2-8 Sectio N 203 – Excavatio N and Embankments
203.0 1 DESCRIPTION . This work shall consist of excavating and grading roadway s, runways and railways, slides, borrow pits, waterways, channels, intersections, approaches, and steps in hillside embankment s and excavating unsui table material from the construction area and beneath embankment areas, surfaces, and pavements. This work shall consist of excavating selected material found in the construction area for specific use in the construction , constructing and removing detour s shown on the Plans or directed by the Engineer , trimming and shaping of slope s, performing test borings for the purpose of determining areas of roadway and embankment subsurface voids , and disposing of all unsuitable or surplus excavated material. The work shall also consist of placing material in embankment s and the grading of all material placed up to subgrade to the tolerance specified in the Plan s. The work is classified as follows:
a.Common Excavation . Common excavation shall consist of the removal of all material encountered in grading the project which can be accomplished with normal excavating machinery, and which is not classified to be removed as solid rock excavation, muc k excavation, channel excavation, excavation of surfaces and pavements, or excavation for structures. Excavation required beyond the finished slope neat lines for slope stabilization, removal of sod and unsuitabl e material other than muck located in embankment areas, removal and stockpiling of topsoil, and removal of unsuitable material existing at or below subgrade elevation in excavation areas is also classified as common excavation .
b.Solid Rock Excavation . Solid rock excavation shall consist of the removal of hard igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock that requires blasting or the use of rippers; detached rock , boulders , mortared stone masonry , or concrete each h aving a volume of 2 cubic yards or more; and Portland cement concrete pavement , including any bituminous surface overlay material, encountered in the limits of excavation.
c.Unclassified Excavation . Unclassified excavation shall consist of common excavation and solid rock excavation as classified above and not measured separately .
d.Muck Excavation . Muck excavat ion shall consist of the removal, disposal, and backfill of a saturated or unsaturated mixture of soils and organic matter encountered below the original ground line in an embankment area that is not suitable to be used as foundation material regardless of its moisture content.
2-9 (e) Channel Excavation of Earth . Channel excavation of earth shall consist of the removal of all
material encountered in the excavation which can be accomplished with normal excav ating machinery, except as classified as channel excavation of rock ; for widening, deepening, and straightening of existing channels and waterways, or in the construction of new channels; and any other excavation designated to be removed as channel excavat ion as shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer.
f.Channel Excavation of Rock . Channel excavation of rock shall consist of the removal of rock in definite bedrock formation that requires blasting or the use of rippers; and detached rock, boulders, stone masonry, and concrete each having a volume of 2 cubic yards or more encountered in the excavation for wideni ng, deepening, and straightening of existing channels and waterways, or in the construction of new channels.
g.Unclassified Channel Excavation . Unclassified channel excavation shall consist of channel excavation of earth and channel excavation of rock as classified above and not measured separately.
h.Excavation of Surfaces and Pavements . Excavation of surfaces and pavements shall consist of the removal and disposal of existing surfaces and pavements that are located outside other excavation and embankment limits.
i.Borrow . Borrow shall consist of material required for the construction of embankment s or for other portions of the work and shall be obtained from approved sources located outside the limits of the right-of-way, unless otherwise shown on the Plan s or directed by the Engineer. Borrow is further classified as earth borrow, sand borrow, or granular borrow .
j.Test Borings . Test borings shall consist of an investigative and planned approach to determining areas of roadway and embankment subsurface voids and repairing bored areas.
k.Gravel Filter for Slope Stabilization . Gravel filter for slope stabilization shall consist of an approved graded material placed against slopes and any other places designated for use of this material.
l.Shoulder Berm Removal . Shoulder berm removal shall consist of removing the berm of debris and sand resulting from guardrail that is to be retained. The removal may be performed by hand labor or mechanical means. The Contractor shall remove the berm down to the proper line and grade for the shoulder from which the berm is being removed.
