This manual provides highway construction personnel with relevant, practical information in order to perform accurate inspections and provide relevant construction procedural information for the various roadway and structures items of work. It is the responsibility and duty of all Department personnel involved in highway construction to become familiar with the content and intent of this manual.
This manual includes background information for select items of work. This information is intended to assist construction personnel with understanding and solving various field problems and issues. The examples and graphics contained in this document are intended to provide guidance for a practical approach to inspection and construction processes and procedures. This manual is not intended to be a complete, all inclusive text detailing every aspect of highway construction, but rather an operational guidebook for highway construction and inspection techniques.
In order to take complete advantage of the information in the manual, project personnel should have a comprehensive understanding of the Construction and Materials Specifications, Supplemental Specifications, Standard Drawings, and other pertinent contract documents. Unless specifically incorporated by reference into the contract documents, this manual is not contractually binding on either contracting party. The information contained in the manual does not replace, supersede or otherwise modify any specification, plan or proposal provision, or other contract document or condition except as noted.
As the on-site representatives of the Department, ODOT Inspectors and Engineers are authorized to observe all work being performed to ensure compliance with the contract. As the required inspection activity occurs, the Department also has an obligation to inform the Contractor on a regular basis regarding the quality and compliance of the work performed. Conversely, the Contractor also shares in the responsibility to provide information regarding construction problems or issues to the Department for timely resolution consistent with joint issue mitigation responsibilities.
The primary goal of this manual is to present functional highway construction information in order to provide practical guidance to personnel involved in this effort. The Department is responsible for monitoring and documenting construction activity in the project diary to ensure the intent of the contract is reflected in the final product delivered to the Department. Secondly, timely and proper inspections are critical to ensuring an acceptable level of project quality. For these reasons, this entire manual has been developed to assist in ensuring that correct, accurate and thorough inspections of the work are performed consistently Statewide.
Historically ODOT has made a conscious effort to reduce the Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) costs expended on projects. These efforts, although done to some degree in every district, were not uniform. Some loose guidelines were provided but they were never formalized.
Past guidelines concentrated on overtime elimination without regard for the work being completed or the risk to the owner. This manual’s purpose is to provide a staffing guideline for the Districts. If the staffing is properly addressed then overtime will be reduced and CE costs minimized.
The determination of whether to provide a specific inspection level is based on many factors:
· The type of work being performed
· Availability of inspection resources
· The experience of contractor doing the work
· The skill level of contractor doing the work
The evaluation of the need for inspection as well as the level of inspection can only be made at the project level by the Engineer. This person is the one who has full knowledge of all factors and can best gauge the level of inspection required.
This manual is provided to aid the districts and the Engineer’s in making the proper decisions with respect to staffing, and bring some uniformity to the inspection and staffing processes throughout the state. The information provided is not absolute due to the many factors encountered at the project level. It is intended to be a GUIDELINE.
This committee reviewed all major items of work encountered during any given construction season. They were analyzed individually with respect to the risk to the owner and the inspection level required.
Work was evaluated based on the owner’s risk if inadequate inspection is provided and the work is not done properly. Although it is recognized that it is the contractor’s obligation to complete the work in accordance with the plans and specifications, it is also understood that high risk items must be inspected thoroughly to assure ODOT, the FHWA and the public that the work is done properly.
The major risks associated with the construction of any project are:
· The safety of the public
· Cost to repair unacceptable work
· Structural integrity
· Effects on longevity
· Environmental impacts
· Possible delays
· Potential claims
When evaluating any item, these and other factors were considered when developing these guidelines. They also must be considered by the district and Engineer when staffing projects.
Each item was also evaluated based on the level of inspection necessary to assure the owner that the item was completed to a level that represented the least possible risk.
It should be noted than an item; whose failure represents a high risk to the owner may only require intermittent or minimal inspection due to the nature of the work. The opposite is also true. A low risk item may require more inspection due to the completed product being buried or due to it’s approval being critical to maintaining the sequence of operations. It may also be true when the work only requires one day or involves the last day of a given operation.
The following is a summary of items or groups of items reviewed by this committee and it’s recommendations.
Generally removal operations are considered a low risk operation. Removal of incidental items such as signs, sidewalk, trees, etc. routinely require minimal inspection. They do, however, require that measurements and the layout of the items to be removed be done in advance to assure that the intent of the plan is met.
Removal of large items may require an increased level of inspection when the operation affects the roadway structure (e.g. filling basements when under future pavements), the public’s safety (e.g. removals over traffic) or the environment (e.g. work in environmentally sensitive areas.)
Excavation in general is a low risk operation. The risk does increase with the presence of utilities or when blasting is involved but for the most part this work can go un-inspected until the excavation limits are reached and it is then ODOT’s responsibility to confirm that the work is at the proper grade elevation.
These items all contribute to a properly prepared roadway subgrade. The owner’s risk when an embankment and/or subgrade is not properly constructed is high. Any operation involving roadway integrity should be considered a high priority. In-depth inspection of these items is required.
Based on the current climate within ODOT, ODNR and the EPA, these are high priority items on a project. Properly used and placed they control off-site pollution and prevent possible sanctions and fines. Although high priority, the nature of these items do not require a large expenditure of inspection time. They can be laid out in advance and then inspected for compliance once installed. After installation, periodic inspections are required but they do not require daily efforts or the expenditure of overtime.
Most pavement repair items are considered high risk due to the consequences of the work not being done properly and the inability to completely inspect the work after it is done. Pavement repair operations are fast moving, production, type operations that totally complete work at many locations in a given day. Although the removal of the existing pavement is not usually inspected, the work must be checked for proper layout and the area inspected prior to the start of the next operation. All remaining operations involved in pavement repair require continuous inspection.
Operations such as sawing and sealing represent a low risk to ODOT if not done properly. On operations such as these, full attention should be centered on layout, which is critical to the item, but the use of continuous inspection is not essential to this item once properly located.
Proper construction of these items is critical to the structural integrity of any pavement. The consequences of improperly placed materials are many and high risk. Although there are some individual operations within this broad area that may not require full time inspection, work in these areas can be characterized as requiring full-time, in-depth inspection.
This item includes a varied number of operations from simply grinding butt joint transitions to full width planing to correct longitudinal and transverse profiles. The risk associated with incorrect work, although it may involve extensive rework, is considered low. Proper layout can be done in advance and the contractor’s work product can be checked periodically throughout the normal workday. Therefore, a large expenditure of inspection dollars is generally not required.
Almost all structure work is considered high risk. In general, work on structures must be inspected at critical points prior to beginning the next operation. Although considered high risk some items, such as tying re-steel and setting forms only require intermittent inspection and normally do not require the expenditure of overtime. However, inspection of an item may require overtime in order to not delay work that may follow that are on the critical path. Operations such as setting beams, erecting structural steel, driving piling, waterproofing, placing drilled shafts, etc. are high risk. These critical items require our full attention.
Some structural items such as setting bridge rail are considered low risk and need only minor attention as it can be fully inspected once the item is completed.
The risk associated with improperly painting a structure is generally aesthetic in nature. Although an inadequate job will affect a structure’s longevity, the risk to the structure is minimal. The bridge painting specifications contain quality control points, which require an operation to be inspected and approved prior to beginning the next phase. Due to these check points, bridge painting may require more inspection than is normally associated with a lower risk operations.
Structure patching is considered a low risk to the owner if not done properly. It is important to identify and limit the areas to be patched and verify the contractors’ methods and materials but the use of full-time inspection and extensive overtime is not required.
Drainage, which includes small conduits, larger culverts, drainage structures, etc., and waterline work are considered high-risk areas. Improper construction can affect the structural integrity of the pavement, the longevity of the pavement, and result in costly repairs if not caught in time. Proper inspection of all phases of these items from bedding to backfilling is critical and for the most part should be continuous.
With the exception of knowing how far the posts penetrate the ground, everything else involved with these items can be inspected after they are complete. Improper construction can be identified and corrected easily. It is recognized that inspection and overtime may be required if the duration of the operation is less than one day.
Items such as sidewalks and curbs represent a low risk to the owner if not placed properly. The work can easily be corrected. As with any item verifying layout is important. The preparation work must be checked prior to concrete placement. Because these are usually high production items more inspection may be required than is normally associated with low risk items.
Retaining walls should be given the same attention as structures. The improper construction of a retaining wall could create major problems, such as landslides, pavement failure and structure failure. As with structures there are many phases of retaining wall construction that do not require continuous inspection. Items like re-steel placement and forming must be thoroughly checked prior to concrete placement, but the expenditure of overtime during these type operations is not normally warranted. Any continuous type operations that affect the structural integrity (e.g. backfill) should be monitored closely.
