CEN/TR 16907-8:2024

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2025
Zemeljska dela - 8. del: Alternativni materiali pri zemeljskih delih
Earthworks - Part 8: Alternative materials in earthworks
Erdarbeiten - Teil 8: Alternative Materialien für Erdarbeiten
Terrassements - Partie 8 : Matériaux alternatifs pour les terrassements
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 16907-8:2024
ICS:
93.020 Zemeljska dela. Izkopavanja. Earthworks. Excavations.
Gradnja temeljev. Dela pod Foundation construction.
zemljo Underground works
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

CEN/TR 16907-8
TECHNICAL REPORT
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
November 2024
TECHNISCHER REPORT
ICS 93.020
English Version
Earthworks - Part 8: Alternative materials in earthworks
Terrassements - Partie 8 : Matériaux alternatifs pour Erdarbeiten - Teil 8: Alternative Materialien für
les terrassements Erdarbeiten
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 25 November 2024. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC
396.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 16907-8:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Abbreviations . 5
5 Alternative materials definitions . 6
6 Incorporation of new source materials . 14
7 General technical perspective . 14
8 General environmental perspective . 15
8.1 Introduction . 15
8.2 General approach for environmental assessment . 15
8.3 Relevant aspects to be considered for environmental assessment . 16
8.3.1 Environmental properties of the material used . 16
8.3.2 Site specific risk evaluation and conditions of use . 16
9 Design testing and construction control . 17
9.1 Testing philosophy . 17
9.1.1 Geotechnical testing in advance of construction . 17
9.1.2 Chemical testing in advance of construction . 18
9.2 Control during construction . 18
10 Health and safety . 18
10.1 General. 18
10.2 Dust emissions . 18
10.3 Runoff water and leachate . 18
11 Material sheets. 19
11.1 General. 19
11.2 A group – recycled and demolition materials . 21
11.3 B group - municipal solid waste incineration materials . 26
11.4 C group – coal combustion materials . 29
11.5 D group – iron and steel industry materials . 37
11.6 E group – non-ferrous industry materials . 44
11.7 F group – foundry industry materials. 45
11.8 G group – quarry and mine industry materials . 46
11.9 H group – excavated natural materials . 50
11.10 I group – other combustion residues . 60
11.11 J group – miscellaneous materials . 62
Annex A (informative) Results of enquiry prepared by representatives of CEN members
(application in earthworks) . 66
Annex B (informative) Summary of national practice – Czech Republic . 71
B.1 History . 71
B.2 Status of alternative materials in the Czech Republic . 73
B.3 Utilization of alternative materials in the Czech Republic . 73
B.4 Conclusion . 77
B.5 Technical specifications in the Czech Republic . 77
B.6 Bibliography . 77
Annex C (informative) Summary of national practice - Germany . 79
C.1 Alternative materials for earthwork constructions - Situation in Germany . 79
C.2 Regulations for earthworks in road constructions . 79
C.3 Possible technical applications in Germany for earthworks according to the ZTV E-
StB (technical possible, if the material fulfils the requirements) . 82
Annex D (informative) Summary of national practice - France . 84
D.1 General context . 84
D.2 Geotechnical specifications . 85
D.3 Environmental specifications . 87
D.4 National specifications . 88
Annex E (informative) Summary of national practice – United Kingdom . 89
E.1 General context . 89
E.2 Geotechnical considerations . 89
E.3 Environmental considerations . 89
E.4 National specifications . 91
Bibliography . 93

