Excavation and Embankment

Inspection
Construction Inspector’s
Training Manual
January 2007
Excavation and Embankment
Inspection

Construction Inspector’s
Training Manual
Contents
 Contents

Contents Page

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

Course information 1-1

Purpose of this Course 1-1

Importance of Roadway Excavation and Embankment 1-1

Role of the Inspector 1-2

PART 2 COMMUNICATION AND SAFETY

Communication 2-1

Work Zone Safety 2-2

PART 3 EARTHWORK COMPONENTS

Clearing and Grubbing 3-1

Removal of Structures and Obstructions 3-1

Roadway Excavation or Embankment 3-1

Borrow 3-1

Waste 3-1

Haul 3-1

Subgrade Preparation 3-2

Watering 3-2

Trimming and Cleanup 3-2

Construction Geotextile 3-2

Gravel Base/Surfacing 3-2

Erosion/Water Pollution Control 3-2

Excavation and Embankment Inspection - Student Workbook i

Contents
PART 4 INSPECTOR PREPARATION

Contract Plans and Documents 4-1

Construction Manual 4-1

Field Data 4-1

Equipment 4-1
Review of Contract Plans 4-2

Materials 4-3

PART 5 ENVIRONMENTAL 5-1

Sensitive or Critical Areas 5-1

Wetlands 5-2
Permits 5-3

PART 6 CONSTRUCTION

Project Control and Staking 6-1

Checking End Slopes 6-4
Slope Staking 6-5

Determining Distance to Subgrade Shoulder 6-7

Calculating Subgrade Width 6-9

Slope Staking Exercise 6-11

Grade Staking 6-13

Inspection Activities 6-15

Controlled Blasting 6-17

Embankment Compaction Method A 6-18

Subgrade Preparation 6-19

Rock Embankment 6-20

Bridge Approach Embankment 6-21

Wetland Construction 6-22

Contour Grading 6-23

ii Excavation and Embankment Inspection - Student Workbook

PART 7 SURFACING PLACEMENT Contents

Successful Surfacing Placement 7-1

Surfacing Placement -Types 7-1

Check Aggregate Source 7-1

Arrange for Assistants/Communication 7-1

Scale Certification for Batch Scales 7-2

Layout 7-2

Truck Weights 7-2

Truck Measure (Volume) 7-2

Delivery of Material to Project 7-2

Placing Materials 7-3

Depth, Width and Yield Checks 7-3

Density Testing 7-3

Surfacing Condition 7-3

Correction of Deficiencies 7-3

Weather Limitations 7-4

PART 8 COMPACTION

General Information about Compaction 8-1

APPENDICES

Appendix A- Construction Manual and Standard Specification References

Appendix B -Forms

Appendix C-References to Other WSDOT Manuals

Appendix D-Glossary

Excavation and Embankment Inspection - Student Workbook iii

Part 1
Introduction
Part 1 Introduction
Course Information

Course Code: AC3

Class Number: _____________________

Date: _____________________

Location: _____________________

Instructor: _____________________

Purpose of This Course

This course is designed to familiarize you as an earthwork and surfacing inspector

on the following:

• An overview of proper excavation and embankment practices

• Information on surveying
• Areas to inspect
• The required material tests and frequency
• How to complete the required documentation
• Why communication is important
• Basic safety requirements
• Roadway design elements
• Environmental Best Management Practices (BMP’s)

Importance of Roadway Excavation and Embankment

The life of a roadway depends largely on properly constructed bases and subbases
as these are the structural elements that support the traffic loads.

If a roadbed is not adequately designed or is poorly constructed, damage can occur

to the roadway prism. Premature pavement failures can result, increasing the amount
of maintenance.

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Introduction

Role of the Excavation and Embankment Inspector

It is the responsibility of the inspector to review all Contract documents regarding

excavation and embankment and to be alert to any problems that may occur during
construction.

Because items may be missed during the design phase of the Contract, it is a good
idea to review the plans in the field, particularly the areas where excavation and
embankments will occur. Look at the areas to see if groundwater or existing soil types
could be an issue. Is the proper material for embankment correct for the area?

During construction, the inspector is expected to document work taking place and
actions taken by the inspector (sampling, accepting grade, etc.). The inspector should
also look ahead to address potential problems that may occur. As an example, look
at the predicted weather forecasts. Will an area be exposed to rainfall that could cause
the roadbed to deteriorate?

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Part 2
Communication and
Safety
Part 2 Communication and Safety
Communication

Good two-way communication between the Contractor and the project inspection
staff is key to the completion of a successful project. Along with daily communications
with the Contractor, the project office should receive regular schedule updates from the
Contractor on work to be accomplished over the next week or two. The Earthwork
Inspector should review the work schedule for upcoming inspection duties, missing
material submittals, scheduling of material testing, and for work that may require the
presence of other Department personnel such as the Survey Crew or Density Tester. In
an ideal world, the Contractor would always keep the inspector informed of future needs
and change, but we all know that just doesn’t happen. By looking ahead and thinking
about what will happen next in the progression of work, the inspector may be able to
help avoid unnecessary delays.

When materials are tested for acceptance and the test results are known, make sure the
Contractor is notified in a timely manner. Always keep your supervisor informed of the
progress of work, test results, and any communications you have with the Contractor
or other Department personnel.

Inspector’s Daily Report (IDR)

To best communicate information to others, the most important document the inspector
is responsible for is the Inspector’s Daily Report (IDR). This document is to be
completed daily as it is a record of decisions and acceptance of the work by the inspector
as well as a record of work activities and production rates performed by the Contractor .

The IDR is important as it provides information to the Project Engineer and others within
the Project Office for items such as:

• Comparison of As Built work vs. Project Schedule

• Completion of Weekly Statements of Working Days
• Resolution of Disputed Work
• Claim Analysis
• Acceptance of Materials
• Payment Verification

A well written IDR needs to be clear, concise, correct, complete, and concurrent with
the activities being performed. This will ensure that others who read the IDR’s will have
a good understanding of what is happening and can successfully use the information to
complete their tasks.

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Communication and Safety

Work Zone Safety

Safety is the top priority of WSDOT. Roadside and work zone areas provide many
safety challenges including the traveling public, contractor and WSDOT equipment,
and construction materials. You, as a project inspector, need to understand the work
taking place, its methods, and any traffic control in place. This will assist in your
observation of the work taking place without putting you at high risk for accident
or injury.