Failure of an approach slab does, like pavements and structures, represents a high risk to the owner. Usually approach slabs are a slow production item and the type of work that requires continuous inspection only during concrete placement.
The risks associated with temporary pavements, are mostly the same as regular pavements. Care must be taken to provide an adequate pavement structure on which to maintain traffic. Most work required in constructing temporary roads and pavements is considered high risk.
Incidental items such as barrier reflectors, rumble strips, small concrete masonry items are low risk items. The consequences of the improper construction are minor in nature. Inspection should only be done on an occasional basis or once the items are complete. Overtime should not be necessary for these items.
The consequences of the improper construction potentially represent a significant risk to the roadway user and owner. RPM inspection requires close attention to detail with regard to installation and final installed product quality.
With the exception of a few critical signs, such as stop signs, the consequences of a improper sign construction represent a low risk to the owner. Attention should be paid to proper foundation construction and sign locations but continuous inspection is not necessary.
The consequences associated with improper highway lighting construction represent a low risk to the owner. Attention should be paid to proper foundation and underground work but the remainder does not require continuous inspection.
The consequences of improper construction of a traffic signal location represent a significant risk to the owner. Although there are portions of this work that does not require continuous inspection, close attention should be paid to all phases.
Pavement marking operations, in general, are considered low risk to the owner. The consequences associated with improper work are minor. The work can easily be inspected after placement. Layout of new markings is the most critical phase.
Seeding and mulching is generally considered low risk. The consequences of improper construction are minimal and easily corrected. Because the seeding items are usually completed at the end of a project as a short-term operation, an additional inspection effort may be required to determine quantities.
As with seeding and mulching landscape operations are low risk in nature. Occasional inspection is required to assure that the items are being installed properly. An effort should be made initially to assure proper layout. However, with the specification establishment period full time inspection and the expenditure of overtime is not required.
|
Item |
Work Type |
Critical
Activities |
Low Risk
Activities |
|
202 |
Removals |
Structures over traffic |
Increased when in roadway |
|
203, 208 |
Excavation |
Near Utilities, or Blasting |
|
|
204, 205, 206 |
Embankment/ Subgrade compaction/ Lime & Cement Stabilized Subgrade/ Proof Rolling |
Fills over 3 feet, proof rolling, stabilization |
Linear grading |
|
207, 670, 671 |
Temporary Erosion & Sediment Controls |
All initial installations and plan review |
Maintenance and repair |
|
251, 252, 253, 255, 256 |
Pavement Repair |
Layout and reinforcement placement, material quality |
Pavement removal, sawing and sealing. |
|
300 through 452 |
Base Materials, Asphalt & Concrete Pavements |
Placement, grade and thickness checks, material quality |
|
|
254 |
Pavement Planing |
|
Layout and profile checks |
|
500 through 526 |
Structure |
All dimensions, and plan checks, material quality |
Setting bridge rail, sealing of concrete |
|
514 |
Bridge Painting |
Coating removal process, coating thickness, material quality, debris collection |
|
|
519 |
Structure Patching |
Material quality |
Methods and materials and limit areas. |
|
602, 603, 604, 605, 638 |
Drainage, Drainage Structures, and Waterlines |
Bedding and backfilling, material quality |
|
|
606, 607 |
Guardrail and Fence |
Layout and material quality. |
Post installation |
|
608, 609, 622 |
Incidental Concrete |
Layout and material quality |
|
|
610 |
Retaining Walls |
Reinforcing, backfill placement |
Re-steel and forming as long it can be checked prior to concrete placement. |
|
526 |
Approach Slabs |
Reinforcing, thickness, and material quality |
|
|
600 |
Incidental Items |
|
Occasional basis |
|
614 |
Maintenance of Traffic |
|
|
|
615 |
Temporary Roads & Pavements |
In-depth inspection required |
|
|
621 |
Raised Pavement Markers |
Saw depth, Ccasting depth and epoxy placement, location, and pavement condition |
|
|
630, 631 |
Traffic Signs & Supports |
Stop signs and foundation location and construction. |
Sign location can be done normal work day. Does not require continuous inspection. |
|
625 |
Highway Lighting |
Attention paid to proper foundation and underground work. |
Does not require continuous inspection. |
|
632, 633 |
Traffic Signals |
Portions of work do not require continuous inspection. As per PE/PS |
|
|
641 through 647 |
Pavement Marking |
Lay out of new markings and material quantities are the most critical. |
Can be inspected after placement. |
|
651 through 660 |
Seeding and Mulching |
|
If work can be completed in less than one day additional time maybe required to determine quantities. |
|
661 through 666 |
Landscape |
|
Proper layout and assure items are being installed properly. Overtime not required. |
|
840 |
MSE Walls |
Backfill Material, Alignment and placement tolerances, concrete panel quality, earth reinforcement straps/grid placement and type, and foundation and leveling pad construction. |
|
The Engineer or Inspector must set up a records system to adequately record the daily activities on the project. Locate these folders in alphabetical order within your filing system when possible. These records should include the following, as applicable:
1. A folder for each reference number
2. Proposals / addendum folder
3. A folder for each change order
4. Supplemental specifications
5. TE-30 Material Inspection Reports
6. TE-45 Daily Concrete Reports
7. TE-31 Material Inspection Reports
8. TE-24 Material Certification Reports
9. Partnering file
10. Pre-construction and other Meeting notes
11. C-95 issues folder
12. Change order items pending
13. Issue folders (claims, etc) / Waste Borrow Agreements
14. Correspondence from contractor
15. Correspondence from others
16. ODOT correspondence to contractor
17. ODOT correspondence to others
18. Delivered materials
19. CA-EW-5 compaction tests
20. Grade checks
21. Contractor storm sediment and erosion control checklist
22. Survey notes
23. Utility folders
24. Railroad folders
25. Estimate folder
26. CA-D-3 and CA-D-4 folders
27. C-92 / Payroll / Labor compliance forms
28. Schedule folder
29. MOT review folder
30. Value Engineering Proposals (VECP) File
Documentation consists of the written project records necessary to verify performance of the work item. Documentation is progressive and must be coordinated with the construction progress.
To meet the requirements for payment on Federal-Aid and State projects, the following two conditions must be met:
· The final quantity has been determined in accordance with the specifications and the necessary weight tickets, measurements, calculations, etc., are validated properly. Procedures for meeting these conditions are contained in this handbook.
· The work has been completed in substantial conformity with the plans and specifications, and this fact is documented and placed in the project files. Procedures for meeting these conditions are contained in the referenced construction procedures handbooks and manuals.
As a rule, the inspector's reports or related forms should contain information in sufficient detail to verify that construction is in substantial conformity with the plans and specifications.
Documentation shall be validated in every case with the following seven identifiers:
· Date
· Project Number
· Item Number
· Reference Number
· Subject
· Location
· Signature or Initials
As items of work are completed by the contractor, project inspectors are required to document the work as previously discussed. Accepted quantities will be turned in for payment on the Daily Diary under the area entitled "Pay Items", listing the reference number, extra work number if applicable, participation code, description of work, location, and quantity or lump sum amount. It must be emphasized that all items turned in for payment must be supported by documentation kept in the project files under the appropriate contract reference number.
This manual describes in detail the requirements of documenting substantial conformity with contract requirements. Substantiation includes the usage of specific forms and test methods as required by the specific sections described in this manual. Progressive project inspection and control records must be related to items being documented so that they readily substantiate and verify that documented quantities are placed in accordance with contract requirements. These records are placed in the project file each day.
For the purpose of documentation, project records must be identified with the seven identifiers listed above. These records must also: show location data, include computations, and be filed in the project records. Records will be on designated forms contained within this manual.
Individual measurements will be made with sufficient accuracy and frequency to avoid unrealistic accumulations. The summary of final pay quantity is rounded off to the units shown in the proposal. Include the seven identifiers listed above with a documentation record of each pay item on a designated form and file in the project records.
Photos, video, sketches, and drawings may be used wherever they are an aid in clarifying locations or dimensions.
The seven identifiers listed above must be included on tickets and tapes if no other documentation forms are used for the item. If separate forms are used (e.g., Asphalt tickets used along with the Bituminous Concrete Inspection Form), initials should be on the tickets, and the seven identifiers are required on the form.
The printed weight ticket from automatic or semiautomatic scale operations is acceptable documentation. Should material be delivered to the project without a verifiable weight ticket from the source, due to infrequent use or oversight, the material may be re-weighed or weight may be checked by comparison to measured volume in place. Action taken will be recorded on the ticket.
