General Specification

Section 2b Earthworks

SECTION 2b - EARTHWORKS
2b.01

Terminology
The terms listed below shall have the meaning assigned to them
as follows:
(a) Formation
Formation is that part of the earthwork final surface on which
a structure, foundation, pavement or utility, or the
blinding/bedding therefor, is constructed or placed.
(b) Topsoil
Topsoil is soil that is capable of supporting vegetable growth.
(c) Rock
Rock is hard material that can only be removed, in the
opinion of the Engineer, by the use of blasting, wedges or
pneumatic drills, but excludes individual lumps of mass
smaller than 0.20 m3 in size.
(d) Rock Fill
Rock fill shall consist of hard, durable rock with not more
than 30% by weight showing, in the opinion of the Engineer,
discoloration or other signs of decomposition. The material
shall be well graded with no individual lump exceeding 0.1
m3 in size or the thickness of the filling, whichever is smaller.
(e) Hardcore
Hardcore is either rock fill or broken stone, hard brick,
concrete or other similar hard, inert and approved material.
Hardcore must be free from dust, rubbish or deleterious
matter.
(f) General Filling Material
General filling material is approved material consisting of
naturally occurring or processed material that is capable of
being adequately compacted in accordance with the
Specification. It may contain a maximum of 25% rock
distributed evenly throughout the mass of the material but
must not contain material greater than 200 mm in size.

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It shall be free of the following:

(i) Material susceptible to volume change such as marine
mud, swelling clays and collapsible soils
(ii) Peat, vegetation, timber, organic, soluble or perishable
material
(iii) Dangerous, toxic or combustible material
(iv) Metal, rubber, plastic or synthetic material
When specified, general filling material shall satisfy the
following additional criteria. When tested to Geospec 3 Model Specification for Soil Testing, the soluble sulphate
content of the material placed within 500 mm of concrete or
cement based material shall not exceed 1.9 g SO 3 per litre;
the total sulphate content of the material placed within 500
mm of metalwork shall not exceed 0.5% SO3 by weight.
(g) Special Filling Material
Special filling material is general filling material that is
capable of passing through a 75 mm BS sieve. In addition,
the following characteristics shall apply:
(i) Liquid limit not to exceed 45% when tested to Geospec 3
- Model Specification for Soil Testing
(ii) Plasticity index not to exceed 20% when tested to
Geospec 3 - Model Specification for Soil Testing
(iii) Coefficient of uniformity greater than 50
(iv) Percentage passing a 63 m BS sieve not to exceed 45%
by weight
2b.02

Nature of Excavation
The Contractor shall be responsible for all excavations being
carried out in accordance with all relevant Ordinances, By-Laws
and Regulations.
The onus is on the Contractor to inspect the Site, prior to
tendering, to form his own opinion of the nature of the ground to
be excavated and to estimate the percentage of rock to be
removed. This estimate will be at the Contractors sole risk and
will not be subject to any adjustment.

2b.03

Ground Investigation
If ground investigation reports are provided to the Contractor or
made available for inspection, such information is given entirely
in good faith. No warranty as to the accuracy of the information
shall be assumed.
Boulders encountered in the course of excavation must be

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removed at the Contractors expense.

2b.04

Topographical / Record Survey

Unless otherwise stated, all spot and contour levels given on the
drawings are levels reduced to Principal Datum.
The Contractor shall verify that all existing levels shown on the
drawings are accurate and shall notify the Engineer if otherwise.
No claims arising from inaccurate levels will be accepted once
the levels have been altered by the works.
When specified, the Contractor shall carry out a topographical
survey of the site both before the commencement and after the
completion of the excavation and filling works. Sufficient data, in
the form of spot levels or contours, shall be collected to enable
the measurement of earthwork quantities.