Traffic Control

To move traffic safely and effectively through the work zone, the contractor must
work from an approved traffic control plan. The inspectors need to familiarize
themselves with the traffic control plan and contract specifications to ensure traffic
is moved through the project safely and with a minimum of delay.

Whenever working around traffic, always make every effort to face the oncoming
vehicles.
Personal Protective Equipment & Safety
Develop and follow a Pre-Activity Safety Plan. This will provide awareness of items
to look for as you are performing your inspection duties.

Keep yourself visible to traffic and the contractor’s workforce by wearing your hard
hat and vest (high visibility apparel must be worn at night). Other personal protective
equipment items are: work boots (steel toed required in some situations), hearing
protection when working around loud equipment, and eye protection when working
around operations that kick up debris. The Department will provide the personal
protective equipment you need to do your job safely.

Contractor’s Equipment

When coming onto the jobsite, keep a watchful eye on the contractors’ operation
and observe where it is safe for you to travel or park. A lot of the equipment used in
construction is large and fast with poor visibility, and it only takes a moment
for a scraper or excavator to back over the top of you or your vehicle. Listen for
backup alarms on the contractor’s equipment. If they are not working, tell the
contractor to repair the alarms or have the equipment removed from the project
(see WAC 296 155 610(d)).

State Vehicles

Keep your state vehicle clean and in good repair. Check the headlights, hazard lights,
and rotary warning lights periodically to verify their operation. If there is a bulb failure,
take the time to get the vehicle into the shop for repair.

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 Communication and Safety

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials, including spills from the contractor’s equipment, must be

properly handled to avoid any unnecessary spread of contamination. Any
known hazardous materials site must be delineated and avoided until properly
cleaned up. When working the excavation site, always be on alert for
unrecognizable materials or odors and don’t allow the excavation to continue
until you can get someone on site to determine how to proceed. Advise the
Contractor and Project Engineer immediately if these conditions exist.

The Contractor is required to prepare a project specific Spill Prevention, Control

and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan for the project. This plan details the Contractor’s
response steps in handling spills including notification to the proper authorities/
agencies.

A spill prevention kit should be a standard piece of equipment in all State vehicles.
The spill kits are effective for only a few substances. Know which substances the
spill kit is effective for. It is strongly recommended that the inspector attend a spill
kit training session. The spill kits may be deployed to contain a spill, but it is the
Contractor’s responsibility to clean up and properly dispose of the material.

Nuclear Density Gauges

Safe use of the Nuclear Density Gauge is essential on the construction site. To
ensure the safety of the user and the public, all inspectors are required to attend
and pass the Nuclear Density Gauge Safety and Operations class before they are
allowed to transport and operate the density gauge.

All users of the gauge will be monitored for radiation exposure by wearing a
Thermal Luminescent Dosimeter (TLD) badge when handling or operating the
gauge. Any person that is not wearing a badge must stay at least 15 feet away
from the gauge.

Security of the gauge must also be maintained whenever the gauge is removed
from storage. When the gauge is brought out to the jobsite, it must be kept in
direct control of the operator or locked inside of the operator’s vehicle when
not in use.

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 Part 3
Earthwork Components
Part 3 Earthwork Components

Clearing and Grubbing (Standard Specification 2-01)

Clearing is the removal and disposal of all unwanted natural material from the surface
such as trees and brush. Grubbing is the removal and disposal of unwanted vegetative
matter from underground such as sod, stumps roots and buried logs.
Be aware that there are conditions as to the amount of grubbed area that is allowed to
be exposed to potential erosion.

Removal of Structures and Obstructions (Standard Specification 2-02)

This work includes the removal and disposal of, or salvaging of materials that are named
in the Special Provisions. An example would be the removal of existing foundations of
homes. The Standard Specifications outline the requirements for removal.

Roadway Excavation or Embankment (Standard Specification 2-03)

Excavation requires the removal of material that may be used for embankment
construction or may be removed because the material is unsuitable for roadbed
construction. This excavation is indiscriminate to the type of material within the
excavation limits.

Embankment is the placement of native or select material that is imported to the jobsite
on undisturbed ground to obtain the desired elevation. Embankment is classified as rock
embankment or earth embankment.

Borrow (Standard Specification 2-03)

Borrow is the excavation of material outside of the roadway prism or outside the limits
of any other excavation for use as embankment within the roadway prism. Before any
borrow site can be used, it must be measured and approved by the Engineer.

Waste (Standard Specification 2-03)

If the Contracting Agency provides no waste site, but requires disposal of excess
excavation or other materials, the Contractor shall provide the Engineer the location
of all disposal sites to be used and also provide copies of the permits and approvals for
such disposal sites before any waste is hauled off the project.

Haul (Standard Specification 2-04)

This work consists of transporting excavated material from its original site to its final
place in the work. Haul is sometimes a pay item that will be listed in the Special
Provisions and Contract Plans.

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Earthwork Components

Subgrade Preparation (Standard Specification 2-06)

This work requires finish grading and compacting to bring the final subgrade or
surfacing materials to the final plan elevation and acceptable compaction.

Watering (Standard Specification 2-07)

During the construction of embankment and preparing subgrade, the contractor may add
water to help in achieving the required compaction during construction. It is also important
that the contractor uses water as necessary for control of jobsite dust.

Trimming and Cleanup (Standard Specification 2-11)

Upon completion of the roadway, the contractor is required to finish the roadway area in
such a manner that it will have a pleasing appearance. This work includes, but not limited
to, cleaning of ditches and channels and removal of loose rock on the roadway.

Construction Geotextile (Standard Specification 2-12)

During construction, soft areas within the roadway prism may be encountered. To assist the
native soils in supporting the new roadbed, a layer of geotextile may be placed over the native
soil and then the roadbed can be constructed.

Gravel Base (Standard Specification 4-02), Ballast and Crushed

Surfacing (Standard Specification 4-04)

These materials are placed in layers upon an acceptably prepared subgrade to the depths
and grades called for by the Contract Plans in preparation for placement of surface
treatment (in most cases).

Erosion Control and Water Pollution Control (Standard Specification 8-01)

This specification provides information and direction for inspecting erosion control
including the TESC plan and construction requirements for installation of approved BMP’s.
4-04.3

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 Part 4

Inspector Preparation
Part 4 Inspector Preparation

In preparation for the upcoming project, become familiar with:

Contract Plans and Documents

Hierarchy of Documents

List in order of precedence

1. __________________________

2. __________________________

3. __________________________

4. __________________________

5. __________________________

6. __________________________

7. __________________________

Construction Manual
Review “Earthwork” Chapter 2, “Bases” Chapter 4, “Erosion Control” Chapter 8
and “Materials” Chapter 9.

