© SABS.

This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

ISBN 978-0-626-37151-7
SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Construction works

Part BE1: Earthworks (general)

Published by the South African Bureau of Standards

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof  Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
[Link]
 SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

This page has been left blank

intentionally

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT

© SABS

In terms of the Standards Act 8 of 2008, the copyright in all South African National
Standards or any other publications published by the SABS Standards Division, vests
in the SABS. Any use of South African National Standards is limited to use specifically
prescribed by the SABS. In the case of a South African National Standard based on an
international standard, ownership of the copyright vests in the organization from which
the SABS adopted the standard, whether it be under licence or membership
agreement. The SABS is obliged to protect such copyright and is authorized to make the
relevant international organization aware of any misuse thereof. Unless exemption has
been granted, no extract or full text of any South African National Standard may be
copied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means without prior written permission from the SABS Standards Division. This does not
preclude the free use, in the course of implementing the standard, of necessary details
such as symbols, and size, type or grade designations. If these details are to be used for
any purpose other than implementation, prior written permission must be obtained.

Details, advice and limitations of use can be obtained from the Manager: Standards
Sales and Information Services. Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 email: sales@[Link]

SABS – Standards Division

The objective of the SABS Standards Division is to develop, promote and maintain
South African National Standards. This objective is incorporated in the Standards Act, 2008
(Act No. 8 of 2008).

The SABS continuously strives to improve the quality of its products and services and
would therefore be grateful if anyone finding an inaccuracy or ambiguity while using this
standard would inform the secretary of the technical committee responsible, the identity of
which can be found in the foreword.

Buying Standards

Contact the Sales Office for South African and international standards, which are
available in both electronic and hard copy format. Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 6883 email:
sales@[Link]

South African National Standards are also available online from the SABS
Webstore [Link]

Information on Standards

SABS Customer Services provide comprehensive standards-related information on

national, regional and international standards. Tel: +27 (0) 12 428 7911 / 0861 27 7227
email: info@[Link]

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was prepared by National Committee SABS/TC 1098,
Building and civil engineering works, in accordance with procedures of the South African
Bureau of Standards, in compliance with annex 3 of the WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in September 2008. This document supersedes SABS
1200 D:1988 (second revision), SABS 1200 DA:1988 (second revision) and SABS 1200
DN:1982 (first revision).

SANS 2001 consists of a number of parts in various stages of preparation, under the
general title
Construction works.

Annex A forms an integral part of this document. Annex B is for information only.

Compliance with this document cannot confer immunity from legal obligations.
Reaffirmed and reprinted in December 2018.
This document will be reviewed every five years
and be reaffirmed, amended, revised or withdrawn.

Introduction
The different parts of SANS 2001 each address a specific component of construction
works. The prime purpose in the production of these standards is to create a set of
standards that are generally applicable to construction works, and which can be
readily modified to make them applicable to particular works.

The SANS 2001 family of standards provides technical descriptions of the standard of
materials and workmanship that will be used in the works that are executed or in the
performance of the works when completed (or both). These standards do not
make reference to the actions of those responsible for executing the works or the
parties to a contract, i.e. to the constraints relating to the manner in which contract
work is to be performed. Neither do they deal with the commercial arrangements
of such contracts. These standards are suitable for use in any "in-house"
construction work or in all types of engineering and construction works contracts,
for example, design by employer, design and build, develop and construct,
construction management or management contracts.

Standard requirements pertaining to the manner in which works are constructed can be
found in the SANS 1921 family of standards.

