Specifications for

Concrete Roads, Streets and
Alleys

Reprint of proposed specifications presented to

American Concrete Institute
At Annual Meeting, February 9-12, 1915

Universal Portland Cement Co.
CHICAGO

—

PITTSBURGH

—

MINNEAPOLIS

INDEX
Specifications for—
PAGE

One-Course Concrete Street Pavement

3

Two-Course Concrete Street Pavement

10

One-Course Concrete Alley Pavement

19

One-Course Concrete Highway

26

AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE
Committee on Standard Specifications for Concrete
Roads and Pavements
A. N. J O H N S O N , Chairman,
Bureau of Municipal Research, New
York.
W M . M. K I N N E Y ,
Secretary,
Inspecting Engineer, Universal Portland Cement Co., Chicago.
E D W A R D N. H I N E S ,
Chairman, Board of County Road
Commissioners of .Wayne County,
Detroit, Michigan.

H. G. S H I R L E Y ,
Chief
Engineer, Maryland
State
Roads Commission, Baltimore, Mary- 1
land.

T H O M A S H. M A C D O N A L D ,

F R E D C. S M I T H , ^
City Engineer, Sioux City, Iowa.

P E R C Y H. W I L S O N ,
Secretary, Association of American
Portland
Cement
Manufacturers,
Philadelphia.

State Highway Engineer, Ames,
Iowa.
A. R. H I R S T ,
State Highway Engineer, Madison,
Wisconsin.
J A M E S R. M A R K E R ,
State Highway Commissioner, Columbus, Ohio.

F R E D R. C H A R L E S ,
City Civil Engineer, Richmond, Indiana.
J O H N B. H I T T E L L ,
Chief Street Engineer, Chicago.

'2

Specifications for Concrete Roads,
Streets and Alleys
ONE-COURSE CONCRETE STREET PAVEMENT
I. MATERIALS
i. C E M E N T : T h e cement shall meet the requirements of the Standard Specifications for Portland Cement, adopted by the American Society for
Testing Materials, August 16, 1909, with all subsequent amendments and
additions thereto adopted by said society and bv this Institute (Standard
No. 1 ) .
2. A G G R E G A T E S : Before delivery on the job, the contractor shall
submit to the engineer a fifty (50) pound sample of each of the fine and
coarse aggregates proposed for use. These samples shall be tested and if found
to pass the requirements of the specifications similar material shall be considered as acceptable for the work. All aggregates used shall meet with the
approval of the engineer and shall fulfill the requirements of these specifications. In no case shall aggregates containing frost or lumps of frozen
material be used.
Fine Aggregate: Fine aggregate shall consist of natural sand or screenings from hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel, consisting of quartzite
grains or other equally hard material graded from fine to coarse with the
coarse particles predominating. Fine aggregate, when dry, shall pass a screen
having four (4) meshes per linear inch; not more than twenty-five (25) per
cent shall pass a sieve having fifty (50) meshes per linear inch, and not
more than iivt (5) per cent shall pass a sieve having one hundred (100)
meshes per linear inch. Fine aggregate shall not contain vegetable or other
deleterious matter nor more than three (3) per cent of clay or loam.
Fine aggregate shall be of such quality that mortar composed of one (1)
part Portland cement, and three (3) parts fine aggregate, by weight, when
made into briquettes, shall show a tensile strength (at seven (7) and twentyeight (28) days) at least equal to the strength of briquettes composed of one
(1) part of the same cement and three (3) parts Standard Ottawa sand by
weight. T h e percentage of water used in making the briquettes of cement and
fine aggregate shall be such as to produce a mortar of the same consistency as
that of the Ottawa sand briquettes of Standard consistency. In other respects
all briquettes shall be made in* accordance with the Report of Committee on
Uniform Tests of Cement of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Coarse Aggregate: Coarse aggregate shall consist of clean, hard, tough,
durable crushed rock or gravel graded in size, free from vegetable or other
deleterious matter, and shall contain no soft, flat or elongated particles. T h e
size of the coarse aggregate shall be such as to pass a one and one-half
(ij4)
inch round opening and shall range from one and one-half (i}4) inches down,
not more than five (5) per cent passing a screen having four (4) meshes per
linear inch, and no intermediate sizes shall be removed.
3. M I X E D A G G R E G A T E : Crusher run stone, bank run gravel or
artificially prepared mixtures of fine and coarse aggregate shall not be used.
4. W A T E R : W a t e r shall be clean, free from oil, acid, alkali, or vegetable matter.
5. R E I N F O R C E M E N T : All reinforcement shall be free from excessive rust, scale, paint or coatings of any character which will tend to destroy
3

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

the bond. All reinforcement shall develop an ultimate tensile strength of not
less than seventy thousand (70,000) pounds per square inch and bend one
hundred eighty (180) degrees around one diameter and straighten without
fracture.
6. J O I N T F I L L E R : T h e filler for all transverse joints shall consist
of prepared strips of fiber matrix and bitumen, or similar material of approved
quality one-quarter (%) inch in thickness. Where the joints are protected
with metal plates the joint filler shall be made to conform to the cross-section
of the pavement, and where unprotected transverse joints are used, the width
of the joint filler shall be at least one-half (y2) inch greater than the thickness
of the pavement at any point. T h e filler for longitudinal joints along the
curb, where a separate curb is used, shall, at the discretion of the engineer,
consist of the same material as specified for the transverse joints or of bitumen
which will not become soft enough to flow in hot weather or brittle in cold
weather. T h e thickness of longitudinal joints filled with bitumen shall not
be less than one-quarter ( % ) inch nor more than three-quarters (}/\) inch.
7. J O I N T P R O T E C T I O N P L A T E S : Soft steel plates for the protection of the edges of the concrete at transverse joints shall be not less than
two and one-half (2^2) inches in depth and not less than one-eighth ( % )
nor more than one-quarter (%) inch average thickness. T h e plates shall be
of such form as to provide for rigid anchorage to the concrete. T h e type and
method of installation of joint protection plates shall be approved by the
engineer.
II. G R A D I N G
8. D E F I N E D : "Grading" shall include all cuts, fills, approaches and.
all earth or rock moving for whatever purpose where such work is an essential
part of or necessary to the prosecution of the contract.

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PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

9. E N G I N E E R ' S S T A K E S : Stakes will be set by the engineer for the
center line, finished grades and other necessary points.
10. E X C E S S M A T E R I A L : Excess material shall be disposed of as
directed by the engineer, the free haul not to exceed
feet.
11. O V E R - H A U L : Materials hauled a greater distance than the free
haul from the place of excavation shall be paid for at the rate of
cents per cubic yard for each additional
feet.
12. C U T S A N D F I L L S : In cuts the final grade shall be obtained
by rolling with a roller weighing not less than five (5) nor more than ten
(10) tons. T h e engineer shall determine the depth of material to be thus
compacted. When a fill of one (1) foot or less is required to bring the surface to grade, all vegetable and other perishable matter shall be removed
before making the fill.
Embankments shall be formed of earth or other approved materials and
shall be constructed in successive layers, each of which shall extend entirely
across the width to be filled. Each layer, which shall not exceed one (1) foot
in depth, shall be thoroughly rolled with a roller weighing not less than Rve
(5) nor more than ten (10) tons before the succeeding layer is placed. T h e
roller shall pass over the entire area of each layer of the fill at least twice.
T h e use of muck, quicksand, soft clay, spongy or perishable material, which
will not consolidate under the roller, is prohibited.
When the material excavated from the cuts is not sufficient to make the
fills shown on the plans, the contractor shall furnish the necessary extra
material to bring the fills to the proper width and grade. W h e n the earth
work is completed the cross-section of the roadbed shall conform to the crosssectional drawings and profile attached hereto.
All approaches connecting the specified pavement with other streets or
alleys intersecting shall also be cut or filled, and secured from settlement, to
form a slope of not more than one (1) vertical to ten (10) horizontal, as
shown on the profile and plans attached hereto.
III.

DRAINAGE

13. D R A I N A G E : T h e contractor shall construct tile or other drains
as shown in the drawings attached hereto. Tile to be laid in a trench at
least
(
) inches wide, and
(
)
feet deep below the top of the adjacent curb. Such trench shall be backfilled with crushed stone or pit run gravel with sand removed, which after
light tamping shall be
(
) inches in depth.
14. C A T C H B A S I N S : All catch basin and manhole tops and all
covers or openings of any kind shall be readjusted to the grade by the
contractor at his expense.
IV.

SUBGRADE

15. C O N S T R U C T I O N : T h e bottom of the excavation or the top of
the fill when completed shall be known as the subgrade and shall be at all
places true to the elevation as shown on the plans attached hereto.
T h e subgrade shall be brought to a firm, unyielding surface by rolling
the entire area with a self-propelled roller weighing not less than five (5)
nor more than ten (10) tons, and all portions of the surface of the subgrade
which are inaccessible to the roller shall be thoroughly tamped with a hand
tamp weighing not less than fifty (50) pounds, the face of which shall not
exceed one hundred (100) square inches in area. All soft, spongy or yield5

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

ing spots and all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be entirely
removed and the space refilled with suitable material.
When considered necessary or of assistance in producing a compact, solid
surface, the subgrade before being rolled shall be w^ell sprinkled with water.
When the concrete pavement is to be constructed over an old roadbed
composed of gravel or macadam, the latter shall be entirely loosened and the
material spread for the full width of the roadbed and rolled. All interstices
shall be filled with fine material and rolled to make a dense, tight surface of
the roadbed.
16. A C C E P T A N C E : No concrete shall be deposited until the subgrade is checked and accepted by the engineer.
V.

