3

Earth Excavating,
Backll & Grading
Specications - 02220

SECTION 02220W
EARTH EXCAVATION, BACKFILL, FILL AND GRADING
PART 1 - GENERAL
1.01

SUMMARY:

A.

1.02

REFERENCES:
A.

1.03

Excavating, placing, stabilizing and compacting earth, including trench and rock
excavation, addition of borrow and backfill, disposal of excavated material, and topsoil,
strip, salvage and spread.

IDOT Standard Specifications.

QUALITY ASSURANCE:
A.

Whenever a percentage of compaction is indicated or specified, use percent of maximum

density at optimum moisture as determined by ASTM D698-91, unless noted otherwise.

B.

Borrow sites and materials shall be approved by the Engineer prior to use.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.01

MATERIALS:
A.

Granular backfill material shall consist of Class A Crushed Stone, IDOT Standard
Specification Section 4120.04 and Section 4109, Gradation No. 11.

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01

TECHNIQUES:
A.

Except as amended in this document, the work in this section will conform with the
following divisions and sections of the IDOT Standard Specifications:
Division 21. Earthwork, Subgrades and Subbases.
All sections
Division 24. Structures.
Section 2402. Excavation for Structures.

3.02

TOPSOIL:
A.

Strip and stockpile topsoil from lawn, grass, and crop areas for surface restoration and
landscaping work. Strip topsoil to a uniform depth to provide sufficient quantity of material
for placement of a minimum of 9 inches of topsoil for surface restoration and landscaping.

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Protect topsoil from mixture with other materials such as aggregate and from erosion.
Removal of topsoil from the site is not permitted.
3.03

3.04

DRAINAGE AND DEWATERING:

A.

Provide and maintain ample means and devices (including spare units kept ready for
immediate use in case of breakdowns) to intercept and/or remove promptly and dispose
properly of all water entering trenches and other excavations. Keep such excavations dry
until the structures, pipes, and appurtenances to be built therein have been completed to
such extent that they will not be floated or otherwise damaged.

B.

Dispose of all pumped or drained water without undue interference to other work, or
causing damage to pavements, other surfaces, or property. Provide suitable temporary
pipes, flumes, or channels for water that may flow along or across the work site.

C.

Take all precautions necessary to prevent damage to the work by rain or by water entering
the site, whether water entry be overland or by groundwater.

TRENCH EXCAVATION:
A.

B.

General
1.

Excavate trench by machinery to, or just below, designated subgrade when pipe is
to be laid in granular bedding or concrete cradle, provided that material remaining
at bottom of trench is only slightly disturbed.

2.

Do not excavate lower part of trenches by machinery to subgrade when pipe is to

be laid directly on bottom of trench. Remove last of material to be excavated by
use of hand tools, just before placing pipe. Hand shape bell holes and form a flat or
shaped bottom, true to grade, so that pipe will have a uniform and continuous
bearing. Support on firm and undisturbed material between joints, except for
limited areas where use of pipe slings have disturbed bottom.

Protection
1.

C.

D.

Barricade and fence open excavations or depressions resulting from work during
non-working hours and when not working in immediate area.

Trench Width
1.

Make pipe trenches as narrow as practicable and safe. Make every effort to keep
sides of trenches firm and undisturbed until backfilling has been completed and
consolidated.

2.

Excavate trenches with vertical sides between elevation of center of pipe and
elevation 1 foot above top of pipe.

3.

Refer to plans for allowable trench widths within the pipe envelope for various
types, sizes and classes of pipe.

Trench Excavation in Fill

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1.

E.

F.

G.

Place fill material to final grade or to a minimum height of 6 feet above top of pipe
when pipe is to be laid in embankment or other recently filled areas. Take
particular care to ensure maximum consolidation of material under pipe location.
Excavate pipe trench as though in undisturbed material.

Excavation Near Existing Structures

1.

Discontinue digging by machinery when excavation approaches pipes, conduits, or

other underground structures. Continue excavation by use of hand tools.

2.

Excavate exploratory pits when location of pipe or other underground structure is

necessary for doing work properly.