Items paid for on a unit, lump sum, length, area, volume, or miscellaneous basis, either in place or from verified plan dimensions, will be validated by the initials of the person making or verifying measurements, calculations, and observations.
Where partial loads are involved, quantities will be determined from measurements in the vehicle or calibrated tanks.
All printed project records must be maintained in the field office in a file by project number. Tickets and other bulky items may be filed separate provided they are referenced to the associated contract reference number. Upon completion of the project, the entire file will be moved to the District Office and maintained for future reference. All final quantity documentation will be delivered to the District Office in a timely manner at the discretion of the District Documentation coordinator after completion of the physical work. District project files will be maintained in a single well-organized location for the time period outlined in the ODOT record retention schedule.
Items are located in Appendix B. The District may modify the forms ONLY if the modified forms contain all of the information listed on the standard forms included here.
|
Form Number |
Title of Form |
|
CA-S-1 |
Drilled shafts |
|
CA-S-2 |
Paint thickness |
|
CA-S-3 |
Pile driving log |
|
CA-S-4 |
High performance concrete pre-pour meeting |
|
CA-S-5 |
Micro-silica overlay pre-pour meeting |
|
CA-S-6 |
Class S concrete pre-pour meeting |
|
CA-S-7 |
QCS Inspection Documentation |
|
CA-S-8 |
Piling
Record |
|
TE-45 |
Concrete inspector’s daily report |
|
CA-C-1 |
Concrete control test form |
|
CA-EW-1 |
Earthwork quantity calculations |
|
CA-EW-2 |
Proof rolling documentation |
|
CA-EW-3 |
Subgrade test pit investigation |
|
CA-EW-4 |
Moisture density curve calculation |
|
CA-EW-5 |
Nuclear gauge compaction |
|
CA-EW-6 |
Nuclear gauge compaction w/ aggregate correction |
|
CA-EW-7 |
Non-stabilized drainage base compaction |
|
CA-EW-8 |
Authorization of undercuts |
|
|
|
|
|
Zero Air Voids Curve |
|
|
Aggregate Correction Graph “A” |
|
CA-EC-1 |
Weekly and rain event erosion control checklist |
|
CA-EC-2 |
Seeding calculations |
|
CA-FP-1 |
Warranty asphalt checklist |
|
CA-FP-2 |
Random selection of asphalt concrete field samples |
|
CA-FP-3 |
Summary of bituminous concrete quantities |
|
CA-FP-4 |
Bituminous concrete inspection |
|
CA-FP-5 |
Bituminous concrete core locations |
|
CA-FP-6 |
Calculation of liquid bituminous materials |
|
CA-P-1 |
Pipe construction inspection form |
|
CA-P-2 |
Underdrain construction
inspection form |
|
CA-P-3 |
Drainage structure inspection form |
|
CA-D-1A |
Field calculation and measurement verification |
|
CA-D-1B |
Field calculation and measurement verification |
|
CA-D-2 |
Field calculation and measurement verification |
|
CA-D-3A |
Inspector’s daily report |
|
CA-D-3B |
Inspector’s daily report |
|
CA-D-4 |
P.E./P.S. daily report |
|
CA-D-5 |
Daily report of force account work |
|
CA-D-6 |
Pavement repair and sawing |
|
CA-D-7 |
Maintenance of traffic review |
|
CA-D-8 |
Long term work zone review |
|
CA-L-1 |
Report of electrical tests |
|
CA-L-2 |
Report of electrical tests |
|
CA-L-3 |
Report of electrical tests |
|
CA-L-4 |
Report on sign lighting |
|
CA-L-5 |
Report on high voltage direct current test |
The following instructions, grouped by measurement type, supplement the general instructions and have particular application to specific pay items. Match the Instruction Code listed in the Index of Pay Items tables to the following Instructions to determine specific documentation requirements. Special and unlisted pay items will be documented using the guidelines outlined previously in the General Guidelines for Documentation section.
|
Instruction Code |
Description |
|
|
Conversion Type
Measurements |
|
C-1 |
Summarize the final weight to nearest ton (metric ton) from validated weight tickets and determine the final volume to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) by using conversion factor. |
|
C-2 |
Summarize and convert to nearest ton (metric ton) for the final quantity by conversion from validated tickets. Convert sack and brine shipments to weight as specified. |
|
C-3 |
Summarize the final quantity to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) by conversion from validated weight tickets. Include a daily coordination of weight tickets with placement and location. Where there is a moisture limitation, at least one moisture test must be made (more if necessary) to provide for an appropriate deduction. |
|
C-4 |
Determine volume to nearest gallon (liter) by conversion from validated weight tickets. Where source validation is missing, or for partial loads, determine volume by conversion from weigh-back or by measurement of tank. Where basic measurement is by volume, record temperature. |
|
C-5 |
Determine the final quantity to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) from plan quantity adjusted for errors and changes. Use for new construction on new subgrade. For variable thickness or resurfacing determine quantity to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) by conversion from validated weight tickets. |
|
C-6 |
For direct volume measurements determine volume to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) from cross-sections before and after removal. For converted volume measurements, summarize validated weight tickets and convert to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) using density tests as basis for conversion. Adjust measured quantity by deducting embankment in excess of allowable tolerances, if any, in accordance with the Earthwork Construction section of this manual. |
|
C-7 |
Determine the area by field measurement to nearest square yard (square meter). Substantiate rates of application by means of at least one test area made at time of application. Determine rate of application on test area by calculation from verified quantities of material placed and measured in the area over which it is applied. For seeding and mulching, record number of square yards (square meters) having substantiated rates of application. |
|
|
Volume Type Measurements |
|
V-1 |
Determine volume to nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) using recorded verified plan dimensions, which include a verification of depth and thickness. |
|
V-2 |
Record verified plan dimensions of the forms and calculate the volume of each unit. Summarize the final quantity to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) or decimal as indicated by the estimated bid quantity (Ref. No.). |
|
V-3 |
Determine the volume before removal or determine the volume from verified plan dimensions to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter). |
|
V-4 |
Plan quantity must be paid as per specification 203.09. Any plan changes must be documented using cross-sections per C-6 or measurements per V-1. |
|
V-5 |
Determine the volume loose in a vehicle at the point of delivery and summarize to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter). |
|
V-6 |
Determine the volume to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) using specified dimensions and vertical measurements between bottom plane of footing and top of rock or shale excavation. |
|
V-7 |
Determine the volume to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) from summarization of validated delivery tickets. Tickets must record cubic yard (cubic meter) from predetermined tank size or sizes, converted weight, or meter readings. Tickets for each load must be issued by the contractor and must be collected, identified, and validated by the inspector at the point of delivery. |
|
V-8 |
Determine the volume to the nearest cubic yard (cubic meter) by using horizontal dimensions established by 503.10 of the specifications. |
|
|
Weight Type
Measurements |
|
W-1 |
Summarize the weight to the nearest 100 pounds (50 kilograms) by using validated scale weight tickets or weights calculated from the verified dimensions and steel handbook. |
|
W-2 |
Obtain a copy of a memorandum from the Office of Structural Engineering for approved pay weights. See structural steel screen on CMS (SSREF). |
|
W-3 |
Summarize the validated delivery tickets to the nearest ton (metric ton). Determine the volume of the embankment, if any, in excess of the allowable tolerances, convert to tons (metric tons), and deduct from the summarized weight. |
|
W-4 |
Summarize to the nearest ton (metric ton) from the validated weight tickets. |
|
W-5 |
Summarize to the nearest pound (kilogram) from the validated weight tickets. |
|
|
Linear Type
Measurements |
|
L-1 |
Measure the length of the item and summarize to the nearest foot (meter). |
|
L-2 |
Measure the length of an item to the nearest foot (meter), include data as to its re-use and storage. |
|
L-3 |
Measure the length of the item to the nearest 1/100th mile (1/100 kilometer, e.g. 19.98 kilometer), etc. |
|
L-4 |
Measure the length to the nearest 0.1 ft (0.1 meter, e.g. 14.8 meter), etc. |
|
L-5 |
Guardrail quantities are normally determined in standard 12 feet 6 inch (3.81 meter) panel lengths with adjustments for end assemblies, in multiples of 6.25 feet (1.905 meter). |
|
L-6 |
Measure the length of an item to the nearest 1/100th mile (1/100 kilometer, e.g. 19.98 kilometer), etc. and include deficiency data as per the specifications. |
|
L-7 |
Measure the length of piles between extreme point and cut-off to the nearest 0.1 ft (25 millimeters). Measure the inside of cast-in-place piles and make a conformance statement relative to the measurement and length marks. Summarize the measurements to the nearest foot (meter). Locate the piles by use of the numbering system on the piling layout. |
|
L-8 |
For items 603 and 605 measure the length of the item and round up to the next foot (0.5 meter). |
|
|
Area Type
Measurements |
|
A-1 |
Measure the surface dimensions of the item, calculate the area, and summarize to the nearest square yard (square meter). |
|
A-2 |
Adjust the plan area for changes, errors, and deviations in excess of the allowable tolerances, and summarize to the nearest square yard (square meter). |
|
A-3 |
Determine the specified plan areas of each size and type from verified shop drawings and summarize to the nearest 1/10 square yard (1/10 square meter). |
|
A-4 |
Plan quantity as per specification 659.24. Check application rates and deduct area if the application rates are below specifications for seed, mulch, and emulsion. |
|
|
Unit (each) Type
Measurements |
|
U-1 |
Determine the number of units. |
|
U-2 |
Determine the number of units visible on completion and make a statement relative to the conformance with the contract requirements. |
|
U-3 |
Determine the number of units and include the data as to reuse or storage or disposal by Contractor. |
|
|
Lump Sum Type
Measurements |
|
LS-1 |
Verify that the work is in accordance with the plans. |
|
LS-2 |
Record driving log of first test pile or the results of the test loads and locate by use of the numbering system on the piling layout. |
|
|
Miscellaneous
Type Measurements |
|
M-1 |
Summarize the final rolling time to the nearest hour. Include the data on weight and tire pressure. |
Common words and terms used in this manual are defined in this section. Definitions for other words or terms that may call for clarification in this manual are found in the “Construction and Materials Specifications.”