FORMS

17. M A T E R I A L S : Where forms are required, they shall be free from
warp and of sufficient strength to resist springing out of shape. Wooden forms
shall be of not less than two (2) inch stock.
18. S E T T I N G : T h e forms shall be well staked or otherwise held to
the established line and grades. Where the curb is to be constructed integrally
with the pavement, the upper edge of the side forms shall conform to the
top of the curb.
19. T R E A T M E N T : All mortar and dirt shall be removed from the
forms that have previously been used.
VI.

PAVEMENT

SECTION

20. W I D T H , T H I C K N E S S O F C O N C R E T E A N D C R O W N :
T h e concrete pavement shall be
(
) feet wide from
face to face of curb,
(
) inches in depth at the center
and
(
) inches in depth at the sides. T h e finished
surface shall conform to the arc of a circle as shown on the plans attached
hereto.
Note: ( T h e thickness of the concrete at the gutter line shall be not
less than six (6) inches. W h e n pavements twenty (20) feet or less in
width are to be built on approximately level ground and a flat subgrade
is to be used, sufficient fall for drainage at the sides of the pavement along
the curb shall be provided by giving the roadbed the same grade as that
proposed for the gutter. T h e crowTn of all pavements shall not be more
than one-one-hundredth ( 1 / 1 0 0 ) of the width, except, when deemed advisable by the engineer, the crown of a pavement built on a crowned subgrade
may be increased to one-fiftieth ( 1 / 5 0 ) of the width to provide sufficient
fall for drainage along the sides of the pavement.)
VII.

JOINTS

21. W I D T H A N D L O C A T I O N : Transverse joints shall be onequarter (%) inch in width and shall be placed across the pavement perpendicular to the center line, not more than thirty-six (36) feet apart. A longitudinal joint not less than one-quarter ( % ) i n c n wide shall be constructed
between the curb and the pavement where a separate curb is used. All joints
shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement and curb (when
integral curb is specified) and shall be perpendicular to the surface of the
pavement. In pavements with integral curb the joint shall be continuous in a
straight line through pavement and curb.
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UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

22. J O I N T F I L L E R : All transverse joints shall be formed by inserting during construction and leaving in place the required thickness of prepared
strips of fiber matrix and bitumen or similar material of approved quality
which shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement and the entire
thickness and height of the integral curb when the latter is specified.
Longitudinal joints along the curb, where 'a separate curb is specified,
shall, at the discretion of the engineer, be formed in the same manner as
transverse joints or constructed by filling with bitumen as before specified.
23. P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * ; T h e concrete at all transverse joints
shall be protected with joint protection plates which shall be rigidly anchored
to the concrete. T h e upper edges of the plates shall be even with each other
and the adjoining surface of the concrete. All steel plates varying more than
one-quarter ( % ) inch from the finished surface of the,concrete, as shown on
the plans attached hereto, shall be ground to meet the specified requirements,
or slabs in which such plates occur shall be removed and replaced with new
material by the contractor at his expense.
24. U N P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : All transverse joints shall extend
through the entire thickness of the pavement and the filler shall project not
less than one-half ( j ^ ) inch above the finished surface. T h e concrete adjacent
to these joints shall be finished with a wTood float, which is divided through the
center and which will permit finishing on both sides of the filler at the same
time. Before the pavement is opened to traffic joint filler shall be cut off to
a height of one-quarter (}/\) inch above the surface of the pavement.
VIII.

MEASURING MATERIALS AND MIXING

CONCRETE

25. M E A S U R I N G M A T E R I A L S : T h e method of measuring the
materials for the concrete, including water, shall be one which will insure
separate and uniform proportions of each of the materials at all times. A
sack of Portland cement (94 pounds net) shall be considered one (1) cubic
foot.
26. M I X I N G : T h e materials shall be mixed in a batch mixer of
approved type and mixing shall continue after all materials are in the drum for
at least one (1) minute at a minimum speed of twelve (12) revolutions per
minute. T h e drum shall be completely emptied before receiving materials
for successive batches.
27. R E T E M P E R I N G : Retempering of mortar or concrete which has
partially hardened, that is, remixing with or without additional materials
or water, shall not be permitted.
28. P R O P O R T I O N S : T h e concrete shall be mixed in the proportions
of one (1) sack of Portland cement to not more than two (2) cubic feet of
fine aggregate and not more than three (3) cubic feet of coarse aggregate,
and in no case shall the volume of the fine aggregate be less than one-half ( J ^ )
the volume of the coarse aggregate.
A cubic yard of concrete in place, including that in integral curbs when
same are used, shall contain not less than one and seven-tenths (1.7) barrels
of cement.
T h e engineer shall compare the calculated amount of cement required
according to these specifications and plans attached hereto with the amounts
actually used in each section of concrete (including integral curbs when used)
*Note: (When the specification "Protected Joints" is to be used,
Joints" should be omitted, and vice versa.)

7

"Unprotected

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

between successive transverse joints, as determined by actual count of the
number of sacks of cement used in each section. If the amount of cement used
in any three (3) adjacent sections (between transverse joints) is less by more
than two (2) per cent, or if the amount of cement used in any one section is less
by more than five (5) per cent of the amount hereinbefore required, the
contractor shall remove all such sections and replace the same with new
materials, according to these specifications, at his expense.
29. C O N S I S T E N C Y : * T h e materials for the pavement shall be mixed
with sufficient water to produce a concrete which will hold its shape when
struck off with a template. T h e consistency shall not be such as to cause a
separation of the mortar from the coarse aggregate in handling.
IX.

REINFORCING

30. R E I N F O R C I N G : Concrete pavements twenty (20) feet or more
in width shall be reinforced. T h e cross-sectional area of the reinforcing metal
running parallel to the center line of the pavement shall amount to at least
0.038 square inch per foot and the cross-sectional area of reinforcing metal,
which is perpendicular to the center line of the pavement, shall amount to at
least 0.049 square inch per foot.
Reinforcing metal shall not be placed less than two (2) inches from the
finished surface of the pavement and otherwise shall be placed as shown on
the drawings attached hereto. T h e reinforcing metal shall extend to within
two (2) inches of all joints, but shall not cross them. Adjacent widths of
fabric shall be lapped not less than four (4) inches when the lap is made
perpendicular to the center line of the pavement and not less than one (1) foot
when the lap is made parallel to the center line of the pavement.
X.

PLACING

CONCRETE

31. P L A C I N G C O N C R E T E : Immediately prior to placing the concrete, the subgrade shall be brought to an even surface. T h e surface of the
subgrade shall be thoroughly wTet but shall show no pools of water when
the concrete is placed.
After mixing, the concrete shall be deposited rapidly upon the subgrade, to
the required depth and for the entire width of the pavement in successive
batches and in a continuous operation without the use of intermediate forms
or bulkheads between expansion joints.
In case of a breakdown, concrete shall be mixed by hand to complete the
section or an intermediate transverse joint placed as hereinbefore specified at
the point of stopping work. Any concrete in excess of that needed to complete
a section at the stopping of work shall not be used in the work.
32. F I N I S H I N G : T h e surface of the concrete shall be struck off for
the entire width of the pavement, and from back to back of integral curbs
when used, by means of a template or strikeboard. Any holes left by removing any material or device used in constructing the joint shall be immediately
filled with mortar composed of one (1) part cement and two (2) parts of
fine aggregate. • Concrete adjoining metal protection plates at transverse
joints shall be dense in character and shall be given a smooth finish with a
steel trowel for a distance of six (6) inches on each side of the joints.
After being brought to the established grade with the template or strikeboard, the concrete shall be finished from a suitable bridge, no part of which
shall come in contact'with the concrete. If approved by the engineer, the
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UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

contractor may use a mechanical striking and finishing machine. T h e concrete shall be finished with a wood float in a manner to thoroughly compact
it and produce a surface free from depressions or inequalities of any kind.
T h e finished surface of the pavement shall not vary more than one-quarter
(}i) inch from the specified contour.
XI.

INTEGRAL CURB*

33. C O N S T R U C T I O N : An integral curb shall be constructed, as
shown on the attached drawings, to the established grade and in a continuous
line on each side of the street
(
) feet from and parallel
with the center line thereof, except at all intersections of streets, alleys, and
driveways where it shall be returned to the street line and at these intersections
it shall be rounded to such a radius as the engineer may direct.
The concrete for integral curbs shall be of the same materials and proportions as that required for the pavement.
After striking off the pavement, the concrete for that portion of the
integral curbs above the gutter line shall be immediately deposited.
T h e top and inside surface of integral curb shall be given a smooth finish
and completed with the pavement to the point of stopping each day's work.
XII.