Field Data
Grade books (Design profile and cross section data)

Staking data (Provided by the survey crew)

Equipment
As an earthwork inspector, the following equipment may be necessary:

• Stick Rule
• Tape Measure
• Rag Tape
• Spray Paint
• Screw Driver and Hammer
• Hand Level
• Lath/Guard Stakes
• Smart level (not required, but is very handy)

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Inspector Preparation

Review Of Contract Plans

Before work begins on the project, the inspector should review the Contract
Plans to be familiar with excavation and embankment items being removed
and placed.

Summary of Quantities: Provide a complete tabulation of all bid items and

pay quantities that have been determined by the designer/design team to be
required for the project. The quantities are estimates only, so the actual
quantities may be over or under the listed amount. Check the quantities to be
sure they are reasonably accurate and that all bid items are included.

Roadway Sections: Provide information on roadway widths and surfacing

depths. Also show side slope information and if features such as guardrail are
to be installed that may require shoulder widening.

Site Preparation Plans: Provide locations of clearing and grubbing and

removal of structures and obstructions.

Existing Utilities: Note where existing utilities have been identified on the
project and make sure the Contractor has called to have them located prior to
excavation work.

Alignment Plans - Provide horizontal alignments of the road sections.

Roadway Profiles: Provide vertical alignments and cross slopes (superelevations)
of the road sections. Also provides locations of superelevation transition zones.

Paving Plan Sheets: Provide a general overview and location of paving widths
and features. Use the paving plans to assist in field review of the project.

Paving Detail Sheets: Consist of drawings and notes that provide details about
non standard paving items.

Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (TESC): For the purpose
of obtaining permits, WSDOT includes the TESC Plan in the Contract Plans.
These sheets may be accepted in writing by the Contractor as the Plan for the
project or the Contractor can modify the plans and submit for approval.

Review of Special Provisions

Review the Special Provisions for requirements that may be unique to the project.
Also review the Standard Specification Amendments (pink pages) to see if
modifications have been made and will apply to your contract.

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 Inspector Preparation

Materials
Obtain Documentation

• ROM (Record of Materials)

• Approval of sources

RAM (Request for Approval of Materials)

QPL (Qualified Products List)

ASA (Aggregate Source Approval)

Obtain Preliminary Samples

• Job site soils for density determination

• Imported Gravel Borrow, Gravel Base, and Crushed Rock for gradation and density

• Materials such as geotextile

Disposition of Waste Material

• Is there a state provided waste site or is the contractor required to provide a waste site?

• Any wasting of material onto a private land, per agreement between the Contractor and
landowner, requires receipt of written approval from the property owner. This letter
should include a statement that the property owner is taking full responsibility and owner-
ship of the material and that no wetlands are being destroyed. Always check with your
Region’s Environmental section for advice and review of any changes to the con-
tract’s waste or borrow sites.

Other Contract Documents

• Request to sublet work

• Permits as required

• Progress schedule

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 Part 5
Environmental
Part 5 Environmental
Sensitive or Critical Areas

Some areas within the project limits may be given special designation by local, state,
or federal agencies and require special consideration because of environmental determinations.
Sensitive areas (also called critical areas) such as sites with endangered plant and animal
species, and designated lands such as wetlands, require special consideration during
construction activities. Wetlands, streams, and wildlife habitat are sensitive areas.

If a project includes sensitive areas, emphasize the importance to protect them during
the preconstruction meeting. Prior to commencement of construction, delineation
fencing and erosion control BMP’s shall be installed to protect the sensitive areas from
encroachment by construction activities. Erosion control installation is necessary to protect
sensitive areas from receiving silt and turbid water.

Timing restrictions due to the presence of threatened and endangered species relate
to the sensitive portions of their life cycle. Sensitive times include winter periods,
migratory periods, and breeding or spawning seasons. Adjustments to construction
activities may be required depending on site specific use.

Wetlands

Wetlands are protected by law. Federal, state, and local laws, along with
departmental policies require WSDOT to operate with “no net loss” of wetland
function or acreage.

Why Protect Wetlands?

• Flood Protection

• Water quality

• Habitat

• Recharging of aquifers

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Environmental
Prior to Project

• Obtain a copy of the wetland permit (Section 404 issued by the U.S. Army
Corp of Engineers). This is for projects working within wetland areas.

• Verify that all wetlands are delineated on all contract plans.

• Identify and mark out wetlands on the project and have them field verified by
a representative from the Region Environmental section.

• Make sure prime the contractor is aware of wetland locations.

• Review and be familiar with erosion control Best Management Practices

(BMPs) for construction sites. This information is found in the Highway
Runoff Manual.

• Review and be familiar with Stormwater Site Plan.

o This plan shows measures that will be taken during and after project
construction that addresses erosion and sediment control and storm
water runoff. Refer to the Highway Runoff Manual for contents of
the Stormwater Site Plan.

Erosion and Water Pollution Control (Section 8-01 of the Standard Specifications)

• Obtain and review the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Permit issued by the Department of Ecology.

• Be aware of exposed earth surfaces (Amounts and Timing)

o Limits listed in Section 8-01.3(1) of the Standard Specifications

o Any changes to limits requires written approval of the Engineer

• Review and be familiar with the Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.

• Contractor may submit a revised TESC Plan for approval before work
begins.
• Must have PE approval on revised TESC plan before work begins.
• Review Standard Specification 8-01 for Erosion and Sediment Control
(ESC) Lead. This specification describes the qualifications and
responsibilities of the Erosion Control Lead.
• The Contractor shall revise the approved Plan to reflect actual installation
of BMP’s during life of the project

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 Environmental
Environmental Compliance Plan

All regions follow an Environmental Compliance Plan to ensure compliance with the policies
set for each region. The Plans are not the same for each region. Review the Plan prior to
construction of the project. The Plan includes enforceable requirements placed on the project
by the Regulatory Agencies such as the Dept of Ecology (WDOE), Dept of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW), US Army Corp of Engineers, etc. These requirements come from the permits
provided by the agencies. Permit examples are:

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit

This permit (also described as a Section 401 Permit) is issued by the Dept of Ecology.
The main focus of this permit is to control erosion and maintain water quality during
construction.

Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA)

This permit is issued by the Dept of Fish and Wildlife. It is required for all work in
streams and lakes if the work is within the ordinary high water elevation. If the work is
within a stream or lake, there may be restrictions on when the in-water work may occur.

Corp Permit
This permit is issued by the US Army Corp of Engineers. It is required for all work
within designated wetland areas. Specific requirements may be included within the
permit regarding delineation of wetland areas, allowable equipment and materials
within the wetland areas, etc.

The NPDES permit will be the most common on projects. The permit is required for all
projects that will create at least one acre of exposed erodible surface. The requirements of the
permit include water quality monitoring and reporting of exceedences and violations. A log
book must be maintained that includes site inspections by the Contractor’s ESC Lead and
WSDOT inspectors, test data from water quality testing, and the up to date TESC Plan.

An inspector from the Dept of Ecology may make periodic onsite inspections to verify the
effectiveness of the erosion control BMP’s and ensure that the log book and TESC Plan are up
to date.

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 Part 6
Construction
Part 6 Construction
Project Control and Staking

Surveying Provided by WSDOT – Unless the contract states otherwise, the Project
Engineer is responsible for providing all surveying needed to locate and define the
contract work.

Contractor Surveying – If the contract requires the Contractor to provide some or all
of the construction surveying, the Project Engineer is required to provide only the
primary control points staked, marked, and verified in the field.

Survey Staking

Sensitive Areas Sensitive areas shall be staked prior to construction. It is

highly advisable to contact the Regional Environmental Section
to have a representative come out to the project and review
the staking to ensure all sensitive areas have been addressed.

Clearing Limits Clearing limits shall be staked and reviewed prior to the
Contractor beginning work to verify that there are no conflicts
with sensitive area delineation and to verify that the clearing is
adequate for the intended construction.

Slope Stakes Slope stakes provide fill/cut, side slope information, and
distance to the toe of slope or catch point for the roadway prism.

Subgrade Hubs Hubs that are driven into the subgrade at the planned elevations.
The hubs typically have feathers attached to them that are blue
in color. These hubs are commonly referred to as “blue tops”.

Surfacing Hubs Hubs that are driven into the surfacing at the planned elevations.
These hubs typically have red feathers attached to them and are
commonly referred to as “red tops”.

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Construction

Examples of Slopes

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 Construction

Slope Calculation

= ft/ft slope x 100 = % slope

0.77/ 24 = 0.032 ft/ft x 100 = 3.2%

Since the slope is going downward from

the pivot point, the % slope is negative,

Therefore the answer is - 3.2%.

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Construction

It is always suggested that you check with the survey crew that did the staking to verify
how the slope stake should be read. Though we try to be consistent, sometimes survey
crews write the stakes differently.

Verification of slope construction is not required to be performed at every station. Spot

checks throughout the project are sufficient.

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 Construction

Checking Slopes

The reference material and equipment that the inspector will need to perform side slope
checks and to verify that the cut or fill has been constructed to the correct elevation are:

• Contract Plans
• Template elevation listing (grade run)
• Slope Stake data (if the stake data cannot be read)
• Rag tape
• Stick Rule
• Hand Level (P Gun)
• H.I. stake marked in one-foot increments

To check the slope construction, the inspector takes the H.I. Stake along with the hand
level and locates a point on the slope that is level. If the inspector was holding the hand
level at 3 feet above the bottom of the stake and the slope was on a 2:1 then the point that
was sighted should be 6 feet away (3 x 2 = 6 (see figure 3)). If the point was closer
than 6 feet, the slope was too steep. If the point was further away, the slope was too flat.

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Construction

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 Construction

Determining Distance to Subgrade Shoulder

Using a combination of the roadway template (grade run) and slope stake
information, you can determine the distance from the catch-point to the
subgrade shoulder. From the roadway template you need to know the
distance from centerline to subgrade shoulder for fill slopes. For subgrades
going through cut sections you need to know the distance from centerline to
the back of ditch. By taking the distance on the slope stake and subtracting
out the template distance you will have the distance from catch-point to
subgrade shoulder or the back of ditch.

Example: The distance from centerline to the back of the ditch is 24.32 feet
and the slope stake at the catch-point has the following information:

Therefore, the distance from the catch-point to back of ditch would be;

35.5-24.32=11.18 feet

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Construction

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 Construction

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Construction

Slope Staking Exercise

Below are slope stakes for various stations along a new roadway. Some stakes are missing
and others may have incorrect information. Using the information on the stakes and offset
stakes plot the catch points and where subgrade shoulder would be.

On the next page a grid is available for your use.

Station Right Slope Stake Right Offset

15+00 F2.0 / 2:1 / 13.0 10’ F0.2 // F2.0 / 2:1 / 13.0

14+50 F4.9 / 2:1 / 18.8 10’ C 0.3 // F4.9 / 2:1 / 18.8

14+00 10’ F0.2 // F85 / 2:1 / 26.0

13+50 F7.0 / 4:1 / 23.0 10’ F0.4 // F7.0 / 4:1 23.0

13+00 F6.7 / 2:1 / 25.4 10’ C0.1 // F6.7 / 2:1 / 22.4

12+50 F3.1 / 2:1 / 15.2 10’ F0.3 // F3.1 / 2:1 / 15.2

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 Construction

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Construction

Grade Staking

Once the contractor has the initial subgrade completed, the survey crew will set
grade hubs at various points along and across the roadbed. In most cases, the hubs
are set at centerline and at lane lines at 50-foot stations, sometimes closer through
horizontal curves. This keeps the hubs close enough together across the roadway so
that the finish grader’s blade can be set over the hubs.

The hubs for subgrade are known as “Blue Tops” (figure 5) and will be set 0.05 foot
lower then the plan elevation. This is done to prevent the blue tops from being
pulled out of the ground by the grader during construction. Upon completion of the
subgrade the contractor is allowed an elevation tolerance of 0.05 foot lower than
plan elevation.

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 Construction
Hillside Terraces
Standard Specification 2-03.0 (14)

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Inspection Activities
Document Clearing and Grubbing

• Verify clearing limits. Make sure there are no conflicts with sensitive area delineation
• Verify all needed erosion control BMP’s are in place
• Keep track of amount of grubbed erodible area and time of year
• Contact landscape architect (Regional Environmental area) when vegetation
should be saved.

