. Rock excavation shall consist of the removal of intact bedrock, and
boulders or detached bedrock fragments which have a volume of 1 cubic yard, or more. Boulders and detached rock fragments which have a volume of less than 1 cubic yard are considered "Earth Excavation.” 202.01.4 Rock Excavation - Mechanical. This classification of rock excavation shall be employed in areas where blasting is prohibited. Rock excavated under this classification shall be removed by employing hydraulic splitters, air rams, paving breakers, or any other mechanical method approved by the Engineer. 202.01.5 Unsuitable Soils. Unsuitable soils shall include and are hereby defined as those soils, other than muck, which due to their consolidation properties, degree of saturation, gradation, or other deleterious characteristics will not provide a stable subgrade or side slopes; cannot be used as, or support embankment, or cannot be placed and compacted as backfill, or do not otherwise conform to the requirements of these Specifications. 2−13
202.01.6 Muck Excavation. Muck excavation shall consist of the removal and disposal of
deposits of saturated or unsaturat ed mixtures of soils and organic matter not suitable for foundation material regardless of moisture content. The excavated muck shall be stockpiled at approved locations within the right-of-way and/or legally disposed of. 202.01.7 Channel Excavation Earth. Channel excavation earth shall include all materials other than water or "Channel Excavation Rock," removed from existing, new, or temporary water courses as indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. 202.01.8 Channel Excavation Rock. Channel excavation rock shall include intact bedrock and boulders 1 cubic yard or more in volume removed from existing, new, or temporary water courses, as indicated on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. 202.01.9 Channel Excavation Rock - Mechanical. This classification of rock excavation shall be employed in channel construction areas where blasting is prohibited. Rock excavation under this classification shall be removed by employing hydrau lic splitters, air rams, paving breakers, or any other mechanical method approved by the Engineer. 202.01.10 Loam Excavation. Loam excavation shall include loam or topsoil removed between the limits indicated and the depths specified on the Plans or directed by the Engineer. The excavated loam shall be stockpiled at approved locations within the right-of-way. 202.01.11 Unclassified Excavation. Unclassified excavation shall consist of the excavation, stockpiling and/or removal and legal disposal of a composite mixture of various types of materials which the Engineer has determined to be impractical to segregate into separate classifications. 202.01.12 Embankment Construction. Embankment construction shall consist of constructing roadway embankments, including preparation of t he areas upon which they are to be placed; the benching of embankments; the construction of side slopes and toe drainage ditches; the construction of dikes within or outside the right-of-way; the placing and compacting of approved material within roadway areas where unsuitable material has been removed; and the placing and compacting of embankment material in holes, pits and other depressions within the roadway area. Only approved materials shall be used in the construction of embankments and backfills.
202.02 Materials
202.02.1 Common Borrow . Common Borrow shall consist of approved material required for the
construction of embankments or for other portions of the work. Common Borrow shall meet the requirements of Subsection M.01.01 of these Specifications prior to its final placement on the Project. The practice of culling deleterious or out of specification material after placement and/or grading in-place will not be allowed.
202.02.2 Gravel Borrow . Gravel Borrow shall meet the requirements of Subsection M.01.09;
Gradation of Aggregates, Table I, Column I prior to its final placement on the Project. The practice of culling deleterious or out of specification material after placement and/or grading in- place will not be allowed .
Source: Rhode Island Standard Specifications (Bluebook), 2024 Edition. Pages 122–123 of 826.