TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

(STRUCTURAL ITEMS)

SPECIFICATIONS FOR PILING WORKS

1.0 INDIAN STANDARDS

Indian Standards used for this section are:

IS 456 Code of concrete for plain and reinforced concrete

IS 516 Method of test for strength of concrete

IS 2911 (Part 1) Code of Practice for design and construction of pile

foundation concrete piles cast-in-situ concrete piles

IS 2911 (Part 1) Code of Practice for design and construction of pile

foundation concrete piles cast-in-situ bored piles

2.0 MATERIAL

2.1 Cement, Coarse Aggregate, Fine Aggregate, Water, Admixture and

Steel Reinforcement shall be as detailed in specifications, in the Bill of
Quantities. The following specifications shall not be construed as
contradictory to any clauses in the above parts of specifications and the
BOQ. Any discrepancy among any of the sections above and the matter
presented herein below shall be brought to the notice of the consultants
and clarification sought before proceeding to quote for the work.

2.2 Bentonite

Bentonite powder to be used by mixing with water in suspension shall

be such as to maintain the stability of excavation in trench/bore. Each
consignment of bentonite powder received by the contractor shall be
accompanied by a Test Certificate from the manufacturer stating its
properties as determined by the supplier/manufacturer. The Certificate
shall be submitted to the EIC for his record.

3.0 Equipment and Accessories

The equipment and accessories will have to be selected depending

upon strata, location of work, capacity, size and weight of pile to be
handled. These shall be approved by the EIC prior to being brought to
site and use shall be as approved by the EIC.

4.0 SCOPE OF WORK

4.1 This section covers for providing bored cast-in-situ reinforced concrete
pile foundations including boring work, steel reinforcement, cast-in-
place concrete piles, finishing of pile heads and all other work as
required.
 The work included consists of all necessary services and furnishing of
all labour, material, tools, equipment and related items for full
performance of the contract items as shown on the drawings, or as
specified or reasonably implied.

In brief, items of work will be as follows:

- Coordination of drawing and setting out at site.

- Boring for piles including chiselling hard strata like boulder/weathered and
hard rock, existing underground structures / foundations, use of bentonite
slurry, disposal of excavated material, keeping the site clean, etc.

- Providing and fixing steel reinforced cage.

- Casting-in-situ concrete piles to required depths and heights

- All other miscellaneous concrete and related work shown in the drawings
and/or called for in the BOQ.

4.2 The contractor shall be responsible for the safety of each pile
and/or group of piles and shall guarantee his workmanship and
materials against any damage resulting therefrom to the
building superstructure erected on the pile foundation.

4.3 The contractor shall, taking into account the site investigation
information available and his own local knowledge, submit, with
his tender, the full details of his proposals for the piles.

4.4 The contractor shall include in his tender provision for a qualified
site engineer experienced in piling construction to supervise the
work and who shall be approved by the EIC, who will work full
time at the site.

5.0 Founding Strata

5.1 In case of piles founded on rocky strata, the pile should penetrate
minimum 1 times the pile diameter into the founding strata. The
founding strata is defined as the strata in which penetration by
chiselling with a 3/4 ton chisel dropped from a height of 1 m
continuously for half an hour does not exceed 15 cms.

5.2 In case of piles deriving their load bearing capacity predominantly from
skin friction, piles in clay or sandy soils without significant contribution
to its capacity from the end bearing, the length of pile recommended by
the consultant is the minimum depth to which the boring is to be carried
out. However, if it is found that the designated type of strata identified
 by the consultant in which the pile is to be terminated is not encountered
at the depth at which the boring has reached, it will be the contractor’s
responsibility to ensure that the boring should be continued deeper until
the said founding stratum is found which has the same geotechnical
properties as that of the recommended founding strata. For any such
increase in the length of the pile on account of variation in the depth of
the strata at which the desired geotechnical parameters are available,
the request for allowing the concreting of the pile for more length shall
be accompanied by the test reports such as SPT/N values.

5.2 The contractor shall provide and maintain, during the progress of his
work, a suitable firm working surface at the site and as the work
proceeds shall remove from the site all excavated material and rubbish
arising thus to the satisfaction of the EIC.

5.3 The contractor shall, during the progress of the works, maintain full
records of each pile constructed including the soil profile as bored, the
length and diameter of the pile and the quantity of concrete placed in
the pile in the proforma as detailed hereunder or as directed by the EIC.