2b.05

Temporary Works for Earthworks

The Contractor is solely responsible for the execution of all
temporary works, including temporary drainage works, for
excavation and filling.
Such temporary works include planking, strutting and shoring to
excavation, underpinning to foundations, forming temporary
access roads, working berms and platforms and providing
channels, drains and catchpits to keep earthworks free from
water.
Normally, the Contractor is also responsible for the design of all
temporary works. However, if the Engineer has submitted
shoring proposals to the Building Authority in order to obtain
consent to commence the works (details of the proposals will be
provided with the tender), the Contractor's design responsibility
for these works is limited to ensuring that the proposals are
suitable for this methods of working.
If the Contractor does not accept the Engineer's shoring design,
he may submit modifications or entirely different shoring
proposals either with his tender or during the course of the
works. In this case, the Contractor shall bear full responsibility
for any adverse consequences either in cost or in time of his
submission to the Building Authority.
Any details of shoring proposals provided with the tender are
given in good faith as adequate for approval/agreement by the
Building Authority. In the event of the Building Authority
requiring the modifications of the details, the Contractor will be
granted only the extra cost if any but not any extension of time.

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2b.06

Protection of Earthworks
The Contractor shall carry out the works in a safe manner so as
not to cause erosion or slips. Working faces shall be limited to a
safe gradient and height and, to prevent landslides, materials
shall not be stockpiled on top of slopes and retaining walls.
Planning for the works shall be aided by the regular monitoring
of weather forecasts. During periods of heavy or sustained rain,
the site shall be frequently inspected.
When heavy rain is expected, all exposed earthwork faces shall
be covered with impermeable plastic sheeting or similar material
securely tied down.
The Contractor shall adopt a method of working that exposes the
minimum area of bare soil at any given time. He shall also
provide sufficient falls on the earthworks to prevent the
collection of water.
Water shed on the site or flowing from outside the site shall be
rapidly and safely discharged with a system of channels, drains
and catchpits, assisted by pumping if necessary. Whenever
possible, the discharge shall be to the piped drainage system,
but not before any silt is intercepted by sand traps.
The temporary drainage system shall be properly maintained so
as not to be blocked by rubbish and debris.

2b.07

Site Clearance
The Contractor shall remove general vegetation and topsoil
before commencing earthworks. Unless otherwise stated, topsoil
shall be deposited on site in temporary heaps to be reused.
He shall also verify with the Architect about which trees are to be
transplanted, felled or retained and clearly mark them on site.
Tree transplantation shall be carried out by an approved
Landscape Contractor and the Contractor shall not fell any trees
larger than 150 mm diameter without prior approval from the
Architect.

2b.08

Excavation Generally
Excavation shall be carried out in such a manner as to ensure
the stability of the excavations and the prevention of undue
movement and settlement of the adjoining structures and
utilities.

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Construction plant or equipment shall not be operated too close

to excavations and materials shall not be stockpiled adjacent to
excavations.
Excavations shall be kept free of water.
Excavation shall be executed to the dimensions, lines, levels and
gradients specified. Over-excavated areas shall be filled with
mass concrete at the Contractors own cost.
The Contractor shall take necessary precautions and exercise
care in excavation to prevent damage to existing utilities and
drains and to pile heads. Any damage shall be made good to the
satisfaction of the Engineer and at the Contractors expense.
2b.09

Tolerances for Excavation

Excavation shall be executed to within the tolerances stated
below:
Type of surface

Tolerance for
excavation except in
rock (mm)

Tolerance for
excavation in rock
(mm)

Formations for
150
foundations and
+0
-25
+0
utilities
Formations for
+0
-50
+0
150
pavements
Cut slopes
75 mm measured at right angles to batter
Note: Positive tolerance refers to under excavation; negative
tolerance over excavation.
In the event of the Contractor excavating below the levels shown
on the drawings without written instructions, the Contractor shall
at his own expense to fill up the part so excavated with a
minimum concrete Grade of 15P or as specified for foundations.
2b.10

Obstructions in Excavation
The Contractor shall notify the Engineer of the location and
nature of any underground obstructions encountered during
excavation.
If serviceable drains and other utilities are encountered, the
Architect and the relevant authorities shall be notified as well
and further instructions awaited. Any disturbance or damage to
these drains and utilities shall be rectified at the Contractors
expense.