AASHTO - American
Association of
ASTM - American Society of Testing and Materials.
CAS - Construction Administration System, a part of CMS which provides support to all construction administration activities from the time at which a contract has been signed to the time at which the contract has been finalized.
Change Order - A written order issued by the Director to the Contractor, covering changes in the plans or quantities or both, within or beyond the scope of the contract and establishing the basis of payment and time adjustments for the work affected by the changes.
Contractor - The individual, firm or corporation contracting with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the performance of prescribed work, acting directly or through a duly authorized representative and qualified under provisions of the law.
Conversion - The adaptation of one unit of measure to another unit of measure.
Density - The relation of weight to volume. The greater the weight to a given volume, the greater the density.
Department - The Ohio Department of Transportation.
Director - The Director of the Department of Transportation, the Executive head of the Department of Transportation, appointed by the Governor.
Documentation - Recording and filing evidence that the material or work is in conformance with specifications and in the amounts required.
Elevation - The height as measured from a predetermined point denoted in the plans.
Engineer - The person representing the Department who is charged with the overall responsibility at the project site for seeing that construction is in conformance with plans and specifications, and that all checks for job control and validation of pay items are documented and filed properly. Defined in C&MS 105.01.
FHWA – The Federal Highway Administration, a section of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
File - The complete project file in the field office in which is placed all progress records and documentation of pay items.
Inspection - Examination by observation, measurement, or tests to determine that materials and work are in conformance with specifications.
Inspector’s Daily Report - A form used by an inspector to document the activities performed by a Contractor. The Inspector Daily Report is Form CMS-1, CA-D-3A or CA-D-3B.
Laboratory (Laboratory with “L” capitalized) -The Office of Materials Management of the Department of Transportation, 1600 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223. If reference is to the District laboratory, it is so designated.
Lane or
P.E./P.S. Daily Report - A form used by the Engineer or Project supervisor to document the activities performed by a Contractor. The P.E./P.S. Daily Report is Form CMS-2, CA-D-4.
Pay Item - A specifically described unit of work for which a price is provided in the contract.
Plans - The plans, profiles, typical cross sections, working drawings and supplemental drawings, approved by the Director, or exact reproductions thereof, which show the location, character, dimensions, and details of the work.
Progress Samples - Samples taken by Laboratory or project personnel not engaged in job control sampling. Samples are obtained at random from materials delivered for incorporation in the work to provide an independent spot check on the reliability of the results obtained in job control sampling and testing.
Project - The specific section of the highway together with all appurtenances and construction to be performed thereon under the contract.
Proposal - The offer of a bidder, on the prescribed form properly signed and guaranteed, to perform the work and to finish the labor and materials at the prices quoted.
Project Engineer – Also called the Engineer. The person representing the Department who is charged with the overall responsibility at the project site for seeing that construction is in conformance with plans and specifications, and that all checks for job control and validation of pay items are documented and filed properly.
Standard Drawings - The Standard Construction Drawings issued by the Bureaus of Location and Design, Bridges and Design Services.
Specifications - The directions,
provisions and requirements contained in the State of
TAS - Testing Administration System, a part of CMS which provides support to all sampling, testing and approval or disapproval of materials used on a project, to the time at which the contract has been finalized.
Tolerance - The allowable limits of variation from a specified measurement.
Transition - The distance in which a change is made gradually from one pavement cross section to another.
Verification - The steps necessary to determine that the work or materials described are in conformance with plans and specifications.
Aggregate - Mineral material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, or combinations thereof.
Asphalt Concrete - A mixture of aggregate and asphalt binder. Types of asphalt concrete are 301, 302, 442, 446, and 448.
Batch Plant - A plant in which dry, hot aggregate and asphalt material are proportioned in fixed or batched quantities into a pugmill (mixer) for mixing. Then the resulting asphalt concrete is either batched directly into a haul truck or stored in a storage bin for later use.
Asphalt Concrete Base - A type of asphalt concrete which is used as a base course in the construction of a pavement. Two types of asphalt concrete base are 301 and 302.
Asphalt Binder- A thermoplastic binding material obtained as a residue in the distillation of petroleum, which may contain additives to enhance performance.
Bleeding - The rising of an excess of asphalt material to the surface of an asphalt concrete mixture.
Checking - Short transverse cracks, 1 to 4 inches (25 to 100 mm ) in length and 1 to 3 inches (25 to 75 mm) apart, which develop in the surface of the asphalt concrete mat during the compaction process.
Choke - Aggregate used for the purpose of filling the surface voids of a coarse aggregate mixture.
C&MS -
CMS - Multiple definitions as follows:
1. Construction Management System, a set of computer programs developed for the management of construction and testing activities on a project from the time at which a contract has been signed to the time at which the contract has been finalized; or
2. Cationic medium setting emulsion. See the definition for emulsion.
Coarse Aggregate - Aggregate which is retained on the No.4 (4.75 mm) sieve.
Compaction - A consolidation or compression of materials resulting in an increase in density of the materials.
Compression Rolls - The compaction load of a steel wheel roller, expressed in pounds per inch (kN/m), which is defined as the weight of the roller divided by the combined width of all the drums on the roller. The compression rolls requirements for rollers are specified in 401.13.
Course - A layer or layers of a given material or mixture placed as a part of the pavement structure.
Cross Section - In the field, elevations taken along a line at right angles to the centerline. On a drawing, a profile of the existing ground at right angles to the centerline. The drawing of an earthwork cross section also shows the shape of the finished excavation or embankment at the same point. A roadway cross section shows the thickness and width of the pavement courses.
Cross-Slope - The transverse slope of the pavement, either crown or superelevation. See section 401.19 for details on checking the cross-slope of a pavement.
Crown - The height of the center of the roadway surface above a straight line drawn between its edges. See section 401.19 for details on checking the crown of a pavement.
Cut Back Asphalt - Asphalt binder which has been rendered fluid by fluxing it with a light volatile petroleum distillate. Upon exposure to atmospheric conditions, the volatile distillate evaporates, leaving only the asphalt cement which reverts to its original semi-solid condition. Cut back asphalts are classified as rapid curing (RC), medium curing (MC), or slow curing (SC).
Degradation - A reduction in aggregate particle size due to breakage and water.
Density - The ratio of the weight of a given material to its volume.
Drum Mix Plant - A continuous production plant in which cold aggregate is proportioned and dried in the first half of a drum and then mixed with bituminous material in the second half of the drum. Then the resulting asphalt concrete is stored in a storage bin for later use.
Emulsion (Asphalt) - A suspension of extremely small droplets of asphalt in water in the presence of an emulsifying agent, which usually is a type of soap. Upon exposure to atmospheric conditions, the water evaporates, leaving only the asphalt cement which has been modified by the emulsifying agent. Emulsions are classified as rapid setting (RS or CRS), medium setting (MS or CMS), or slow setting (SS or CSS). The letter “C” in front of an emulsion type (CRS, CMS, or CSS) denotes a cationic (positively charged) emulsion. If the emulsion type does not start with the letter “C” (RS, MS, or SS), the emulsion is anionic (negatively charged) or non-ionic (neutral charge). If the emulsion type is followed by an “h” (SS-1h, CMS-2h, etc.), the emulsion was made from a harder base asphalt cement.