©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1
Contents
Page

Foreword

Introduction

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................
.....
3

2 Normative
references..............................................................................................................
3

3 Definitions .........................................................................................................................
......
4

4 Requirements.....................................................................................................................
.....
5

5 Compliance with the

requirements ......................................................................................... 12

Annex A (normative) Preparation of specification data associated with this part of

SANS 2001 for inclusion in the scope of
work ...................................... 15

Annex B (informative) Items that might need to be considered when preparing

the scope of work for a particular
project .............................................. 18

Bibliography............................................................................................................................
... 19

©
1
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

This page is intentionally left blank

2 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1

Construction works

BE1:
Earthworks
(general)

1 Scope
This part of SANS 2001 covers earthworks carried out with heavy construction
equipment or light construction equipment, or by hand, for general excavations,
terracing, landscaping and cut and fill operations, such as in minor roads and
private railway sidings. It specifies requirements for excavations for foundations for
bridges, buildings and structures. It also covers excavation, filling, compaction and
finishing.

NOTE 1 SANS 1921-5 establishes further requirements for executing earthworks

activities by hand. NOTE 2 SANS 1921-1 establishes management requirements for

earthworks.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this
document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national and international
standards can be obtained from the South African Bureau of Standards.

SANS 2001-BS1, Construction works – Part BS1: Site clearance.

SANS 10403:2003, Formatting and compilation of construction procurement documents.

TMH1-A3, Standard methods of testing road construction materials – Method A3: The determination
of the plastic limit and plasticity index of soils.

TMH1-A7, Standard methods of testing road construction materials – Method A7: The determination
of the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of gravel, soil and sand.

TMH1-A8, Standard methods of testing road construction materials – Method A8: The determination
of the California Bearing Ratio of untreated soils and gravels.

TMH1-A10(a), Standard methods of testing road construction materials – Method A10(a):

The determination of the in-place dry density of soil or gravel by the sand replacement method.

TMH1-A10(b), Standard methods of testing road construction materials – Method A10(b): Tentative
3
© moisture content of soils and gravels by nuclear
method for determining the in-place density and
methods. SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in SANS 10403 and the following
apply.

3.1
backfill
material placed in a certain manner in an excavation after specified operations
have been performed

3.2
borrow material
material obtained from various sources, such as borrow pits and widening of
excavations

3.3
borrow pit
excavation made for the procurement of material

3.4
CBR
California bearing ratio
load in newtons, expressed as a percentage of standard values, required to allow
a piston of 1 935 mm2 to penetrate a surface of a compacted material at a rate of
1,27 mm/min to depths of 2,54 mm, 5,08 mm and 7,62 mm where the corresponding
standard values for these depths are 13,344 kN, 20,016 kN and 25,354 kN,
respectively

3.5
deviation
difference between the actual (i.e. measured) dimension or position and the specified
dimension or position

3.6
formation
prepared surface on which the ballast and track are laid

3.7
liquid limit
empirically established moisture content at the boundary between the liquid and the
plastic states

3.8
modified AASHTO maximum dry density
highest density obtainable when compaction is carried out on soil at varied moisture
contents at the modified AASHTO compaction effort in accordance with the
requirements of TMH1-A7

3.9
OMC
optimum moisture content
moisture content at which the maximum dry density of a soil is obtained for a
specific compaction effort

3.10
overbreak
excavation carried out in excess of the theoretical or specified profile

3.11
4
overburden ©
SABS
unsuitable or unusable material cover over usable material in a cutting or borrow pit

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

3.12
permissible deviation
pd
specified limit(s) of
deviation within
which a dimension
or position lies

3.13
PI
plasticity index
difference between
the liquid limit and
the plastic limit

3.14
plastic limit
empirically
established
moisture content at
the boundary
between the plastic
and semi-solid
states

3.15
specification data
data, provisions and variations that make this part of SANS 2001 applicable to a
particular contract or works (see annex A)

3.16
specified density
ratio of field density to laboratory-determined maximum dry density

3.17
spoil
unsuitable or excess material removed (or intended to be removed) as waste

3.18
stockpile
placement of material that has been selected, loaded, transported and unloaded in a
heap outside the confines of a borrow pit or of an excavation that forms part of the
works

3.19
sub-ballast layer
uppermost layer of the formation of a private railway siding

3.20
suitable
capable of fulfilling or having fulfilled the intended function, or fit for its intended
purpose