5.4 The contractor shall take every precaution to avoid damage to the
existing structures in the vicinity as a result of piles. All claims arising
on account of any damage caused to the existing structures in the
vicinity as a result of construction of pile foundation shall be borne by
the contractor.

6.0 Co-ordination of Drawings

The contractor shall co-relate all relevant Architectural, Structural and

Services drawings and satisfy himself that the information available
therein is complete and unambiguous. Any discrepancy in drawing
shall be brought to the notice of the EIC prior to execution of the work.
Any aspect overlooked by the contractor shall be corrected by the
contractor at his cost.

7.0 Setting Out

A bench mark shall be established by constructing a masonry pillar or

marking on a suitable structure at the site. Based on the drawing the
contractor shall prepare a layout drawing indicating pegs setting in both
directions for approval of the EIC. The approved setting out shall be
carried out at site with the use of Theodolite, steel tapes, etc. For
proper execution it is recommended that a well-built masonry pillar be
provided with top surfaces that are smooth-finished to predetermined
levels and marked sharply with axis for cross reference. The contractor
shall ensure that all bench marks, pillars and other marks used in
setting out are protected and preserved till the completion of operation.
 The contractor shall be fully responsible for the accuracy and
sufficiency of layout, and to achieve the standard of work required.

8.0 Boring

8.1 Boring may be done either by rotary or percussion equipment, grabbing

equipment or by reversed or direct mud circulation method.
Stabilization of the sides of the bore hole, if required, shall be done by
the use of drilling fluids or casing.

8.2 The drilling fluid, wherever required, shall be used at least from the
level of subsoil water and the hole shall then be always kept almost full
with the fluid preferably kept in motion. The density and composition
of the fluid shall be such as to suit the requirements of the ground
conditions and to maintain the fine materials from the borings in
suspension. A 5% bentonite suspension would be generally suitable.

8.3 Construction sequence from the centre onwards from a group of piles
shall be prepared and submitted for approval of the EIC.

9.0 Cleaning

The bottom of the bore holes shall be cleaned of all the spoils and
sediments before placing the concrete and after placing of cage
reinforcement so that the bases of piles shall be free from loose
material.

10.0 Reinforcement

Reinforcement used shall be made up into cages sufficiently well-wired

to withstand handling without damage. Bars shall be placed at
sufficient distance to allow easy flow of concrete. The lateral ties and
spiral binding shall not be closer than 15 cm centre to centre. Care
shall be taken to preserve correct cover as specified in drawings and
alignment of reinforcement throughout the whole operation of placing
the concrete.

11.0 Concreting

11.1 Concreting shall start as soon as possible after the completion of boring.
If bore holes are not concreted within two hours, they shall be cleaned
thoroughly prior to placing the concrete.

11.2 Concreting shall be done so as not have any voids formed due to faulty
consolidation of entrapped air. The volume of concrete placed shall be
 observed and checked to monitor any deviation in the volume of the
concrete placed.

11.3 Concreting shall be placed by means of a tremie pipe.

11.4 It shall be ensured that the concrete entering the tremie pipe does not
get mixed up with slurry. The tremie pipe shall extend up to the bottom
of the bore hole at the start and shall be withdrawn in sections as the
level of concrete rises in the bore holes, but its discharge end shall at
all times be embedded in the concrete to a minimum depth of one meter
or a sufficient head to prevent the inflow of soil and water.

11.5 The borehole should be maintained full with the drilling fluid, where
used, throughout the concreting operation. Mud displaced from the
borehole by the concrete shall be channelled away or pumped into
suitable receptacles for disposal to waste or reuse.

12.0 Withdrawal of Casing

Extraction of casing in the case of large dia bore piles shall be done in
such a way that no necking or shearing of the concrete in the shaft
takes place.

13.0 Finishing Pile Heads

13.1 The top of the piles shall be brought up above the finished level to
permit all laitance and weak concrete to be removed. It shall be
ensured that pile heads are properly keyed into the pile cap. A
minimum distance of 7.5 cm or as specified in the drawings shall be
maintained.

13.2 All piles shall be brought upto 6O cm or higher as directed than the
theoretical cut off point permit all laitance and weak concrete to be
removed and sound correct length keying in pile cap.

14.0 Tolerances

14.1 The contractor shall exercise every care to ensure that all the piles are
located at the correct assigned positions as indicated in the drawings.
The piles shall be, as accurately as possible, true to the vertical.