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Boulders, old walls, foundations, piles and other underground

structures shall be removed and where required backfilled with
approved and properly compacted fill material.
Disused drains and manholes shall be removed and where
required properly backfilled. The open ends of the drains shall
be sealed with concrete.
2b.11 Inspection of Excavations
All formations in excavation shall be inspected by the Engineer
before any blinding layer is placed or any utility laid.
Unless otherwise stated, proposed founding levels of foundations
are tentative only. Bearing strata with a specified allowable
bearing pressure will be accepted only following testing or visual
examination by the Engineer. The decision of the Engineer in
what constitutes acceptable founding strata is final and binding.
The Contractor shall give adequate notice to the Engineer for
arranging his inspections.
2b.12

Storage and Removal of Excavated Material

Where required for use in the works, excavated material suitable
for filling shall be separated from unsuitable material and stored
in temporary spoil heaps.
If, in the opinion of the Engineer, such material has been
contaminated by unsuitable material or allowed to deteriorate,
the Contractor shall remove from the site and replace it with
suitable imported material at his own cost.
Surplus or unsuitable material shall be removed to a dumping
area or otherwise disposed of properly.

2b.13

Excavation for Foundation Pits and Trenches

Foundation pits and trenches shall not be excavated wider than
necessary. The length of trenches shall be kept to the minimum
at any one time consistent with the nature and mode of working.
The sides of pits and trenches shall be supported at all times.
The spoil for backfilling shall be stacked tidy and free from
contamination and all surplus spoil shall be removed as soon as
possible.
Unless the temporary support system of the
excavation has been designed for the loads, excavated material
shall not be stored adjacent to the excavation.

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All water which may accumulate on the site, or in trenches and

excavations during the progress of the work from springs, rain,
broken drains or other causes, is to be bailed or pumped out or
otherwise removed at the Contractors expense.

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2b.14

Excavation for Retaining Walls

Excavation for retaining walls shall be carried out using
temporary slopes or shoring systems.
The sequence of construction shall permit the wall units to be
cast in alternate bays. The maximum length of excavation shall
be limited to 15 m.

2b.15

Blasting
The use of explosives in earthworks is not permitted unless
authorized in writing by the Engineer.

2b.16

Requirements for Blasting

If permitted, blasting shall be carried out in accordance with the
Buildings Ordinance and the Dangerous Goods Ordinance.
Specifically, under the Buildings Ordinance, blasting shall be
executed, supervised and monitored in accordance with the
Blasting Assessment submitted to the Building Authority for the
particular project. The tender will specify whether a Blasting
Assessment has been accepted by the Building Authority or one
is required from the Contractor.
Under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the statutory authority
in control of blasting is the Commissioner of Mines. All blasting
operations and the supply, transport, storage, use and disposal
of explosives shall be in accordance with the conditions and
restrictions imposed by the Commissioner. The Contractor shall
obtain the necessary permits and comply with the conditions and
restrictions.
For technical standards of blasting, the Contractor may refer to
the General Specification for Civil Engineering Works, Section 6
published by the Hong Kong Government.

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2b.17

Limiting Criteria for Blasting

The following limiting criteria for blasting shall be complied with:
General Requirements:
Location
Any reinforced concrete structure more
than 1 day old
Any reinforced concrete structure cast
less than 24 hours earlier

Peak Particle
Velocity
25 mm/s
15 mm/s

Waterworks Installations:
Installation

Peak
Particle
Velocity

Service reservoirs,
filters, dams,
conduits, tunnels &
swimming pools
Other surface
Structures and water
mains
Waterwork tunnels
Water retaining
structures
Water mains
*

13 mm/s

25 mm/s

Amplitude of
Vibration

Minimum
Distance

0.1 mm

0.2mm
55m*
50m
20m

measured horizontally or vertically

Mass Transit Railway and Sewage Tunnel:

Structure

Any underground railway structure

Any sewage tunnel structure
2b.18

Peak Particle Velocity

25 mm/s
25 mm/s

Filling Generally
For the purpose of this Specification, filling includes backfilling.
Unless otherwise stated, filling shall be carried out using general
filling material obtained from the excavation on site, borrow
areas or other approved sources.
Fill material shall be deposited in layers and adequately
compacted. The end-tipping method of filling shall not be used.
Fill areas shall be kept free from water.