3.21
tolerance
range between the limits within which a dimension or position lies

3.22
windrow
ridge of soil consisting of spill from a grader

4 Requirements
© 5
SABS
1. Materials
1. Material
This productsuitable for embankments
is copyrighted andRoad,
by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan terraces
Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

b) hard material or rock material with a maximum dimension of 300 mm; or

c) both clay or clayey material of a liquid limit that exceeds 40, or PI that exceeds 18
(or both), and rocks or boulders that have a maximum dimension greater than 300
mm, provided that they

1) are not placed against structures, and

2) are placed in predetermined quantities and in specified parts of the fill, in

accordance with the requirements of [Link]; or

d) materials that can be compacted so as to avoid settlement that exceeds 2 mm/m

of depth of excavation, and that contain no more than 10 % rock or hard
fragments retained on a sieve of nominal aperture size 50 mm and that
contain no large clay lumps that break up under the action of the
compaction equipment used.

2. Material suitable for replacing overbreak in excavations for foundations

[Link] backfill in overbreak for foundations shall be capable of sufficient

compaction to avoid settlement and shall be capable of placement without significant
voids.

[Link] backfill shall not contain appreciable quantities of organic matter or

stones of average dimension exceeding the lesser of 150 mm or two-thirds of the
thickness of the layer being compacted. In addition, the backfill shall be graded
material that has a PI not exceeding 10 and a CBR of at least 10 % at the minimum
specified density compacted at OMC.

3. Material suitable for backfill or for fill against structures.

The material placed as backfill or as fill within 500 mm of structures shall comply with
4.1.1 except that it shall not contain more than 10 % rock or hard fragments
retained on a sieve of nominal aperture size 50 mm.

4. Material suitable for sub-ballast layer

The sub-ballast shall have a PI that does not exceed 10 and a CBR of at least 25 % at
the minimum specified density compacted at OMC.

5. Selection of materials

1. Conservation of topsoil

Where, in terms of the specification data (see annex A), the topsoil is required for later
use on the site, the topsoil shall be selected and stockpiled.

2. Backfilling, embankments and fills

Sufficient material arising from excavations for foundations, footings, cuttings etc.,
and that is suitable for backfilling, filling against the finished structures, or placement
in embankments and fills shall be stockpiled in the vicinity of the structures, or if
it cannot be placed directly in the embankment or fill, in the vicinity of the
embankment or fill. All other material from excavations and cuttings shall be disposed
of on the site, or in accordance with the scope of work, in such a manner that material
can be placed with confidence in the correct position in embankments. Any material
that is below the finished level of an excavation that is unsuitable, shall be excavated
and disposed of. The resultant space shall©be refilled with backfill and compacted.
6
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1
2. Methods and procedures
1. Site preparation

1. Clearing or clearing and stripping of sites

If required in terms of the specification data (see annex A), all areas in which
excavation is to take place or that are to be covered by terraces, banks or structures
shall be

a) cleared in accordance with the requirements of SANS 2001-BS1, or

b) cleared as specified in (a) and also stripped of all remaining vegetation and
surface soil to a depth of up to 150 mm. Unsuitable material shall be
disposed of as specified in 4.2.3.

2. Conservation of topsoil

When so required in terms of the specification data (see annex A), and when there
is suitable topsoil within the limits of the area to be cleared, the topsoil, together
with any grass or other suitable vegetation that is removed, shall be conserved. If it
is not used immediately or if it is not stockpiled in windrows clear of the working
areas, the topsoil shall be conserved for later use in the manner specified in the
specification data. Topsoil shall not be removed from any area in which the average
depth of soil is less than 150 mm.

3. Stripping or removal of overburden

Except as required in terms of [Link], where stripping as specified in [Link] is

required to include the removal of overburden and other unsuitable material to depths
exceeding 150 mm, the details will be specified in the specification data.