Monitor Settlement Indicating Devices ( If applicable)

Check Terracing of Existing Slopes and/or New Cuts, Standard

Specification 2-03.3(14) (If applicable)

Monitor Cuts for Change in Materials

• Wet or unstable: Is material full of wet clay or organics?

• Overexcavate unsuitable areas in accordance with Std Specifications 2-03 and replace
with suitable material. It is advisable to contact the Region Materials Engineer for rec-
ommendations.
• Select materials: Is material well graded for specific backfill uses?

Inspect Slope Construction and Rounding

• Observe the first slope rounding for approval, see Standard Plan H-8
• Inspect side slope compaction

Check Excavation of Cut to Fill Areas

• Wet or unstable fill will not make good embankment material.

Check Moisture Content

• Verify the required Compactable Method (A,B, or C) is being followed

• If borrow material is being paid by the ton, weight deduction may be required if
the material delivered is too wet. Occasional moisture checks of the delivered m
material may be necessary.

Document Aeration When Used

• Contracting agency source

• Contractor source

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 Construction
Verify Placement of Construction Geotextile

• Is the proper geotextile being used for the situation?

• Has the material been sampled and accepted prior to use?
• Verify that proper overlap or sewing of seams is completed.
• Pay attention to equipment use near geotextile placement. Tracks and blades can easily
tear the geotextile.

Monitor Lift Thickness

Verify that the thickness of the embankment or surfacing layer is no more than called
for in the Standard Specifications. A thicker placement may not allow for the desired
compaction to be achieved.

Check Routing of Haul Equipment

On the project, monitor the routing of haul equipment over the embankment. By staggering
the wheel paths of the equipment, some or most of the compactive effort will be complete for
soils near the optimum moisture content. For soils that have a higher clay and moisture con-
tent, staggering the wheel paths will reduce the potential of overworking the soil, causing fail-
ure.

Verify That Any Wasting is Done According to the Contract Provisions

Make sure that all unused or unsuitable excavated material to be removed from the project is
taken to a site or sites that are permitted to accept the material. Request a copy of the permits
from the Contractor.

Check Finishing of the Subgrade

Verify that survey and compaction readings have been completed. Compare this information
with the Specifications and Plans to verify conformance. Solutions to subgrade deficiencies
shall be documented and may include the use of french drains or excavation and placement of
acceptable fill with or without the use of geotextiles. The Region Materials Engineer will be
able to provide acceptable solutions for unsuitable areas.

Check that all Widenings and Tapers Have Been Constructed

Curb and guardrail installation typically require widening of the road section.

Sand Drainage Blanket, or Other Special Features in the Contract

Check with the Special Provisions and Plan sheets for special construction requirements of
these features.

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Construction

Controlled Blasting (Std. Spec. 2-03.3(2))

Prior to blasting, the contractor must submit a blasting plan to the engineer for review.
Section 2-03.3(2) of the Standard Specifications lists the requirements.

The contractor will drill holes in the location of the proposed sides slopes these holes
are called the line holes. If the depth of the cut is over 20 feet then the contractor will
have to stage the blasting in layers (unless otherwise approved). Once the line holes have
been blasted then the contractor will blast between those holes using what are commonly
called production holes. Those holes are used to remove the remainder of the material.

Controlled blasting refers to the controlled use of explosives and blasting accessories in
carefully spaced and aligned drill holes to provide a free surface or shear plane in rock
along the specified backslope.

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 Construction
Earth Embankment: Method A Compaction
Standard Specification 2-03.3(14)C

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Construction

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Construction

Requirements

Item Required Std. Spec. Ref.

Application Prepare the graded roadbed for surfacing. 2-03.3(14)C

Compaction 95 % - top 2 feet, 90% below 2 feet 2-03.3(14)C

(Method B)

Moisture Less than 3 percent above optimum for 2-03.3(14)C

Materials passing U.S. No. 4 sieve (fill).

Lift Thicknesses 4 in maximum (top 2 feet), 2-03.3(14)C

8 in maximum (below 2 feet)

Test Frequency Per Section 9-5.7 of the Construction Manual

Notes: If underlying subgrade is too soft to permit proper compaction of the

upper 6 inch layer, the contractor shall loosen and aerate (or excavate and remove),
and compact the subgrade layers to meet compaction requirements
(Standard Specification 2-06.3(1)).

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 Construction

Other references: Construction Manual Sections 2-3A and 2-3.2B.

* If depth is 18 inches or less, contractor may compact each 6 inch lift

thickness by four full coverage passes with: (1) 10-ton compression roller or
(2) Vibratory roller having a dynamic force of at least 30,000 pounds per
vibration and at least 1,000 vibrations per minute (Standard Specification 2-
03.3(14)A).

** If rocks average more than 18 inches in diameter, lift thickness may be as

deep as required to allow their placement (Standard Specification
2-03.3(14)A).

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Construction
Bridge Approach Embankment
Bridge Approach Embankment definition is found in Section 1-01.3, and the compaction
requirements are found in Section 2-3.3(14)I. One way to be aware of Bridge Approach
Embankments is to draw them on the plans. Any test within this prism requires 95 percent
density. Some project engineers plot all density tests on the plans. This is not necessary
but could be of great value on certain projects.

* The engineer may permit higher moisture. See Standard Specification

2-03.3(14)C for conditions.

** The engineer may permit larger lift thickness. See Standard Specification 2-3.3
(14)C for conditions.

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 Construction

Wetland Construction
Construction shall be per the Contract Plans!

• Erosion prevention is especially critical in the wetlands, areas adjacent to wetlands,

streams, and shorelines .

• Don’t over-compact the bottom of wetland areas. Over-compaction in wetland areas

will slow growth of vegetation. Soil is to be loose to help vegetation growth.

• If water is encountered prior to reaching final elevation, notify your environmental

section. Depending on the type of wetland being constructed, the final depth of water
is critical. Wetlands may require deep water or just saturated soil a few weeks out of
the year .

• The time of year may effect the location of water table.

• Protect adjacent desirable vegetation using construction fencing and erosion control
BMP’s

• Slopes into wetlands should not be changed unless called for in the Plans.

• Follow contouring Plan.

• Delineate existing wetlands that are not to be disturbed by using construction fencing
to keep construction equipment out of them.

• Deviations to the Contract Plan require approval from the Region Environmental or
Landscape Office

• Consider installing wetland boundary signs. They are available from the
Region’s Environmental office or the OSC Environmental Affairs Office.

