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Contents
1 Introduction ........................................................2
2 References .........................................................2
3 Background ........................................................4
4 CLSM Applications .............................................4
5 Materials .............................................................7
6 Batching, Mixing, Transporting,
Placing and Curing .........................................7
7 Properties and Other Considerations .................9
8 Quality Control..................................................11
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Scope
1.3 Disclaimer
Use of Best Practices in designing projects for Saudi Aramco, does not relieve
the designer from the responsibility to verify the information presented or from
any contractual liability to conform to Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirements. The use of Best Practices by designers is intended solely for, and
shall be strictly limited to, Saudi Aramco projects. Saudi Aramco is a
registered trademark of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company.
1.4 Conflicts
In the event of a conflict between this Best Practice and other Mandatory Saudi
Aramco Engineering Requirements, the Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement shall govern.
2 References
Page 2 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
Page 3 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
2.3 Other
3 Benefits
4 CLSM Applications
CLSM is best used on projects with conditions such as space limitations, limited
accessibility, unsafe access, settlement sensibility, critical construction or time
limitations exist. SAES-A-114 allows the use of CLSM in lieu of compacted fill and
GI-2021.000 includes CLSM for backfill of utility trenches under roads and pavements.
CLSM is the preferred method for backfill of utility trenches under roads and
pavements. CLSM can be readily placed into trenches without need of
compaction or special curing procedures. Trench width or size of excavation
can be reduced, as worker access may not be required. CLSM is superior to
compact fills since the latter may settle and cannot achieve the uniformity and
density of CLSM. In addition, deep trenches may be filled in continuous
placements of CLSM.
Table 1 lists the recommended CLSM mixes for backfill in areas where ease to
re-excavate is critical. For road crossing backfill mixes, see Table 2.
Page 4 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
CLSM can be used for foundation support (structural fill), with compressive
strengths from 0.7 to 8.3 MPa (100 to 1200 psi) depending on the application.
For non-uniform subgrades under foundation footings or slabs, CLSM can
provide a uniform level surface. See
Table 3.
Page 5 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
Voids and cavities as well as abandoned sewers, tunnel shafts, basements, and
other underground structures can be filled with CLSM. Typical applications
need access to a limited number of ports for material pouring and verification of
complete filling.
Mixes A through G in Tables 1 through 3 may be used for void filling, based on
the desired strength and availability of raw materials.
CLSM can be used to create a stable base layer or pavement subbase on sabkha
to allow construction activities such as compaction to proceed. Compaction
operations in saturated soils or in areas with elevation near the groundwater
level brings water to the surface, which creates a quicksand condition.
In general, a 300 mm layer of CLSM is sufficient to create a stable base.
After 24 hours of hardening, the CLSM can receive subsequent soil fill layers.
See
Table 3.
Being a cemented material, CLSM resists erosion better than many other fill
materials, and at the same time, it maintains permeability comparable to marl.
Mixes D through G in Tables 2 and 3 are recommended.
Page 6 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
Although CLSM may be a good alternative for bedding material for pipelines
and utility conduits, this application has not been evaluated by Saudi Aramco
and in general, should not be used. However, CLSM may be used to provide a
base support layer in subkha as required in SAES-S-070.
CLSM has been used in various other applications such as insulation and
isolation fill, construction of bridge approaches and pavement bases, sub-bases,
and subgrades.
5 Materials
Conventional CLSM mixtures consist of water, Portland cement, fine aggregates, coarse
aggregates, and other products such as fly ash and admixtures. Materials selection
should be based on availability, cost, specific application, and the desired characteristics
of the mixture (e.g., flowability, strength, excavatability, and density). Materials should
be in conformance to ACI 229R Chapter 3.
While cement, fly ash, and water for CLSM must follow the same requirements of
concrete, fine aggregate may consist of concrete sand (ASTM C 143), sand with fines,
crushed sand as a byproduct of quarry crushing operations, and silty sandy soils with up
to 20% fines passing through a 75 m (No. 200) sieve. Coarse aggregate, when used,
may be up to 50% of the total aggregate and with a maximum size of 10 mm (3/8 in).
CLSM may be produced on site or at a batch plant and transported to the site.
The preferred method of mixing is at a concrete ready-mix batch plant.
However, since CLSM is not concrete or a structural material, Saudi Aramcos
approval requirements of concrete ready-mix batch plants in SAEP-383 and in
09-SAMSS-097 do not apply to the CLSM batching facility.