14.2 Permissible positional deviation for bored piles shall not be greater than
7.5 cm for piles upto 180 cm in diameter at the level of the bottom of
the pile cap. The deviation from the vertical shall not be more than 1 in
100.
15.0 Records

A competent supervisor shall be present to record the necessary

information when the pile is being driven. The data record shall be kept
in the form as prescribed in IS 2911 (Part I) Appendix H or as directed
by the EIC or as per enclosed Appendix 'B'

16.0 Defective Piles

16.1 EIC reserves the right to reject any pile which, he considers, has not
been constructed according to specifications. The contractor shall
leave the rejected piles in place or pull them out as judged and directed
by the EIC. No extra payment will be made on this account.

16.2 The cost of extra piles at new locations, their reinforcement, concrete,
etc. and any other additional work required as a result of rejection of
defective piles shall be borne by the contractor.

17.0 Load Tests

Tests shall be carried out in accordance with the requirements of IS

2911 (Part IV).

17.1 Testing Procedure

Load tests on a pile shall not be carried out earlier than four weeks from
the time of casting of the pile. The contract or shall submit the
description of his (alternate) procedure for carrying out the load test for
the approval of the EIC, at least one month prior to the first load test.
The EIC reserves full rights for demanding modifications of the test
procedure proposed by the contractor.

17.2 Number of Tests

The number of load tests carried out by the contractor shall be 1% of

the number of piles for each type and diameter with a minimum of one
for each type of diameter.

17.2.1 Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment for supplying

specified vertical loads on top of the test piles and measuring
settlement of the piles. The equipment provided shall be capable of
slowly applying and maintaining loads to within an accuracy of 1% and
measure deflection to accuracy of 0.02 mm.

Before commencing load testing of piles, all load testing equipment,

e.g. hydraulic jacks, pressure gauges deflectometers, etc. shall bed
 tested for their accuracy from an approved laboratory. The testing
deflectometers along with their test certificates shall be kept in the
custody of the EIC until start of the test. The hydraulic jacks shall be
placed on the pile only on the date of testing in the presence of the EIC.

17.3 Loading Device

17.3.1 The device for applying vertical load shall be suitably designed to avoid
impact, lateral forces, tilting, etc. and shall have an arrangement for
gradual applications of load by means of a hydraulic jack and for
reading at close intervals. The load shall be in the form of suitable
kentledges/reactions.

17.3.2 In the absence of a loading platform, the loading device may be as

under.

The hydraulic jack reacts against heavy R.S. joists or a suitable load
frame held down by anchor piles or other anchorages. The anchor piles
may be working piles but they shall be sufficient in number and
adequately reinforced to take the full tension with proper factor of
safety.

17.4 Apparatus for Measuring Settlement

The apparatus for measuring settlement shall consist of 4 dial gauges

permitting a reading of 0.02 mm accuracy. The dial gauges shall be
fixed to a datum bar whose ends rest upon non movable supports. The
supports for the datum bar with reference to which the settlement of the
pile would be measured shall be at least 5 x d away clear from the piles,
'd' being the diameter of the pile.

17.5 Preparation of Pile Head for Testing

The pile head shall be at the cutoff level of the pile. However, if the
cutoff level is considerably below the ground level, the test pile may be
made as directed by the EIC. It shall be constructed upto ground level
and due deductions shall be made in the pile capacity to account for
the resistance offered by the soil from the theoretical cutoff level to the
test level of the pile. In this regard the decision of the EIC shall be final
and binding. The head of the pile shall be capped in such a manner as
to produce a horizontal plane bearing surface.

17.6 Loading Procedure

The maximum test load shall be 1.5 times the anticipated working load
on the pile for routine and cyclic load tests and 3.0 times the anticipated
 working load or load to destruction, as decided by the EIC for initial load
tests.

17.7 Procedure for Initial Tests

17.7.1 Initial tests are specifically recommended for adequate investigation

in case of major projects. Test shall be carried out as soon as possible.

17.7.2 The tests shall be carried out by applying a series of loads on the
R.C.C. cap over a pile or a group of piles unaided by any other support.
The load shall be applied by means of the hydraulic jack reacting
against a loaded platform (device as detailed earlier), which shall be
preloaded to not less than two and a half times the estimated safe load
carrying capacity of the pile. The hydraulic jack shall be of adequate
capacity and shall have a pressure gauge and remote control pump.