Other considerations during construction are outlined in Chapter 420 of the

Roadside Manual.

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Construction

Contour Grading

Landforms other than the roadway prism are usually represented using contours.
Examples of such landforms include:

• Wetland mitigation sites

• Retention and detention ponds

• Noise abatement berms

• Interchanges

Contour grading accomplishes many things, such as:

• Directing water to a desired point

• Preventing erosion

• Providing noise deflection

• Providing desirable vegetation growth

• Allowing more effective maintenance

Contour Grading Plans

Contour Grading Plans detail the blending of constructed landforms with

existing surrounding earth forms.

Plans to Field

The Grid Method or the Station and Offset Method are useful in transferring
grading information from the plans to locations in the field.

Examples of the two methods are given in the construction section of Chapter
720 of the Roadside Manual.

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Part 7
Surfacing Placement
Part 7 Surfacing Placement
Successful Surfacing Placement
Is a result of the following:
Using acceptable material
Placing the material on a properly prepared and accepted subgrade
Using the proper equipment in good working condition
Placing the material at the proper width, depth, and cross section
Compacting the material to the proper density

Surfacing Placement — Types

Gravel Base
Ballast
Crushed Surfacing
• Road Mix
• Plant Mix
Asphalt Treated Base

Check Aggregate Source

Review Request for Approval of Material (RAM) form for all material to be used on
the project. A new RAM form must be submitted and approved prior to using any
material from a new source.
Check the source status using the Aggregate Source Approval (ASA) database
• Database is located in the HQ Materials intranet website
Aggregate testing completed and documented
• Submitted for density data and gradation
Visually inspect stockpiles for contamination

Arrange for Assistants/Communication

Notify your supervisor of starting date and assistants needed:
• Scaleperson/Ticket Writer
• Ticket Receiver
• Density Inspector
Notify Independent Assurance Sampler
Establish and maintain good communication with all assistants, the independent
assurance sampler, and the contractor

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Surfacing Placement

Scale Certification for Batching and Platform Scales

Copy of scale certification shall be in project records
Scales must be certified every time they are moved and then every six months
Sticker on scale face verifies these requirements
Layout
Stake stationing or mile posts as required
Check roadway cross sections
Check length of job and ensure plan quantities of aggregates are sufficient
Check drainage adjustments
Review miscellaneous details in plans
Truck Weights
Scale is checked several times a day and recorded on the Scaleman’s Daily Report
(WSDOT form 422-027 can be found in Appendix B)
• Balanced
• Returns to zero
• Operates within one half of one percent of the weighed load
• Every day the scale is to be verified by weighing a loaded truck on a
separate certified scale, unless the Project Engineer approves alternate
method.
• Tare trucks in morning and afternoon
Truck Measure (Volume)
When materials are measured and paid on the basis of volume of delivered trucks, a
receiver is assigned at the point of delivery to issue or receive load tickets and make
periodic computations of yield.

The truck box of each vehicle will be measured, calculated and recorded to the
nearest 0.1 cubic yard based on a leveled load. A sample Truck Measurement form
can be found in Appendix B.
Delivery of Material to Project
Observe material in each truck as it arrives
Verify material is coming from correct stockpiles or commercial source
Hauling equipment should be routed to provide most effective compaction of the
surfacing material. Hauling equipment will not permitted over surfacing in process
of construction if the effect will be detrimental.

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 Surfacing Placement

Placing the Material

Observe handling of material
• Gradation
• Segregation
• Condition of subgrade examined during hauling - look for pumping

Section 4-04.3(4) lists the maximum compacted depths per course of different
surfacing materials. Record the nominal depth for the different types of materials
listed:
Ballast _________________FT.
Gravel Base _________________FT.
Crushed Surfacing _________________FT.

Depth, Width, and Yield Checks

Checked frequently to avoid wasting material
Measure depth of each course and document for final records
Avoid overruns on top course to make up for deficiencies
Maximum depths for each course not exceeded

Density Testing
Vibratory compactors and rollers are to be used.
Each course compacted to 95 percent of maximum density.
Representative samples of all surfacing material submitted to Region Materials
Lab, as early as possible, to obtain maximum density curve.
Test every 1,000 lineal feet per surfacing layer.
Contractor informed of all density test results.
Check for uniform surface true to line and grade.

Surfacing Condition
Surfacing tolerances
Pumping grade
Quarter crown
Proper density

Correction of Deficiencies
Surface must be loosened
Deficient area and surrounding area re-compacted

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Surfacing Placement

Weather Limitations
The Standard Specifications address the concern of weather limitations and the
condition of the subgrade due to the weather. Be sure you are familiar with who
makes the determination to place surfacing materials based on questionable
weather.

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Part 8
Compaction
Part 8 Compaction

General Information about Compaction

1. All operations must be directed toward constructing a uniform, well-compacted
embankment true to grade and cross-section.
2. Proper compaction of roadway embankments and embankment slopes is of vital
importance to the structural quality of the final roadway and strict adherence to
specification requirements is essential.
3. In general, it can be stated that each soil has a maximum density to which it can
be compacted with a given compactive effort.
4. Each different soil may, and probably will, have a different maximum density
and optimum moisture content. It is necessary that tests be performed in
the field for each different soil encountered.
5. In selecting an area to be tested, the Inspector should choose sites where the
least compactive effort has been applied.
6. Compaction is required to the neat lines of the embankment, which include the
shoulders and slopes.
7. Daily compaction reports shall be submitted on Form 351-015.
8. Special attention shall be given to compaction around structures and bridge
ends, where rollers cannot operate. Mechanical tampers or other approved
compactors are to be used in these areas.

Control of Compaction of Granular Material

Use of the Maximum Density Curve

To acquire a maximum density curve, the engineer or inspector should submit 100
to 150 pounds of representative material as far in advance of construction as possible.
This sample is dried, graded, and divided into two fractions separated on the No. 4
sieve. Compaction tests and specific gravity tests are performed on the two fractions,
and from that data, the -”Maximum Density vs. Percent Passing No. 4 sieve” curve is
generated This curve is submitted to the Project Engineer for their control reference.

A specific curve must be used only for the material it represents. If more than one
source is used to furnish aggregate, samples from each source should be submitted so
separate curves can be established. If material from two different sources are blended
to produce a single aggregate, a representative sample of the blended material must be
submitted. If significant changes in material occur within a given source, resampling
of the material may be required.

