PDVSA

ENGINEERING DESIGN MANUAL

VOLUMEN 18II
ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA N

TITLE

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

AK211

NOV.93

GENERAL REVISION

10

L.T.

E.J.

A.N.

NOV.85

FOR APPROVAL

12

J.S.

J.G.

E.S.

APPD.

APPD.

REV.

DATE

APPD.BY Jos Gilarranz

E PDVSA, 1983

DESCRIPTION
DATE

PAG. REV.

NOV.85 APPD.BY Eduardo Santamara

DATE

NOV.85

ESPECIALISTAS

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 1
.Men Principal

Indice manual

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Indice norma

Index
1 GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8

Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PDVSA References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regulatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Submittals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Site Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measurement and Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2
2
2
2
3
4
4
4

2 MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1

Backfill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 EXECUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
3.12
3.13
3.14
3.15
3.16

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Field Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protection of Surrounding Areas or Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Surface Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Excavation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Backfill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Piping and Culverts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cable Trenches and Concrete Encased Ductbanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drainage and Dewatering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tolerances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Field Testing and Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Material Stockpiles and Disposal of Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stability of Excavations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protection and Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5
5
6
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
9
10
10

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

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NOV.93

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GENERAL
1.1

Scope
This specification defines the minimum requirements to be met by designer and
civil contractor for earthwork, excavation and backfill. The work comprises:
General Requirements for excavation and backfill below the finished plant rough
grade elevations.
Excavating and backfilling for all concrete construction, underground piping, and
electrical work.
Earthwork for permanent drainage system ditches, including excavating and
backfilling at culverts.
Compaction of backfill areas.
Stockpiling surplus excavated material suitable for backfill for use as a source of
fill.
Disposing of unsuitable excavated materials.

1.2

1.3

PDVSA References
Culverts

AL211PRT

Earth Dikes for Storage Tanks

AG211PRT

Railroad Sidings

AF211R

Roads Asphaltic Concrete

AE211

Site Clearance and General Earthwork

AI211

Site Data

SD251

Storage Tank Foundations

AM211PRT

Yard Paving Concrete and Nonasphaltic Surfaces

AC211

Quality Assurance
Inplace compaction tests shall be performed by a testing laboratory meeting the
requirements of Covenin 1750 and ASTM D698 (ASTM E329 AASHTO T99C)
and approved by PDVSA.

1.4
1.4.1

Regulatory Requirements
Comply with all applicable Venezuelan laws, standards, and regulations.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 3
.Men Principal

1.4.2

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Covenin 2000
Parte II Edificios
2

Construcciones de Terrazas
2.1

Excavaciones
2.1.1

Excavaciones para Banqueos

2.1.2

Excavaciones para Prstamos

2.2

Compactacin

2.3

Carga y Transporte

Estructuras
3.1

Infraestructura
3.1.1

Excavaciones, Compactacin, Carga y Trasnporte

Entibado

Parte I Carreteras
5

10

Drenajes
5.9

Excavacin para Estructuras

5.8

Canales y Zanjas de Drenaje

Movimiento de Tierras
10.1

Remocin de Tierras Desechables en la Base de Terraplenes

10.2

Banqueos

10.3

Excavacin en Prstamo

10.4

Ejecucin de Terraplenes

10.82 Transportes

1.5

References
The following codes, standards and specifications, shall form a part of this
specification to the extent specified.

1.5.1

AASHTO

M145

American Association of State Highway and Transportation

Officials
The Classification of Soil and SoilAggregate Mixtures for Highway
Construction Purposes

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 4
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1.5.2

1.6

ASTM

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American Society for Testing and Materials

D422

Standard Method for Particle Size Analysis of Soils

D423

Standard Test Method for Liquid Limit of Soils

D424

Standard Test Method for Plastic Limit and Plasticity Index of Soils

D698

Standard Test Methods for Moisture Density Relations of Soil

Using 5.5 lb (2.5 kgs) Rammer and 12 in (304.8 mm) Drop

D1557

Standard Test Methods for Moisture Density Relations of Soil and

Soil and SoilAggregate Mixtures Using 10 lb (4.54 kgs) Rammer
and 18 in (457 mm) Drop

Submittals
Contractor shall submit testing laboratory reports to PDVSA to verify compacted
fill meets requirements of this specification.