2. Excavation

1. Excavations for general earthworks and for structures

1. Excavation work shall be so executed that material

c) excavated and placed in accordance with the requirements of 4.1 and materials from
excavations shall be used in preference to materials from borrow pits or other
sources;

d) shall be transported directly to its final position without being stockpiled, and if
stockpiling is unavoidable, materials intended for different uses shall be stockpiled
separately.

[Link] an area has been stripped as specified in 4.2.1, excavation shall be

carried out first to any general levels to which the ground has to be reduced and then
for foundations, footings, etc., to the depths indicated in the drawings or to such
greater depths as may be required to reach a suitable founding stratum.

[Link] where otherwise shown in the construction drawings, required in

terms of the specification data or dictated by the requirements for safeguarding
excavations, excavation shall be so carried out and the excavated surfaces so
prepared by trimming to the outline of the concrete work shown in the drawings,
that the excavated surfaces will act as formwork for the concrete works.

[Link] where provision for working space has been made in the scope of
work, each excavated surface on which, or against which, a permanent concrete
©
structure will be placed shall be prepared by trimming to ensure that there is no 7
SABS
projection outside the specified tolerance into the excavation profile. Such surface shall
be cleaned by hand or by air or by other effective means to remove all loose material.
This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

[Link] before any permanent construction is commenced, the

bottom of each excavation shall be cleaned of all loose material, and soft material
shall be rammed or removed, as required.

[Link] surfaces that will remain permanently exposed shall be trimmed

in a neat and workmanlike manner and shall be graded to provide suitable drainage, as
shown in the drawings.

[Link] shall be made and trimmed neatly to the side slopes, widths, levels,
grades, and sections shown in the construction drawings.

[Link] otherwise specified in the scope of work, the finished formation

width of private sidings shall be at least that shown in figure 1, appropriate to the
layout.

[Link] required in the specification data, the slopes of cuttings shall not be
trimmed to a smooth surface but left as cut by a bulldozer or scraper to provide ledges
to retain topsoil.

2. Shallow cuts and fills of depth up to 300 mm in private sidings

[Link] the in-situ material at formation level is suitable, the top 200 mm
or such other depth as may be directed shall be compacted to the density specified
for the sub-ballast layer of embankments and finished to the correct level.

[Link] soil below formation level shall be removed by excavation to

depths, widths, and lengths to permit the placing and compacting to the specified
density of backfill.

[Link] shall be removed to a depth below the finished level of 200 mm and
replaced by compacted material.

[Link] Borrow pits

When borrow pits are required to obtain additional or selected excavated material,
access to each borrow pit site shall be constructed and the surface of the site shall be
cleared of all vegetation and rubbish. Topsoil and overburden shall be stripped and
stockpiled separately, unless otherwise required in terms of the specification data.
On completion of borrowing, all unused material, including overburden but
excluding topsoil, shall be returned and the sides of the pits shall be graded 1:2.
The stockpiled topsoil shall then be spread evenly over the area of the borrow pit and,
thereafter, any access constructed shall be scarified and the area reinstated.

4.2.3 Disposal

Surplus and unsuitable material shall be disposed of in areas designated in the

drawings, or as specified in the specification data. Spoil heaps shall be flattened to
present a neat level or graded surface.

4.2.4 Lateral earth supports

All timbering and sheeting shall, unless otherwise specified in the specification data,
be removed from the excavation before completion of the work.

8 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1

Dimensions in
millimetres

a) Cuttings – Single track

b) Banks – Single track

c) Typical cross section of double tracks

Figure 1 — Formation widths of private sidings

5. Placing and compaction

1. Embankments

[Link] material from excavations is insufficient to form designated

embankments, additional material shall be obtained from borrow pits.

© 9
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

[Link].2 Only material that

a) has been obtained from excavations or borrow pits (or both), and

b) is free of stumps, trees, rubbish and other deleterious materials,

shall be placed in the lower layers of an embankment. Only material of the same or
better quality (see 4.1.1) shall be placed in the upper portion of an embankment.