Page 7 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
There is no standard mixture proportioning method for CLSM (such as ACI 211
for conventional concrete); proportioning for CLSM has generally been
performed empirically. Typical proportion range for the materials used in
CLSM mixtures are:
Aggregate: Only fine aggregate is often used - ranges from 1500 to 1800 kg/m3
(2600 to 3100 lb/yd3). Coarse aggregate, when used, substitutes
approximately 50% of the fine aggregate content.
Fly ash: Class F fly ash content ranges from none to 1200 kg/m3
(2000 lb/yd3)
Tables 1 through 3 present mix proportions that have been successfully batched
and tested for compressive strength, segregation and flowability properties.
These proportions should be used as a baseline in producing CLSM mixes;
noting that since changing the aggregate type and source is the most significant
factor affecting the water demand of CLSM, adjustments of water content
should be anticipated. Regardless of the approach to mixture proportioning,
the key properties sought are fluidity with minimal segregation, acceptable
setting times, and adequate strength gain.
Before production of CLSM for the actual project, the supplier must
demonstrate that a satisfactory mix can be produced. A trial batch should be
performed by the proposed batching facility and testing results of Compression
Strength in accordance with ASTM D 4832 and Flowability in accordance with
ASTM D 6103 should be submitted for approval and acceptance.
The area to be filled should be clean from foreign materials and free from loose
soil that could mix with the CLSM during its placement.
CLSM may be placed using chutes, conveyors, buckets, pumps, or any other
method approved by the company representative. Internal vibration or
Page 8 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
CLSM may be placed in one lift or, if necessary due to hydraulic pressure,
multiple lifts of uniform thickness. The lift height should be limited so
hydraulic pressures do not jeopardize the integrity of bulkheads, formwork,
trench or other soil walls, or other structures that retain the volume being filled.
On deep fills, CLSM may be placed in multiple lifts, allowing hardening of each
lift before placement of the next to reduce the hydraulic pressure.
Underground utilities and tanks must be secured against floating during CLSM
placement. Sand bags can be placed over pipes to prevent floating.
Hardening is the time required for CLSM to go from a plastic state to a hardened
state sufficient to support the weight of a person. Under normal conditions, this
time is around 5 hours; however, it is recommended that the CLSM remain
undisturbed for 24 hours after placement. See ASTM C 403 for methods to test
readiness, particularly in areas that will receive additional structures over the
CLSM (i.e., pavement placement).
Curing procedures specified for concrete are not necessary for CLSM.
CLSM is a hybrid between concrete and soil. Its production, handling, and plastic-state
characteristics are similar to concrete; while its in-service characteristics are similar to
soil.
Page 9 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
Corrosion CLSM uniformity reduces the chance for corrosion caused by using
dissimilar backfill materials with varying moisture contents. A potential for
corrosion exists when pipes are embedded in both CLSM and surrounding soil
or conventional fill. Saudi Aramco has not evaluated the effects of CLSM in
direct contact with metallic materials; therefore, such applications should be
evaluated by a corrosion specialist.
1 Allowable bearing pressure of 0.3 to 0.7 MPa (50 to 100 psi) strength is equivalent to a well-compacted fill
Page 10 of 11
Document Responsibility: Geotechnical Standards Committee SABP-A-057
Issue Date: 23 March 2016
Next Planned Update: TBD Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM)
CLSM work should adhere to safety practices in the Saudi Aramco Construction
Safety Manual, in particular the chapters for Excavations and Shoring and
Concrete Construction; Saudi Aramco Safety Management Guide No. 06-002-
2008 Excavations and Shoring; and GI-1021.000 Street and Road Closure:
Excavation, Reinstatement and Traffic Controls.
Excavations filled with CLSM are a quicksand hazard and should be protected
with vehicular and/or pedestrian barricades and warning lights until the CLSM
has hardened.
8 Quality Control
The following testing procedures are intended for the mix design verification and
approval before construction.
Quality control of CLSM in the field is often done by visual inspection alone. Although
testing is not required by any of Saudi Aramco mandatory standards, it is recommended
to verify flowability on site before CLSM pouring (see ASTM D 6103). It is also
recommended to test the suitability for load application before paving operations over
CLSM (see ASTM D 6024).
Revision Summary
23 March 2016 New Saudi Aramco Best Practice.
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