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The Contractor shall stop work when weather conditions are, in

the opinion of the Engineer, such that the placing of compacted
fill will be adversely affected.
If any fill material either compacted or awaiting compaction has,
in the opinion of the Engineer, been damaged by the weather or
in any other way, he may direct that one of the following courses
of action be taken:
(a) Removing the material from site and replacing it with
suitable material
(b) Removing the material to a stockpile until it becomes
suitable (e.g. by drying) for re-application
(c) Re-compacting or otherwise reinstating the material
(d) Refraining from carrying out further work on the material
until it becomes suitable (e.g. by drying) for incorporation
into the works
2b.19

Tolerances for Filling

Filling shall be executed to within the tolerances listed below:
Type of Surface
Tolerance (mm)
Formations for foundation and utilities
+0
25
Formation for pavements
+0
50
Fill platforms
+0
50
Fill slopes
+50
50
Note: A positive tolerance refers to under excavation and a
negative tolerance refers to over excavation.

2b.20

Compaction of Fill
Before commencing filling works, the Contractor shall carry out
controlled tests to determine the optimum placing thickness for
a particular fill and the compacting efforts required for achieving
the specified density. He shall agree with the Engineer the
thickness of each fill layer corresponding to the compacting plant
to be used.
Compacting plant shall be of the approved type. Earth moving
plant will not be accepted for this purpose.
Fill material shall be spread in layers of uniform thickness and
compacted as soon as practicable after deposition. The moisture
content of the in-situ material during compaction shall be within
3% of the optimum moisture content. Water may be added to
the stockpile if necessary before spreading in layers.

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The following relative compactions, given as percentages of the

maximum dry density and optimum moisture content shall be
determined in accordance with the standard given in Geospec 3
Model Specification for Soil Testing.
Unless otherwise specified, filling material shall be compacted to
obtain the following relative compaction (RC):
(a) Fill within the 1.5 metres thick top surface zone of the
platforms and fill within the 2.5 metres thick top surface zone
of the peripheral slopes measured at right angles to the
batter RC of at least 95%.
(b) Interior of large fill platforms which do not or will not support
structures RC of at least 90%.
(c) Interior of large fill platforms supporting structures RC of at
least 95%.
(d) Fill immediately below road formation level RC of at least
98% for a depth of 200mm.
(e) Backfill to foundation pits RC of at least 90%.
2b.21

Compaction Tests
The following tests on each type of fill material shall be carried
out by an approved material testing laboratory:
(a) Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density in
accordance with Geospec 3 - Model Specification for Soil
Testing, or whichever is instructed by the Engineer
(b) In-situ moisture content in accordance with Geospec 3 Model Specification for Soil Testing, or whichever is
instructed by the Engineer
(c) In-situ dry density in accordance with Geospec 3 - Model
Specification for Soil Testing.
The relative compaction (RC) of filling material shall be
determined in accordance with the following equation:
RC = (in-situ dry density) / (maximum dry density) x 100%

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2b.22

Sampling for Compaction and Other Soil Tests

The number of samples for compaction tests shall be in
accordance with the following schedules. A batch is any quantity
of filling material of the same type with similar properties, or
degree of compaction in the case of compacted fill. One test of
each type is to be conducted on each sample.
Optimum moisture content and maximum dry density:
(Also for particle size distribution, liquid limit, plasticity
index, coefficient of uniformity & sulphate content if
tested)
Size of Batch
Special
material

0 3000 m3

filling

more than 3000m3

General
material

filling

No. Samples per

batch
3

0 15000 m3

1 for each 1000 m3 or

part thereof
3

more than 15000

m3

1 for each 5000m3 or

part thereof

In-situ moisture content and in-situ dry density/relative

compaction:

Area
of
fill
in
excavations
for
structures
&
foundations pits and
trenches and on
formations
Other areas of fill

Area of fill-in
Batch
0 100 m2
100 500 m2
more than 500
m2
0 1 ha
1 10 ha
more than 10 ha

2b.23

No. of Samples
3
2 for each 100 m2 or
part thereof
1 for each 100 m2 or
part thereof
4 for each 1000 m2 or
part thereof
3 for each 1000 m2 or
part thereof
2 for each 1000 m2 or
part thereof

Compaction of Rock Fill

Rock fill shall be compacted by a method specification and not
by the performance specification stated in the preceding
Specification Clause Compaction of Fill.
Unless otherwise stipulated by the Engineer, the method
specification described below shall be adopted.