17.7.3. The test load shall be applied in equal increments of about one fifth of
the estimated safe load or as directed by the EIC. Alternate loading
and unloading at each increment shall bed performed and the elastic
and plastic settlements recorded.

17.7.4 Readings of settlement and rebound shall be recorded with the help
of at least two dial gauges (preferably four) of 0.02 mm sensitivity and
resting on diametrically opposite ends of the pile cap. The dial gauge
shall be fixed to a datum bar whose ends rest on non movable supports.
The supports for datum bar with reference to which the settlement of
the pile would be measured, shall be at least 5 d away, clear from the
piles where d is diameter of the pile.

17.7.5 Each stage loading shall be maintained till the rate of movement of
the pile cap is not more than 0.02 mm per hour.

17.7.6 Loading shall be continued till the settlement of the pile top equals one
tenth of the diameter of the pile stem (one tenth of the side in case of
square piles), or the load is three times the estimated safe load on the
pile, whichever is earlier.

17.7.7 The full test load shall be maintained for 24 hours. If the settlement
has not reached a steady value within a period of 24 hours, the full test
load shall be retained the settlement recorded for the next 24 hours
remains constant.

17.7.8 The safe load on the pile shall be the least of the following:

a) Two-thirds of the final load at which the total settlement attains a value not
more than 12 mm.
b) Two-thirds of the final load at which the net settlement attains a value of 6
mm.

c) 50% of the final load at which the total settlement equals one-tenth of the
pile diameter.

17.8. Procedure for Routine Test

17.8.1 It shall be the same as in the case of the initial test detailed above. If
desired by the EIC, working load application shall be in increments of
25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 percent of the anticipated working load.
Full test load shall remain on the pile for 24 hours. The test may be
carried out on one or more working piles.

17.8.2 The safe load shall be assessed as the least of the following:

a) Two-thirds of the initial load at which the total settlement attains a value not
more than 12 mm.

b) Two-thirds of the final load at which the net settlement increases to 6 mm,
unless more settlement is permissible.

17.9 Procedure for Cycle Loading

17.9.1 The loading shall be applied on the test pile or group of piles by the
hydraulic jack assembly with pressure gauge in increments of about
one-fifth of the assumed safe load. The reaction shall be obtained
against a loaded platform or heavy R.S. joist bolted down to anchor
piles.

17.9.2 Alternate loading and unloading shall be carried out at each stage and
subsequent elastic rebound in the pile shall be measured accurately by
a minimum of two (preferably four) settlement gauges fixed at
diametrically opposite ends to a datum bar resting on immovable
supports. In order to stimulate the effect of future fluctuations of load,
a cycle of loading and unloading may sometimes be repeated at 5-to
10-minute intervals before applying the next higher load.

17.9.3 Loading shall be continued till there is a marked progressive settlement

of the pile. In the end full test load shall remain on the pile.

17.10 Tension Tests

17.10.1 If required, tension tests shall be done for a maximum test load of
2 times the safe tension capacity of the pile.
17.10.2 Two adjacent working piles shall bed treated as reaction piles and
tensile loading applied by means of hydraulic jack against a steel joist
(built-in if necessary) resting on the reaction piles.

17.10.3 The contractor shall submit his proposal for testing along with
detailed sketches and computations pertaining to the test for the
approval of the EIC at least one month before the date of the test.

17.10.4 Alternate loading, unloading and recording of readings shall be

done in the same manner as for cyclic loading.

17.11 Failure of Test

If the tested pile does not satisfy the specified requirements of a

successful test and if the failure is attributed to defective workmanship
or negligence on the part of the contractor, all costs of the load test, the
cost of additional or enlarged pile caps and other work necessitated
because of the defective pile, shall be at the cost of the Contractor.

18.0 MEASUREMENTS

18.1 Mobilisation, demobilisation of equipment shall be measured as a

separate item in BOQ.

18.2 Empty boring shall be measured separately in running meters and

length shall be from actual working ground level to the bottom level of
the pile.

18.3 Concrete shall bed measured separately in running meters from the
founding level to the theoretical cut-off level of the pile.

18.4 Boring through boulders and rocky strata except in respect of isolated
boulders not exceeding the diameter of pile shaft shall be measured
and paid extra over.

18.6 Reinforcement in piling shall be paid separately.

18.7 Permanent liners, if specified and provided, shall be measured

separately and paid as per unit specified in BOQ.