Fat Spots - See the definition of bleeding.
Fine Aggregate - Aggregate which passes the No.4 (4.75 mm) sieve.
Gradation - The distribution of particle sizes in an aggregate or asphalt mixture.
Grade - The rate of change of the profile elevations. See section 401.19 for details on checking the grade of a pavement.
JMF - See the definition of job mix formula.
Job Control - Inspection and testing conducted to determine compliance of the materials and work with the contract requirements.
Job Mix Formula - The mix composition of an asphalt concrete approved by the Laboratory. The job mix formula (JMF) of a mix can be obtained from the “BCJMF” screen in the TAS portion of CMS. The JMF number of the mix needs to be known to use the “BCJMF” screen.
Keying - The interlocking of aggregate particles by compaction.
Laboratory - The Office of Materials
Management of the Department’s Central Office in
Marshall Mix Design - Volumetric mix design procedure used to establish the optimum Asphalt binder content for an asphalt concrete. The procedures for designing a mix using the Marshall mix design are contained in 441.02 and the Asphalt Institute Manual Series No. 2.
Mineral Filler - Limestone dust, portland cement, or other inert mineral matter. The specifications for mineral filler are contained in 703.07.
NCAT -
Odometer - An instrument used for measuring traveled distance.
Oscillating Wheel - The vertical movement of pneumatic tire roller’s wheels over irregularities in the surface on which the roller is operated, providing a kneading action.
PG (Asphalt) Binder - An asphalt binder which has been graded by the PG Binder system. An asphalt binder has to be modified with an additive to meet some of the PG Binder grades. An example of a PG Binder Grade is PG 64-28. An example of a modified PG Binder Grade is PG 70-22M (See Asphalt Binder).
Placement Rate - The placement of paving materials on the basis of a given weight and area covered. Placement rate is described in detail in section 401.21.
Plant - The plant where aggregate and asphalt material are mixed together or the plant which produces the aggregate or the asphalt material.
Pneumatic Tire Roller - A roller with 3 to 5 rubber tires mounted on two tandem axles. The wheels that the tires are mounted to oscillate, which means they are capable of moving up and down independently of each other. The pneumatic roller compacts a pavement using the combined force of weight and the kneading action of the oscillating wheels. The specifications for a pneumatic tire roller are contained in 401.13.
Prime Coat - An application of asphalt material made on the surface of a pavement layer for the purpose of binding the surface particles together. The specifications for a prime coat are contained in 408.
Profile - A line on a drawing which shows elevation of points along a selected route. A profile usually shows both ground elevations and grade-line elevations. See section 401.19 for details on checking the profile of a pavement.
RAP - The abbreviation for reclaimed asphalt pavement, which comes from reclaimed asphalt concrete pavement. The specifications for the use of RAP is contained in 401.04 and 441.03.
Raveling - The loss of aggregate from the surface of a asphalt mixture due to a lack of adequate compaction, segregation of the mixture, moisture damage, high dust content, or a lack of PG binder for binding the aggregate particles together.
Screed - A rectangular trowel on an asphalt paver used to cut off the asphalt mixture at the desired thickness, to smooth the surface and consolidate the material.
Screenings - This is No. 10 size gravel, stone, or air-cooled slag. The specifications for screenings are contained in 703.10.
Segregation - The separation of the coarse and fine particle sizes in an aggregate or asphalt mixture.
Shoving - The plastic deformation or displacement in an asphalt mixture in the direction of traffic movement.
Steel Wheel Roller - A roller which compacts an asphalt concrete with static steel drums. Types of steel wheel rollers are the three-wheel roller, tandem roller, trench roller, and vibratory roller.
Strike Off - A blade used to cut off material at the desired elevation or thickness.
Superelevation - The difference in elevation between the inside and outside edges of a roadway on a horizontal curve. See section 401.19 for details on checking the superelevation of a pavement.
Superpave - Mix design procedure, which establishes material properties of an asphalt concrete mix by using a gyratory compactor and material requirements.
Surface Texture - A term used to describe the appearance of the surface of a pavement course such as sandy, coarse, open, dense, uniform, etc.
Surface Treatment - See the definitions for chip seal, prime coat, or tack coat.
Tachometer - An instrument for measuring the speed of rotation.
Tack Coat - An application of asphalt material made on a pavement surface for the purpose of bonding the existing course to the overlying course. The specifications for a tack coat are contained in 407. Tack coats are described in Section 6.
Tandem Roller - A steel wheel roller with two drums mounted on tandem axles, which compacts a pavement using the force of the roller’s weight. The specifications for a tandem roller are contained in 401.13.
Three Wheel Roller - A steel wheel roller with three drums, two drums mounted on the rear axle and a smaller drum mounted on the front tandem axle, which compacts a pavement using the force of the roller’s weight. The configuration of the drums on a three wheel roller allows it to compact longitudinal joints without interfering with traffic in the adjacent lane. The specifications for a three wheel roller are contained in 401.13.
Vibratory Roller - A steel wheel roller with one (single drum) or two (double drum) drums, which compacts a pavement using the combined force of weight and the vibration of the drum or drums. The specifications for a vibratory roller are contained in 401.13.
Viscosity - Resistance to flow in a liquid. The higher the viscosity, the greater the resistance to flow.
Yield - The area of a surface covered by a given quantity of material measured in square yards (square meters).
Absorption - The soaking up of moisture (water) by aggregate.
Admixture - A substance other than cement, water or aggregate added to a batch of fresh concrete to alter one of the normal properties of concrete.
Aggregate - Mineral material, such as sand, gravel crushed stone, slag, or the combinations thereof, with which cement or bituminous material is mixed to form a mortar or concrete. "Fine Aggregate" may be considered as the material that will pass a 1/4 inch screen, and "coarse aggregate" as the material that is retained thereon.
Aggregate Base - The layer of specified, compacted material placed on the subgrade to serve as a base for pavement.
Agitation - Slow stirring or turning over of freshly mixed concrete to keep it in workable condition until placed into forms.
Air Entrained Cement -Cement into which the air entrainment admixture has been incorporated at the cement plant when the cement was ground.
Batch - The combination of amounts of cement, aggregate, water and admixture which will be mixed at one time in a mixer.
Batching Operation - Proportioning and assembling the materials which will comprise one batch.
Batching Plant - The plant either on or off the work site where the materials are assembled by batches for the mixer. Water and admixtures usually are added as the batch is introduced into the mixer.
Batch Weights -The individual weights of the cement, aggregate and water used in each batch of concrete. Aggregate is adjusted for moisture content and specific gravity.
Bleeding -Flow of water to the surface of freshly placed concrete.
Bulkhead -
1. A partition made of timber, concrete or steel plate, between stockpiles to prevent their intermingling.
2. A temporary form placed at the completion of a portion of concrete structure or pavement, or whenever production is interrupted for an extended period of time.
Cement - A mixture of clay, limestone and other selected materials heated to high temperature to form clinker. The clinker is then ground into powder. Mixed with water it forms a paste to surround and bind the aggregate into a solid and durable mass.
Charging - Filling. Charging a mixer is placing the ingredients for concrete into it.
Compacted - Made more dense. When a material is compacted, the particles are forced together more tightly so that a given weight of material takes up less space.
Concrete Control Inspector - The Inspector at the job site who is responsible for the necessary inspections and tests to assure concrete meeting specifications.
Counters -Meters on mixers which show the number of revolutions. Transit mixers may have two counters - one for mixing speeds and one for agitation speeds.
Cure - The treatment given concrete to assure sufficient water and heat necessary for chemical action so that concrete attains the strength and durability for which it was designed.
Entrained Air - Millions of microscopic voids introduced into concrete through an admixture to permit the cured concrete to undergo freezing and thawing without damage.
Entrapped Air - Large air bubbles which enter concrete through mixing or handling. Being undesirable, they can be removed by vibrating, spading or rodding.
Falsework - The bracing supporting concrete structural forms which is removed after the concrete has cured sufficiently to support its own weight.
Finishing - Shaping the surface of cement that is not shaped by forms. Also it includes filling visible voids in the concrete after the forms are removed.
Footer - The concrete pad which spreads the load of a structure over an area of supporting earthwork.
Forms, Report - Printed sheets of paper containing blank spaces for filling in desired information.
Forms, Structural - Molds of rigid material for receiving plastic concrete which will cast it to a specified shape and dimension.
Gradation - The classification of different sizes of aggregate within a given size of aggregate as determined by sieve tests.
