EARTH WORKS &

ENGINEERING BACKFILL
Eng. Belal Khamaiseh (bkhamaiseh@aces-int.com)
Material Department Manager
ACES Riyadh branch

CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Definitions of soil and Soil Properties.

Soil Properties.
Classification of soil and backfill\ replacement materials.
Utilization Of Excavated Materials backfill Construction
backfill Construction
Testing backfill materials
Stabilization of soil materials
Q & A.

17-May-16

1- Definitions

Soil stockpile

17-Jan-16

1- Definitions
Soil:
All earth materials (organic & inorganic) that blankets the
rock crust of the earth.
Soils are products of disintegration of the rocks of earth
crust.
* Disintegration: caused by weathering, mechanical and
chemical forces (wind, running water, freezing and
thawing, chemical decomposition,).
Soil properties:
the properties of any given soil depend not only on its
general type but also on its condition at the time when its
being examined.
17-May-16

2- Soil Properties

Physical properties of soil

Moisture Content:
Weight of water contained in a given soil mass compared with the
oven dried weight of the soil, expressed as percentage.
Unit Weight:
Weight of the soil mass per unit volume, expressed in (Kg/m3).
Swelling:
Expansion in volume of a soil mass that accompanies an
increase in moisture content.
Compressibility:
Property of soil that permits it to consolidate under the action of
applied compressive load.
17-May-16

2- Soil Properties
Elasticity:
Property of soil that permits it to return to its original dimensions
after the removal of an applied load.
Permeability:
Property of soil mass that permits water to flow through it under the
action of gravity or some other applied forces.
Capillarity:
Property that permits water to be drawn from a free water surface
through the action of surface tension and independent of the forces
of gravity.
Shrinkage:
Reduction of volume of soil mass that accompanies a reduction in
moisture content when saturated or partially saturated.
17-May-16

2- Soil Properties
Chemical properties of soil:
Soil content of chemical compounds that have a negative influence on the
constructions, such as:
Sulphate content (Sodium sulphate, Magnesium sulphate, and
Calcium sulphate react with Aluminates compounds in cement
producing crystals that cause expansion in the concrete and
additional stress forming a cracks).
Chloride content (react with steel reinforcements).
Organic impurities (low bearing capacity, increase compressibility of
soil, increase expansion and swelling due to the change in water
content).
PH value (Acidity or alkalinity of environment) (low acidity caused
corrosion to the steel reinforcements).
Total soluble salts (all above)
17-May-16

3- Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill

materials
Two tests shall be carried out for the initial approval of the soil and
backfill materials:
1. Mechanical analysis of the grain size distributions (Sieve analysis).
2. Atterberg Limits conducted on materials passing #40.
.Liquid Limit (LL): Minimum moisture content at which the soil will
flow under the application of a very small shear force (Soil
assumed to behave like liquid).
.Plastic Limit (PL): Minimum moisture content at which the soil
remains in a plastic condition or soil can be rolled into a thread of
3.2 mm (1/8) diameter without crumbling.
.Plasticity Index (PI): Numerical difference between LL and PL .
17-May-16

3- Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill

materials
By using the results of the sieve analysis, liquid limit, plastic
limit, and the plasticity index we can classify the soil in 7
groups (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7) and each of these
groups divided in sub groups as listed in the next table.
Each group have a properties suitable for types of backfill
depend on the requirement and the specifications of the
project.
Soils of the groups A6, A7 shall not be used for any types of
backfills.

17-May-16

Classification of soil and backfill materials according to AASHTO M145

Granular Materials
(35% or less passing the 0.075 mm sieve)

General
Classification
A1
Group
Classification

A2

A3

A-1-a

A-1-b

2.00 mm (No. 10)

50 max

0.425 (No. 40)

30 max

0.075 (No. 200)

15 max

Silty Clay Materials

(>35% passing the 0.075 mm sieve)
A4

A5

A6

A7
A-7-5
A-7-6

A-2-4

A-2-5

A-2-6

A-2-7

50
max

51
min

25
max

10
max

35 max

35 max

35 max

35 max

36 min

36 min

36 min

36 min

Sieve Analysis
% passing

Characteristics of
fraction passing
0.425 mm (No. 40)
Liquid Limit

40 max

41 min

40 max

41 min

40 max

41 min

40 max

41 min

Plasticity Index

6 max

N.P.

