SECTION 02221

TRENCH EXCAVATING AND BACKFILLING

PART 1 GENERAL

1.1 DESCRIPTION

A. This section covers trench excavating, backfilling, grading and compacting required for the
installation of pipelines, appurtenances and connections.

1.2 RELATED WORK

A. Related work specified in other sections:

1. Section 01563 - Control of Water
2. Section 02210 - Site Grading
3. Section 02222 - Excavation and Backfill for Structures

1.3 SHOP DRAWINGS

A. Certification shall be submitted for each class of backfill stating that it conforms to the Contract
Documents.

PART 2 PRODUCTS

2.1 BACKFILL

A. Backfill is considered to be material placed in excavation. Backfill material shall be clean, free of
wood waste, roots, brush, sticks, debris, junk, broken concrete, brick, pavement, lumps of clay and
frozen material. Material passing the No. 200 sieve shall be non-plastic. The backfill material
shall meet the requirements for the aggregate base contained in Section 02222.2.01.A.

PART 3 EXECUTION

A. Shoring or Bracing of Excavations

1. The banks of trenches, where required to control trench width and protect adjacent structures,
shall be sheeted and braced at no additional expense to the OWNER. Where shoring, sheeting,
bracing or steel strutted trench boxes are necessary, they shall be furnished, placed, maintained
and, except as shown or specified otherwise, removed. Where damage is liable to result from
the removal of the sheeting, then the sheeting will be required to be left in place and cut off if
required or directed.
2. The design, planning, installation and removal, if required, of steel strutted trench boxes or
sheeting, shoring, lagging, and bracing shall be accomplished in such a manner as to maintain
the required excavation or trench section and to maintain the undisturbed state of the soils
below and adjacent to the excavation.
3. The use of horizontal strutting below the barrel of the pipe or the use of the pipe as support for
trench bracing will not be permitted. Sheet piling and timbers in trench excavations shall be
withdrawn in a manner so as to prevent subsequent settlement of the pipe or additional backfill
loadings which might overload the pipe.
4. Following removal of shoring, bracing or steel strutted trench boxes, the space left due to such
removal shall be backfilled immediately and the backfill compacted.

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 SECTION 02221
TRENCH EXCAVATING AND BACKFILLING

B. Trench Excavation
1. General
a. Excavation of every description and of whatever substance encountered shall be
performed, to the depths, lines and grades indicated or specified. It may be necessary to
increase or decrease the quantity of excavation because of unknown factors. The
ENGINEER reserves the right to change the trench alignment from that indicated by 10
feet horizontally without additional expense to the OWNER. If additional piping is
required, this will be at the expense of the OWNER.
2. Trenches
a. Unless otherwise indicated, excavation shall be open cut. During excavation, material
suitable for backfilling shall be stockpiled in an orderly manner, a distance back from the
edges of the excavations specified by the governing safety agency. Materials unsuitable
for backfilling shall be wasted as specified. Caution shall be exercised in operating heavy
equipment over pipelines. Leaks or breaks caused by the CONTRACTOR’S operations
shall immediately be repaired at no additional expense to the OWNER and in a manner
acceptable to the ENGINEER. The banks of excavated areas shall be controlled as is
necessary to prevent movement of soil in areas supporting existing foundations, slabs, pole
lines, underground power or telephone cables, trees, pipelines or other structures. If, as a
result of the excavation or through fault or neglect of the CONTRACTOR, the earth or
ground under or around such foundations, slabs, pole lines, underground power or
telephone cables, trees, pipelines or other structures, slips or is otherwise disturbed,
corrective measures shall be taken as directed at no additional expense to the OWNER.
b. In the event the maximum allowable trench width is exceeded, the CONTRACTOR may
be required, depending on the depth of trench, to improve the pipe bedding by utilizing
concrete or other bedding materials as necessary to assure that the type of pipe installed
can withstand the loads imposed by the backfill due to the depth of the trench.
c. The bottom of the trench shall be excavated to the lines and grades shown with proper
allowance for pipe thickness, and for foundation stabilization and special bedding when
required. Material containing rocks or cobbles larger than 2 inches in maximum dimension
shall not be permitted within 6 inches of the pipe. Material of this type shall be removed
from the bottom of the trench and replaced with backfill material. Parts of the trench
excavated below grade shall be corrected with backfill as specified. The depth of trenches
shall be as indicated.

