Specification for Earthwork in Excavation for Foundation

Following specification shall be adhered to for earthwork in excavation in foundation.

Excavation

Foundation trenches shall be dug out to the exact width of foundation concrete.
Sides of foundation shall be vertical.
If the soil is not good and does not permit vertical sides, the sides should be sloped back or protected with timber shoring.
Excavated earth shall not be placed within 1 meter (3 feet) of the edge of the trench.

The bottom of foundation trenches shall be perfectly levelled both longitudinally and transversely.
The sides of the trench shall be dressed perfectly vertical from bottom up to the least thickness of loose concrete so that concrete may be laid to the exact width as per design.
The bed of trench shall be lightly watered and well rammed.
Excess digging, if done through mistake, shall be filled with concrete at the expense of the contractor.
Soft or defective spots shall be dug out and removed and filled with concrete or with stabilized soil.
If rocks or boulders are found during excavation, these shall be removed and bed of trenches shall be levelled and made hard by consolidating the earth.
Foundation concrete shall not be laid before the inspection and approval of the trench by the engineer-in-charge.

Any treasure and valuables or materials found during the excavation, shall be the property of government.

Water, if any accumulates in the trench, should be bailed or pumped out without any extra payment.
Necessary precautions shall be taken to prevent surface water to enter into the trench.

After the concrete has been laid, masonry has been constructed, the remaining portion of the trenches shall be filled up with earth in layers of 150 mm (6″) and watered and well rammed.
The earth filling shall be free from rubbish and refuse matters and all clods (lumps of earth) shall be broken before filling.
Surplus earth, not required, shall be removed and disposed.
Site shall be levelled and dressed.

The measurement of the excavation shall be taken in cubic meters (cubic feet).
Volume = Rectangular trench bottom width X Vertical depth of foundation from the ground level X length of trenches.
Do not consider extra volume due to sloping sides excavated by contractor for his own convenience.
Rate shall be for complete work for 30 m *100 feet) lead and 1.50 m (5 feet) lift.
Rate shall include all tools and plants required for completion of the work.
For every extra lead of 30 m and every extra lift of 1.5 m, separate extra rate is provided. (What is lift and lead?).

Excavation in saturated soil or below sub-soil water level shall be taken under a separate item and shall be carried out in the same manner as above.
Pumping or bailing out of water and removal of slush shall be included in the item.
Timbering of sides of trenches if required, shall be taken under a separate item and paid separately.