PROTECTION

34. C U R I N G AxND P R O T E C T I O N :
Excepting as hereinafter
specified, the surface of the pavement shall be sprayed with water as soon as
the concrete is sufficiently hardened to prevent pitting, and shall be kept wet
until an earth or other approved covering is placed. As soon as it can be done
without damaging the concrete, the surface of the pavement shall be covered
with not less than two (2) inches of earth or other material approved by
the engineer, which cover shall be kept wet for at least ten (10) days. When
deemed necessary or advisable by the engineer, freshly laid concrete shall be
protected by canvas until such covering can be placed.
Under the most favorable conditions for hardening in hot weather, the
pavement shall be closed to traffic for at least fourteen (14) days, and in cool
weather for an additional time, to be determined by the engineer.
In the season of the year when the average temperature is blow fifty (50)
degrees Fahrenheit, sprinkling and covering of the pavement may be omitted
at the direction of the engineer.
T h e contractor shall erect and maintain suitable barriers to protect the
concrete from traffic and any part of the pavement damaged from traffic or
other causes, occurring prior to its official acceptance, shall be repaired or
replaced by the contractor at his expense, in a manner satisfactory to the
engineer. Before the pavement is thrown open to traffic the covering shall
be removed and disposed of as directed by the engineer.
35. T E M P E R A T U R E B E L O W 35 D E G R E E S F A H R E N H E I T :
Concrete shall not be mixed nor deposited when the temperature is below
freezing.
If, at any time during the progress of the work, the temperature is, or in
the opinion of the engineer will within twenty-four (24) hours drop to 35
degrees Fahrenheit, the water and aggregates shall be heated, and precautions
taken to protect the work from freezing for at least ten (10) days. In no case
shall concrete be deposited upon a frozen subgrade.
*Note:

(Article 33 to be omitted if separate curb is specified.)
9

TWO-COURSE CONCRETE STREET PAVEMENT
I.

MATERIALS

1. C E M E N T : T h e cement shall meet the requirements of the Standard Specifications for Portland Cement, adopted by the American Society for
Testing Materials, August 16, 1909, with all subsequent amendments and
additions thereto adopted by said Society and by this Institute (Standard
No. 1 ) .
2. A G G R E G A T E S : Before delivery on the job, the contractor shall
submit to the engineer a fifty (50) pound sample of each kind of aggregate
proposed for use. These samples shall be tested and if found to pass the
requirements of the specifications similar material shall be considered as acceptable for the work. All aggregates used shall meet with the approval of the
engineer and shall fulfill the requirements of these specifications. In no case
shall aggregates containing frost or lumps of frozen material be used.
Fine Aggregate: Fine aggregate shall consist of natural sand or screenings from hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel, consisting of quartzite
grains or other equally hard material graded from fine to coarse with the
coarse particles predominating. Fine aggregate, when dry, shall pass a screen
having four (4) meshes per linear inch; not more than twenty-five (25) per
cent shall pass a sieve having fifty (50) meshes per linear inch, and not more
than five (5) per cent shall pass a sieve having one hundred (100) meshes
per linear inch. Fine aggregate shall not contain vegetable or other deleterious
matter, nor more than three (3) per cent of clay or loam.
Fine aggregate shall be of such quality that mortar composed of one (1)
part Portland cement, and three (3) parts fine aggregate, by weight, when
made into briquettes, shall show a tensile strength (at seven (7) and twentyeight (28) days) at least equal to the strength of briquettes composed of one
(1) part of the same cement and three (3) parts Standard Ottawa sand by
weight. T h e percentage of water -used in making the briquettes of cement and
fine aggregate shall be such as to produce a mortar of the same consistency as
that of the Ottawa sand briquettes of Standard consistency. In other respects
all briquettes shall be made in accordance with the Report of Committee on
Uniform Tests of Cement of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Coarse Aggregate: Coarse aggregate shall consist of clean, durable
crushed rock or gravel graded in size, free from vegetable or other deleterious
matter, and shall contain no soft, flat or elongated particles. T h e size of the
coarse aggregate shall be such as to pass a one and one-half (1 y2) inch round
opening and shall range from one and one-half (i}4) inches down, not more
than five (5) per cent passing a screen having four (4) meshes per linear inch.
No. 1 Aggregate for Wearing Course: No. 1 aggregate for the wearing
course shall consist of clean, hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel, free
from vegetable matter, and shall contain no' soft, flat or elongated particles.
I t shall pass when dry a screen having one-half (^4) inch openings and not
more than ten (10) per cent shall pass a screen having one-quarter (%) inch
openings.
No. 2 Aggregate for Wearing Course: No. 2 aggregate for the wearing
course shall consist of clean, hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel
10

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

graded in size, free from vegetable or other deleterious matter, and shall contain no soft, flat or elongated particles. T h e size of No. 2 coarse aggregate
shall be such as to pass a one ( i ) inch round opening and shall range from
one ( i ) inch down, not more than five (5) per cent passing a screen having
four (4) meshes per linear inch and no intermediate sizes shall be removed.
3. M I X E D A G G R E G A T E : Crusher run stone, bank run gravel or
artificially prepared mixtures of fine and coarse aggregate shall not be used.
4. W A T E R :
ble matter.

W a t e r shall be clean, free from oil, acid, alkali or vegeta-

5. R E I N F O R C E M E N T : All reinforcement shall be free from excessive rust, scale, paint or coatings of any character which will tend to destroy
the bond. All reinforcement shall develop an ultimate tensile strength of not
less than seventy thousand (70,000) pounds per square inch and bend one
hundred eighty (180) degrees around one diameter and straighten without
fracture.
6. J O I N T F I L L E R : T h e filler for all transverse joints shall consist
of prepared strips of fiber matrix and bitumen or similar material of approved
quality, one-quarter (J/4) inch in thickness. Where the joints are protected
with metal plates the joint filler shall be made to conform to the cross-section
of the pavement and where unprotected transverse joints are used the width
of the joint filler shall be at least one-half ( J 4 ) inch greater than the thickness
of the pavement at any point. T h e filler for longitudinal joints along the
curb, where a separate curb is used, shall, at the discretion of the engineer,
consist of the same material as specified for the transverse joints, or of bitumen
which will not become soft enough to flow in hot weather or brittle in cold
weather. T h e thickness of longitudinal joints filled with bitumen shall not
be less than one-quarter ( % ) inch nor more than three-quarters ( J 4 ) inch.

U

TWO-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

7. J O I N T P R O T E C T I O N P L A T E S : Soft steel plates for the protection of the edges of the concrete at transverse joints shall be not less than
two and one-half ( 2 ^ ) inches in depth and not less than one-eighth
(}i)
inch nor more than one-quarter ( % ) inch average thickness. T h e plates shall
be of such form as to provide for rigid anchorage to the concrete. T h e type
and method of installation of joint protection plates shall be approved by the
engineer.
II.

GRADING

8. D E F I N E D : "Grading" shall include all cuts, fills, approaches and
all earth or rock moving for whatever purpose where such work is an essential part of or necessary to the prosecution of the contract.
9. E N G I N E E R ' S S T A K E S : Stakes will be set by the engineer for the
center line, finished grades and other necessary points.
10. E X C E S S M A T E R I A L : Excess material shall be disposed of as
directed by the engineer, the free haul not to exceed
feet.
11. O V E R - H A U L : Materials hauled a greater distance than the free
haul from the place of excavation shall be paid for at the rate of
cents per cubic yard for each additional
feet.
12. C U T S A N D F I L L S : In cuts the final grade shall be obtained
by rolling with a roller weighing not less than five (5) nor more than ten
(10) tons. T h e engineer shall determine the depth of material to be thus
compacted. When a fill of one (1) foot or less is required to bring the surface
to grade, all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be removed before
making the fill.
Embankments shall be formed of earth or other approved materials and
shall be constructed in successive layers, each of which shall extend entirely
across the width to be filled. Each layer, which shall not exceed one (1) foot
in depth, shall be thoroughly rolled with a roller weighing not less than {ivc
(5) nor more than ten (10) tons before the succeeding layer is placed. T h e
roller shall pass over the entire area of each layer of the fill at least twice.
T h e use of muck, quicksand, soft clay, spongy or perishable material, which will
not consolidate under the roller, is prohibited.
W h e n the material excavated from the cuts is not sufficient to make the
fills shown on the plans, the contractor shall furnish the necessary extra
material to bring the fills to the proper width and grade. W h e n the earth
work is completed the cross-section of the roadbed shall conform to the crosssectional drawings and profile attached hereto.
All approaches connecting the specified pavement with other streets or
alleys intersecting shall also be cut or rilled and secured from settlement to form
a slope of not more than one (1) vertical to ten (10) horizontal, as shown
on the profile and plans attached hereto.
III.

DRAINAGE

13. D R A I N A G E : T h e contractor shall construct tile or other drains
as shown in the drawings attached hereto. Tile to be laid in a trench at least
(
) inches wide, and
(
) feet
deep below the top of the adjacent curb. Such trench shall be backfilled
with crushed stone or pit run gravel with sand removed, which after light
tamping shall be
(
) inches in depth.
12

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

14. C A T C H B A S I N S : All catch basin and manhole tops and all
covers of openings of any kind shall be readjusted to the grade by the contractor at his expense.
IV.

SUBGRADE

15. C O N S T R U C T I O N : T h e bottom of the excavation or the top of
the fill when completed shall be known as the subgrade and shall be at all
places true to the elevation as showrn on the plans attached hereto.
T h e subgrade shall be brought to a firm, unyielding surface by rolling
the entire area with a self-propelled roller weighing not less than five (5) nor
more than ten (10) tons, and all portions of the surface of the subgrade which
are inaccessible to the roller shall be thoroughly tamped with a hand tamp
weighing not less than fifty (50) pounds, the face of which shall not exceed
one hundred (100) square inches in area. All soft, spongy or yielding spots
and all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be entirely removed and the
space refilled with suitable material.
When considered necessary or of assistance in producing a compact, solid
surface, the subgrade before being rolled shall be well sprinkled with water.
When the concrete pavement is to be constructed over an old roadbed composed of gravel or macadam, the latter shall be entirely loosened and the material spread for the full width of the roadbed and rolled. All interstices shall
be filled with fine material and rolled to make a dense, tight surface of the
roadbed.
16. A C C E P T A N C E : No concrete shall be deposited until the subgrade
is checked and accepted by the engineer.
V.