C. Backfilling
1. General
a. The area shall be finished off to uniform contour to properly drain, and the entire surface
graded to result in a neat appearing surface. In the event of natural cross drainage, a
depressed section shall be formed through the crowned backfill.
b. Immediately after backfilling, excess dirt shall be removed from the area. In addition,
damage to existing roadways, ditches, culverts, driveways, and other existing
improvements, shall be repaired at this time.
2. Foundation Preparation
a. Where clay, peat or other soft material is encountered that may be saturated with water but
does not break down into fine particles and flow such as does silt or sand, a foundation
material shall be used to stabilize the soft material in the bottom of the trench. This

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TRENCH EXCAVATING AND BACKFILLING

foundation material shall be backfill placed to a minimum depth of 12 inches below the
bottom of the pipe bell.
b. Proper preparation of foundation, placement of granular foundation material where
required and placement of bedding material shall precede the installation of pipe and
appurtenances. This shall include the necessary leveling of trench bottom, the removal of
loosened material, rocks and cobbles larger than 2 inches in maximum dimension and
leveling of foundation stabilization material and bedding material to a uniform grade to
provide uniform bearing and support for each length of pipe on undisturbed or compacted
material at every point, along its entire length, except at joints. Bell holes shall be
excavated to an extent sufficient to permit accurate work in making and inspecting of the
joints.
3. Pipe Bedding
a. Bedding of the pipe shall be done only in the presence of the ENGINEER, after foundation
preparation, laying of and jointing of the pipe.
b. As the pipe is installed it shall be bedded by hand with material as shown. Care shall be
taken to prevent any damage or shifting of the pipe. The pipe bedding material shall be
compacted into place to the same density as specified for backfill above the pipe bedding.
Backfilling shall continue above the pipe bedding material with materials as specified.
c. Pipe bedding shall extend a minimum of 6 inches over the top of the pipe or to the depth
shown. Rocks and cobbles exceeding 2 inches in maximum dimension shall be removed to
a minimum depth of 6 inches below the bottom of the pipe.

D. Compaction
1. Compaction under roadways and driveways shall be by towed or self propelled mechanical
compactors in uniform layers not exceeding 8 inches in loose depth. Each layer shall have the
proper moisture content during compaction. Compaction shall be to 95% minimum relative
compaction as determined by ASTM D 1557, Method D.
2. Compaction in other areas shall be by towed or self propelled mechanical compactors in
uniform layers not exceeding 8 inches in loose depth. Compaction shall be to 90% minimum
relative compaction as determined by ASTM D 1557, Method D.
3. Compaction within 3 feet of existing or new structures shall be by hand operated vibratory
compactors.
4. Trenches where settlement occurs shall be reopened to the depths necessary for compaction,
then refilled and compacted, with the surface restored to grade.
5. Water settling or water jetting will not be allowed as a method of obtaining compaction.

E. Cleanup
1. Surplus and unsuitable excavated materials, abandoned pipe, broken pavement, and rubbish,
shall be removed from the construction site in a timely manner. Surplus and unsuitable
excavated materials shall be loaded directly to waste; no stockpiling will be permitted.
Disposal of waste materials shall conform to all laws, regulations and ordinances and be
disposed of at a site obtained by the CONTRACTOR.
2. Side ditches which have been affected by the CONTRACTOR’S operations shall be cleared,
drained through points so affected, and if the area affected is extensive the entire drain ditch
shall be reformed.

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TRENCH EXCAVATING AND BACKFILLING

3. Following placing of pipe, backfilling and testing, roadways, roadway shoulders and unpaved
streets shall be finished to a uniform cross section. Areas adjacent to the trench that are
disturbed as the result of construction under this Contract shall be restored to their original
condition.

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