1.7
1.7.1

See Specifications Site Data, PDVSA SD251 for general physical condition of
site.

1.7.2

Geotechnical report including boring logs and test data to determine soil and
water condition:

1.8

Site Conditions

Measurement and Payment

1.8.1

Measurement and Payment for each contract item shall be in accordance with
COVENIN Standard 2000.

1.8.2

When borrow pits are not available within property limits, Contractor shall include
cost of excavating, purchasing, and hauling of fill in his bid.

1.8.3

Report to PDVSA for measurement and verification any work which exceeds the
requirements of PDVSAs drawings and specifications.

MATERIALS
2.1

Backfill

2.1.1

Material for General Backfill Granular soils conforming to group classification

A1, A2 or A3 in accordance with AASHTO. The material shall contain no
organic matter, debris, or particle size greater than 100 mm in any dimension.

2.1.2

Backfill placed against or around piping, culverts or concrete encased material as

specified above, but containing no particle size greater than 50 mm in any
dimension within 150 mm of the piping or culverts.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 5
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2.1.3

Select Fill Backfill of the same material as specified in paragraph 2.1.2, but
containing no particle size greater than 20 mm in any dimension.

2.1.4

Backfill placed around electrical cables Sand with a maximum of 5% by weight

passing a N 200 sieve. The material shall contain no plastic clay or organic
matter, and it shall have no particles retained on a N 4 sieve.

2.1.5

When suitable backfill material from the site is not available in sufficient quantities,
it shall be obtained from borrow pits near the job site.

2.1.6

All backfill material from the site, borrow pits, or purchased must be approved by
PDVSA.

EXECUTION
3.1

General

3.1.1

The excavation work for each installation shall conform to the elevations and
dimensions indicated on PDVSAs design drawings.

3.1.2

Preserve all Contractorplaced benchmarks and stakes for verification and use
by others.

3.1.3

Excavation backfill and compaction for the following items are specified in the
listed specification:

3.2

Item

Specification

Roads

Roads Asphaltic Concrete

Storage Tanks

Storage Tank Foundations

Yard Paving, Building Slabs at

Grade and Truck Loading Areas

Yard Paving Concrete and Nonasphaltic

Surfaces

Railroad Ballast

Railroad Sidings

Field Measurements

3.2.1

A minimum of two permanent benchmarks for each 5 Ha or 2 km will be furnished

by PDVSA.

3.2.2

Contractor shall establish the necessary line and grade stakes needed to
accomplish the work.

3.2.3

Contractor shall install marked stakes that can be used for locating permanent
markers directly above the centerlines of all underground utilities.

3.3
3.3.1

Protection of Surrounding Areas or Surfaces

Excavations shall extend a sufficient distance from walls and footings to permit
placement and removal of forms, installation of services and other construction

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 6
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required for Owners inspector, except where the concrete for walls or footings is
to be deposited directly against excavated surfaces.
3.3.2

3.4

Place excavated material a sufficient distance from the edge of the excavation to
prevent the material from falling into the excavation or causing caveins.

Surface Preparation
See Appendix PDVSA AI211 numeral 3.9.2 where soft or otherwise unsuitable
material (such as organic soils or debris) extends below the required bottom of
a cut, as indicated on drawings, continue the excavation to suitable soil (as
approved by PDVSA). After all unsuitable material is removed, refill the
excavation in layers to the required elevation with suitable backfill material and
compact in accordance with this specification.

3.5

Excavation

3.5.1

Where the excavation is made below the elevation level indicated on PDVSAs
design drawings, backfill the excavation to the proper elevation in accordance
with the procedure specified for backfill and compacting. If excavation is for
foundation purposes, adequate elevation shall be attained with lean concrete.

3.5.2

Do not disturb the bottom of the excavation when excavating for footings and
foundations. Before the concrete is placed, trim the bottom of the excavation to
the final grade.