2-10 The removed sand and fine debris may be scattered into the turf on the roadway slope outside the
point of shoulder unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. Larger debris such as stones in excess of 2 inches in diameter, automobile parts, wood, glass, and other bulky items shall be disposed of properly by the Contractor. 203.0 2 MATERIALS . Materials shall meet the requirements of the following subsection s: Classification of Soils ................................ ................................ ................................ 703.01 Earth Borrow ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 703.02 Sand Borrow and Cushion ................................ ................................ ......................... 703.03 Granular Borrow ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 703.04 Gravel Filter for Slope Stabilization ................................ ................................ .......... 704.07 Backfill for Muck Excavation ................................ ................................ .................... 704.09 Concrete for backfilling subsurface voids shall meet the requirements of Section 541 for Flowable Fill, Excavatable . Bituminous concrete pavement shall conform to the requirements of Section 716 , as applicable for the Contract. 203.0 3 GENERA L CONSTRUCTIO N REQUIREMENTS . Prior to be ginning excavation, grading, and embankment operations in any area, all necessary clearing and grubbing in that area shall have been completed in accordance with Section 201 . All slope s in cut and embankment sections, ditches, and waterways, whether old or newly constructed, shall be satisfactorily cleaned and cleared of obstructions and left in a neat and trim condition. Excavation shall be performed in accordance with the Contract or as directed by the Engi neer. The construction area shall always be maintained to ensure proper drainage . Where traffic is maintained, care shall be exercised to keep the portion of the roadway or the traveled way open to traffic in a satisfactory condition as specified in Subsection 104.04 . All suitable material removed by excavating shall be used in the formation of embankment s as shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. Any excavation that cannot be i ncorporated in embankment s shall be disposed of as directed by the Engineer. No material shall be wasted without permission from the Engineer. The Contractor shall be responsible for the stability of all constructed embankment s and shall replace, at no cost to the Agency, any portions that have become displaced and that are not attributable to the unavoidable movement of the natural ground upon which the embankment is made , or to an act of God.
2-11 Unless directed by the Engineer, borrow material shall not be placed until all suitable material has been
excavated and placed in the embankment s, except when sand borrow or granula r borrow is shown on the Plans or when granular borrow is required by the Engineer for use under embankment s or used with material from excavation in making embankment s. Should a surplus of excavated material result from the Contractor placing more borrow than required, the amount of this surplus will be measured by the Engineer and 115% of the total surplus will be deducted from the total quantity removed from the borrow source. When not otherwise shown in the C ontract, at all bridge approaches in excavation areas , excavation for additional subbase shall be made to a depth of 4 feet below finish grade for a distance not less than 50 feet from the end of the bridge . The transition depth from normal subgrade level to any extra depth level shall be at a rate of 1:25 (V:H). Prior to the construction of test borings and the placement of flowable fill , the Contractor shall submit to the Engineer site -specific plans, detailing the schedule of work (for these two items), type and location of drilling, sleeve installation, pumping system, confirmatory boring operation, method of filling bore hole (with or without voids being encountered), and repair of the roadway section (sand, gravel, and pavement). Construction drawings shall be submitted in accordance with Subsection 105.06 whenever OSHA or VOSHA regulations require a design by a professional engineer. 203.0 4 EXCAVATION . Any loose material resulting from breakage and slides shall be removed and disposed of as directed by the Engineer. Excavated material shall be sorted so that the best material is placed in embankment s beneath the traveled way. The Contractor shall not excavate or remove any material outside the limits of the excavation slope and grade lines sh own on the Plan s unless authorized in writing by the Engineer. Grading shall be to full cross - section width at subgrade before placing of any type of subbase or pavement, except that partial -width construction is permissible where necessary for the mainten ance of traffic, and shall be done within the allowable tolerances as indicated on the Plan s. The Contractor shall strip bedrock and then notify the Engineer that the area is ready for cross -sectioning prior to making any rock excavation. Any bedrock remov ed prior to the taking of cross -sections will be paid for as common excavation . The Contractor may use other means of locating the rock line with the approval of the Engineer.
