Our soil compaction was to be completed to at least 90%

It was.

Soil Compaction

Our soils report stated, ‘The drainage material and the clayey soil cap should be placed in layers about 6 inches thick and moderately compacted by hand-operated equipment to eliminate voids and to minimize post-construction settlement.’

We engaged HP Inspections to test our soil compaction throughout the backfill process, which they did.

Today, the final testing was completed.

We’re good.

HP Inspections testing the soil compaction.

The inspector came armed with a CPN MC-3 Portaprobe.

It was tough going … filling and compacting the void.

Continuing the Process

Yes, the conveyors were a bit finicky and fussy today.  We had a number of starts and stops, but made significant progress.

Unfortunately, due to the shape of the void (i.e., an inverted right triagle, we made visible progress quickly and then the progress slowed dramatically as we got closer to the top.

Conveyor system in place and ready to move dirt. Let's get started!

This photo shows the full 10 ft wide void, that is 9 ft deep.

Soil coming across nicely on the conveyors.

Finishing the west side of the excavation. Note the railing has been removed from the temporary site office platform.

Time to remove the temporary bridge so we can start filling and compacting the east side of the excavation.

After shovelling an 8 inch lift of soil into place, it was time to spray a bit of water so the soil could be compacted with the jumping jack.

And here comes the jumping jack, compacting the moistened soil nicely. Note the even spacing of dirt comping across on the second conveyor in the backiground.

Status at the end of the day. It is slower than expected.

 We’re almost there, filling the void.  We hoped to be completed by now but the problems with the conveyors have slowed our progress dramatically.

Time to clean up as we’re hosting our ‘Grand Floor Opening’ event tomorrow for our neighbors and friends!

It is satisfying that we have finally reclaimed the real estate at the front of the house and can [almost] park in the driveway.  Yeah!

Compaction Testing by HP Inspections

We had HP Inspections perform four compaction tests this morning.  These tests were of the soils that were distributed and compacted on Saturday.  The test results were all over 90% with one test over 95%.  Excellent!

Carlos, from HP Inspections, tests the soil compaction that was completed on Saturday.

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The dirt that was delivered at the end of Friday and stockpiled by the gate was distributed and compacted in 8 inch lifts today. 

We have two issues to follow up on for Monday – the first is the Simpson GLBT brackets that are being set in the top of the concrete feature walls, and the second issue is to confirm with Duquette Engineering that two bars that were added at the top right of the HVAC duct under the garage door.

All Remaining Soil Now Distributed and Compacted

The soil at the front of the property was distributed and compacted today.  There were only two workers, who enjoyed the sunny, but cool, weather today to distribute the soil in 8 inch lifts and then compact it.

Compacting the soil in front of the garage.

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