FORMS

17. M A T E R I A L S : Where forms are required, they shall be free
from warp and of sufficient strength to resist springing out of shape.
Wooden forms shall be of not less than two (2) inch stock.
18. S E T T I N G : T h e forms shall be well staked or otherwise held to
the established line and grades. Where the curb is to be constructed integrally
with the pavement, the upper edge of the side forms shall conform to the top
of the curb.
19. T R E A T M E N T : All mortar and dirt shall be removed from the
forms that have previously been used.
VI.

PAVEMENT

SECTION

20. W I D T H , T H I C K N E S S O F C O N C R E T E A N D C R O W N :
T h e concrete pavement shall be
(
) feet wide from
face to face of curb. T h e base of the concrete pavement shall be
(
. ) inches in depth at the center and
(........)
inches in depth at the sides. T h e wearing course shall be
(
) inches uniform thickness. T h e finished surface shall conform
to the arc of a circle as shown on the plans attached hereto.
Note: ( T h e minimum thickness of the concrete base shall be not
less than five (5) inches and the minimum thickness of the wearing course
shall be not less than two (2) inches. W h e n pavements twenty (20)
13

TWO-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

feet or less in width are to be built on approximately level ground and a
flat subgrade is to be used, sufficient fall for drainage at the sides of the
pavement along the curb shall be provided by giving the roadbed the same
grade as that proposed for the gutter. T h e crown of all pavements shall
be not more than one-one-hundredth ( I / I O O ) of the width except, when
deemed advisable by the engineer, the crown of a pavement built on a
crowned subgrade may be increased to one-fiftieth ( 1 / 5 0 ) of the width to
provide sufficient fall for drainage along the sides of the pavement at the
curb.)
VII.

JOINTS

21. W I D T H A N D L O C A T I O N : Transverse joints shall be onequarter ( J 4 ) inch in width and shall be placed across the pavement perpendicular to the center line, not more than thirty-six (36) feet apart. A
longitudinal joint not less than one-quarter (%) inch wide shall be constructed
between the curb and the pavement where a separate curb is used. All joints
shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement' and curb (when
integral curb is specified) and shall be perpendicular to the surface of the
pavement. In pavements with integral curb the joint shall be continuous in
a straight line through pavement and curb.
22. J O I N T F I L L E R : All transverse joints shall be formed by inserting during construction and leaving -in place the required thickness of
prepared strips of fiber matrix and bitumen, or similar material of approved
quality, which shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement and
the entire thickness and height of the integral curb when the latter is specified.
Longitudinal joints along the curb, where a separate curb is specified,
shall, at the discretion of the engineer, be formed in the same manner as transverse joints or constructed by filling with bitumen as before specified.
23. P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : T h e concrete at all transverse joints
shall be protected with joint protection plates wThich shall be rigidly anchored
to the concrete. T h e upper edges of the plates shall be even with each other
and the adjoining surface of the concrete. All steel plates varying more than
one-quarter ( % ) m c n from the finished surface of the concrete, as shown on
the plans attached hereto, shall be ground to meet the specified requirements,
or slabs in which such plates occur shall be removed and replaced with new
material by the contractor at his expense.
24. U N P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : All transverse joints shall extend
through the entire thickness of the pavement and the filler shall project not less
than one-half ( ^ ) inch above the finished surface. T h e concrete adjacent
to these joints shall be finished with a wood float, which is divided through
the center and which will permit finishing on both sides of the filler at the
same time. Before the pavement is opened to, traffic joint filler shall be
cut off to a height of one-quarter ( % ) inch above the surface of the pavement.
VIII.

MEASURING MATERIALS AND MIXING CONCRETE

25. M E A S U R I N G M A T E R I A L S : T h e method of measuring the
materials for the concrete, including water, shall be one which will insure
*Note: (When the specification ('Protected
Joints" should be omitted, and vice versa.)
14

Joints" is to be used, "Unprotected

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

GO.

separate and uniform proportions of each of the materials at all times. A
sack of Portland cement (94 pounds net) shall be considered one (1) cubic
foot.
26. M I X I N G : T h e materials shall be mixed in a batch mixer of
approved type and mixing shall continue after all materials are in the drum for
at least one (1) minute at a minimum speed of twelve (12) revolutions per
minute. T h e drum shall be completely emptied before receiving materials
for successive batches.
27. R E T E M P E R I N G : Retempering of mortar or concrete which
has partially hardened, that is, remixing with or without additional materials
or water, shall not be permitted.
28. C O N S I S T E N C Y : T h e materials for the pavement shall be mixed
with sufficient water to produce a concrete which will hold its shape when
struck off with a template. T h e consistency shall not be such as to cause a
separation of the mortar from the aggregate in handling.
29. C E M E N T R E Q U I R E D : A cubic yard of concrete base in place
shall contain at least one and four-tenths (1.4) barrels of cement. A cubic
yard of "No. 1 Mix Wearing Course" in place shall contain at least two and
ninety-seven-hundredths (2.97) barrels of cement, and a cubic yard of " N o . 2
Mix Wearing Course" in place shall contain at least two and one-tenth (2.1)
barrels of cement.
T h e engineer shall compare the calculated amount of cement required
according to these specifications and plans attached hereto with the amounts
actually used in each section of concrete (including integral curbs when used)
between successive transverse joints, as determined by actual count of the
number of sacks of cement used in each section. If the amount of cement
used in any three (3) adjacent sections (between transverse joints) is less by
more than two (2) per cent, or if the amount of cement used in any one
section is less by more than five (5) per cent of the amount hereinbefore
required, the contractor shall remove all such sections and replace the same
with new materials, according to these specifications, at his expense.

IX.

REINFORCING

30. R E I N F O R C I N G : Concrete pavements twenty (20) feet or more
in width shall be reinforced. T h e cross-sectional area of the reinforcing
metal running parallel to the center line of the pavement shall amount to at
least 0.038 square inch per foot and the cross-sectional area of reinforcing
metal, which is perpendicular to the center line of the pavement, shall
amount to at least 0.049 square inch per foot.
Reinforcing metal shall be placed between base and wearing course and
shall not be less than two (2) inches from the finished surface of the pavement
and otherwise shall be placed as shown on the drawings. T h e reinforcing metal
shall extend to within two (2) inches of all joints, but shall not cross them.
Adjacent widths of fabric shall be lapped not less than four (4) inches when
the lap is made perpendicular to the center line of the pavement and not less
than one (1) foot when the lap is made parallel to the center line of the
pavement.
15

TWO-COURSE

CONCRETE
X.

PLACING

STREET

PAVEMENT

CONCRETE

Concrete for Base
31. P R O P O R T I O N S : T h e concrete shall be mixed in the proportions
of one ( i ) sack of Portland cement to not more than two and a half ( 2 j 4 )
cubic feet of fine aggregate, and not more than four (4) cubic feet of coarse
aggregate, and in no case shall'the volume of the fine aggregate be less than
one-half (J^>) the volume of the coarse aggregate.
32. P L A C I N G C O N C R E T E : Immediately prior to placing the concrete, the subgrade shall be brought to an even surface. T h e surface of the
subgrade shall be thoroughly wet but shall show no pools of water when the
concrete is placed.
After mixing, the concrete shall be deposited rapidly upon the subgrade,
to the required depth and for the entire width of the pavement in successive
batches and in a continuous operation without the use of intermediate forms
or bulkheads between expansion joints.
T h e concrete shall be brought to an even surface, the thickness of the
wearing course below the established grade of the pavement. Workmen
shall not be allowed to walk on the freshly laid concrete, and if sand or
dust collects on the base it shall be removed before the wearing course is
applied. T h e reinforcing metal shall be placed upon and slightly pressed into
the concrete base immediately after it is placed.
In case of
section, or an
at the point of
plete a section

a breakdown concrete shall be mixed by hand to complete the
intermediate transverse joint placed, as hereinbefore specified,
stopping work. Any concrete in excess of that needed to comat the stopping of work shall not be used in the work.
Concrete for Wearing

Course

33. P R O P O R T I O N S F O R M I X T U R E N O . 1*: T h e concrete for
the wearing course shall be mixed in the manner hereinbefore specified in the
proportions of one (1) sack of Portland cement to not more than one (1)
cubic foot of fine aggregate, and not more than one and one-half (1 y2) cubic
feet of " N o . 1 Aggregate for Wearing Course" and in no case shall the
volume of the fine aggregate be less than one-half ( J ^ ) the volume of the
" N o . 1 Aggregate for Wearing Course."
34. P R O P O R T I O N S F O R M I X T U R E N O . 2 * : T h e concrete for
the wearing course shall be mixed in the manner hereinbefore specified in the
proportions of one (1) sack of Portland cement to not more than one and
one-half (ijA) cubic feet of fine aggregate and not more than two and onehalf (2}^) cubic feet of "No. 2 Aggregate for Wearing Course" hereinbefore
specified, and in no case shall the volume of the fine aggregate be less than
one-half (}4) the volume of " N o . 2 Aggregate for Wearing Course."
35. P L A C I N G : T h e wearing course shall be placed immediately after
mixing and in no case shall more than forty-five (45) minutes elapse between
the time that the concrete for the base has been mixed and the time the wearing course is placed.
*Note.

(When Article 33 is specified, Article 34 should be omitted, and vice versa.)
16

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

GO.