2-12 When excavating solid rock by the blasting method, the Contractor shall drill slope holes to the full depth
of the rock lift along the line and plane of inclination of the slope , as shown on the Plan s or as otherw ise directed by the Engineer. Spacing for the slope holes shall not exceed 3 feet, center to center of holes. The diameter of the slope holes shall be not greater than 3 inches. The line of blast holes shall be drilled parallel to the plan e of the slope ho les. No portion of any blast hole in this line shall be closer than 4 feet to the proposed finished slope . No portion of any blast hole larger than 3 inches in diameter will be permitted closer than 12 feet to the proposed finished slope . When it is shown on the Plan s that concrete shall be placed on or against the limits of rock excavation, care shall be taken to avoid disturbing, shattering, or removing rock outside such limits. Any costs incurred due to the unauthorized removal, shattering, or disturbing of the material outside the indicated limits shall be at the Contractor’s expense. The explosives used in the slope holes along the line of the finished slope and the adjacent slope holes shall be explosives for pre -splitting use only, prepared and packag ed by explosives manufacturing firms and approved by the Engineer. The slope holes along the line of the finished slope shall be loaded with approved explosives containing not more than 0.5 pounds of explosives per foot of hole depth. The spaced charges on a detonating cord shall be equal in length to the full depth of the hole. If spacers are used, the holes shall be comp letely stemmed so that uniform breakage of the rock will result from top to bottom of the hole. A bottom charge of not more than 8 pounds of explosive may be used. No explosive charge shall be placed within 30 6 inches of the collar of the finished slope holes. The Contractor shall complete the drilling, loading, stemming, and blasting of the slope holes at least 25 feet in advance of any other blasting. In areas other than along the proposed finished rock cut slope s and adjacent slope holes, the spacing of holes, distribution of explosives, the methods of relief, and fractional second delay blasting shall be adjusted by the Contractor. The Contractor shall make adjustments according to the characteristics and structure of the rock encountered in order to obtain the required finished slope s with a minimum of overbreak. The depth of the rock lift within any one excavation area will be approved by the Engineer and shall be reduced by the Contractor if the proper alignment of the slope holes cannot be maintain ed.
2-13 203.0 5 MUCK EXCAVATION . The material shall be excavated to the widths and depths shown on the
Plans or as required to give a stable foundation for the placement of necessary backfill, embankment , or subbase material. The excavation of this material shall be handled in a manner that will prevent the entrapment of muck within the backfill. Unless otherwi se specifically shown in the Contract, the material that has been excavated under this Contract item shall be spread on the fill slope s as shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. If provision is not shown in the Contract for the disposition of t he muck excavation , or if, in the opinion of the Engineer, its use on the slope s is impractical, then the excavated material shall be disposed of by the Contractor, in accordance with Subsection 203.09 . The backfilling of the excavated area shall immediately follow the excavation of the muck so that any soft material that is pushed ah ead of the backfill can be removed. The material used for backfilling the excavated area up to the ground line or water level, whichever is higher, shall be rock or other granular material selected from the excavation, if available. When this material is not available, it shall be obtained as Granular Borrow from an approved source. After removal of the muck and prior to backfilling, the Contractor shall allow the Engineer adequate time to take all necessary measurements for determin ing the volume removed. 203.0 6 CHANNE L EXCAVATION . The area where the channel is to be excavated shall be cleared and grubbed as required. The work involved shall be considered as incidental work to channel excavation when item 201.1000 or 201.1100 are not included in the Contract. The channel shall be excavated to the lines, grade s, and cross -sections shown on the Plan s or as ordered by the Engineer. All suitable material excavated shall be used in the formation of roadway embankment s or for other construction purposes as shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. Unsuitabl e material or waste material, when directed by the Engineer, shall be wasted and disposed of by the Contractor at no additional compensation in accordance with Subsection 203.09 . 203.0 7 EXCAVATIO N OF SURFACE S AND PAVEMENTS . All excavation shall be made strictly to the required alignment, grade, and cross -sections shown on the Plan s, or as directed by the Engineer for areas located outside of the limits of roadway excavation and embankment . All suitable material s removed shall be used, as far as practical, in the formation of embankment s and at other locations as directed by the Engineer. The completed excavation shall be properly graded and shaped prior to receiving any cover or top dressing.
2-14 203.0 8 BORROW . Opening, maintaining, and closing borrow pits shall be in accordance with Section
105. The simultaneous extraction of more than one borrow item from a given pit will require the written permission of the Engineer. 203.09 DISPOSA L OF SURPLU S EXCAVATIO N AND WAST E MATERIAL . All surplus excavation and waste material shall be deposited as shown on the Plan s or as authorized in writing by the Engineer . Excavated material shall not be wasted unless authorized by the Engineer . Compaction requirements for surplus or waste material used to flatten slope s outside the embankment limits shown on the Plan s may be waived , however, placement procedures shall ensure a stable fill slope. Disposal of all surplus or waste material shall be in accordance with Section 105 . Disposal of surplus or waste material will not be paid for directly but shall be considered as incidental work pertaining to the grading or excavation Contract item from which the material was obtained. When sufficient on -site disposal areas are not shown on the Plan s, it shall be the respons ibility of the Contract or to locate disposal areas in accordance with Section 105 and any applicable permits. 203.1 0 HAUL ROADS . Particular care shall be taken in the locating of haul roads. In wooded areas, haul road width shall be minimized and placed at approximate right angles or angled away from the view of oncoming traffic and, where feasible, shall incorporate one bend to eliminate the tunnel effect. Large and well-shaped trees shall be preserved. 203.1 1 EMBANKMENTS .
