As it turns out, the site contractor used the alternative material at no additional cost. The geotech was happy, the Owner was happy, etc.
I just thought it was odd that the Geotech wanted a material with more clay and would not approve the SW-SM material.
With the 18-20'fills, the shot...
Many times I have tried to minimize the amount of shoring on a project. With a tight site condition, the room gained by shoring becomes a valuable and necessary area for stocking materials. Attempting to save money on shoring also may result in an unsafe condition.
Lately, Drawings and Specifications are equal on the list. A statement will be inserted stating where a conflict between the drawings and specifications occur, whichever is of greater value will take precedent. A tough statement in a competitive market where one is trying to be the low bidder...
Gray laminated dolomite with dark gray chert in irregular bends, stringers and nodules, with band s of quartz and quartz sand grains.
Technically, Ordovician-aged, carbonate, Rickenbach Formation(Ori).
Fortunately, the cost for the testing agency's preferred fill over the site contractor's quarry overburden was a slight savings. I had talked to another Geotech and he agreed to some extent that sand is not a good fill material. Possible sinkholes in the area also were cause for concern if the...
Many times I have dreaded being the low bid because of the agressiveness of my unit manager. However, the unit manager always fostered a real team attitude. We all helped each other when things didn't work. Typically, there never was a big difference in pricing, and the unit head always...
The same geotech that wrote the report is the onsite inspector. Geotech Report states that Borrow fill shall have less than 50% silt/clay by weight. Another contradiction. He knows the material we proposed and just "doesn't like it." It is too sandy.
We had the material tested by another...
We proposed using SW-SM for fill.
100 % passes the 3/8".
11.3% passes the #200 sieve.
Onsite material is clay and is unusable due to moisture and freezing issues. Knowing the time of year for construction, we decided to not completely balance the site and import select fill for the project -...
civilperson:
When you mean "Rock", is that your term for any coarse-grained soil(soils "above the line" on the USCS chart)?
The rock we wish to use is blasted from the site. I think is should be okay to fill using a 12" size rock or more, 8' or greater below subgrade.
We are importing type SW-SM material for a building pad. The specification clearly states SW and SM material is satisfactory. Fills for the building pad are from 0' to greater than 20'. Maximum rock size for fill in the specification is 3".
The site plans indicate to use ML or CL material for...
The enthusiasm and energy associated with young engineers will reinvigorate your office. You will gain a window onto different perspectives and lifestyles you may have forgotten.
It is difficult, however, to schedule enough time to properly train young people and get your own work done. When...
The factor also depends on how you price the project.
Is the the unit cost for hauling excess based on 10 CY per tri-axle load? Is it more? less?
The shrink/swell factor of the material for import should factor into the pricing quantities as well. Each company uses their historical experience...
Hopefully, the slab is not poured!
Was 10 mil specified?
If the slab is poured, perhaps it's best to leave the slab with the 6 mil in place with a credit.
If 6 mil was specified, then the Contractor is owed an extra to remove and replace it.
For caissons:
Pricing should include a defined rock socket - 2', 5' etc.
There should be a defined LF of rock removal with the use of a core-barrel above the cost for an earth augerd caisson. Beyond the rock socket include:
50 LF of 36" dia caisson rock removal
25 LF of 48"...
Most home builders use aluminum forms. They are lightweight and can be easliy carried. You may be able to get an engineered shop drawing from the form rental company. Ask the person that sells the reinforcing steel for a reference for form rental. They may also rent forms as well.
Other...