If the curve does not correlate satisfactorily with field results and compaction appears
satisfactory, submit a representative sample from the roadway to the laboratory for a
recheck. A new curve based on the roadway sample can be obtained in about four
days. (Note: This will be necessary only when the original sample tested is not truly
representative of the material placed on the roadway. Variations in gradation normally
found will not void the use of the established curve.)
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Compaction

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 Compaction

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Compaction

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 Compaction

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Compaction

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Appendix A
References
Appendix A References

2006 Edition
Standard Specifications Construction Manual
2006 Edition

Clearing and Grubbing 2-01 2-1

Removal of Structures & Obstructions 2-02 2-2

Roadway Excavation and Embankment 2-03 2-2

Haul 2-04 2-4

Subgrade 2-06 2-6

Watering 2-07 2-7

Trimming and Cleanup 2-11 2-11

Construction Geotextile 2-12 2-12

Gravel Base 4-02 4-2

Ballast and Crushed Surfacing 4-04 4-4

Erosion Control 8-01 8-1

Guidelines for Job-Site

Control of Materials 9-5

WSDOT Testing Methods 9-8

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ii Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook
January 2007
Appendix B
Forms
Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook Appendix B - 1
January 2007
Appendix B - 2 Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook
January 2007
Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook Appendix B - 3
January 2007
Reference: Standard Specifications 1-09.2, Construction Manual Section10-2.2
Everyday use one of the following three methods to determine if the scale is operation within
One-half of one percent of the weighed load.

1. In accordance with 1-09.2(5), weigh a loaded truck on a separate certified platform scale designated
by the contractor for the purpose of scale verification.

When approved by the Project Engineer:

2. Weigh your vehicle on a certified scale and check your scale with it.
3. If one truck is used for an extended period of time, use it as a “tattle-tale” check. The tare of the truck
should be established just after the scale has been certified or checked by methods (1), or (2). When
the truck is originally weighed , check the amount of fuel and make the daily check when the amount
of fuel is the same, and check to see that the truck is free of mud, etc. This procedure is best utilized
during dry weather. When this procedure is used, check the scales by methods (1), or (2) twice
weekly.

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 TRUCK MEASUREMENT
(VOLUME)

CONTRACT NO_______________ TRUCK NO_____________

CONTRACTOR_______________ MAKE/MODEL_____________

Date measured:________________

Calculated by:________________

Checked by: _______________

Refer to section 10-2.3A of the Construction Manual for additional information regarding truck measurement

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Appendix B - 6 Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook
January 2007
Appendix C
References to
Other WSDOT
Manuals
 Appendix C - References to Other WSDOT Manuals

Highway Surveying Manual

Chapter
Monuments (new and existing) 16

Clearing and Grubbing 15

Slope Staking 15

Grade Control 15

Highway Runoff Manual

Chapter
Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (TESC) 6

Best Management Practices for Construction (BMPs) Appendix 6A

Standard Plans
Std. Plan
Slope Treatment H-8

Embankment at Bridge Ends H-9

Survey Stake H-14

Roadside Manual
Chapter
Roadside Safety 310

Construction of Wetlands 420

Soil and Soil Amendments 700

Erosion Control 710

Contour Grading 720

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January 2007
Appendix D
Glossary
Appendix D Glossary
Angle of Repose — The angle between the horizontal and the maximum slope
that a soil assumes through natural processes. For dry granular soils, the effect
of the height of slope is negligible; for cohesive soils, the effect of height of
slope is so great that the angle of repose is meaningless.
Borrow — Borrow is the excavation of material outside the roadway prism or
outside the limits of any other excavation area required by the contract. This
material is used in building embankments, subgrade, shoulders, and other
highway components.
Boulder — A rock fragment, usually rounded by weathering or abrasion, with
an average diameter of 12 inches (300 mm) or more.
Bridge Approach Embankment — An embankment beneath a structure and
extending 100 feet (30 m) beyond a structure’s end (at subgrade elevation for the
full embankment width) plus an access ramp on a 10:1 (1:10) slope to the original
ground elevation. Also, any embankment that replaces unsuitable foundation soil
beneath the bridge approach embankment.
Bulking — The increase in volume of a material due to manipulation. Rock
bulks upon being excavated; damp sand bulks if loosely deposited, as by dumping
because the apparent cohesion prevents movement of the soil particles to form
a reduced volume.
Caliche — Soil material which consists of layers of weathered deposits bonded
by carbonates such as lime.
Clay (Clay Soil) — Fine-grained soil or the fine-grained portion of soil that can
be made to exhibit plasticity (putty-like properties) within a range of water contents,
and that exhibits considerable strength when air-dry. The term has been used to
designate the percentage finer than 0.0002 mm (0.005 mm in some cases), but
it is strongly recommended that this usage be discontinued, since there is ample
evidence from an engineering standpoint that the properties described in the
above definition are many times more important.
Clay Size — That portion of the soil finer than 0.002 mm (0.005 mm in
some cases).
Cobble — A rock fragment, usually rounded or semirounded, with an average
dimension between 3 and 12 inches (75 mm and 300 mm).
Cohesionless Soil — A soil that when unconfined has little or no strength when
air-dried and that has little or no cohesion when submerged.
Cohesive Soil — A soil that when unconfined has considerable strength when
air-dried and that has significant cohesion when submerged.
Compaction — The densification of a soil by means of mechanical manipulation.
Compaction Test — (Moisture-Density Test) A laboratory compacting
procedure whereby a soil at a known water content is placed in a specified
manner into a mold of given dimensions, subjected to a compactive effort of