a.Preparation of Embankment Area . When embankment s are to be made on a hillside, the slope of the original ground on which the embankment s are to be constructed shall be stepped and properly drained as the fill is c onstructed in accordance with the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer.
b.Use of Materials . The excavated rock, boulders, and stone, except where required in the construction of other items or otherwise directed, shall be used in the construction of emba nkment s to the extent of the project requirements and, generally, shall be placed to form the base of an embankment . When shown on the Plan s, certain portions of rock excavation may be reserved for special use such as rock fill, for embankment construction at locations below high water, or at locations susceptible to erosion.
2-15 Frozen material shall not be used in the construction of embankment s. The embankment s or
successive layers of the embankment s shall not be placed upon frozen material. Placement of material other than rock shall stop when the susta ined ambient air temperature, below 32°F, prohibits attainment of the required compaction. If the material is otherwise acceptable, it shall be stockpiled and reserved for future use when its condition is acceptable to the Engineer for use in embankment s.
c.Procedure for Placing and Spreading . When an embankment is to be constructed across open water or across swampy, wet ground, the first layer of the fill shall be granular borrow . The first layer of the embankment may be constructed in one thickness of granular borrow , to the minimum elevation at which equipmen t may be operated, as directed by the Engineer. Above this elevation, the embankment shall be constructed as specified below. Material from excavation on the project shall be used to the extent available and when not available shall be obtained from source s of granular borrow when authorized in writing by the Engineer. When trucks are used to place earth from excavation or borrow, the material shall be deposited on the layer of embankment being constructed, bladed or doz ed into place, and shaped and compacted. Dumping directly onto previously constructed layers will not be permitted. Embankments of either earth or rock material shall be placed in horizontal layers of uniform thickness and across t he full section width. When it is impractical to construct a full width layer across an embankment , partial width layers may be authorized, provided the full width procedure is resumed as soon as practical. Logs, stumps, waste material, and oversized cobbl es or boulders shall not be placed within the structural embankment area. They may be placed outside the structural embankment area at locations directed by the Engineer or, when authorized, disposed of as surplus material. Initial layers shall begin at the deepest part of the fill. Except for the first layer of fill over swampy ground and cleared areas, the loose layer thickness shall be limited to 8 inches. When conditions necessitate, the Engineer may authorize layers in excess of 8 inches but not more than 24 inches. The Contractor shall make all necessary excavations up to 24 inches deep so that the Engineer can determine moisture, density, and stability, solely at the Contractor’s expense.
2-16 Effective spreading equipment shall be used on each laye r to obtain uniform thickness. Cobbles or
boulders having their least dimension greater than the loose layer thickness being placed shall be removed prior to compaction. Each layer shall be compacted as specified, and, if necessary, stabilized prior to a s uccessive layer being placed. Each layer shall be kept crowned to shed water. As the compaction of each layer progresses, continuous leveling and manipulating will be required to ensure uniform density, a uniform and satisfactory moisture content, and acce ptable stability. The last lift constructed each working day shall be graded, crowned, and rolled to ensure adequate drainage . When A -4, A-5, A-6, or A -7 cohesive soils, as identified in Table 703.01A , have excess moisture and cannot effectively be air dri ed or dried by manipulation, the Contractor may layer or mix the material with dry A -1, A-2, or A -3 granular soils to obtain acceptable compaction and stability. The Contractor is responsible for making prudent use of available granular excavation from the project prior to being authorized the use of granular borrow . The combined loose thickness of mixed or layered material s prior to compaction shall not exceed 16 inches. During the construction of the embankment s, if bulging, cracking, or unstable movement occurs, the placing of the fill material shall be stopped, retarded, or corrected to allow the material to stabilize as directed by the Engineer. Rutting, rolling, shoving, or other displacement in excess of 6 inches under the action of construction equip ment may be considered evidence of stability problems. When soft or wet clay or silt excavation is being used between layers of reasonably clean stable rock fill, the rock embankment layers shall not exceed 24 inches in loose measurement. The clay or silt layers shall not exceed 8 inches in loose measurement. If embankment s are to be constructed by using rock excavation, all reasonable precaution must be taken to ensure a solid embankment . The fill shall be made in uniform layers consistent with the size of the rock being used, but not to exceed 24 inches in th ickness. Individual pieces of rock or boulders with their least dimension exceeding the thickness of the layer being placed shall either be reduced to an acceptable size or placed outside the structural embankment area in such a manner that all voids are f illed. Rock shall not be dumped over the end of a fill. Rock shall be deposited on the fill and distributed by blading or dozing to ensure proper placement in the embankment so that voids, pockets, and bridging are reduced to a min imum.