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Rock fill shall be spread and levelled in layers not exceeding 450
mm thick with a crawler tractor weighing at least 15 tonnes and
systematically compacted by at least 12 passes of one of the
following plant:
(a) Towed vibratory roller with a minimum static load of 1.75 kN
per 100 mm width of roller
(b) Grid roller with a min. load of 7.8 kN per 100 mm width of
roller
(c) Other approved compacting plant
The Contractor shall fill the surface voids of each layer of rock fill
with fragments of rock before placing the next layer. The final
surface of rock fill shall also be blinded with fine filling material.
2b.24

Fill Slopes and Embankments

Unless otherwise specified, fill slopes and embankments shall be
formed using special filling material.
Unless rock fill is used, earthwork final surfaces sloping at a
gradient exceeding 1 vertical to 3 horizontal shall be formed by
over-filling and cutting back after compaction. Over-filling shall
extend beyond the earthwork final surface by a horizontal
distance of 0.5 m or three times the thickness of the compacted
layer, whichever is greater.

2b.25

Backfilling to Foundation Pits and Trenches

Unless otherwise specified, backfilling to foundation pits and
trenches shall be carried out using general filling material.
Planking, strutting and other temporary supports shall be
carefully removed as backfilling proceeds unless these are
designed to be left in-place.

2b.26

Backfilling behind Retaining Walls

Backfilling behind retaining walls shall be carried out using
special filling material for walls of total height of 3m or more.
Otherwise, general filling material may be used.
Filter/drainage layers of material graded in such a manner as to
prevent the washing away of the filling material shall be placed
and compacted simultaneously with the filling material.

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The filling material shall be compacted to a minimum relative

compaction of 90%, but excessive compaction behind retaining
walls is to be avoided.
2b.27

Soil-cement Fill
Soil-cement shall consist of ordinary Portland cement, sand and
inorganic soil in the proportions 1:3:12 by weight.
Ordinary Portland cement shall comply with BS 12:1996, sand
with BS 1199 and 1200:1976 and inorganic soil shall be free from
organic matter and contain no more than 30% of soil particles
passing a 63 m BS sieve.
Soil-cement shall be mixed in a concrete mixer but the Engineer
may permit the hand-mixing of small quantities.
Soil-cement shall be deposited and compacted within 30 minutes
of the addition of cement to the mix. A relative compaction of at
least 95% of the soil-cement fill shall be achieved. However, the
optimum moisture content and maximum dry density shall in
this case be tested to the Vibrating Hammer Test Method in BS
1924-1:1990.

2b.28

Treatment of Rock Cutting Surfaces

The Contractor shall remove from the side of rock cuttings any
inferior stone or soft material intervening between layers of
compact rock. Rock that, in the opinion of the Engineer, will not
withstand the weather satisfactorily after exposure and rock
fragments that move when prized with a crowbar shall also be
removed. The depth of rock removal shall be determined by the
Engineer.
The resulting space shall be built up to the design profile with
Grade 15P concrete or masonry in cement mortar using rock
similar to the adjoining natural rock as instructed by the
Engineer.

2b.29

Chunam Surfacing - Materials

Chunam shall consist of Ordinary Portland Cement, hydrated
lime and inorganic soil in the proportions 1:3:20 by weight.
Ordinary Portland cement shall comply with BS 12:1996,
hydrated lime with BS EN 459-1:2010 Class A and inorganic soil
shall be free from inorganic matter and contain not more than
30% of soil particles passing a 63 m BS sieve.