[Link] it is necessary to use clay or clayey material that complies with the
requirements of 4.1.1, such material shall be placed not less than 1 m and not more
than 6 m below the finished surface.

[Link] with a maximum dimension exceeding 600 mm shall not be placed at

the base of an embankment.

[Link] compaction, the material of each embankment shall be deposited

in layers of thickness not exceeding 300 mm. The material shall be spread to
form a layer that is of approximately uniform thickness, and graded over the whole
area of the embankment.

[Link] otherwise specified in the scope of work, each layer shall be

compacted at OMC to a density of at least 90 % of modified AASHTO maximum dry
density in the case of cohesive soil, or 98 % in the case of non-cohesive soil. Should the
material be too wet, owing to rain or any other cause, it shall be harrowed and
allowed to dry out to the correct moisture content before compaction is
undertaken.

2. Backfilling of excavations and backfilling or filling against structures

[Link] filling is to be placed against or around a structure, such filling

(whether it be backfilling or embankment) shall be placed and compacted
simultaneously on both sides of the structure to minimize unequal loading.

[Link] excavations outside structures shall be carefully refilled with material

that complies with 4.1, in layers of thickness not exceeding 250 mm before compaction.

[Link] the placing of each layer, the filling shall be well rolled and
compacted, and sufficient water shall be added uniformly to ensure that the density
specified for that particular zone is achieved or, where a density is not specified, that
the density achieved is at least that of the adjoining undisturbed material. Each layer
shall be completed before the next layer is added.

4. Filling shall not be deposited in water.

[Link] the use of conventional compaction equipment close to a structure is

not possible, the material to be compacted shall be spread in loose layers of
thickness not exceeding 250 mm and compacted by means of mechanical tampers to
at least the density specified in the scope of work for that particular zone or, where
a density is not specified, to at least the density of the adjoining undisturbed
material.

3. Fills for private railway sidings

1. Fills shall be placed in accordance with the relevant requirements of [Link].

[Link] the in-situ material at the base of fills is suitable and the
base is to be consolidated, the top 150 mm shall, after the area has been cleared,
be compacted at OMC to a density of at least 93 % of modified AASHTO maximum dry
density.
10 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

[Link] in-situ material at the base of fills or in the floors of cuttings shall
be removed to allow for the placing and compaction of suitable material after the top
150 mm of the soil left in place has been compacted at OMC to a density of at least 93
% of modified AASHTO maximum dry density.

[Link] ground with a slope greater than one vertical to six horizontal and on
the sides of existing embankments that are to be widened, the surface shall be
benched as shown in the construction drawings.

[Link] drains or mounds (or both) shall be constructed to the

dimensions shown in the drawings and shall be not less than 5 m from the top of the
batter of all cuts.

[Link] the work the fill shall be constructed to advance uniformly

over the whole width with a slight crossfall over the surface for drainage. Operations
shall be arranged so that each layer of fill can be compacted in suitable continuous
sections which shall be of the greatest length practicable.

[Link] (exceeding 300 mm) material that cannot be broken down to

the maximum permissible size specified shall be removed. Each layer shall be
watered and compacted to the specified density. During compaction, every layer
shall be maintained to the required slope and cross section by means of self-propelled
graders, and all holes and depressions shall be filled with suitable material.

[Link] shall at all times be discharged uniformly over the full

length of each embankment, or through down-lets.

[Link] excavated from cuttings shall be used in the portion of the fill that is
more than 1 m below a sub-ballast layer. The rock material shall be deposited in
layers of thickness at least sufficient to accommodate the bulk of the material,
provided that the thickness of the uncompacted layer does not exceed 750 mm.
Oversize (exceeding 750 mm) material shall be either broken down to size or, where the
nature of the material makes this impracticable, removed as spoil.