2-17 (d) Compaction . Each layer between the design embankment limits shown on the Plan s shall be
uniformly compacted using compaction equipment to not less than 95% of the material’s maximum dry density as determined by AASHTO T 99 , Method C . Field de nsity determination will be made in accordance with AASHTO T 191 , AASHTO T 310, or other approved procedures. Field moisture determination will be made in accordance with AASHTO T 99 or measured in accordance with AASHTO T 310 . Locations within the embankment limits where waste material s have been placed shall be compacted to the extent that stability is ensured. All fill material shall be compacted at a moisture content determined by the Engineer to be suitable for obtaining the required density. The moisture content in each layer under construction shall not exceed 2% above the optimum moisture content, and it shall be less than that quantity that will cause the embankment to become unstable during compaction. The E ngineer will consider sponginess, shoving, or other displacement under heavy equipment sufficient evidence of a lack of stability under this requirement, and the Contractor shall stop or retard further placement of material in the area affected to allow th e material to stabilize. When the moisture content of the material in the layer under construction is less than the amount necessary to obtain the required compaction by mechanical compaction methods, water shall be added by pressure distributors or other approved equipment . Water may also be added in excavation or borrow pits. The water shall be uniformly and thoroughly incorporated into the soil by dis cing, harrowing, blading, or other approved methods. This manipulation may be omitted for sand and gravel . When the moisture content of the material is in excess of 2% above the optimum moisture content, dry material shall be thoroughly incorporated into the wet material, or the wet material shall be aerated by disking, harrowing, blading, rotary mixing, or o ther approved method , or compaction of the layer of wet material shall be deferred until the layer has dried to the required moisture content by evaporation. The density requirements do not apply to those portions of embankment s constructed of material so coarse that it cannot be properly tested with a conventional density testing apparatus. Instead, the material shall be compacted to the satisfaction of the Engineer. In areas inaccessible to power rolling, the embankment material shall be placed in uniform horizontal layers of not more than 6 inches in depth and compacted by means of approved mechanical tampers to the density requirements specified above. The use of hand tamps will not be permitted.
2-18 (e) Test Borings . Test borings shall be performed at the approximate locations indicated in the Plan s
or as directed by the Engineer. When used adjacent to culverts, test borings shall extend to a depth equal to the bottom of the culvert using casing advance drilling methods. Alternate drilling equipment that provides a suitably clean, open hole may be submitted to the Engineer for approval. If voids are encountered, flowable fill shall be placed to completely fill the voids. Confirmatory borings shall be performed in these locati ons as directed by the Engineer. The roadway surface at boring hole locations shall be backfilled and then patched using bituminous concrete pavement. 203.1 2 SUBGRADE . The subgrade shall be constructed to t he lines, grades, and cross -sections shown on the Plan s. After all drainage structures have been installed and the subgrade has been shaped correctly, the subgrade shall be brought to a firm, unyielding surface compacted to attain at least 95% of the maxim um dry density. This density will be determined by AASHTO T 99, Method C . A power grader or other approved equipment shall be used during the placement and compaction to obtain the specified cross -section. Areas of soft, yielding, or otherwise unsuitable material that will not compact readily shall be removed, replaced with a suitable material, and properly compacted as directed by the Engineer. All loose rock or boulders encountered at subgrade in the earth excavation shall be removed or broken off to a depth not less than 12 inches below the subgrade. In excavation areas, the ground shall not be excavated or disturbed below the subgrade except as shown in the Contract or as directed by the Engineer. All ditches and drains shall be constructed so they will effectively drain the construc tion area before the placement of any subbase or surface course material. In handling material s, tools, and equipment , the Contractor shall protect the subgrade from damage. Vehicles shall not travel in a single track and form ruts. If ruts are formed, the subgrade shall be reshaped and compacted. Any pockets of clay, sand, or soft material that may have been left in the subgrade shall be removed and replaced with approved material and properly compacted at the Contractor’s expense. The subgrade shall be ke pt in a condition that it will drain. Frozen material shall not be used in the construction of subbase. Subbase, base, or surface material shall not be deposited on frozen subgrade, and successive layers shall not be placed on material that has frozen. Subbase, base, or surface material shall not be deposited on the subgrade until the subgrade has been checked and approved by the Engineer. After the subgrade has been approved, the Contractor shall not perform hauling or move equipment that will distort the cross -section over the subgrade.
