Pea Gravel Spec

[julianw]

Imagine a specification not written thoroughly and you are trying to protect your client while attempting to answer this question. Does anyone have a pea gravel specification or reference? The spec only says install "Pea Gravel" (PG). The contractor didn't install PG they installed a Well-Graded Sand based on the results of a gradation performed in the laboratory. This alone in my opinion is enough to make the contractor remove the material because the test proves the material is not a "Gravel" as specified in the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS), however the client wants more fire power. Any suggestions????

 

[Ron]

Pea gravel is not sand. You are correct and that is all that is really all that's necessary. Well graded sand has a grain size distribution of material smaller than a #8 sieve....pea gravel does not. The description of "pea gravel" is colloquial and doesn't really have a definition within accepted standards. In general, pea gravel would be considered to be a gap graded material having nominal size less than 1/2" and greater than #4 sieve.