3.5.3

Where excavation is required for many closely spaced footings in a general area,
the entire area may be excavated with the written permission of PDVSA.

3.5.4

Undercutting existing foundations shall only be carried out with the written
permission of PDVSA.

3.5.5

Finish all surfaces of drainage ditches, including the faces of all slopes, to a
reasonably smooth and compact surface that is obtainable from either a blade
grader or a hand shovel.

3.6
3.6.1

Backfill
Backfill excavations to plant rough grade as promptly as the work permits, but not
until completion of the following:
Removal of water from the bottom of the excavation.
Removal of concrete formwork, shoring, and bracing.
Cut off of temporary sheet piling that has been driven below the bottom of the
excavation.
Removal of all and debris from the excavation.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 7
.Men Principal

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Approval by PDVSA of construction below grade including damp proofing,

waterproofing, perimeter insulation, concrete construction and pipe installation.
3.6.2

Do not place backfill against retaining walls for at least seven days after placing
the concrete. Do not place backfill against foundations for at least three days after
placing concrete.

3.6.3

Place backfill in horizontal layers not exceeding 150 mm in loose thickness to the
tops of all piping, culverts, and electrical cables. Above the tops of these items,
place the fill in layers not exceeding 200 mm in loose thickness.

3.6.4

Place backfill in horizontal layers not exceeding 200 mm in loose thickness around
concrete structures and surrounding concrete encased ductbank.

3.6.5

If the Contractor desires to use thicker layers than specified, he shall state in
writing the desired layer thickness, the equipment and procedure to be used for
approval by PDVSA. The maximum thickness used shall be 200 mm.

3.6.6

Ensure pipes, cables, and protective coating are not damaged during dumping
and spreading of the backfill material.

3.6.7

Place backfill evenly around structures. To prevent wedging action of the backfill
against a structure, carry the backfill on all sides to the same elevation in each lift.

3.6.8

Reopen areas improperly backfilled to the depth required or where settlement

occurs. Refill, compact, and restore the surface to the required grade and
compaction. All fill material shall be waterconditioned before placement.

3.7

Compaction

3.7.1

Use power driven hand tampers to compact backfill adjacent to and between
structures, piping, culvert, cables, and ductbanks.

3.7.2

Compact each layer of fill to at least the following percent of the maximum density
obtained in the laboratory at optimum moisture content by the test specification
indicated:
95% of the test values by ASTM D1557 (Modified Proctor) for fills around or under
foundations and railroad subgrade.
90% of the test values by ASTM D1557 (Modified Proctor) for fills at utilities.
90% of the test values by ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor) for fills at utilities
covered by earth to finished grade.
95% of the test values by ASTM D1557 (Modified Proctor) for fill around or under
foundation road base, subbase and railroad subgrade at optimum moisture
content.

3.8
3.8.1

Piping and Culverts

Start excavation for piping and culverts at the low point, where practical, to
facilitate dewatering.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 8
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3.8.2

Grade bottom of trenches to provide uniform bearing along the bottom of the pipe.

3.8.3

Where rock is encountered at the bottom of the excavation, excavate to a

minimum of 100 mm below the required excavation bottom.

3.8.4

Provide 450 mm minimum clearance between the outside of the pipe and the side
of the excavation.

3.8.5

Tamp backfill surrounding all piping, culverts, and cables to provide firm support.

3.8.6

Leave pipe joints exposed until all required tests have been performed. For
concrete pipe, leave joint exposed for at least 24 hours after the joint has been
completed.

3.8.7

All over excavation portion shall be replaced with compacted standard proctor
density at optimum moisture content.

3.9

Cable Trenches and Concrete Encased Ductbanks

3.9.1

Minimum invert elevations and widths of excavations for cables and ductbanks
are indicated on the Owners electrical drawings.

3.9.2

Excavations shall be free of projections, such as rocks.

3.9.3

Changes in the direction of the excavation shall suit the permissible bending and
puling radius of the cables.

3.10

Drainage and Dewatering

3.10.1

Perform excavation work so as to prevent surface or subsurface water from

flowing into the excavations.