2-19 A tolerance of 1/2 inch above or below the finished subgrade will be allowed provided that this tolerance
is not maintained for a distance longer than 50 feet and that the required cross -section is maintained. Grading shall be done with a power grader or other approved equipment to conform to the requirements as specified above. 203.1 3 METHO D OF MEASUREMENT .
a.Excavation . The quantity of all excavation items to be measured for payment will be the number of cubic yards of the material removed from the areas shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. The quantity will be measured in its original position by cross -sections and computed by the method of average end areas. When impractical, other acceptable methods involving three - dimensional measurement may be used to determine the quantity. The limits shall not exceed those shown on the Plan s or authorized in writing by the Engineer. The method of mass centers for computing volumes will be allowed only when the method has been used in the original design computations. Excavation requiring more than one handling prior to final placement in embankment s will not be measured for payment for the additional handling unless specifically stated in the Contract.
1.Common Excavation . Excavation for stepping of original ground under hillside embankment s will not be measured for payment. Excavation for removal of soft spots in the subgrade of embankment areas and the material required for replacement will not be measured for payment. Any costs will be considered included in the Contract items involved. However, where the embankment s were constructed as part of another contract, the quantities of excavation for removal of soft spots and the material for replacement will be measured for payment.
2.Solid Rock Excavation . The measurement limits for Solid Rock Excavation will coincide with the depth shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. Excavation below subgrade will not be measured. Measurement limits for determining the amount of Solid Rock Excavation will be that amount actually removed up to a limit 12 inches outside of and parallel to the slope lines shown on the Plan s or as directed by the Engineer. Measurement f or payment will not be made for rock removed beyond these limits unless authorized. If natural fissures or faults exist making removal of rock beyond these limits necessary, the Engineer will authorize removal in writing, and the limits of excavation will be adjusted accordingly.
2-20 (3) Unclassified Excavation . The quantity of Unclassified Excavation to be measured for
payment will be the number of cubic yards of material excavated as shown on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer. There shall be no diffe rentiation made between common or solid rock excavation for this item.
4.Muck Excavation . The quantity of Muck Excavation to be measured for payment will be the number of cubic yards of material excavated as shown on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer.
5.Channel Excavation of Earth . The quantity of Channel Excavation of Earth to be meas ured for payment will be the number of cubic yards of material excavated from its original position. No differentiation will be made between the channel excavation of dry or wet material. Where excavation (Common, Solid Ro ck, or Unclassified) and Channel Excavation occur jointly or separately at the same location, measurement for Channel Excavation will be made only below the lower limits of Common, Solid Rock, or Unclassified Excavation.
6.Channel Excavation of Rock . Measurement limits for determining the amount of Channel Excavation of Rock will be as specified in Subsection 203.13(a)(2) . Where excavation (Common, Solid Rock, or Unclassified) and Channel Excavation occur jointly or separa tely at the same location, measurement for Channel Excavation will be made only below the lower limits of Common, Solid Rock, or Unclassified Excavation.
7.Excavation of Surfaces and Pavements . The quantity of Excavation of Surfaces and Pavements to be measured for payment will be the number of cubic yards of material removed and disposed of, measured in its original position. The measurement limits of excavation will not exceed those shown on the Plans or directed by the Engineer.
b.Borrow . The quantity of borrow to be measured for payment of the type indicated, except Sand Borrow, will be the number of cubic yards of the material removed and used in the complete and accepted work from approved borrow sources measured in its original position . The quantity of Granular Borrow used to replace solid rock excavated below subgrade will be allowed and measured for payment to a depth not to exceed 3 inches. Any solid rock excavated below this depth shall be replaced by the Contractor with material fr om solid rock excavation or granular borrow , furnished and placed at the Contractor’s expense.