High-Early-Strength Concrete - Concrete made with a special cement (Type III111) that reaches design strength and hardness in considerably shorter time than concrete made with regular portland cement.
Honeycombing - Large voids in the concrete which are due to inadequate spading or consolidating.
Intermingling - The unintentional dilution of one size of aggregate by aggregate of a different size as a result of improper storage or careless handling.
Job Control - Steps taken to keep quality and quantity of materials and work on a project within the specifications and plans.
Mixing - Combining the ingredients of a batch of concrete into a homogenous mass through raising and dropping action of a revolving drum. Specifications cover the rate and number of revolutions which are acceptable for proper mixing.
Moisture Content - The percentage by weight of water contained in aggregate as compared to the same aggregate in a completely dry condition.
Mortar - A mixture of water, sand and cement. Mixed with coarse aggregate this mortar completely envelopes each particle of coarse aggregate to form concrete.
Paved - An area covered with a hard surface to support traffic or material storage.
Plant Bins - Bins at the hatching plant for temporary storage of aggregate and cement for use in proportioning concrete batches.
Proportioning Concrete - Determination of the amount of each ingredient used in a class of concrete with adjustments as determined by tests called for in the specifications.
Retarder - An admixture placed in concrete which slows the setting of the concrete.
Rodding - Consolidation of a concrete mix sample by the repeated insertion of the prescribed steel tamping rod.
Saturation - Condition of aggregate when it is completely soaked and will not absorb additional water.
Scaling - Peeling away of small amounts of surface concrete.
Segregation - The unintentional separation of the larger pieces of aggregate from the smaller pieces within one size of aggregate or within a mixture of sizes in fresh concrete.
Set, or set up - A stage reached by freshly placed concrete as it hardens and can no longer be worked or shaped.
Sieve Analysis - Determination of the gradation of an aggregate sample by passing through a series of screens with specified openings and weighing the separated particle sizes.
Slump - A measure of the consistency and workability of plastic concrete.
Spading - Repeatedly inserting a flat steel blade edgewise into fresh poured concrete for consolidation and to drive out entrapped air, particularly where the concrete meets the forms or imbedded objects.
Spading Blade - A small steel blade about the size of a nail file, used in making Chace air determinations.
Spading Tool - A tool resembling a garden hoe with the blade straightened out in line with the handle used for consolidating concrete.
Spalling - The breaking away of hardened parts of concrete from the main body at surface points.
Specific Gravity - The ratio of weight of any volume of a substance to the weight of an equal volume of water.
Specifications - The directions, provisions and requirements contained in the State of Ohio Department of Transportation Construction and Materials Specifications as supplemented by the supplemental specifications and special provisions.
Stabilize - To make or hold steady, and preventing fluctuations.
Stockpile - A large amount of aggregate placed in a pile for storage until ready for use.
Strike Off - Using a straight edge to scrape off excess concrete which may protrude above the mold or forms.
Subgrade - The portion of a roadbed upon which the pavement structure and shoulders are constructed.
Testing Equipment - That equipment furnished to the project for conducting field tests.
Test Weights - Ten 50-pound (22.7 kg) steel weights that must be readily available for checking weighing devices at concrete plants.
Ticket - A form record of quality, quantity, and other pertinent information which may accompany a shipment of construction materials to the project.
Validation - The signature or initials of an authorized individual on any form or ticket denoting that the information is as stated.
Verification - The steps necessary to determine that the work or materials described are in conformance with plans and specifications.
Water-Cement Ratio (W/C) - The proportion of an amount of water to the specified amount of cement used to produce concrete. Such amount of water is the sum of the calculated amount of water contained in the aggregates, plus all the water added both at the plant and at the site, less the calculated amount of water absorbed by the aggregates.
Yield - A check on the mix design made by dividing the total batch weight by the determined unit weight, weight per cubic yard (weight per cubic foot). The actual volume thus obtained is compared to the design volume.
Admixture - A substance other than cement, water or aggregate added to a batch of fresh concrete to alter one of the normal properties of concrete.
Aggregate - Mineral material, such as sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, or the combination thereof, with which cement is mixed to form a mortar or concrete. “Fine aggregate” may be considered as the material that will pass a 4.75 mm (No. 4) screen, and “coarse aggregate” as the material that is retained thereon.
Batch - The combination of amounts of cement, aggregate, water and admixture which will be mixed at one time in a mixer.
Batching Plant - The plant either on or off the work site where the materials are assembled by batches for the mixer. Water and admixtures usually are added as the batch is introduced into the mixer.
Beam, Test - A beam of specified size molded on the job and later broken in a testing machine to determine the flexural strength of the concrete.
Bleeding - Flow of water to the surface of freshly placed concrete.
Cap - A short tube, closed at one end, placed on the oiled end of a dowel in an expansion joint to provide space for movement of the dowel in hardened concrete. A stop in the tube prevents it from being pushed all the way onto the dowel before the concrete hardens.
Cement - A mixture of clay, limestone and other selected materials heated to high temperature and ground into powder. Mixed with water it forms a paste to surround and bind the aggregate into a solid and durable mass.
Contraction Joint - A joint which controls the location of a transverse crack and permits the slab to contract and expand with changes in temperature.
Construction Joint - A joint formed in concrete pavement at the end of the day’s production or any time production is interrupted for 30 minutes or longer.
Core - A cylinder of concrete cut from pavement with a hollow drill. Cores are 4 inches (200 mm) in diameter and are used to check the thickness and strength of the concrete.
Course - The depth of concrete pavement obtained in one pour.
Crown - The height of the center of the roadway surface above a straight line drawn between its edges.
Cure - The treatment given concrete to assure sufficient water and heat necessary for chemical action so that concrete attains the strength and durability for which it was designed.
Curing Membrane - A compound sprayed over the exposed surface and edges of newly placed concrete to prevent the evaporation of water during curing.
Cylinder - A test sample of concrete molded into a cylinder 12 inches (600 mm) high and 6 inches (300 mm) in diameter, to be sent to the Laboratory for determination of strength and density.
Deformed Bar - A steel bar which has projections on its surface for increasing the bond between the concrete and the bar.
Density (Soil) - The density of soil is its weight-volume relationship, which usually is expressed in kilograms of soil per cubic meter (pounds of soil per cubic foot).
Dowel or Dowel Bar - A smooth steel bar extending across a concrete joint to transfer the applied load, prevent future misalignment of the slab and permit movement at the joint.
Dowel Assembly - A cage or basket used to hold dowels in position during placement of concrete.
Edging - Rounding the edges of concrete pavement and hand-formed joints while the concrete still is workable, using an edging tool of specified radius.
Elevation or Grade - The height as measured from a predetermined point denoted in the plans.
Expansion Joint - A joint adjacent to a bridge or intersection to absorb expansion of concrete pavement and prevent expansive pressure on the bridge or intersecting pavement.
Fine Grading - Removing approximately 1 inch (25 mm) of the primary subbase and re-rolling to bring to exact grade, upon which the concrete pavement is placed.
Finishing - Shaping the surface of concrete that is not shaped by forms. Also it includes filling visible voids in the concrete after the forms are removed.
Finishing Machine - A machine which screeds and a float for performing the final grade and smoothness of the concrete pavement to meet the requirements.
Float - A straight piece of wood or metal used to smooth the surface of plastic concrete. Small hand-held floats are called paddle floats.
Forms, Pavement - Metal plates secured together and to the subbase for shaping the sides of the pavement and controlling alignment, grade and thickness. Also, the forms serve as a track for paving equipment.
Grade (noun) - See Elevation.
Grade (verb) - To add or remove earth to obtain a desired level or slope.
Hand Finishing - Correcting manually irregularities left by the finishing machine or performing those functions which cannot be accomplished by machine, such as edging or forming of joints.
Head - The roll of plastic concrete which forms ahead of a screed plate.
Honeycombing - Large voids in the concrete which are due to inadequate spading or consolidating.
Hook Bolt - A short steel bar with hooked ends joined by a threaded connection. Use is to fasten a concrete slab to another later constructed beside it.
Inspection - Examination by observation, measurement, or tests to determine that materials and work are in conformance with specifications.
Joint Lock - The device at each end of a section of paving form for attaching the sections together.
Job Control - Steps taken to keep quality and quantity of materials and work on a project within the specifications and plans.
Joint Sealer - A compound for preventing entrance of water and solid particles into a joint. The sealer may either be preformed or liquid.
Laitance - An accumulation of fine particles on the surface of freshly placed concrete occurring when there is an upward movement of water through the concrete due to the presence of too much mixing water or excessive vibration.
Lane or
Longitudinal Joint - A joint which extends lengthwise in the roadway, parallel to the centerline.