10 max

10 max

11 min

11 min

10 max

10 max

11 min

11 min

stone fragments,
gravel and sand

fine
sand

Usual types of
significant
constituent
materials
General rating as a
subgrade

17-May-16

silty or clayey gravel and sand

excellent to good

silty soils

clayey soils

fair to poor

10

Classification of soil and backfill materials according to

grain size

Sand
&
Gravel

17-May-16

(80 mm gravel to 0.08 mm fine sand).

Can be identified visually.
Have little or no cohesion.
High permeability.
Low shrinkage & expansion with
change in moisture.
Give stability under wheel load when
confined.

11

Classification of soil and backfill materials according to

grain size

Fine grained (intermediate in size

between sand & clay
Low-medium plasticity.
Has little cohesion.
Silt
Considerable shrinkage and absorption.
Variable stability under wheel loads.
If contains high % of flakes, silt is likely
to be highly compressible and elastic.

17-May-16

12

Classification of soil and backfill materials according to

grain size

Very fine grained (0.002 mm or finer).

Medium- High plasticity.
Clay

Extreme changes in volume with

moisture changes.
Considerable strength when dry.
Impervious to the flow of water

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13

3- Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill

materials

Moisture Density Relationship according to ASTM D698 or ASTM D1557

All soils exhibit a similar relationship between moisture content and

density (dry unit wt.) when subjected to dynamic compaction.
Dynamic compaction is achieved in fields by rollers and vibratory
compactors in thin layers.
Dynamic compaction in Lab is achieved by freely falling wt. on
confined soil mass.
Dry unit wt. = Wet unit wt. / (1+w%)
Attempts are usually made to maintain soil at optimum moisture
content so as to keep the soil at max density or some specified
percentage.
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14

Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill materials

Moisture Density Relationship curve

17-May-16

15

3- Tests used for Classification of soil and

backfill materials
California bearing ratio (CBR).
It is the ratio of force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with
standard circular piston at the rate of 1.25 mm/min to that required for
the corresponding penetration of a standard material.
The California Bearing Ratio Test (CBR Test) is a penetration test developed
by California State Highway Department (USA) for evaluating the bearing
capacity of subgrade soil for design of flexible pavement.
The test carried out according to AASHTO T193 or ASTM D1883 using a
sample prepared according to AASHTO T180 or ASTM D1557 at the optimum
moisture content and soaked for 96 hours.
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16

Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill materials

CBR Curve

Utilization of Excavated Materials

17-May-16

17

Tests used for Classification of soil and backfill materials

17-Jan-16

18

4- Utilization of Excavated Materials

All suitable soils, rock, boulders and other materials complying with the
following requirements shall be excavated in such a manner that they
can be utilized.
Soil Suitable for backfill shall fulfill the following requirements:
The maximum dry density not less than 1.7 (AASHTO T180).
Organic matter and foreign materials not more than 5% (T-267).
Maximum size not more than 2/3 of the layer thickness.
C.B.R. should not be less than 8% (AASHTO T193).
.

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19

4- Utilization of Excavated Materials

No use of A-6, A-7 soil (AASHTO M145).
No use of high to medium expansive soil*

* To determine the potential for expensiveness of the soil, the

percentage of clay fraction (of size less than 0.002 mm) in the
total soil sample determined according to AASHTO T 88 plotted
against the plasticity index determined according to AASHTO T
89 and T90 on the geographic distribution of soils map.

17-May-16

20

4- Utilization of Excavated Materials

Rock Suitable for backfill shall fulfill the following
requirements:
Size more than 30cm shall be 25% minimum.
Size more than 7.5cm shall be 50% minimum.
Bulk specific gravity (oven dry) not less than 2.25
(AASHTO T85) for the rocks Fragments size more than
7.5cm.
Water absorption not more than 6 %( AASHTO T85).
Filling material should not be. A-6, A-7 soil (AASHTO
M145).