2-21 For small quantities of borrow, with the written permission of the Engineer, the quantity to be
measured for paym ent of the type of borrow indicated will be the number of cubic yards of material used in the complete and accepted work , as determined by the vehicle loads using three - dimensional measurements. A load ticket including truck identification and date of deli very shall be furnished to the Engineer upon delivery for each load delivered to the site. All vehicles shall be loaded to at least their water level capacity, and any load designated shall be leveled at the point of delivery when directed by the Engineer. All quantities computed from vehicle load measurement will be divided by a factor of 1.15 and the resulting volume paid at the Contract unit price for those Contract items. Stripping of pits to obtain borrow will not be paid for separately but will be considered incidental to the various borrow Contract items. Any material removed or excavated from a borrow pit before cross -sections and measurements have been taken will not b e paid for. No borrow quantity will be allowed that is not taken from measured borrow pits, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by the Engineer and the Contractor. Should more borrow be placed than required, resulting in a waste of excavated material, or should embankment s be constructed beyond the neat lines shown on the Plans, unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Engineer, 115% of the amount of such waste or excess will be deducted from the total amount of speci fied borrow being used. When requested by the Contractor and authorized in writing by the Engineer, material specified to be measured by the cubic yard may be weigh ed and the weigh t converted to cubic yards for payment purposes. Factors for conversion from weigh t measurement to volume measurement will be determined by the Engineer and shall be agreed to by the Contractor before the method of measurement of pay quantities is used. The simultaneous extraction of more than one borrow item from a given pit will require the written permission of the Engineer, and the method of measurement shall be as specified by the Engineer.
1.Earth Borrow . With the written permission of the Engineer, the method of measurement for Earth Borrow may be changed to the number of cubic yards in place in the complete and accepted work multiplied by a factor of 1.15. When material from excavation is removed and either used for payment under another Contract item or diverted for the Contractor’s use, such as the construction of haul roads, the quantity measured for these uses will be multiplied by a factor of 1.15. The resulting quantity will be deducted from the total quantity of Earth Borrow.
2-22 (2) Sand Borrow . The quantity of Sand Borrow to be measured for payment will be the number
of cubic yards placed in the complete and accepted work , as determined by the Plan dimensions of the compacted material. No allowance will be made for material placed to a greater de pth or width than shown on the Plans unless authorized in writing by the Engineer.
3.Granular Borrow . With the written permission of the Engineer, the method of measurement for Granular Borrow may be changed to the number of cubic yards in place in the c omplete and accepted work multiplied by a factor of 1.15.
c.Gravel Filter for Slope Stabilization . The quantity of Gravel Filter for Slope Stabilization to be measured for payment will be the number of cubic yards placed in the complete and accepted work . Measurements will be confined to the limits shown on the Plans or as directed by the Engineer.
d.Shoulder Berm Removal . The quantity of Shoulder Berm Removal to be measured for payment shall be the number of linear feet of shoulder from which the berm was properly removed, measured from the beginning point of removal to the end point of removal.
e.Test Borings . The quantity of Test Borings to be measured for payment will be the number of linear feet of test boring performed in the complete and accepted work . 203.1 4 BASIS OF PAYMENT . The accepted quantities as measured will be paid for at the Contract unit price per cubic yard for the specified items, except for Shoulder Berm Removal and Test Borings, which will be paid for at the Contract unit price per linear foot. Payment will be full compensation for performing the work specified, submitting site -specific plans as required, performing test borings, installing sleeves, backfilling, patching with bituminous concrete pavement, including any drilling and blasting required, and for furnishing all labor, material s, tools, equipment , and incidentals necessary to complete the work . No added compensation will be made for any special manipulation or delay resulting in the drying or wetting of soils necessary to obtain the required compaction. The entire cost of such manipulation and delay will be considered included in the Contract unit price for the excavation item involved. Compensation for the construction of embankment s, as defined in Subsection 203.11 , shall be considered incidental to the various excavation items. Water added to embankment material to aid in compaction will not be paid for directly but will be considered incidental to the Contract items involved. All work and material required to grade, loam, seed, and mulch waste area s, borrow pits, and haul roads, as speci fied, to eliminate unsightly conditions and prevent erosion will not be paid for directly but will be considered incidental to the various types of excavation and borrow.