[Link] rock fill shall be spread and sorted by a bulldozer large enough to
obtain a uniform layer thickness. Any oversize (exceeding 750 mm) fragments shall be
dozed to the outside of the embankment and removed as spoil. After the material
has been spread, the interstices shall be filled with smaller rock or fine-grained
material and, if after the addition of such material the stone layer is still too rough to
roll, sufficient fine-grained material shall be added to blind the surface, or the
unevenness shall be broken down by knapping. The layer shall then be watered and
given six passes of a 6 t vibrating roller or four passes of a 10 t vibrating roller. If the
"lock" or the void in the finished layer is not suitable, spot dumping and hand
distribution of suitable fine material, the application of further water between passes
and such additional rolling as may be necessary for a dense, stable embankment fill,
shall be carried out.

[Link] portion of the fill between 200 mm and 1 000 mm below the sub-
ballast level shall be constructed in layers of thickness not exceeding 300 mm before
compaction. The layers shall be formed with material containing no lumps, stones, or
clods that, after being broken down and compacted, have any dimension greater
than 75 mm.

12. Down-lets shall be constructed as and where shown in the drawings.

[Link] material used in the fill shall be compacted at OMC to a density of at

least 95 % of modified AASHTO maximum dry density in the sub-ballast layer, and at
least 93 % of modified AASHTO maximum dry density below that layer. Where non-
©
cohesive soils are used, the density shall be at least 100 % of modified AASHTO11
maximum dry density. SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

6. Finishing

1. Final grading

On completion of earthworks to the finished level and of backfilling of all holes,

trenches, etc., the whole surface shall be graded, shaped and compacted to final
grades and levels.

2. Topsoiling

Where required in terms of the specification data, topsoil shall be placed on level
and slightly graded areas and shall be lightly compacted by wheeled vehicles or by
tamping, and trimmed neatly to the required lines, grades and levels. The final
thickness of topsoil after compaction shall be at least 75 mm.

3. Grass or other vegetation

Where required in terms of the specification data, grass or other vegetation shall be
planted after topsoiling has been completed. On completion of planting, the planted
area shall be neatly trimmed and well watered and not allowed to dry out until it is
established, or for the period required in the scope of work.

4. Reinstatement and maintenance of roads

Roadways through which trenches or other excavations have been made shall be
reinstated and maintained. The road surface shall be restored to its correct level
without any subsidence occurring at the site of such trench or other excavation.

NOTE Where immediate restoration is impracticable, barricading, lighting and other

safeguards should be provided until restoration is complete.

5 Compliance with the requirements

1. Testing

1. Material properties of fill and backfill

The material properties of fill and backfill shall be determined in accordance with the
requirements of TMH1-A3, TMH1-A7 and TMH1-A8, as relevant.

2. In-place dry density and moisture content

[Link] in-place dry density of the fill and backfill shall be determined in
accordance with the requirements of TMH1-A10(a) by means of the sand replacement
method, or where appropriate, by nuclear methods in accordance with the
requirements of TMH1-A10(b).

[Link] moisture content shall be determined in accordance with the

requirements of TMH1-A7 where the sand replacement method is used, and TMH1-
A10(b) where nuclear methods are used.

2. Tolerances

1. Position, dimensions and levels

The earthworks shall be finished to within the limits given in table 1 for the degree
of accuracy required in terms of the specification data.
12 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