36. F I N I S H I N G : T h e wearing course shall be struck off for the entire
width of the pavement, and from back to back of integral curbs when used, by
means of a template or strikeboard. Any holes left by removing any material
or device used in constructing the joint shall be immediately filled with mortar
composed of one (1) part cement and two (2) parts of fine aggregate. Concrete adjoining metal protection plates at transverse joints shall be dense in
character and shall be given a smooth finish with a steel trowel for a distance
of six (6) inches on each side of the joints.
After being brought to the established grade with the template or strikeboard, the concrete shall be finished from a suitable bridge, no part of which
shall come in contact with the concrete. If approved by the engineer, the
contractor may use a mechanical striking and finishing machine. T h e concrete shall be finished with a wood float in a manner to thoroughly compact
it and produce a surface free from depressions or inequalities of any kind.
T h e finished surface of the pavement shall not vary more than one-quarter
( % ) inch from the specified contour.
XL

INTEGRAL

CURB*

37. C O N S T R U C T I O N : An integral curb shall be constructed, as
shown on the attached drawings, to the established grade and in a continuous
line on each side of the street
(
) feet from and
parallel with the center line thereof, except at all intersections of streets,
alleys and driveways, where it shall be returned to the street line, and at these
intersections it shall be rounded to such a radius as the engineer may direct.
T h e concrete for that portion of the integral curbs above the base shall
be of the same materials and proportions as that specified for the wearing
course.
After striking off the pavement, the concrete for that portion of the
integral curbs above the gutter line shall be immediately deposited.
T h e top and inside surface of integral curbs shall be given a smooth
finish and completed with the pavement to the point of stopping each day's
work.
XII.

PROTECTION

38. C U R I N G A N D P R O T E C T I O N : Excepting as hereinafter
specified, the surface of the pavement shall be sprayed with water as soon as
the concrete is sufficiently hardened to prevent pitting, and shall be kept wet
until an earth or other approved covering is placed. As soon as it can be
done without damaging the concrete, the surface of the pavement shall be
covered with not less than two (2) inches of earth or other material approved
by the engineer, which cover shall be kept wet for at least ten (10) days.
When deemed necessary or advisable by the engineer, freshly laid concrete
shall be protected by canvas until such covering can be placed.
Under the most favorable conditions for hardening in hot weather the
pavement shall be closed to traffic for at least fourteen (14) days, and in cool
weather for an additional time, to be determined by the engineer.
*Note: (Article 37"to be]omitted if separate curb is specified.)
17

TWO-COURSE

CONCRETE

STREET

PAVEMENT

In the season of the year when the average temperature is below 50
degrees Fahrenheit,, sprinkling and covering of the pavement may be omitted
at the direction of the engineer.
The contractor shall erect and maintain suitable barriers to protect the
concrete from traffic and any part of the pavement damaged from traffic or
other causes, occurring prior to its official acceptance, shall be repaired or
replaced by the contractor at his expense, in a manner satisfactory to the
engineer. Before the pavement is thrown open to traffic the covering shall be
removed and disposed of as directed by the engineer.
39. T E M P E R A T U R E BELOW 35 DEGREES F A H R E N H E I T :
Concrete shall not be mixed nor deposited when the temperature is below
freezing.
If, at any time during the progress of the work, the temperature is, or in
the opinion of the engineer will within twenty-four (24) hours drop to 35
degrees Fahrenheit, the water and aggregates shall be heated and precautions
taken to protect the work from freezing for at least ten (10) days. In no
case shall concrete be deposited upon a frozen subgrade.

18

ONE-COURSE CONCRETE ALLEY PAVEMENT
I.

MATERIALS

1. C E M E N T : T h e cement shall meet the requirements of the Standard Specifications for Portland Cement, adopted by the American Society for
Testing Materials, August 16, 1909, with all subsequent amendments and
additions thereto adopted by said society and by this Institute (Standard
No. 1 ) .
2. A G G R E G A T E S : Before delivery on the job, the contractor shall
submit to the engineer a fifty (50) pound sample of each of the fine and
coarse aggregates proposed for use. These samples shall be tested and if found
to pass the requirements of the specifications similar material shall be considered as acceptable for the work. All aggregates used shall meet with the
approval of the engineer and shall fulfill the requirements of these specifications. In no case shall aggregates containing frost or lumps of frozen material be used.
Fine Aggregate: Fine aggregate shall consist of natural sand or screenings from hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel, consisting of quartzite
grains or other equally hard material graded from fine to coarse with the
coarse particles predominating. Fine aggregate, when dry, shall pass a screen
having four (4) meshes per linear inch; not more than twenty-five (25)
per cent shall pass a sieve having fifty (50). meshes per linear inch, and not
more than Ryt (5) per cent shall pass a sieve having one hundred (100)
meshes per linear inch. Fine aggregate shall not contain vegetable or other
deleterious matter nor more than three (3) per cent of clay or loam.
Fine aggregate shall be of such quality that mortar composed of one (1)
part Portland cement and three (3) parts fine aggregate, by weight, when
made into briquettes, shall show a tensile strength (at seven (7) and twentyeight (28) days) at least equal to the strength of briquettes composed of one
(1) part of the same cement and three (3) parts Standard Ottawa sand, by
weight. T h e percentage of water used in mixing the briquettes of cement and
fine aggregate shall be such as to produce a mortar of the same consistency as
that of the Ottawa sand briquettes of Standard consistency. In other respects
all briquettes shall be made in accordance with the Report of Committee on
Uniform Tests of Cement of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Coarse Aggregate: Coarse aggregate shall consist of clean, hard, tough,
durable crushed rock or gravel graded in size, free from vegetable or other
deleterious matter, and shall contain no soft, flat or elongated particles. T h e
size of the coarse aggregate shall be such as to pass a one and one-half (1 }4)
inch round opening and shall range from one and one-half (i}4)
inches
down, not more than five (5) per cent passing a screen having four (4)
meshes per linear inch, and no intermediate sizes shall be removed.
3. M I X E D A G G R E G A T E : Crusher run stone, bank-run gravel or
artificially prepared mixtures of fine and coarse aggregate shall not be used.
4. W A T E R : W a t e r shall be clean, free from oil, acid, alkali or vegetable matter.
5. R E I N F O R C E M E N T : All reinforcement shall be free from excessive rust, scale, paint or coatings of any character which will tend to destroy
the bond. All reinforcement shall develop an ultimate tensile strength of not
19

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

ALLEY

PAVEMENT

less than seventy thousand (70,000) pounds per square inch and bend one
hundred eighty (180) degrees around one diameter and straighten without
fracture.
6. J O I N T F I L L E R : T h e filler for all transverse joints shall consist
of prepared strips of fiber matrix and bitumen or similar material of approved
quality one-quarter ( J 4 ) inch in thickness. W h e r e the joints are protected
with metal plates the joint filler shall be made to conform to the cross-section
of the pavement and where unprotected transverse joints are used the width of
the joint filler shall be at least one-half (L/2) inch greater than the thickness
of the pavement at any point. T h e filler for longitudinal joints shall, at the
discretion of the engineer, consist of the same material as specified for the
transverse joints or of bitumen which will not become soft enough to flow in
hot weather or brittle in cold weather. T h e thickness of longitudinal joints
filled with bitumen shall not be less than one-quarter ( J 4 ) inch nor more than
three-quarters ( % ) inch.
7. J O I N T P R O T E C T I O N P L A T E S : Soft steel plates for the protection of the edges of the concrete at transverse joints shall be not less than
two and one-half ( 2 ^ ) inches in depth and not less than one-eighth {y%)
nor more than one-quarter ( % ) inch average thickness. T h e plates shall be of
such form as to provide for rigid anchorage to the concrete. T h e type and
method of installation of joint protection plates shall be approved by the
engineer.
II.

GRADING

8. D E F I N E D : "Grading" shall include all cuts, fills, approaches and
all earth or rock moving for whatever purpose where such work is an essential
part of or necessary to the prosecution of the contract.
9. E N G I N E E R ' S S T A K E S : Stakes will be set by the engineer for the
center line, finished grades and other necessary points.
10. E X C E S S M A T E R I A L : Excess material shall be disposed of as
directed by the engineer, the free haul not to exceed
feet.
11. O V E R - H A U L : Materials hauled a greater distance than the free
haul from the place of excavation shall be paid for at the rate of
cents per cubic yard for each additional
feet.
12. C U T S A N D F I L L S : In cuts the final grade shall be obtained by
rolling with a roller weighing not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10)
tons. T h e engineer shall determine the depth of material to be thus com-

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE
s&

ALLEY

Not less thdn 6" uniform thicknessx

-Width of Fbvement

^LongitudinalJoint
where specified

Slope of dubgrade same
as 'Surface of Concrete
CROSS

Note : - V denotes width of pavement
20

SECTION

Longitudinal JointJ
where specified

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

pacted. When a fill of one ( i ) foot or less is required to bring the surface
to grade, all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be removed before
making the fill.
Embankments shall be formed of earth or other approved materials and
shall be constructed in successive layers, each of which shall extend entirely
across the width to be filled. Each layer, which shall not exceed one ( i )
foot in depth, shall be thoroughly rolled with a roller weighing not less than
Rvt (5) nor more than ten (10) tons before the succeeding layer is placed.
T h e roller shall pass over the entire area of each layer of the fill at least twice.
T h e use of muck, quicksand, soft clay, spongy or perishable material, which
will not consolidate under the roller, is prohibited.
When the material excavated from the cuts is not sufficient to make the
fills shown on the plans, the contractor shall furnish the necessary extra
material to bring the fills to the proper width and grade. When the earthwork is completed the cross-section of the roadbed shall conform to the crosssectional drawings and profile attached hereto.
All approaches connecting the specified pavement with other streets or
alleys intersecting shall also be cut or filled, and secured from settlement, to
form a slope of not more than one (1) vertical to ten- (10) horizontal, as
shown on the profile and plans attached hereto.
III.