Mesh - A fabric of steel wires welded together at their intersections for placement in concrete pavement as distributed reinforcement.
Mesh Installer - A machine for imbedding wire mesh into freshly placed concrete pavement.
Mortar - A mixture of water, sand and cement. Mixed with coarse aggregate, this mortar completely envelopes each particle of coarse aggregate to form concrete. Also, mortar is used to fill honeycombing which becomes apparent upon removal of forms.
Oscillating - To swing back and forth, operating between fixed limits, such as the movement of a screed on a finishing machine.
Pin Template or Template - A device used to check the surface of the subbase.
Raveling - Slightly disturbing the surface of concrete pavement adjacent to sawing of a joint.
Random Cracks - Cracks which appear in concrete pavement due to contraction in the early stages of curing, and which follow no set pattern.
Rigid Pavement Inspector - An authorized representative of the Engineer to make detailed inspections and documentation of contract performance as pertain directly to concrete paving operations.
Sawing - Using a circular saw to cut a groove in the surface of the pavement to control the location of transverse cracks.
Scaling - Peeling away of small amounts of the concrete surface.
Screed - A long metal plate moved across the surface of freshly placed concrete with a sawing motion to consolidate the concrete and rough finish it approximately to grade.
Segregation - The unintentional separation of the larger pieces of aggregate from the smaller pieces within one size of aggregate or within a mixture of sizes of fresh concrete.
Shim - A thin piece of stone, wood or other material used to raise the object resting on it to the desired elevation. (Not permitted in adjusting forms to grade.)
Slab - A continuous portion of concrete paving bounded by joints and/or the edge of the pavement.
Slip Form Paving - Concrete paving by use of a machine carrying its own forms between which low slump concrete is compacted sufficiently to retain its shape after the machine has progressed onward.
Slump - Measured in inches (millimeters) on a vertical axis, the amount that a sample of fresh poured concrete that has filled a standard inverted cone will sink down after the cone has been removed. A measure of the consistency and workability of concrete.
Spading -Repeatedly inserting a flat steel blade edgewise into fresh poured concrete for consolidation and to drive out entrapped air, particularly where the concrete meets the forms or imbedded objects.
Spalling - The breaking away of hardened parts of concrete from the main body at surface points.
Spreader - A machine which distributes fresh concrete generally over the area between the forms.
Station Marker - A numeral impressed into the surface of newly finished concrete pavement and located at specified longitudinal intervals near the edge of the roadway for purposes of future location references.
Straightedging - Placing a 10 foot (3.0 meter) straightedge on the finished pavement surface to determine if the surface is within tolerance.
Strike Off - Using a straightedge to scrape off excess concrete which may protrude above the mold or forms.
Subbase - The layer of specified, compacted material placed on the prepared subgrade to serve as a base for pavement.
Subgrade - The portion of a roadbed upon which the pavement structure and shoulders are constructed after it is prepared.
Surge - The rise in the surface of plastic concrete following the release of compaction after the screed has passed over it.
Texturing - Slight roughening of the finished surface of concrete pavement to provide greater safety through increased traction to the tires of vehicles which will pass over it.
Thin-Bonded Patching - Repairing concrete pavement only to the depth of unsound concrete rather than the full depth of the pavement.
Tie Bar - A deformed dowel or hook-bolt placed across longitudinal joints of concrete pavement near middle depth to tie the slabs together and hold the joint closed.
Tolerance - The permitted variation from a specified condition.
Traction Speed - The rate of forward movement parallel to the centerline by the paving equipment.
Transverse - A theoretical line running perpendicular to the longitudinal or centerline of a roadway.
Tying - Wiring together overlapped mesh that is hand-tied by use of rings similar to hog rings.
Validation - The signature or initials of an authorized individual on any form or ticket denoting that the information is as stated.
Vibrator - A device for pulsating fresh concrete so that entrapped air is released, and the concrete settles uniformly about reinforcement and to the forms.
Wearing Plate - A small plate which drags over the top of the pavement forms or adjacent paving to control the height of the screed plate.
Windrow - An accumulation of material as a result of rolling up or sliding off to the side. Applies here to loose material just inside of the forms left by the subgrader in the fine grading operation.
Yield - A check on the mix design made by dividing the total batch weight by the determined weight per unit volume. The actual volume thus obtained is compared to the design volume.
Aggregate Correction Method - a method of compaction testing that modifies the one point proctor method. It accounts for the material retained on the ¾” sieve.
Asphalt Concrete - Reclaimed asphalt blended with natural soil or granular material.
Atterberg Limits - The moisture content at certain stages of soil behavior.
Balanced Project - A condition that occurs when the amount of embankment is equal to the amount of excavation on a project.
Benching - The excavation of the existing embankment so that the new and the old embankments are properly connected.
Blasting - The used of explosives to fracture rock or shale.
Borrow - Material obtained from approved sources that are required for the construction of the embankment.
CA-EW-5, Nuclear Gauge Compaction Form – This form details the record keeping for compaction tests. The one point proctor and test section methods A and B use this form.
CA-EW-6, Nuclear Gauge Compaction with an Aggregate Correction – This form details the record keeping for a compaction test. The aggregate correction method of compaction testing uses this form.
CA-EW-12, Daily Earthwork Inspection Sheet – This form details the earthwork construction operations on the project. It details general project information, locations of the operations, construction equipment, soil types, lift thicknesses and other information.
Canvas Shroud - A canvas curtain used to keep the dust down during the spreading operation.
Cement - A burned and pulverized chemical that is that reacts with silty and granular soils.
Centrifugal Force - The roller force or load on a base course or material that adds the weight and the vibration energies.
Checking - The cracking of a base or stabilized subgrade due to over rolling.
Clearing - Cutting down trees and brush.
Compaction - Increasing the density of soil by mechanical means, involving the expulsion of excess air.
Compaction Equipment - Equipment used to compact materials.
Consolidation - The removal of water from a soil over time to increase its strength.
Construction Underdrains - Sacrificial underdrains placed to drain the subgrade.
Contractor Designed Cement Subgrade - Tests performed by the contractor to ensure that the cement is compatible with the soil.
Contractor Designed Lime Subgrade - Tests performed by the Contractor to ensure that the lime is compatible with the soil.
Curing - The act of ensuring that the lime or cement stabilized soil is wet for at least 5 days.
Deflections or Rutting - The vertical movement of the subgrade during proof rolling.
Density - The proportion of soil mass or weight to the volume of the soil. It is commonly expressed in pounds per cubic foot.
Depth Checks - The measuring of the thickness of the base course or embankment material.
Disking - The act of using a disk to dry or break up a material.
Dozer - A machine that pushes and levels material
Drainage - Constructing the embankment to drain the water away as fast a possible.
Drainage Blanket - A system of coarse aggregate, fabric and pipe that is designed to drain large areas of the slope.
Dry Density – The density of a soil that uses only the weight of the soil. The density of the soil when the soil is completely dry.
Drying - The act of lowering the moisture content of a material by disking, plowing or other means.
Earth Moving Equipment - Equipment used to move earthen materials.
Earthwork Volumes - The calculation of a three dimensional earthwork quantities.
Electronic Grade Control - Controls on construction equipment that controls the grade.
Embankment - A structure consisting of suitable materials and constructed in lifts to a predetermined elevation and cross-section.
End Area - The cross sectional area on the plans that represents a two dimensional plane.
End Dumping - The direct loading of the base or embankment material from the truck to the subgrade or foundation.
Excavation - The removal of materials to predetermined elevations and cross-sections.
Excavator - A machine that removes material with a bucket.
Fine Grading - The act for trimming the surface to meet the specification tolerances.
Finished Surface - The top of the base or subgrade materials that has been fine graded or trimmed.
Footed Rollers - Rollers that knit the materials together. Primarily used for clayey materials.
Foundation - The location at the base of an embankment.
Gradation - The level of coarseness or fineness of a soil, referring to soil sizes.
Grader - A machine used to level surfaces.
Grading - The act of leveling the embankment surface to drain.
Granular Material Types - Granular Materials in Item 203 that have specific gradations to perform certain engineering functions.
Grubbing - Clearing by digging up roots and stumps.
Hydrated Lime - A finer form of lime.
Ingots - Heavy concrete weights in the proof roller.
Iron Slags - Air-cooled blast furnace slag (ACBF) and Granulated slag (GS).
Lift Thickness - The thickness of the material when placed on a horizontal surface.
Lime - A by-product of limestone that reacts with clayey soils.
Liquid Limit - Moisture content at which a soil passes from a plastic to a liquid state.