17-May-16

21

4- Utilization of Excavated Materials

Enhance the excavated materials prosperities by using borrow
materials.
Borrow material shall be approved as meeting the
requirements for the particular backfill before use.
Borrow material may be use alone or mixed with the
excavated materials to enhance some of its properties.
The combined soil shall be tested before use.
17-May-16

22

5- backfill Construction

The backfill construction shall including the following:

Removal of unsuitable material from the site.
Preparation of the areas upon which they are to be
placed.
Placing sand compacting approved backfill material in
holes, pits.
Placing and compacting approved material within areas.
17-May-16

23

5- backfill Construction

Material specified in groups A-l, A-2-4, A-2-5 or A3 "when

confined" as in AAHSTO M145 shall be used when
available except for rock fill backfills use.
If material of above groups not available then materials
from A-2-6, A-2-7, A-4, A-5, groups (AASHTO M145) or
that specified under 'Special Specifications' may be used
provided it complies with the following requirements:
17-May-16

24

5- backfill Construction

The maximum dry density not less than 1.7 (AASHTO

T180).
Organic matter and foreign materials not more than 5%.
Maximum size not more than 2/3 of the layer thickness.
C.B.R. should not be less than 8% (AASHTO T193).
No use of A-6, A-7 soil (AASHTO M145).
No use of high to medium expansive soil.

17-May-16

25

5- backfill Construction
The 200 mm depth of backfill sub grade layer immediately below
the bottom of sub base shall consist of selected topping material
having the following requirements:
Topping shall consist of selected material having a CBR of not
less than 25% when compacted at 100% of modified proctor
AASHTO T180.
Having a maximum PI of 12%.
Topping gradation shall be reasonably smooth without gap
grading.
All topping material shall pass 75 mm sieve and not more
than 18% shall pass 0.075 mm (No. 200) sieve.
17-May-16

26

5- backfill Construction

The 600 mm depth of embanked immediately below the

topping layer shall consist of material having the following
requirements:
CBR of at least 15% when tested in accordance with
AASHTO T 193.
PI not more than 15. If not rock fill, If rock fill material is
used for the bottom 400 mm then those requirement
shall apply to the top 200 mm.

17-May-16

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5- backfill Construction by single size aggregate

Backfill by single size aggregate to be used at locations shown on
the Drawings or at narrow areas (1m), where proper compaction
can not be achieved by using common backfill materials shall meet
the following requirements:
Single size backfill shall not be used in the upper 20 cm below
topping (subgrade) layer and the areas of single size backfill
shall be confined from all sides.
For unconfined sides, confinement shall be undertaken using
compacted common backfill of a width of not less than1.0 meter.
Shall be properly vibrated and tamped at wet condition to the
satisfaction of the Engineer
17-May-16

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5- backfill Construction by single size aggregate

Single size aggregate shall be composed of naturally

occurring or crushed clean and hard particles with the
following requirements:
Free from noticeable amounts of organic matters, clay
lumps, friable particles, or any other deleterious materials.
Sieve analysis test of the intended aggregate size to be
used shall satisfy the requirements listed in the next table.
The Flakiness Index if applicable, shall be less than 35.

17-May-16

29

5- backfill Construction by single size aggregate

The percent loss at 500 revolutions in L.A Abrasion test

(AASHTO T 96), if applicable, shall be less than 40.
The sand size (No. 6 nominal size), when used, shall be
Non-plastic according to AASHTO T 89 and T 90.
The single size aggregate shall be properly pre-wetted and
laid in thickness of not more than 50 cm.

17-May-16

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Grading Limits and Specified Size Requirements of Single

Size Aggregate
Grading Limits
Nominal Size of Aggregates

ASTM Test Sieve

1"

(25.0 mm)

3/4" (19.0 mm)

3/4

1/2

3/8

1/4

No. 6

100

--

--

--

--

85 100

100

--

--

--

1/2"

(12.5 mm)

0 40

85 100

100

--

--

3/8"

(9.50 mm)

07

0 40

85 100

100

--

1/4"

(6.30 mm)

--

07

0 35

85 100

100

No. 4 (4.75 mm)

--

--

0 10

--

--

No. 6

(3.35 mm)

--

--

--

0 35

85 100

No. 8

(2.36 mm)

02

02

02

0 10

--

No. 12 (1.70 mm)

--

--

--

--

0 35

No. 16 (1.18 mm)

--

--

--

--

0 10

No. 200 (0.075 mm)

--

--

--

02

03

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6- Testing backfill materials

The Engineer shall test the compaction of soils and the

consolidation of rock and rock-soil materials to ensure that
adequate compaction or consolidation has been achieved
by each of the following test methods:
Field density by sand replacement method
Field density by nuclear methods
Field density by rubber balloon method

17-May-16

32

6- Testing backfill materials

17-Jan-16

33

6- Testing backfill materials

Field density test

17-Jan-16

34

6- Testing backfill materials

Compaction testing of rock fill layers by Plate Bearing Test

by applying two loading cycles, the representative Modulus
of Elasticity (ME) in each cycle shall be determined. The
ratio of ME2 (reloading) / ME1 (loading) shall not be more
than 2.2.
In case of cohesion less, free draining rock-soil materials,
where maximum density tests can not produce a well
defined moisture - density relationship, the relative density
test shall be used.

