Earthwork ObservationWestern Technologies provides earthwork construction observation and testing services performed by qualified personnel with accreditation from appropriate agencies as required. Earthwork observation may be associated with IBC 1704.7 (Special Inspection, Soils), special grading, excavation and filling, pile or pier installation. The purpose of earthwork observation and testing is to verify that the work is done in compliance with the approved plans and specifications, and, in particular, the recommendations of the project soils report. Western Technologies possesses the expertise and equipment to provide earthwork recommendation based on the plans, specification and soils reports. During the earthwork our scope of work may include:

  • Review geotechnical / soils reports, project grading plans and specifications.

  • Review of on-site and imported materials to determine their suitability as fill material.

  • Inspection of the bottom of foundation excavations.

  • Observation of drilled shaft, auger-cast or driven piles installation.

  • Perform in-place density tests according to project or agencies requirements, i.e., DOT, ASTM D1556 (sand cone method), or ASTM D6938 (nuclear method).

  • Provide fill placement observation and testing during construction, on an intermittent or continuous basis as required to establish proper execution and conformance with the specifications. This includes testing (e.g., field density tests) on-site soil for subgrades to receive fill, fill placement on building pads, backfill placement in trenches, roadways, parking areas, walkways and subgrade.

  • Provide observation and testing of retaining wall backfill.

  • Review and provide laboratory testing of soil, backfill materials, aggregate base, under slab granular cushion, sand bedding, etc. Develop compaction curves for materials encountered.

  • Monitor excavation and stockpiling of suitable fill material from mass excavation, existing aggregate base and the crushing of existing concrete for use as aggregate base.

  • Review subgrades for floor slabs or sidewalks.

  • Provide observation, compaction testing for building pad preparation, construction and provide pad certification.

  • Prepare final grading reports summarizing all observations and test results.


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