Maintenance - The act of constructing an embankment that minimizes construction problems. For example grading and draining to keep water off the embankment.
Moderately Soft Foundation - A foundation that is constructible with moderate changes to embankment construction techniques.
Moisture Content - The amount of water in a given soil expressed as a percent of the material’s dry weight.
Moisture Density Curve - A plot of the moisture content verses the weight of a soil. This plot determines their relationship.
Natural Granular Materials - Broken or crushed rock, gravel, sand, durable siltstone, and durable sandstone placed in 8-inch (200 mm) loose lifts.
Natural Soils - All natural earth materials, organic or inorganic, resulting from natural processes such as weathering, decay, and chemical action.
Nuclear Gauge - A device that uses nuclear radiation to determine the soils density and moisture content.
One Point Proctor Method - a method that determines the compaction of a soil. It requires making a proctor and using the Ohio Typical Density Curves to pick the correct curve.
Optimum Moisture - The water content at which the maximum density is produced in an embankment material.
Optimum Moisture - The water content at which the maximum density is produced in an embankment material.
Partial Excavation Method - The act of removing only a portion of the soft material.
Pavement - The location above the subgrade that traffic runs on that is made of concrete or asphalt.
Plastic Limit - The moisture content at which the material breaks a part at an 1/8” diameter. Indicates how much clay is in the material. The moisture content at which a soil changes from a semisolid to a plastic state.
Plasticity Index - The higher the PI the more clay in the material. The numerical difference between the liquid limit and plastic limit.
Power Driven Mixer - A big roto-tiller used to mix the soil and the lime.
Prime Coat - An asphalt emulsion used to keep the lime soil moist for the cure period.
Proctor Hammer - a device that is used to compact a soil in a proctor mold. It weights 5.5 pounds, compacts the soil 25 times for each soil lift in the proctor. The soil is placed in the proctor mold in three lifts.
Proctor Test – a procedure that uses a standard compactive effort to determine or pick a soil moisture density curve.
Proof Rolling - The use of heavy rollers to test the subgrade stability.
Quick Lime - A coarser and more concentrated form of lime.
Random Material - Mixtures of suitable materials that can be placed in 8-inch (200 mm) loose lifts.
Rectangular Foot - A footed roller with rectangular feet.
Recycled Materials - Fly ash, bottom ash, foundry sand, recycled glass, tire shreds.
Recycled Portland Cement Concrete (RPCC) - Recycled portland cement concrete blended with natural soil or granular material.
Rock - Sandstone, limestone, dolomite, glacial boulders, brick, and RPCC too large to be placed in an 8- inch (200 mm) loose lift.
Rock or Shale Subgrade Excavation - The 24 inches that is excavated below the pavement for drainage and uniform support.
Sand Blanket - The sand that is placed to drain the underlying soft material.
Saturated Embankment - Embankment that is full of water to the point of being unstable.
Scale – A weight measuring device used during compaction testing.
Scalping - Removal of remaining roots, sod, grass, agriculture crop, sawdust, and other vegetation so that the soil is completely exposed; however topsoil should not be removed.
Scraper Plate - A device that is used to establish a location for the nuclear gauge.
Segregation - The separation of fine and coarse material in a base course.
Self Propelled Spreading Machine - A piece of equipment that receives the base course from the truck and spreads it evenly on the subgrade.
Settlement - The compression of a soil into a more stable condition.
Severely Soft Foundation - Low lying areas with high or standing water that are not constructible with soil or standard construction techniques.
Shale - Laminated material with a finely stratified structure formed by the natural ‘consolidation’ of a clay or silt. The material is sometimes cemented together.
Shale Compaction Testing – Compaction testing that uses a bucket test to determine what compaction test to perform on a particular shale.
Sheepsfoot - An old footed roller that has 10% coverage per pass.
Side Drainage - Any ditches that drain the embankment away from the embankment construction.
Side Slopes - The embankment slopes that are perpendicular to the roadway. (Usually 2:1 slopes).
Slag Materials - Residual material from making iron or steels that must meet the requirements in 703.16.
Slide Repair - An area to be excavated for replacement.
Slurry Lime - Lime mixed with water to form slurry.
Soil Classification - AASHTO classifications of soils. Defines by gradation and characteristic the different materials.
Spreading - Moving material in preparation for compaction.
Spring Drains - A system of coarse aggregate, fabric and pipe that is designed to drain small areas of the slope.
Standard Count- a procedure performed on a nuclear gauge to ensure that the readings are accurate.
Steel Slags- Open hearth (OH) slag, Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, Electric arc furnace (EAF) slag or granulated slag.
Steel Wheeled Roller - Uses a drum with 100% coverage with one pass. Can be used with or with out vibration. Used for granular and silty materials.
Stock Pile - A pile of material that has or will be approved by the Test Lab.
Straight Edge - A piece of lumber with a level on it to check the grade.
Subgrade – The portion of the roadbed upon which the pavement structure and shoulders are constructed.
Subgrade Compaction - The compaction of the top 12 inches of the subgrade.
Suitable Material - Natural soil, natural granular material, granular material types, slag material, brick, shale, rock, random material, or other materials that are appropriate for use in embankment construction.
Tamping Foot - A footed roller that has 40% coverage with one pass and is highly productive. Can be used for soil, rock or shale.
Test Rolling - The use of a proof roller to test the stability of the subgrade prior to undercutting or stabilizing the subgrade. Used when spot locations are detailed in the plans.
Test Section Method – A compaction method that uses the relative density between two nuclear gauge readings to determine the materials potential maximum density.
Test Section Method A – A compaction method that uses the relative density between two nuclear gauge readings to determine the materials potential maximum density. It is used when the material has a definitive moisture density curve.
Test Section Method B – A compaction method that uses the relative density between two nuclear gauge readings to determine the materials potential maximum density. It is used when the material does ‘not’ have a definitive moisture density curve. A field test section moisture density curve is developed with this method.
Test Section Method C – A compaction method that uses the relative density between two nuclear gauge readings to determine the materials potential maximum density. It is used when the material is highly variable. It uses form CA-EW-7.
Total Excavation Method - Removing all of the soft material.
Waste - Excess material removed from the project limits.
Watering - The act of adding moisture to a material for proper compaction.
Weak Plane - An area in the embankment where the soil is weak and could slide apart.
Wet Density - the density of the soil that includes the weight of water and soil. It is also expressed as the total weight of the soil.
Zero Air Void Curve - A theoretical line that is used to ensure that the nuclear gauge readings are not dramatically incorrect. It plots the moisture density curve without the voids.
Amendments - mixed with the soil removed from the plant hole; to improve the soil texture, ph or add organic material; sphagnum peat moss, shredded pine bark, yard waste compost, and sand are all accepted amendments.
Backfill - this soil and amendment mixture is placed back into the hole after the plant has been set (see 661.11)
Balled and Burlapped - this is one kind of method for digging field-grown plants with a ball of earth still intact in which they are growing; can be supported by a wire basket and or burlap and laced with bailing twine; often denoted as B&B in plan notes; see 661 for correct plant/B&B sizes.
Bare Root - plants shipped by this method are done so without the soil from which they were grown; this type of plant can be seedlings, perennials, roses, fruit trees etc.; roots should be white and unbroken.
Caliper - this is measured as the width of a single stem plant; see page 6 on how to take measurement.
Competing Leaders - found at the top most branch, this condition is where the main stem (leader) has been cut or broken and has continued to grow into two main stems; one should be removed to eliminate the potential for future problems.
Conifer - cone-bearing plants; mostly evergreen but not always true
Crown - the upper part of a tree, also called the canopy.
Deciduous - term used to describe plants which loose their leaves at the end of a growing season; typically this occurs in the fall.
Fertilizer - a natural or synthetic material added to or spread on soil to increase its fertility; the three numbers indicate its percentage of ingredients; in order, these numbers are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium,
Foliage - this is the leaf structure of a plant; can be composted of needles or deciduous leaves.
Herbicide - a natural or synthetic product typically used to eradicate weeds; product should be applied by a licensed applicator and as directed by the manufacturer’s label.
Mulch - placed onto top of the plants rootball; keeps the ground cool, retains moisture, prevents heaving and breaks down, providing nutrients to the root system (see 661. 13).
Multi-stem - having two or more main stems; defined as clump or shrub form.
Root Crown - this is the union between the roots and the stem; care should be taken not to bury this union with soil when planting.
Single Stem - also called the central leader or trunk; tapers gradually from root crown to top.
Shrubs - usually multi-stemmed with numerous side branches; can be evergreen or deciduous.
Tree Wrap - placed around a deciduous tree trunk to protect it from frost cracking, sunscald or insect damage; (see 661.15)