2-23 Material used for backfilling voids created by the removal of unsuitable material below subgrade and on
slope s will be paid for at the Contract unit price per cubic yard for the particular Contract item used in making the backfill. If the particular item required for backfill is not included in the Contract, a chang e order for this item will be negotiated, with the exception of backfilling for Muck Excavation, which shall be incidental to the item. The work specified in Subsection 203.12 will not be paid for directly but will be considered as incidental work pertaining to the excavation and borrow items. On borrow project s, solid rock removed beyond the authorized limit, as specified for solid rock measurement, may be paid at the Contract unit price for other excavation or borrow items in the Contract, whiche ver unit price is the least, provided the material is used in constructing approved embankment s. When the subgrade has been prepared by others under another contract, the excavation necessary to bring the subgrade to the required grade and cross -section or for the removal of soft spots in the subgrade will be paid for as Common Excavation. All grading and shaping required after removing material paid for as Excavation of Surfaces and Pavements will not be paid for directly but will be considered incidental to this item. Filling of subsurface voids encountered in performing test borings will be paid for under item 541.4 600. Payment will be made under: Pay Item Pay Unit 203.15 00 Common Excavation ................................ ................................ ................. Cubic Yard 203.16 00 Solid Rock Excavation ................................ ................................ .............. Cubic Yard 203.17 00 Unclassified Excavation ................................ ................................ ............ Cubic Yard 203.20 00 Muck Excavation ................................ ................................ ...................... Cubic Yard 203.25 00 Channel Excavation of Earth ................................ ................................ ....Cubic Yard 203.26 00 Channel Excavation of Rock ................................ ................................ ....Cubic Yard 203.27 00 Unclassified Channel Excavation ................................ ............................. Cubic Yard 203.28 00 Excavation of Surfaces and Pavements ................................ .................... Cubic Yard 203.30 00 Earth Borrow ................................ ................................ ............................. Cubic Yard 203.31 00 Sand Borrow ................................ ................................ ............................. Cubic Yard 203.32 00 Granular Borrow ................................ ................................ ....................... Cubic Yard 203.35 00 Gravel Filter for Slope Stabilization ................................ ......................... Cubic Yard 203.40 00 Shoulder Berm Removal ................................ ................................ ........... Linear Foot 203.45 00 Test Borings ................................ ................................ .............................. Linear Foo t
2-24 Sectio N 204 – Excavatio N for Structures
204.0 1 DESCRIPTION . This work shall consist of the excavation and backfill or disposal of material removed. All excavation for structures below the designated slope or subgrade line as shown on the Plans shall be included in this work . The work is classified as follows:
a.Trench Ex cavation . Trench excavation shall consist of excavation for the construction of all conduits, culvert headwalls, drop inlets, manholes, catch basins, leaching basins, underdrains, concrete steps, and other minor structures ; excavation for the removal of al l existing drainage structures; exploratory excavation for locating underground utility services or other structures; excavation for new culverts and pipes with a clear span of 4 feet or less ; drainage ditches at the inlet and outlet of drainage structures with a clear span of 4 feet or less ; and any other excavation designated in the Contract to be removed under this item.
1.Trench Excavation of Earth . Trench excavation of earth shall consist of all material excavated within the limits shown in the Contract, except boulders measuring 18 cubic feet or more , solid rock, mortared stone masonry, or concrete . Trench excavation of earth shall include the removal of all existing pipes with a clear span of 4 feet or less , regardless of material.
2.Trench Excavation of Earth, Exploratory . Exploratory trench excavation of earth to locate underground utility services or other structures shall be conducted where directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall use protective measures during this excavation to avoid damage to any underground service or structure. When necessary, the Contractor shall cooperate with representa tives of the utility companies to avoid damage to the utilities by permitting the utility companies to erect suitable supports, props, shoring, or other means of protection.
3.Trench Excavation of Rock . Trench excavation of rock shall consist of all solid rock in formation, or boulders measuring 18 cubic feet or more, excavated within the limits shown in the Contract. All mortared stone ma sonry and concrete excavated within the above limits, irrespective of the size of its components, shall likewise be considered as rock.
Source: Vermont Standard Specifications for Construction, 2024 Edition. Pages 148–163 of 1,380.