DRAINAGE

13. D R A I N A G E : T h e contractor shall construct tile or other drains
as shown in the drawings attached hereto. Tile to be laid in a trench at least
(
. . ) inches wide, and
. (
) feet
deep below the established grade of the pavement. Such trench shall be
backfilled with crushed stone or pit run gravel with sand removed, which
after light tamping shall be
(
) inches in depth.
14. C A T C H B A S I N S : All catch basins and manhole tops and all
covers of openings of any kind shall be readjusted to the grade by the contractor at his expense.
IV.

SUBGRADE

15. C O N S T R U C T I O N : T h e bottom of the excavation or the top of
the fill when completed shall be known as the subgrade and shall be at all
places true to the elevation as shown on the plans attached hereto.
T h e subgrade shall be brought to a firm, unyielding surface by rolling the
entire area with a self-propelled roller weighing not less than five (5) nor
more than ten (10) tons, and all portions of the surface of the subgrade
which are inaccessible to the roller shall be thoroughly tamped with a hand
tamp weighing not less than' fifty (50) pounds, the face of which shall not
exceed % one hundred (100) square inches in area. All soft, spongy, or
yielding spots and all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be entirely
removed and the space refilled with suitable material.
When considered necessary or of assistance in producing a compact, solid
surface, the subgrade before being rolled shall be well sprinkled with water.
When the concrete pavement is to be constructed over an old roadbed
composed of gravel or macadam, the latter shall be entirely loosened and the
material spread for the full width of the roadbed and rolled. All interstices
shall be filled with fine material and rolled to make a dense, tight surface.
21

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

ALLEY

PAVEMENT

16. A C C E P T A N C E : No concrete shall be deposited until the subgrade is checked and accepted by the engineer.
V.

FORMS

17. M A T E R I A L S : Metal or wooden forms shall be free from warp,
of sufficient strength to resist springing out of shape, and shall be equal in
width to the thickness of the pavement at the edges. Wooden forms shall be
of not less than two (2) inch stock. Where the pavement is laid adjacent
to buildings, fences or other structures, the side forms may be omitted at the
direction of the engineer, but a joint must be constructed as hereinafter
specified, between the pavement and such structure.
18. S E T T I N G : T h e forms shall be well staked or otherwise held to
the established line and grades, and the upper edge shall conform to the established grade of the alley.
19. T R E A T M E N T : All mortar and dirt shall be removed from the
forms that have previously been used.
VI.

PAVEMENT

SECTION

20. W I D T H , T H I C K N E S S O F P A V E M E N T A N D CROSSS E C T I O N : T h e width.of the pavement shall be
(
)
feet,
(
) inches, and not less than six (6) inches
uniform thickness. In cross-section the finished surface shall have a uniform
pitch toward the center line, except that the center twelve (12) inches shall
be rounded to the arc of a circle which is tangent to the surface of the concrete
at points six (6) inches on each side of the center line, as shown in the plans
attached hereto. T h e dish shall not exceed one-fiftieth ( 1 / 5 0 ) of the width
of the pavement.
VII. J O I N T S
21. W I D T H A N D L O C A T I O N : Transverse joints shall be onequarter ( % ) inch,in width and shall be placed across the pavement perpendicular to the center line, not more than thirty-six (36) feet apart. When
the pavement is laid adjacent to buildings, fences, or other structures, a longitudinal joint shall, at the discretion of the engineer, be constructed. All
joints shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement and shall be
perpendicular to its surface.
22. J O I N T F I L L E R : All transverse joints shall be formed by inserting during construction and leaving in place the required thickness of prepared strips of fiber matrix and bitumen, or other similar material of approved
quality, which shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement.
Longitudinal joints shall, at the discretion of the engineer, be formed in the
same manner as transverse joints or constructed by filling with bitumen as
before specified.
23. P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : T h e concrete at transverse joints shall
be protected with joint protection plates which shall be rigidly anchored to the
concrete. T h e upper edges of the plates shall be even with each other and the
adjoining surface of the concrete. All steel plates varying more than onequarter ( % ) i n c n from the finished surface of the concrete, as shown on the
plans attached hereto, shall be ground to meet the specified requirements, or
slabs in which such plates occur shall be removed and replaced with new
material by the contractor at his expense.
*Note: (When the specification "Protected Joints" is to be used, ''Unprotected Joints"
should be omitted, and vice versa.)
22

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

24. U N P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : All transverse joints shall extend
through the entire thickness of the pavement and the filler shall project not less
than one-half (}4) inch above the finished surface. T h e concrete adjacent
to these joints shall be finished with a wood float, which is divided through
the center and which will permit finishing on both sides of the filler at the
same time. Before the pavement is opened to traffic joint filler shall be cut
off to the height of one-quarter (*4) m c n above the surface of the pavement.
VIII.

MEASURING MATERIALS AND MIXING

CONCRETE

25. M E A S U R I N G M A T E R I A L S : T h e method of measuring the
materials for the concrete, including water, shall be one which will insure
separate and uniform proportions of each of the materials at all times. A
sack of Portland cement (94 pounds net) shall be considered one (1) cubic
foot.
26. M I X I N G : T h e materials shall be mixed in a batch mixer of
approved type and mixing shall continue after all materials are in the drum
for at least one (1) minute at a minimum speed of twelve (12) revolutions
per minute. T h e drum shall be completely emptied before receiving materials
for successive batches.
27. R E T E M P E R I N G : Retempering of mortar or concrete which has
partially hardened; that is, remixing with or without additional materials or
water, shall not be permitted.
28. P R O P O R T I O N S : T h e concrete shall be mixed in the proportions
of one (1) sack of Portland cement to not more than two (2) cubic feet of
fine aggregate and not more than three (3) cubic feet of coarse aggregate,
and in no case shall the volume of the fine aggregate be less than one-half (j4)
the volume of the coarse aggregate.
A cubic yard of concrete in place shall contain not less than one and
seven-tenths (1.7) barrels of cement.
T h e engineer shall compare the calculated amount of cement required
according to these specifications and plans attached hereto with the amounts
actually used in each section of concrete between successive transverse joints,
as determined by actual count of the number of sacks of cement used in each
section. If the amount of cement used in any three (3) adjacent sections
(between transverse joints) is less by more than two (2) per cent, or if the
amount of cement used in any one section is less by more than five (5) per
cent of the amount hereinbefore required, the contractor shall remove all such
sections and replace the same with new materials, according to these specifications, at his expense.
29. C O N S I S T E N C Y : T h e materials shall be mixed with sufficient
water to produce a concrete which will hold its shape when struck off with
a template. T h e consistency shall not be such as to cause a separation of the
mortar from the coarse aggregate in handling.
IX.

REINFORCING

30. R E I N F O R C I N G : Concrete pavements twenty (20) feet or more
in width shall be reinforced. T h e cross-sectional area of the reinforcing metal
running parallel to the center line of the pavement shall amount to at least
*Note: (When the specification "Protected Joints" is to be used, "Unprotected Joints"
should be omitted, and vice versa.)
23

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

ALLEY

PAVEMENT

0.038 square inch per foot and the cross-sectional area of reinforcing metal,
which is perpendicular to the center line of the pavement, shall amount to at
least 0.049 square inch per foot.
Reinforcing metal shall not be placed less than two (2) inches from the
finished surface of the pavement and otherwise shall be placed as shown on the
drawings attached hereto. T h e reinforcing metal shall extend to within two
(2) inches of all joints, but shall not cross them. Adjacent widths of fabric
shall be lapped not less than four (4) inches when the lap is made perpendicular to the center line of the pavement and not less than one (1) foot when
the lap is made parallel to the center line of the pavement.
X.

PLACING

CONCRETE

31. P L A C I N G C O N C R E T E : Immediately prior to placing the concrete, the subgrade shall be brought to an even surface. T h e surface of the
subgrade shall be thoroughly wet but shall show no pools of water when
the concrete is placed.
After mixing, the concrete shall be deposited rapidly upon the subgrade,
to the required depth and for the entire width of the pavement in successive
batches and in a continuous operation without the use of intermediate forms
or bulkheads between expansion joints.
In case of a breakdown concrete shall be mixed by hand to complete the
section or an intermediate transverse joint placed as hereinbefore specified at the
point of stopping work. Any concrete in excess of that needed to complete
a section at the stopping of work shall not be used in the work.
32. F I N I S H I N G : T h e surface of the concrete shall be struck off by
means of a template or strikeboard. Any holes left by removing any material
or device used in constructing the joint shall be immediately filled with mortar
composed of one ( T ) part of cement and two (2) parts of fine aggregate.
Concrete adjoining metal protection plates at transverse joints shall be dense
in character and shall be given a smooth finish with a steel trowel for a distance of six (6) inches on each side of the joints.
After being brought to the established grade with the template or strikeboard, the concrete shall, where possible, be finished from a suitable bridge,
no part of which shall come in contact with the concrete. T h e concrete shall be
finished with a wood float in a manner to thoroughly compact it and produce
a surface free from depressions or inequalities of any kind. T h e finished
surface of the pavement shall not vary more than one-quarter ( % ) inch from
the specified contour.
XL