Table 1 — Permissible deviations in respect of position, dimensions and levels

1 2 3 4
Permissible deviation (pd)
Item Degree of accuracy
III II I
Excavations for structural foundations
a) Position on plan
pd in plan of any point measured from the nearest grid  50 mm  35 mm  25 mm
line
b) Dimensions on plan
pd from the design dimensions  75 mm  50 mm  25 mm
c) Foundation level (i.e. level of underside of concrete
except floor slab)
pd in level of surface of excavation trimmed to  75 mm  50 mm  25 mm
receive concrete
d) Level
pd from designed level with reference to the
nearest transferred benchmark of any floor  20 mm  15 mm  10 mm
slab
Terraces and embankments
a) Position of top edge of terracea
pd from designated position of any point,
measured from nearest grid line  450 mm  300 mm  150 mm
a
b) Alignment of top edge of terrace
pd from a line joining any two points 30 m apart on
top edge of terrace  200 mm  100 mm  50 mm
c) Finished levels
pd from designated levels with reference to nearest
transferred benchmark  150 mm  50 mm  50 mm
d) Slopes of top surfaces
pd from direction of zero zero zero
slope
pd from rate of fall:
1 in 100 to 1 in 300 20 % 10 % 5%
1 in 400 and flatter 10 % 5,5 % 2%
Bulk earthworks for railway sidings
Cut slope surface (batters) parallel to centre line:
a) other than rock cuttings  300 mm  200 mm  100 mm
pd from designated batter line measured normal to slope
b) rock cuttings only b
 400 mm  300 mm
pd from designated batter line measured normal to slope
Fill slope surfaces parallel to
Not less than designated value
centre line pd from designated
batter
Width of formation b
0, +300 mm 0, –200 mm
pd from specified width measured from centre line
b
pd from specified total width 0, +400 mm 0, +300 mm
Formation level b
 50 mm  30 mm
pd from designated levels
a
Subject to the break line between intersecting slopes being visually and suitably straight.
b
As specified in the specification data, if required.

© 13
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

5.2.2 Moisture content and density

Moisture content and density during compaction shall be within the limits given
in table 2, appropriate to the degree of accuracy required in terms of the specification
data.

Table 2 — Permissible deviation in respect of moisture content and density

1 2 3 4
Permissible deviation (pd)
%
Item
Degree of accuracy
III II I
Moisture content
pd in moisture content in field during + 2, –2 + 1, –2 + 0, –2
compaction from OMC
Density
no top limit, 0 no top limit, 0 no top limit, 0
pd in density from specified density

14 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1
Annex A
(normative)

Preparation of specification data associated with this part of

SANS 2001 for inclusion in the scope of work
Specification data form an essential part of this part of SANS 2001; without such data,
requirements are incomplete.

The format for the specification data has been developed to be compatible with the
requirements in table D.1 of SANS 10403:2003. The specification data should be
incorporated in the scope of work as shown in table A.1.

NOTE In the development of a scope of work, it might be necessary to address the items
discussed in annex B as these are not covered in this part of SANS 2001.

Table A.1 — Incorporating this part of SANS 2001 in the scope of work

1 2 3
TOPIC ASPECT COMMENTARY
DESCRIPTION OF THE WORKS
CONSTRUCTION
Works Applicable The following parts of SANS 2001 and associated
specifications part(s) of SANS specification data are applicable:
2001 1) SANS 2001 …..
2) SANS 2001 …..

The associated specification data are as follows:

Specification Essential data:
data pertaining The requirements for .….…. are
to SANS 2001-
….…. The requirements for …..….
are ….….
Variations:
1) .......................................................
....
2) .......................................................
....
Additional clauses:
Applicable 1) .......................................................
national and ....
international
standards
Particular/
generic
specifications

© 15
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

Develop the specification data based on the contents of table A.2.