Disposal of Unsuitable Soil

1.

The Contractor shall notify the Engineer and Iowa Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) if soil contamination is found or suspected during excavation.

2.

Soil disposal and remediation method shall be an option outlined in the IDOT
Construction Manual Section 10.22, and approved by the Iowa DNR and City. The
Contractor is not to proceed with soil removal and remediation measures until
instructed by the Engineer.

3.

Disposal site to be provided by the Contractor and approved by the Engineer and
Iowa DNR.

4.

Contractor is responsible for completing and filing all necessary Federal, State and
local government agency forms and applications.

Care of Vegetation and Property

1.

Use excavating machinery and cranes of suitable type and operate with care to
prevent injury to trees, particularly to overhanging branches and limbs and
underground root systems.

2.

All branch, limb, and root cuttings shall be avoided. When required, they shall be
performed smoothly and neatly without splitting or crushing. Trim injured portions
by use of a chainsaw or loppers for branches, or an ax when working with roots.
Do not leave frayed, crushed, or torn edges on any roots 1" or larger in diameter or
on any branches. Frayed edges shall be trimmed with a utility knife. Do not use
tree paint or wound dressing. If conflicts with large roots and branches are
anticipated, notify the Engineer.

3.

No construction materials and/or equipment are to be stored, piled, or parked within

the trees' drip line.

4.

Excavators and loaders used on brick surfaces shall be limited to those with
rubberized tracks or rubber tires.

5.

Do not use or operate tractors, bulldozers, or other equipment on paved surfaces

when treads or wheels can cut or damage such surfaces.

02220-3

6.

Restore all surfaces which have been damaged by the Contractor's operations to a
condition at least equal to that in which they were found before work commenced.
Use suitable materials and methods for restoration.

7.

Aerate all grassed and planter areas compacted by construction activities.

8.

Utility lines, including drainage tiles, encountered shall be restored in one of the
following ways:
a.

Repair or otherwise reconnect the utility across trench after trench has been
backfilled, provided adequate drainage gradient is maintained, if
applicable.

b.

Connect drainage tiles to nearest storm sewer.

The Contractor shall document the location and elevation of any utility lines
encountered. The Contractor shall notify the Engineer whenever a utility is
encountered and submit the proposed method of restoring the utility for review and
approval.
All utility repairs shall be made prior to backfilling the trench.
H.

3.05

1.

Permanent copper water service lines which are damaged (cut, nicked, bent,
crimped, crushed, etc.) shall be replaced from the water main to the curb box with
new copper service pipe, without any joints. The cost for this work shall be at the
Contractors expense.

2.

When water service is disrupted, the Contractor shall make a reasonable attempt to
restore the service within two hours.

3.

Water service pipe shall be type k soft copper.

ROCK EXCAVATION:
A.

3.06

Water Services

Explosives shall not be used for rock excavation.

BACKFILLING:
A.

General
1.

B.

Do not place frozen materials in backfill or place backfill upon frozen material.
Remove previously frozen material or treat as required before new backfill is
placed.

Backfilling Excavations
1.

Begin backfilling as soon as practicable and proceed until complete.

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2.

C.

3.07

Material and Compaction

a.

Paved and non-paved areas shall be backfilled as directed on the plans.

b.

Do not place stone or rock fragment larger than 2 inches within 2 feet of
pipe nor larger than 12 inches in backfill. Do not drop large masses of
backfill material into trench.

Backfilling Around Structures

1.

Do not place backfill against or on structures until they have attained sufficient
strength to support the loads, including construction loads, to which they will be
subjected. Avoid unequal soil pressure by depositing material evenly around
structure.

2.

Backfill shall consist of Class A crushed stone placed in one foot lifts compacted to
95% Standard Proctor Density unless otherwise indicated or specified.

UNAUTHORIZED EXCAVATION:
A.

When the bottom of any excavation is taken out beyond the limits indicated or specified,
backfill, at Contractor's expense, with Class A crushed stone compacted to 95% Standard
Proctor Density.

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