PROTECTION

33. C U R I N G A N D P R O T E C T I O N : Excepting as hereinafter specified, the surface of the pavement shall be sprayed with water as soon as the
concrete is sufficiently hardened to prevent pitting, and shall be kept wet until
an earth or other approved covering is placed. As soon as it can be done
without damaging the concrete, the surface of the pavement shall be covered
with not less than two (2) inches of earth or other material approved by the
engineer, which cover shall be kept wet format least ten (10) days. When
deemed necessary or advisable by the engineer, freshly laid concrete shall be
protected by canvas until such covering can be placed.
24

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

Under the most favorable conditions for hardening in hot weather, the
pavement shall be closed to traffic for at least fourteen (14) days, and in cool
weather for an additional time, to be determined by the engineer.
In the season of the year when the average temperature is below fifty
(50) degrees Fahrenheit, sprinkling and covering of the pavement may be
omitted at the direction of the engineer.
The contractor shall erect and maintain suitable barriers to protect the
concrete from traffic and any part of the pavement damaged from traffic or
other causes, occurring prior to its official acceptance, shall be repaired or
replaced by the contractor at his expense, in a manner satisfactory to the
engineer. Before the pavement is thrown open to traffic the covering shall
be removed and disposed of as directed by the engineer.
34. T E M P E R A T U R E BELOW 35 DEGREES F A H R E N H E I T :
Concrete shall not be mixed nor deposited when the temperature is below
freezing.
If, at any time during the progress of the work, the temperature is, or in
the opinion of the engineer will within twenty-four (24) hours drop to 35
degrees Fahrenheit, the water and aggregates shall be heated, and precautions
taken to protect the work from freezing for at least ten (10) days. In no
case 'shall concrete be deposited upon a frozen subgrade.

25

ONE-COURSE CONCRETE HIGHWAY
I.

MATERIALS

1. C E M E N T : T h e cement shall meet the requirements of the Standard Specifications for Portland Cement, adopted by the American Society for
Testing Materials, August 16, 1909, with all subsequent amendments and
additions thereto adopted by said society and by this Institute (Standard
No. 1 ) .
2. A G G R E G A T E S : Before delivery on the job, the contractor shall
submit to the engineer a fifty (50) pound sample of each of the fine and coarse
aggregates proposed for use. T h e samples shall be tested and if found to pass
the requirements of the specifications similar material shall be considered as
acceptable for the work. All aggregates used shall meet with the approval of
the engineer and shall fulfill the requirements of these specifications. In no
case shall aggregates containing frost or lumps of frozen material be used. #
Fine Aggregate: Fine aggregate shall consist of natural sand or screenings from hard, tough, durable crushed rock or gravel, consisting of quartzite
grains or other equally hard material graded from fine to coarse with the
coarse particles predominating. Fine aggregate, when dry, shall pass a screen
having four (4) meshes per linear inch; not more than twenty-five (25) per
cent shall pass a sieve having fifty (50) meshes per linear inch, and not more
than five (5) per cent shall pass a sieve having one hundred (100) meshes
per linear inch. Fine aggregate shall not contain vegetable or other deleterious
matter nor more than three (3) per cent of clay or loam.
Fine aggregate shall be of such quality that mortar composed of one (1)
part Portland cement, and three (3) parts fine aggregate, by weight, when
made into briquettes, shall show a tensile strength (at seven (7) and twentyeight (28) days) at least equal to the strength of briquettes composed of
one (1) part of the same cement and three (3) parts Standard Ottawa sand
by weight. T h e percentage of water used in making the briquettes of cement
and fine aggregate shall be such as to produce a mortar of the same consistency
as that of the Ottawa sand briquettes of Standard consistency. In other
respects all briquettes shall be made in accordance with the Report of Committee on Uniform Tests of Cement of the American Society of Civil
Engineers.
Coarse Aggregate: Coarse aggregate shall consist of clean, hard, tough,
durable crushed rock or gravel graded in size, free from vegetable or other
deleterious matter, and shall contain no soft, flat or elongated particles. T h e
size of the coarse aggregate shall be such as to pass a one and one-half (1 ^2)
inch round opening and shall range from one and one-half (1 y2) inches down,
not more than five (5) per cent passing a screen having four (4) meshes
per linear inch, and no intermediate sizes shall be removed.
3. M I X E D A G G R E G A T E : Crusher run stone, bank run gravel or
artificially prepared mixtures of fine and coarse aggregate shall not be used.
4. W A T E R : W a t e r shall be clean, free from oil, acid, alkali or vegetable matter.
5. R E I N F O R C E M E N T : All reinforcement shall be free from excessive rust, scale, paint or coatings of any character which will tend to destroy
26

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

CO.

the bond. All reinforcement shall develop an ultimate tensile strength of not
less than seventy (70,000) thousand pounds per square'inch and bend one
hundred eighty (180) degrees around one diameter and straighten without
fracture.
6. J O I N T F I L L E R : Joint filler shall consist of prepared strips of
fiber matrix and bitumen, or similar material of approved quality, one-quarter
(%) inch in thickness. Where the joints are protected with metal plates
the joint filler shall be made to conform to the cross-section of the pavement,
and where unprotected joints are used the width of the joint filler shall be
at least one-half (*/>) inch greater than the thickness of the pavement at any
point.
7. J O I N T P R O T E C T I O N P L A T E S : Soft steel plates for the protection of the edges of the concrete at transverse joints shall be not less than
two and one-half ( 2 ^ ) inches in depth and not less than one-eighth ( J ^ )
nor more than one-quarter ( % ) inch average thickness. T h e plates shall be
of such form as to provide for rigid anchorage to the concrete. T h e type
and method of installation of joint protection plates shall be approved by the
engineer.
8. S H O U L D E R S : Materials for the construction of shoulders shall
be approved by the engineer.
II.

GRADING

9. D E F I N E D : "Grading" shall include all cuts, fills, ditches, borrow
pits, approaches and all earth or rock moving for whatever purpose where such
work is an essential part of or necessary to the prosecution of the contract.
10. E N G I N E E R ' S S T A K E S : Stakes will be set by the engineer for

27

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

HIGHWAY

the center line, side of slopes, finished grade and other necessary points properly marked for the cut or fill. When the grade line is approached the final
grade stakes will be set for which
day's notice must be given
to the engineer.
i i . E X C E S S M A T E R I A L : Excess material shall be disposed of as
directed by the engineer, the free haul not to exceed
feet.
12. O V E R - H A U L : Materials hauled a greater distance than the free
haul from the place of excavation shall be paid for at the rate of
cents per cubic yard for each additional
feet.
13. C U T S A N D F I L L S : In cuts the final grade shall be obtained by
rolling with a roller weighing not less than five (5) nor more than ten (10)
tons. T h e engineer shall determine the depth of material to be thus compacted. W h e n a fill of one (1) foot or less is required to bring the surface
to grade, all vegetable matter shall be removed before making the fill.
Embankments shall be formed of earth or other approved materials and
shall be constructed in successive layers the first of which shall extend entirely
across from the toe of the slope on one side to the toe of the slope on the other
side and successive layers shall extend entirely across embankments from slope
to slope. Each layer, which shall not exceed one (1) foot in depth, shall be
thoroughly rolled with a roller weighing not less than five (5) nor more than
ten (10) tons. T h e roller shall pass over the entire area of each layer of the
fill at least twice. T h e sides of the embankment shall be kept lower than the
center during all stages of the work and the surface maintained in condition
for adequate drainage. T h e use of muck, quicksand, soft clay or spongy
material which will not consolidate under the roller is prohibited.
W h e n the material excavated from the cuts is not sufficient to make the
fills shown on the plans, the contractor shall furnish the necessary extra
material to bring the fills to the proper width and grade. When the earth
work is completed, the cross-section of the roadbed shall conform to the crosssectional drawings and profile attached hereto.
14. S L O P E S : All slopes must be properly dressed to lines given by the
engineer.
III.

DRAINAGE

15. D R A I N A G E : T h e contractor shall construct such drainage
ditches as will insure perfect sub and surface drainage during construction
and such work shall be completed to the satisfaction of the engineer, prior to
the preparation of the roadbed, as herein specified.
T i l e drains shall be placed as sliown \n the drawings attached \\exeto.
Tile to be laid in a trench at least
(
. . . . ) inches wide and
(
) feet deep below the established grade of the
finished road. Such trench shall be backfilled with crushed stone or pit run
gravel, with fine material removed, which, after light tamping, shall be
(
) inches in depth.
Open ditches must be constructed along the concrete road as shown on the
attached drawing, the dimensions, side slopes and grade of said ditches being
as shown on the cross-section drawings and profile attached hereto.
At the time of the acceptance of the road, the ditches must be in perfect
condition with clean slopes and bottom, containing no obstructions to the flow
of water.
28

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND
IV.

CEMENT

GO.

SUBGRADE

16. C O N S T R U C T I O N : T h e bottom of the excavation or the top of
the fill when completed shall be known as the subgrade and shall be at all
places true to the elevation as shown on the plans attached hereto.
T h e subgrade shall be brought to a firm, unyielding surface by rolling the
entire area with a self-propelled roller weighing not less than five (-5) nor
more than ten (10) tons, and all portions of the surface of the subgrade
which are inaccessible to the roller shall be thoroughly tamped with a hand
tamp weighing not less than fifty (50) pounds, the face of which shall not
exceed one hundred (100) square inches in area. All soft, spongy or yielding
spots and all vegetable or other perishable matter shall be entirely removed
and the space refilled with suitable material.
, When considered necessary or of assistance in producing a compact, solid
surface, the subgrade before being rolled shall be well sprinkled with water.
When the concrete pavement is to be constructed over an old roadbed
composed of gravel or macadam, the latter shall be entirely loosened and
the material spread for the full width of the roadbed and rolled. All interstices shall be filled with fine material and rolled to make a dense, tight surface
of the roadbed.
17. A C C E P T A N C E : No concrete shall be deposited until the subgrade
is checked and accepted by the engineer.
V.