18.8 Load testing shall be enumerated for one or the group of piles.
19. BENTONITE

1. Bentonite supplied to the site and prior to mixing shall be in accordance

with the following specifications.

2. With each consignment of bentonite powder, the Contractor shall

obtain a certificate from the manufacturer stating its properties as
determined by him. The certificates shall be made available to the EIC
on request.

3. Bentonite powder shall be mixed thoroughly with clean fresh water.

The percentage of bentonite used to make the suspension shall be
such as to maintain stability of excavation in trench/bore.

4. Control tests shall be carried out on the bentonite suspension using

suitable apparatus to determine the following:

a) Density
b) Viscosity
c) Shear Strength
d) P.H. Value of freshly mixed bentonite

These tests shall be carried out initially until consistent working pattern
is established. When the test shows consistent behaviour, some or all
tests may be discontinued at the discretion of EIC.

5. Prior to placing concrete, the Contractor shall ensure that contaminated

bentonite suspension has not been accumulated at the bottom of the
trench/bore to impair free flow of tremie concrete. The Contractor shall
state the method of checking the same along with the tender and obtain
approval of the EIC prior to commencement of the work.

6. Temperature of water used in mixing bentonite suspension as well as

that of suspension supplied to the trench/bore excavation shall not be
less than 5 deg.C.

7. During construction the level of bentonite suspension in the trench/bore

shall be maintained within the depth of guide walls and at a level not
less than 1.0 m above the level of external standing water if any. In the
event of sudden loss of bentonite suspension, the trench shall be
backfilled without delay and the instruction of the EIC shall be obtained
on further course of action.

8. Where saline or chemically contaminated ground water is

encountrered, special measures shall be taken as required by the
Employer/EIC.
9. All reasonable steps shall be taken to prevent spillage of bentonite
suspension on the site away from the immediate vicinity of the wall.
Discarded bentonite and suspension which has been pumped from the
trench shall be immediately removed from the site.

20. PILE INSTALLATION RECORD.

In general, pile installation record shall be maintained in the following

format. However, if the contractor has any other format, he may furnish
the same. In any case, all the data mentioned below must be
incorporated in the alternate format.

(I) GENERAL

1. STRUCTURE NO.______________ 2. PILE NO.___________.DIA._______

3. GROUND LVL (RL) _____________ 4. CUT OFF LVL (RL) ________________

5. PILE TIP (RL) _____________ 6. PILE CAST TOP (RL) _____________

7. G.W.T. (RL)_____________ 8. PILE LENGTH____________________

(II) A. BORING

1. DATE OF STARTING _______________Time __________________

2. DATE OF COMPLETION___________ Time __________________

3. TOTAL BORING TIME ______________________________HRS

4. TOTAL BORED DEPTH ___________________________

(II) B. CHISELLING
(In case of penetrating through rock, hard strata, boulders, existing underground structures
or foundations)

1. CHISEL WEIGHT______MT.

2. CHISEL FALL UPTO FOUNDING LAYER PENETRATION RATE < 15

CM/30 minutes ____________m

3. DATE OF STARTING ____________ Time _____________

4. DATE OF COMPLETION____________ Time _____________

5. CHISELLING FOR SOCKETING START _____________

6. CHISELLING FOR SOCKETING COMPLETION _____________

7. TOTAL HRS OF CHISELLING _____________

(III) FLUSHING/CLEANING

(A) BENTONITE FLUSHING (PUMP CAPACITY _________ (HP)

1. SP. GR AT INFLOW ____________

2. SP. GR AT OUTFLOW: AT START __________________

AT COMPL.__________________

3. FLUSHING TIME___________________

4. DESCRIPTION OF WASH MATERIAL

(a) AT START

(b) AT END

(IV) CONCRETE

CEMENT SRC/OPC GRADE M- TREMIE PIPE DIA _________

1. DATE __________ 2. TIME FROM ____________TO ____________

3. VOLUME ________ cu.m {THEO} _______cu.m {ACTUAL} __________BAGS

4. PLASTICIZER USED x QTY.______________________________________

5. SLUMP _____________mm

6. CUBES CAST ________________ Nos.

7. TOTAL TREMIE LENGTH AT START ________________________m

(V) REINFORCEMENT

1. CAGE LENGTH __________________m

(VI) BORELOG REMARKS:

Ground Water Time Strata

ENGINEER'S REPRESENTATIVE CONTRACTOR’S REPRESENTATIVE