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January 2007
 controlled magnitude, and the resulting unit weight determined. The procedure is
repeated for various water contents sufficient to establish a relation between water
content and unit weight.
Compression — A volume change produced by application of a static
external load.
Consolidation — A volume change that is achieved naturally with the passage
of time.
Contract — The written agreement between the Contracting Agency and the
Contractor.
Contractor — The individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or joint venture
contracting with the Contracting Agency to do prescribed work.
Density — The weight of solids per unit volume. Dry density is calculated by
dividing the weight of the solids by the volume of solids, water, and air.
Earth Embankment — The building up of soil material in layers to a specified
cross section to support the roadway.
End Product Specification — A specification in which acceptance of the work
is based on the finished product. This kind of specification allows the contractor
to choose whatever method he chooses to achieve that end product. (See “Method
Specification.”)
Engineer — The Contracting Agency’s representative who administers the
construction program for the Contracting Agency.
Excavation — Removal of rock, soil, or other material from one location and
hauling or moving it to another.
Fill — Man-made deposits of natural soils or rock products and waste materials.
Fines — Portion of a soil finer than a No. 200 (0.075 mm) sieve.
Frost Heave — The raising of a surface due to the accumulation of ice in the
underlying soil or rock.
Glacial Till (Till) — Material deposited by glaciation, usually composed of a wide
range of particle sizes, which has not been subjected to the sorting action of water.
Granular — Soil particles which do not have internal cohesive forces, but rather
get their strength from friction.
Gravel — Rounded or semirounded particles of rock that will pass a 3 inch
(75 mm) and be retained on a No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve.
Gumbo — A material identified by a soapy or waxy appearance when wet.
Hardpan — A hard impervious layer, composed chiefly of clay, cemented by
relatively insoluble materials, that does not become plastic when mixed with
water and definitely limits the downward movement of water and roots.

Highway — A public way for vehicles, including the entire right of way.
Humus — A brown or black material formed by the partial decomposition of
vegetable or animal matter; the organic portion of soil.

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 Inspector — The project engineer’s representative who inspects contract
performance in detail.
Loam — A mixture of sand, silt, or clay, or a combination of any of these,
with organic matter (see humus). It is sometimes called topsoil in contrast to
the subsoils that contain little or no organic matter. Loam is cohesive.
Loess — A uniform aeolian deposit of silty material having an open structure and
relatively high cohesion due to cementation of clay or calcareous material at grain
contacts. A characteristic of loess deposits is that they can stand with nearly
vertical slopes.
Method Specification — A specification in which the manner in which the work
is to be performed is specified. An example is the specification for compaction of
rock embankments. This kind of specification implies that acceptance of the work
will be based on how the work is performed regardless of what the end product is.
(See also “End Product Specification.”)
Moisture Content (Water Content) — The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of:
(1) the weight of water in a given soil mass, to (2) the weight of solid particles.
Muck — Stone, dirt, debris, or useless material; or an organic soil of very
soft consistency.
Optimum Moisture — The exact amount of water necessary to coat and lubricate
each soil particle so the maximum density for any compaction effect may
be obtained.
Organic Soil — Soil with a high organic content. In general, organic soils are very
compressible and have poor load-sustaining properties.
Peat — A fibrous mass of organic matter in various stages of decomposition,
generally dark brown to black in color and of spongy consistency.
Percent Compaction — This is the ratio of the actual in-place dry density of a soil
to the maximum theoretical dry density.
Plasticity — The property of a soil or rock which allows it to be deformed beyond
the point of recovery without cracking or appreciable volume change.
Project Engineer — The engineer’s representative who directly supervises the
engineering and administration of a construction project.
Roadbed — The graded part of the highway within top and side slopes, prepared
as a foundation for the pavement structure and shoulders.
Roadway — The portion of the right of way within the outside limits of the
side slopes.
Roadway Excavation — All materials excavated within the roadway prism,
side borrow areas, and side ditches.
Rock — Natural solid mineral matter occurring in large masses or fragments.
Rock Embankment — An embankment in which all or any part of an
embankment contains 25 percent or more by volume, gravel or stone 4 inches
(100 mm) or more in diameter.

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 Sand — Particles of rock that will pass the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve and be retained
on the No. 200 (0.075 mm) sieve.
Shoulder — The part of the roadway next to the traveled way. It provides
lateral support of base and surface courses and is an emergency stopping area
for vehicles.
Silt — (Rock Flour) Material passing the No. 200 (0.075 mm) sieve that is
nonplastic or very slightly plastic and that exhibits little or no strength when
air-dried.
Silt Size — That portion of the soil finer than 0.02 mm and coarser than 0.002 mm
(0.05 mm and 0.005 mm in some cases).
Sluicing — A method of excavation by which material is moved by flushing
with water.
Soil — (Earth) Sediments or other unconsolidated accumulations of solid particles
produced by the physical and chemical disintegration or rocks, and which may or
may not contain organic matter.
Soil Binder — That portion of soil passing the U.S. No. 40 (0.425 mm) sieve.
Stone — Crushed or naturally angular particles of rock that will pass a 3 inch
(75 mm) sieve and be retained on a No. 4 U.S. standard (4.75 mm) sieve.
Structure Excavation — Excavating and disposing of all natural material or
manmade objects that must be removed to make way for bridge foundations,
retaining walls, culverts, trenches for pipelines, conduits, and other structures as
shown in the Plans.
Structures — Bridges, culverts, catch basins, drop inlets, retaining walls, cribbing,
manholes, endwalls, buildings, service pipes, sewers, underdrains, foundation
drains, and other features found during work that the contract may or may not
classify as a structure.
Subcontractor — An individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or joint venture
who is sublet part of the contract by the contractor.
Subgrade — That part of the roadbed on which subbase, base, surfacing,
pavement, or layers of similar materials are placed.
Surcharge — Applied overload above grade of compacted soil to produce
settlement in unstable subsurface materials. Loading is applied until measured
settlement has subsided and removal of overload can take place.
Surfacing — One or more courses of crushed stone placed upon prepared subgrade
in accordance with the specifications.
Talus — Rock fragments mixed with soil at the foot of a natural slope from which
they have been separated.
Topsoil — Surface soil, usually containing organic matter.
Traveled Way — The part of the road made for vehicle travel excluding shoulders
and auxiliary lanes.

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 U.S. Standard No. 4 (4.75 mm) Sieve — This is the sieve used to calculate the
“percent passing the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve” for use with a maximum density
curve, and to calculate the “percent retained on the No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve” for
use with the “Nomograph” curve. A U.S. Standard No. 4 (4.75 mm) sieve is not
the same as a 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) sieve, nor is it the same as a Tyler No. 4 sieve.
U.S. Standard No. 4 = .187 opening
U.S. Standard 1/4 inch = .250 opening
Tyler No. 4 = .1 opening

Waste — Surplus excavation not needed for embankment.

Wet Density — The weight of solids and water per unit volume. Wet density is
calculated by dividing the weight of solids and water by the volume of solids,
water, and air.

Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook Appendix D - 5

January 2007
Appendix D - 6 Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook
January 2007
Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook Appendix D - 7
January 2007
Appendix D - 8 Excavation and Embankment Inspection — Student Workbook
January 2007