FORMS

18. M A T E R I A L S : Metal or wooden forms shall be free from warp,
of sufficient strength to resist springing out of shape, and shall be equal in
width to the thickness of the pavement at the edges. Wooden forms shall be
of not less than two (2) inch stock, and shall be capped with two (2) inch
angle iron.
19., S E T T I N G : T h e forms shall be well staked or otherwise held to
the established line and grades, and the upper edges shall conform to the
established grade of the road.
20. T R E A T M E N T : All mortar and dirt shall be removed from the
forms that have previously been used.
VI.

PAVEMENT

SECTION

21. W I D T H , T H I C K N E S S O F C O N C R E T E A N D C R O W N :
T h e concrete pavement shall be
feet wide,
(
) inches in depth at center, and
(
. ) inches
in depth at the sides. T h e finished surface shall conform to the arc of a
circle, as shown on the plans attached hereto.
N o t e : (Crown shall be hot more than one-one-hundredth (1/100)
of the width. T h e thickness of the concrete at the edges shall be not less
than six (6) inches.)
VII.

JOINTS

22. W I D T H A N D L O C A T I O N : Transverse joints shall be onequarter (34) inch in width and shall be placed across the pavement perpendicular to the center line, not more than thirty-six (36) feet apart. All
joints shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement and shall be
perpendicular to its surface.
29

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

HIGHWAY

23. J O I N T F I L L E R : All joints shall be formed by inserting during
construction and leaving in place the required thickness of joint filler which
shall extend through the entire thickness of the pavement.
24. P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : T h e concrete at all transverse joints
shall be protected with joint protection plates which shall be rigidly anchored
to the concrete. T h e upper edges of the plates shall be even with each other
and the adjoining surface of the concrete. All steel plates varying more
than one-quarter ( J 4 ) inch from the finished surface of the concrete, as shown
on the plans attached hereto, shall be ground to meet the specified requirements, or slabs in which such plates occur shall be removed and replaced with
new material by the contractor at his expense.
25. U N P R O T E C T E D J O I N T S * : All transverse joints shall extend
through the entire thickness of the pavement and the filler shall project not
less than one-half (y2)
inch above the finished surface. T h e concrete
adjacent to these joints shall be finished with a wood float, which is divided
through the center and which will permit'finishing on both sides of the filler at
the same time. Before the road is opened to traffic, joint filler shall be cut
off to a height of one-quarter ( J 4 ) m c n above the surface of the road.
VIII.

MEASURING

MATERIALS

AND

MIXING

CONCRETE

26. M E A S U R I N G M A T E R I A L S : T h e method of measuring the
materials for the concrete, including water, shall be one which will insure
separate and uniform proportions of each of the materials at all times. A
sack of Portland cement (94 lbs. net) shall be considered one (1) cubic foot.
27. M I X I N G : T h e materials shall be mixed in a batch mixer of
approved type and mixing shall continue after all materials are in the drum
for at least one (1) minute at a minimum speed of twelve (12) revolutions
per minute. T h e drum shall be completely emptied before receiving materials
for successive batches.
28. R E T E M P E R I N G : Retempering of mortar or concrete which
has partially hardened; that is, remixing with or without additional materials
or water, shall not be permitted.
29. P R O P O R T I O N S : T h e concrete shall be mixed in the proportions
of one (1) sack of Portland cement to not more than two (2) cubic feet of
fine aggregate and not more than three (3) cubic feet of coarse aggregate,
and in no case shall the volume of the fine aggregate be less than one-half ( y 2 )
the volume of the coarse aggregate.
A cubic yard of concrete in place shall contain not less than one and seventenths (1.7) barrels of cement.
T h e engineer shall compare the calculated amount of cement required
according to these specifications and plans attached hereto with the amounts
actually used in each section of concrete between successive transverse joints,
as determined by actual count of the number of sacks of cement used in each
section. If the amount of cement used in any three adjacent sections (between transverse joints) is less by more than two (2) per cent, or if the amount
of cement used in any one section is less-by more than five (5) per cent of the
amount hereinbefore required, the contractor shall remove all such sections
*Note: (Whenthe specification "Protected Joints" is to be used, "Unprotected Joints"
should be omitted and vice versa.)
30

UNIVERSAL

PORTLAND

CEMENT

GO.

and replace the same with new materials, according to these specifications, at
his expense.
30. C O N S I S T E N C Y : T h e materials shall be mixed with sufficient
water to produce a concrete which will hold its shape when struck off with a
template. T h e consistency shall not be such as to cause a separation of the
mortar from the coarse aggregate in handling.
IX.

REINFORCING

31. R E I N F O R C I N G : Concrete pavements twenty (20) feet or more
in width shall be reinforced. T h e cross-sectional area of the reinforcing metal
running parallel to the center line of the pavement shall amount to at least
0.038 square inch per foot and the cross-sectional area of reinforcing metal,
which is perpendicular to the center line of the pavement, shall amount to at
least 0.049 square inch per foot.
Reinforcing metal shall be placed not less than two (2) inches from the
finished surface of the pavement and otherwise shall be placed as shown on
the drawings attached hereto. T h e reinforcing metal shall extend to within
two (2) inches of all joints, but shall not cross them. Adjacent widths of
fabric shall be lapped not less than four (4) inches when the lap is made
perpendicular to the center line of the pavement and not less than one (1)
foot when the lap is made parallel to the center line of the pavemnt.
X.

PLACING

CONCRETE

32. P L A C I N G C O N C R E T E : Immediately prior to placing the concrete, the subgrade shall be brought to an even surface. T h e surface of the
subgrade shall be thoroughly wet but shall show no pools of water when the
concrete is placed.
After mixing, the concrete shall be deposited rapidly upon the subgrade,
to the required depth and for the entire width of the pavement in successive
batches and in a continuous operation without the use of intermediate forms or
bulkheads between expansion joints.
In case of a breakdown concrete shall be mixed by hand to complete the
section or an intermediate transverse joint placed as hereinbefore specified
at the point of stopping work. Any concrete in excess of that needed to
complete a section at the stopping of work shall not be used in the work.
33. F I N I S H I N G : T h e surface of the concrete shall be struck off by
means of a template or strikeboard which shall be moved with a combined
longitudinal and cross-wise motion. W h e n the strikeboard is within three
(3) feet of a transverse joint it shall be lifted to the joint and the pavement
struck off by moving the strikeboard away from the joint; any excess concrete
shall be removed. Any holes left by removing any material or device used in
constructing the joint shall be immediately filled with mortar composed of one
(1) part of cement and two (2) parts of fine aggregate. Concrete adjoining
metal protection plates at transverse joints shall be dense in character and shall
be given a smooth finish with a steel trowel for a distance of six (6) inches
on each side of the joints.
After being brought to the established grade with the template or strikeboard, the concrete shall be finished from a suitable bridge, no part of which
shall come in contact with the concrete. T h e concrete shall be finished with a
wood float in a manner to thoroughly compact it and produce a surface free
31

ONE-COURSE

CONCRETE

HIGHWAY

from depressions or inequalities of any kind. T h e finished surface of the pavement shall not vary more than one-quarter ( % ) inch from the specified
contour.
T h e edges of the pavement shall be rounded as shown on the cross-sectional
drawings attached heretOi
XL

PROTECTION

34. C U R I N G A N D P R O T E C T I O N : Excepting as hereinafter
specified, the surface of the pavement shall be sprayed with water as soon as
the concrete is sufficiently hardened to prevent pitting, and shall be kept wet
until an earth or other approved covering is placed. As soon as it can be done
without damaging the concrete, the surface of the pavement shall be covered
with not less than two (2) inches of earth or other material approved by the
engineer, which cover shall be kept wet for at least ten (10) days. W h e n
deemed necessary or advisable by the engineer, freshly laid concrete shall be
protected by canvas until such covering can be placed.
Under -the most favorable conditions for hardening in hot weather the
pavement shall be closed to traffic for at least fourteen (14) days, and in cool
weather for an additional time, to be determined by the engineer.
In the season of the year when the average temperature is below fifty (50)
degrees Fahrenheit, sprinkling and covering of the pavement may be omitted
at the direction of the engineer.
T h e contractor shall erect and maintain suitable barriers to protect the
concrete from traffic and any part of the pavement damaged from traffic or
other causes, occurring prior to its official acceptance, shall be repaired or
replaced by the contractor at his expense, in a manner satisfactory to the engineer. Before the pavement is thrown open to traffic the covering shall be
removed and disposed of as directed by the engineer.
35. T E M P E R A T U R E B E L O W 35 D E G R E E S F A H R E N H E I T :
Concrete shall not be mixed nor deposited when the temperature is below
freezing.
If, at any time during the progress of the work, the temperature is, or in
the opinion of the engineer will within twenty-four (24) hours drop to 35
degrees Fahrenheit, the water and aggregates shall be heated, and precautions
taken to protect the work from freezing for at least ten (10) days. In no
case shall concrete be deposited upon a frozen subgrade.
XII.

SHOULDERS

36. C O N S T R U C T I O N : When shoulders are required, they shall
be built upon the properly prepared subgrade, as shown on the profile and
cross-sectional drawings attached hereto. T h e work shall be done to the
entire satisfaction of. the engineer.

32