3.10.2

Do not allow water to accumulate in the excavations. Remove water from the
excavations using dewatering methods suitable for the local conditions.

3.10.3

Method of lowering the water table shall be approved by PDVSA before starting
the work.

3.10.4

Provide all permanent and necessary temporary drainage ditches. Maintain all
permanent and temporary drainage ditches on the site until the contractor work
is completed.

3.10.5

Do not use trench excavations for site utilities as temporary drainage ditches.

3.10.6

Locate permanent earthen drainage ditches adjacent to road shoulders or

pipeways, where possible.

3.10.7

Slope and shape drainage ditches to minimize erosion and sedimentation and to
maintain a minimum flow rate of 300 to 1.000 mm per second. For trench size,
see table N I, Covenin 1750 B1.3.2.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 9
.Men Principal

3.10.8

3.11

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Erosion protection of ditches upstream and downstream of culverts shall be a

minimum length of 2.500 mm for the full cross section of the ditch. See Covenin
1750 for adequate ditch protection.

Tolerances
All excavations shall be within 25 mm of the invert elevations or dimensions
indicated on PDVSAs drawings. The longitudinal slopes of drainage ditches shall
have a tolerance of 13 mm from a straight slope between points of given
elevations. See Covenin 2000 Parte I N 104.51.

3.12

Field Testing and Inspection

3.12.1

Contractor shall provide soil testing and inspection service which includes soil
survey for satisfactory soil materials, sampling, and testing soil materials
proposed for use in the work and field testing facilities for quality control during
excavation and fill operations. Testing and inspection service is subject to
acceptance by PDVSA.

3.12.2

Testing service must inspect and approve subgrades and fill layers before further
construction work is performed. Tests of the subgrades and fill layers will be taken
as follows:
Footing Subgrade For each stratum of soil which footings will be placed, conduct
at least one test to verify the required design bearing capacities. Subsequent
verification and approval for each footing subgrade may be based on a visual
comparison of each subgrade with the related tested strata, when acceptable to
PDVSA.
Foundation Wall Backfill Take at least two field density tests at locations and
elevations as directed by PDVSA.
Roadbeds and Railbeds One field density test per each 300 m2 area.

3.13

Material Stockpiles and Disposal of Materials

3.13.1

Shape stockpiles of excavated materials so surface water will drain freely.

3.13.2

Waste, trash, debris, and excavated materials not approved for backfill shall be
transported off the construction site and be disposed of in a legal manner.

3.14

Stability of Excavations

3.14.1

Provide the necessary shoring and bracing to prevent excavation caveins and
damage to existing improvements and new construction caused by settlement,
lateral movement, undermining, washouts, or other hazards.

3.14.2

The contractor is responsible for maintaining the stability of all excavated faces
until the final acceptance of the work by PDVSA.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION

PDVSA

EARTHWORK EXCAVATION & BACKFILL

PDVSA AK211
REVISION

FECHA

NOV.93

Pgina 10
.Men Principal

3.14.3

3.15

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Unless specifically detailed on the design drawings, the slope of embankments

and the various methods of shoring, bracing and underpinning shall be approved
by PDVSA.

Protection and Safety

3.15.1

Contractor shall place and maintain temporary fences, guard rails, barricades,
lights, and other protective measures needed for the safety of personnel during
construction.

3.15.2

Construction equipment or other vehicles shall not cross over culverts, unless a
fill is placed above the culvert to the same height as the finished grade.

3.15.3

Do not use heavy equipment closer to a foundation than a distance equal to the
height of the backfill, unless authorization is obtained from PDVSA.

3.16

Blasting

3.16.1

No blasting shall be permitted without prior written approval of PDVSA SD251.

3.16.2

Grading Contractor shall remove any rock formation by normal excavation means
where possible. If this cannot be accomplished, rock shall be removed by
controlled blasting methods.

3.16.3

All blasting work shall be performed by experienced personnel and shall be

performed under controlled conditions, rigid safety procedures, and in
accordance with manufacturers recommendations to the use and handling of
their materials and all national standards.