Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
(OP)
I'm looking for some information on lime treatment in utility trenches- more specifically, for drying of wet soils.
When trench soils are too wet to be properly compacted back into the trench, contractors generally say drying by discing and harrowing is inefficient and costly, and want to be paid for unsuitable.
Has anyone use lime treatment in cold climates (Northern New England) with any success?
How about corrosion of ductile iron pipes?
When trench soils are too wet to be properly compacted back into the trench, contractors generally say drying by discing and harrowing is inefficient and costly, and want to be paid for unsuitable.
Has anyone use lime treatment in cold climates (Northern New England) with any success?
How about corrosion of ductile iron pipes?





RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
You probably have that, if it calls for the contractor to process the material to a specific moisture and compact.
I am not a fan of water content being the decider on if a material is suitable. Where do you draw the line?
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
if necessary, backfill immediately around the pipe with good stuff then utilize lime or cement to help dry stockpiled materials...it'll likely be hit or miss when contractors try to do this without specific equipment and oversight. in this case, double up on the testing frequency since bucket by bucket will be different. lots of proofrolling and leave it up to the contractor to give you the product that is required....in other words i'd use caution holding their hand so that it doesn't become your fault since they'll likely point the finger at you in the first place. sometimes owners will pay the additional money for the lime just to speed the project up. again, if the contractor lets it get wet, it should be on them.
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
When you say "gravel" do you mean crushed stone or well graded bank run gravel? I would bet they'd behave differently in freeze thaw cycles.
And yes, if the contractor lets the dirt get overly wet it should be on him. But if you're working in existing pavement, I'm sure they're backfilling just as fast as they're digging and laying. Discing/harrowing works fine in warm, dry weather but that would limit your construction season to June July and August.
RE: Lime Treatment in Utility Trenches
A local contractor took it upon himself to replace the material in a utility crossing in a road constructed across a swampy area with crushed stone a few years back, and that trench is either a 6-inch speed bump or a 3-inch divit depending on if the frost is in or not. It's always been my understanding that this trench is (more) stable, but the surrounding road is heaving and settling.
A geotech suggested finding a pit with material with a similar gradation to the material being replaced, but closer to the optimal moisture content, but as you pointed out, the contractor is usually backfilling as fast as they are digging. I'm looking for a solution that the contractors would be willing to agree to without potential problems, (and hopefully expense) with replacement with a different material.