2b.30

Chunam Surfacing Application

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Before application to slopes, a trial chunam panel 50 mm thick

and of a size of at least 3 m x 3 m shall be constructed.
The cement and lime shall be mixed in the dry before the soil is
added. The materials shall then be mixed thoroughly while
water is sprinkled until the colour and consistency are uniform.
On slopes steeper than 30 degrees, bamboo dowels shall be
driven into the face of the slope at 1.5 m staggered centres,
leaving a 25 mm projection from the slope face to receive the
chunam. Bamboo dowels shall be at least 25 mm in diameter
and 150 mm long.
Chunam shall be laid to a total thickness of 50 mm in two equal
layers and compacted by ramming. The bottom layer shall be
left with a rough surface to provide bonding to the top layer.
Immediately before the chunam has hardened, the top layer
shall be thoroughly wetted and rubbed with sacks so that any
cracks are filled. The face of the chunam shall be sprinkled with
water and finished by trowelling to form a smooth uniform
surface.
Chunam surfaces shall be protected against premature drying
out.
Chunam shall be applied in rectangular panels where possible
with neat straight line joints following a days work. As far as
possible, the joints in the top and bottom layers shall not
coincide.
Chunam surfaces shall be provided with 50 mm diameter PVC
weepholes at 1.2 m staggered centres. The weepholes shall
penetrate at least 50 mm into the underlying soil.
2b.31

Temporary Chunam Surfacing

Temporary chunam surfacing to the face of slopes and
excavations shall consist of a single layer of chunam 20 mm
thick, applied without bamboo dowels.
If provided, temporary chunam drainage channels shall be
constructed by building up the chunam to the required shape or
by cutting a channel into the slope and lining the profile with
chunam.
Temporary chunam shall be removed in stages before the start
of deposition of filling material or slope treatment works.

2b.32

Other Slope Surface Protection Methods

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The requirements for other slope surface protection methods are

covered as follows:
Hydroseeding:
Specification.

Reference shall be made to the Architects

Shotcreting: Reference shall be made to the Specification

Section 2c Slope Drainage, Stabilization and Monitoring.
2b.33

Hardcore
Where specified, a layer of hardcore shall be laid under ground
floor slab and footings. The hardcore is to be composed of clean,
dry, broken brick, stone or concrete, broken to 50mm 70mm
gauge, spread, leveled, well rammed and consolidated to the
thickness as shown.
The upper surface is to be blinded with 25mm layer of sand
watered as necessary and rolled and tamped into the interstices
for the hardcore to provide a fair and partly impervious surface.
Hardcore beds are to be rolled with an approved roller until fully
compacted and a dense close-knit surface is obtained, fine
material to be added if necessary.

2b.34

Dewatering - Deep Excavation Below Ground-Water Level

The excavation for the construction of the works shall be carried
out in the dry and it shall be the Contractor's responsibility to
design a system of dewatering, which shall be submitted with
the tender. The dewatering may be carried out by well-pointing,
pumping, bored wells, grouting or any other system or
combination of systems approved by the Architect and fulfilling
the following conditions:
(a) The lowered groundwater level shall be kept under full
control at all times, avoiding fluctuations which could affect
the stability of the excavation.
(b) The system shall ensure that excessive heaving of the base
of the excavation does not occur.
(c) Adequate filters shall be provided to prevent loss of ground
as a result of pumping. A test shall be carried out at the
beginning of pumping by collecting pumped water in a tank
to check the amount of fines settling to the bottom of the
tank. Random checks shall be carried out to ensure that the
filters around the wells are working properly.
(d) An adequate margin of pumping capacity must be provided.

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(e) Standby plant shall be provided to ensure that the system

can be operational in the event of power cuts, breakdowns
and during maintenance.
(f) Water removed by pumps shall be discharged well clear of
the excavations.
(g) The system shall not lead to settlement of existing roads and
services.
(h) The system shall include a detailed contingency plan to deal
with danger to the works and adjacent areas in the event of
excessive rainfall, typhoons or storms which raise sea level.
(i) Except as may be provided for during emergencies under
Item (h), the dewatering system shall work continuously until
construction of the basement etc. is completed.
(j) In the event of a complete breakdown in the system after
completion of the walls but prior to the ground level slab,
provision must be available to flood the structure to prevent
excessive external sealing method to prevent leakage
through the slab.
(k) Any temporary dewatering pipes which are left in place after
the concreting of the floor slab must incorporate an
acceptable internal and external sealing method to prevent
leakage through the slab.
The acceptance of the Contractor's system by the Architect does
not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for any changes
required in the system during the course of the works. The
Contractor shall meet the cost of all variations in the layout and
any additions required to the capacity of the system.

***

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