Table A.2 — Specification data associated with this part of SANS 2001

1 2 3
Guidance notes
Specification data associated with
this part of SANS 2001 Clause Consideration
number
Essential data
The following materials are 4.1.1 State requirements for materials if default
required in embankments and values are not suitable.
terraces:……….
Topsoil shall be conserved. [Link] Omit if not a requirement.
Materials from excavations shall [Link] State specific requirements or omit if material
be disposed of as follows:……….. can be disposed of in any manner on the
site, or the requirements are specified in the
scope of work.
All areas in which excavation is to [Link] Omit if not a requirement and modify statement
take place or that are to be if it is a partial requirement.
covered by terraces, banks or
structures, shall be cleared in
terms of SANS 2001-BS1 and
stripped of all remaining
vegetation to a depth of 150 mm.
Topsoil shall be conserved for later [Link] State how topsoil shall be conserved or omit if
use in the following manner: ……. not a requirement.
The overburden shall be stripped [Link] State requirements for the stripping and
and removed to a depth of 300 mm. removal of overburden.
The excavation shall be [Link].3 State how the excavation shall be
trimmed as follows as it will not completed, if concrete work shall be shuttered.
act as a form for concrete works:
………..
A working space of 1,0 m shall [Link].4 Omit if no working space shall be provided.
be provided.
The formation width of private [Link].8 Omit if widths indicated in figure 1 are suitable.
sidings shall be as shown in the
drawings.
The slopes of cuttings shall not [Link].9 Omit if slopes of cuttings shall be trimmed.
be trimmed.
Topsoil and overburden shall not [Link] Omit if they shall be stripped separately.
be stripped and stockpiled
separately.
Surplus and unsuitable material 4.2.3 State how surplus material shall be disposed of.
shall be disposed of as follows:
…………..
All timbering and sheeting shall 4.2.4 Omit if not a requirement.
remain in the excavation.
The layers shall be compacted to [Link].6 State compaction requirements if default
…… values are not suitable.
The density close to structures [Link].5 State compaction requirements if default
shall be not less than ……. values are not suitable.
Topsoiling of the following areas [Link] Omit if not required. Complete if required.
shall be required: …………..
The following vegetation shall be [Link] Omit if not required. Complete if required.
planted after topsoiling in the
following
16
areas: ……….. ©
SABS
A degree of accuracy ….. is 5.2.1 Specify whether degree of accuracy I, II or
required in respect of position, III is required.
dimensions, levels, etc.
This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition
1
Table A.2 (concluded)

1 2 3
Guidance notes
Specification data associated with
this part of SANS 2001 Clause Consideration
number
A degree of accuracy …… is 5.2.2 Specify whether degree of accuracy I, II or
required in respect of moisture III is required.
content and density.
Variations
1 Replace … with the following: State variations, as applicable.

2 The provisions of … do not apply.

Additional clauses
1 …………. State additional requirements, if any.

2 …………

© 17
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

Annex B
(informative)

Items that might need to be considered when preparing the scope of

work for a particular project
B.1 The following might have to be addressed in the construction and management
section of the scope of work when compiling that section for a particular
project (see annex D of SANS 10403: 2003):

a) authorization for the widening of excavations for borrow material,

b) the management of the disposal of surplus and unwanted materials,

c) health and safety requirements, including those pertaining to the barricading and
lighting and safeguarding of excavations,

d) provisions for the amending of specific requirements,

e) requirements for the management of stormwater to prevent the scouring of slopes,

f) requirements relating to detection and repair in the event of damage to existing

services, and

g) requirements for plant.

B.2 It should be noted that SANS 1921-1

h) makes provision for tolerances of degree of accuracy II. This requirement should be
varied only if a different degree of accuracy is required,

i) requires that the works be managed so as to protect all parts of the works against
damage and erosion by rain and surface water,

j) provides comprehensive management and planning requirements for earthworks,

k) provides safety requirements, including those pertaining to barricading and

lighting and safeguarding of excavations,

l) contains requirements for the detection of existing services and the repair to
damaged services,

m)contains performance requirements for plant and basic requirements for testing, and

n) contains basic requirements for quality control.

18 ©
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.
© SABS. This standard may reside on a LAN, WAN, intranet, internet or ECM server and is exclusively available to Eskom in accordance
with copyright exploitation agreement no. 014/009/21-038, valid until 2022-07-31. Only staff members employed by Eskom may make
paper copies of the standard. No paper copy may be photocopied or reproduced in any way.

SANS 2001-BE1:2008
Edition 1

Bibliography
SANS 1921-1, Construction and management requirements for works contracts – Part 1:
General engineering and construction works.

SANS 1921-5, Construction and management requirements for works contracts – Part
5: Earthworks activities which are to be performed by hand.

© 19
SABS

This product is copyrighted by SABS, 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, 0181, South Africa. All
rights reserved.