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Three methods used for Stabilization of soil materials

Cement (the type of cement to be used).
Bitumen (grade of bitumen to be used).
Lime (hydrated lime or quicklime shall be used).

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Cement Stabilization Procedures:
The material to be stabilized shall, unless otherwise approved, be
a naturally occurring silty or clayey soil with a P.I. not exceeding
20% and L.L. not exceeding 45%.
The optimum cement content for the soil-cement mix shall be
determined as by the laboratory.
The minimum compressive strength at 7 days after molding shall
be 4 N/mm2 (40 kg/cm2) and the cement content of trial mixes
shall be adjusted until this strength is achieved.
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7- Stabilization of soil materials

The maximum volume change (swelling) shall be 2% and

the maximum loss in weight shall be 7%, when cylinders
are molded and tested in accordance with AASHTO T 135,
Method B,
Cement content and water content of the mix on the Site
shall each be within (-0% to +2%) of the approved mix
design

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Mixing, Placing, Compacting and Finishing of stabilized backfill

materials shall be as follows:
Mixed in place procedures will normally apply in the case of
sub grade stabilization when the soil to be stabilized is a
naturally occurring in situ material,
Equipment used for scarifying and pulverizing the in situ
soil, mixing soil and cement and compacting and finishing
the soil-cement sub grade layer, shall be of approved
types.

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Plant for batch mixing or continuous mixing of soil and

cement shall be of approved types.
Where batch mixing or continuous mixing is approved, the
equipment used for transporting, placing, spreading,
compacting and finishing the soil-cement mix shall be of
approved types
Procedures for making good application, (any areas lower
than the allowable tolerances and the application of a curing
seal to the completed surface shall be as specified).

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Testing Of Cement Stabilized soil:

Cement content in accordance with AASHTO T 144.
Gradation of mix in accordance with AASHTO T 88.
compressive strength at 7 days after molding.

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Bitumen Stabilization Procedures:

The material to be stabilized shall, unless otherwise
approved, be a naturally occurring sand, or silty or clayey
gravel, with a P.L not exceeding 15% and L.L. not
exceeding 35% and with not more than 35% passing 0.075
mm (No. 200) sieve.
The bitumen content and optimum moisture content- for the
bitumen mix shall be determined by the laboratory.

17-May-16

42

7- Stabilization of soil materials

The minimum compressive strength of cylinders at 7 days

after molding and at 25 degrees C, shall be 2N/mm 2 (20
kg/cm2) and the Marshall stability shall be 2,000 N (204 kg).
The Index of Retained Strength when tested in accordance
with AASHTO T 165 shall not be less than 70%.
Mixing, Placing, Compacting and Finishing of stabilized backfill
materials shall be as for cement stabilization.

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7- Stabilization of soil materials

Lime Stabilization Procedures:

The material to be stabilized shall, unless otherwise
approved, be a naturally occurring clayey gravel, clayey
sand or lean clay soil with not more than 50% passing
0.425 mm (No, 40) sieve. The soil shall be of a standard
acceptable for use in backfills.
The lime content and optimum moisture content for the soillime mix shall be determined by the laboratory.
The minimum cylinder compressive strength at 7 days after
molding shall 1N/mm2 (10 kg/cm2).
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44

7- Stabilization of soil materials

Lime content and water content of the mix on Site shall each
be within (0% to +2%) of the approved mix design
percentages.
The minimum cylinder compressive strength at 7 days after
molding shall 1N/mm2 (10 kg/cm2).
Lime content and water content of the mix on Site shall each
be within (0% to +2%) of the approved mix design
percentages.
Mixing, Placing, Compacting and Finishing of stabilized
backfill materials shall be as for cement stabilization.
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45

7- Stabilization of soil materials

Lime Stabilization of soil materials

17-Jan-16

46

Thanks & Welcome

for Questions
17-May-16

47