Overview

This section covers the removal of trees, brush, roots and sod, all organics found on the surface and subsurface.
It also covers the soils embankment construction.

Specifications/Contract Documents

Review Contract Documents:
Prior to beginning this phase of work, the Inspector must become familiar with the plans and specifications. This includes but is not limited to Sections 520,700,800,and all addendums. The plans must be reviewed so the inspector is familiar with the location and scope of work required. Quantities should be verified to ensure there is consistency between the plans and bid tabs. The Measurement & Payment Section of Division 1, General Requirements, shall be reviewed to determine how the item is to be paid and what work is included in the pay item. The Specifications, Codes and Standards Section of Division 1, General Requirements, shall be reviewed to determine what specifications govern the work. The Technical Specifications, Project Special Provisions and Addendums shall be reviewed to ensure the most current contract requirements are being followed.

Submittals

Contact Material Testing Lab:
The project inspector shall notify a predetermined independent soils testing lab prior to the work commencing. Coordinating specific tests required for Quality Assurance is the responsibility of the project inspector. This will include soil proctors, and soil compaction.

Field Observations

Special Provisions:
Review any easement conditions that the Right-Of-Way Agent might have on file.

Construction Survey:
Make sure that your contractor are within the construction boundaries. Verify cuts and fills with cross sections on plans.

Erosion Control
Erosion control shall be installed in conjunction with the beginning of soil disturbance.

Observe:
The contractors construction methods – Below are a few of the items that need to be checked during the construction process.
When compacting embankment, observe and watch the slotted roller for "walk out" This will indicate compaction. If rock or old asphalt is allowed, make sure that the size of particles do not exceed specifications. Utilize graders or hand tampers for compaction near structures using select clays for sealing. Be on site at the beginning of each day to ensure that mud or frost is not incorporated into the fill.
Make contact with home owners. Pass out your business cards for a contact if problems arise during construction.
Have a onsite pre-construction meeting with the contractor and make sure that both parties are in agreement on what is taking place on the site.
Read the specifications in the contract documents. Become familiar with them and the plans to ensure compliance.
Monitor dust, whether from concrete saws, haul road, or general construction practices. Address concerns with the contractor and abate (water truck, water to saws, or wet bedding rock) if deemed necessary. This can be an issue in commercial and residential areas.

Quantities:
Clearing and Grubbing is usually paid by either lump sum or per acre. Estimate acreage per day by scaling off plans or use a measuring wheel. Embankment can either be measured by survey means at the end of each day or a previously agreed on yardage per load on scrapers or trucks hauling material by load count. The final quantity will be determined by the Measurement and Payment Section.

Pre-construction Documentation:
Prior to beginning any work on site the pre-construction documentation needs to be done. Typically this includes, at a minimum, a pre-construction video to be done. Refer to Section 1130 of the contract documents. Have the contractor call Dig Rite to located utilities so they will appear in the video and pictures. If utilities need to be relocated during this process then the contract should document existing conditions after utilities have completed their work.
Ensure that all traffic control if any is in compliance with the plans, specifications, and MUTCD. Walk the site to see if the designer has missed any important items prior to damage due to the clearing phase.

Business License:
Be sure all contractors and subcontractors that work on the site have Lee’s Summit business licenses and all subcontractors are listed in the contract. They cannot be allowed to do work if they do not have the business license. If they are not listed in the contract then the City’s Purchasing department needs to be notified so they can add them. Purchasing will then update the Department of Labor as to who is working on the site.

One Call:
Prior to beginning any land disturbance, be sure the contractor has all of the utilities located. Do not let them begin if all locates are not completed. Items to watch are water, waste and storm sewer (Water Utilities) and Street and Signal Wires (Public Works Operations). Both are on the one call list, however, sometimes overlooked.

QA-QC:
Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) testing frequency and requirements should be listed in the specifications. Insure that these requirements are being met.
When QA testing is done, be sure to have identical materials being tested so that the QA and QC results can be compared. They should compare within the allowable tolerances given in the ASTM. If they do not agree and one is within specification and one is not then the test is deemed to have failed unless an argument can be made showing absolutely that the failing test was done incorrectly.

Documentation

Document: – Daily diaries are in a bound book in blue ink and need to include the following items:

• Personnel: Make note of who is on the site and put their names into the log book. Also if the contractor brings in any other subcontractors include those names also.

• Date: Make sure that you date each entry. It’s very important to have the right dates with your daily logs.

• Weather: You need to also include the daily weather. It could be nice and sunny in the morning and raining by the afternoon which changes the work site.

• Time: Always put down times when different things happen on the site. The time the crew shows up when materials show up on the job, such as concrete trucks or asphalt tucks. Whatever you feel it’s important to put down in your book.

• Daily activities: Keep notes on what takes place throughout the day, who’s on the site what materials show, what was said and who said what. Don’t feel that you’re entering to much information. Things change on the site from time to time and you need to keep your books current.

• Inspectors Signature: Always sign off on your daily entries.

Example of a daily log entry

December 9th 2010

Weather; Cloudy and cool the high of 38”

Crew on site this morning at 7:30 a.m. I spoke to the crew foreman to find out what the game plan is for the day. He has told me that they plan on removing trees along the property lines and hauling them off the site.
Keep a record of how many trucks have been loaded and left the site and make sure that any dirt or mud gets cleaned off any roadways that they use for their driving routes.

Collect all of the crewmembers names that will be on site for the day and put that into the daily log.

2 hours into the job (9:30a.m) he calls to notify me that a piece of equipment has broken down and they are shut down for the day.

Note the time of the call in your log book and whom you just spoke with and add his name also to the log.

Note the time crew has left for the day.

• Check erosion control and note.

• Make sure that you sign or initialize corrections in your daily logs.