European foreword
This document (CEN/TR 16907-8:2024) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 396
“Earthworks”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document complements the European Standards within the framework series of EN 16907 on
Earthworks:
— EN 16907-1, Earthworks — Part 1: Principles and general rules;
— EN 16907-2, Earthworks — Part 2: Classification of materials;
— EN 16907-3, Earthworks — Part 3: Construction procedures;
— EN 16907-4, Earthworks — Part 4: Soil treatment with lime and/or hydraulic binders;
— EN 16907-5, Earthworks — Part 5: Quality control;
— EN 16907-6, Earthworks — Part 6: Land reclamation earthworks using dredged hydraulic fill;
— EN 16907-7, Earthworks — Part 7: Hydraulic placement of waste;
— CEN/TR 16907-8, Earthworks — Part 8: Alternative materials in earthworks (this document);
— CEN/TR 16907-9, Earthworks — Part 9: Sustainable earthworks (Under preparation).
These “Earthworks standards” do not apply to the environmental planning and geotechnical design that
determines the required form and properties of the earth-structure that is to be constructed. They
apply to the design of the earthwork's materials, execution, monitoring and checking of earthworks
construction processes to ensure that the completed earth-structure satisfies the geotechnical design.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
1 Scope
This document informs about the experience of European member state practices for successfully using
alternative materials in earthworks. It covers all earthworks, whether for roads, railways, and other
infrastructure, including fills, capping layers, transition zones, drainage ribs or others (for details, see
EN 16907-1:2018, Clause 1 “Scope”).
Alternative materials have properties, on a geotechnical standpoint, which makes them different from
the materials (soils and rocks) being normally used in earthworks. Therefore, the objective of this
document is:
— to give an overview of the alternative materials that have been successfully used in earthworks in
Europe;
— for the alternative materials, for which use in earthworks is adequately documented, to give general
information regarding the points of attention that clients, designers and earthwork companies, keep
in mind in any attempt to use them in earthworks.
This document does not deal with alternative materials used as aggregate.
This document does not deal with alternative materials used as binders (fly ash, granulated blast
furnace slag or others) or binder components.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
4 Abbreviations
ABS air-cooled blast furnace slag
ASAM Asociace stavebních alternativních materiálů (Association of construction alternative
materials in Czechia)
BOS basic oxygen furnace slag
CBR California Bearing Ratio
CCP coal combustion products
CO carbon dioxide
CSH calcium silicate hydrates
ECOBA European Coal Combustion Products Association
EAF S electric arc furnace slag from stainless/high alloy steel production
EAFC electric arc furnace slag from carbon steel production
EPB earth pressure balance
FBC fluidized bed combustion
FBCFA fluidized bed combustion fly ash
FGD flue gas desulphurisation
GBS granulated blast furnace slag
LA Los Angeles coefficient (see EN 1097-2)
LOI loss on ignition
MDD maximum dry density (see EN 13286-2)
MIBA municipal incinerator bottom ash
MIFA municipal incinerator fly ash
OMC optimum moisture content (see EN 13286-2)
PAH polyaromatic hydrocarbons
PFA pulverized fuel ash
pH decimal logarithm of the reciprocal of the hydrogen ion activity
SMS secondary metallurgical slags
SNCR selective non-catalytic reduction (method of denitrification)
TBM tunnel boring machine
UIC International Union of Railways (Union internationale des chemins de fer - French)
UKQAA UK Quality Ash Association
UPS Polska Unia Ubocznych Produktów Spalania (Polish Association of Coal Combustion
Products)
WG7 working group 7 “Alternative materials in earthworks” of CEN/TC 396 “Earthworks”
5 Alternative materials definitions
Alternative materials are considered as anthropogenic materials according to EN 16907-2. In Table 1,
groups of alternative materials are grouped according to the Table 5 of EN 16907-2:2018.
Table 1 — The groups of alternative materials by groups in EN 16907-2
Group Source EN 16907-2
A Construction and demolition recycling industries AR
B Municipal solid waste incineration industry AM
C Coal Power generation industry AM
D Iron and steel Industry AM
E Non-ferrous industry AM
F Foundry industry AM
G Mining and quarry industry AN (AM)
H Excavated natural materials AN
I Other combustion residues AM
J Miscellaneous AM (AR)
Key
AN – natural materials processed mechanically;
AM – manufactured materials (including secondary manufactured materials);
AR – recycled materials.
The definitions for the alternative materials described in document are listed in Table 2. They were
inspired by the CEN/TS 17438, however for earthworks additional materials are defined (see Table 2).
Material sheets were prepared for majority of materials described in Table 2. In case of no or not
enough practical applications in earthworks no material sheets have been prepared. A list of materials
without material sheet is below:
— A1 Reclaimed asphalt
— B2 Municipal incinerator fly ash (MIFA)
— E2 Ferromolybdenum slag
— E3 Zinc slag
— E4 Phosphorous slag
— E5 Lead slag
— E6 Ferrochromium slag
— F2 Foundry cupola furnace slag
— I2 Sewage sludge incineration ash (municipal)
— I4 Oil shale ash
— J2 Cement and lime kiln dust
— J4 FGD artificial gypsum
— J5 Industrial artificial gypsum
— J6 Marginal materials
Dredged material – coarse (class H2b) for application as hydraulic fill is described in EN 16907-6.
Reclaimed natural soil (without processing) is assessed according to EN 16907-1 to EN 16907- 6.
NOTE Marginal materials represent local sources (e.g. China clay residues, peat ash, etc.). They are assessed
individually.
Table 2 — Definitions of alternative materials
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
A Construction AR A1 A1 Reclaimed asphalt Material resulting from processing bituminous layers.
and demolition
A2 A2 Reclaimed concrete Material resulting from processing concrete.
recycling
industries
A3 A3 Reclaimed bricks, masonry Material resulting from processing demolition brick work and
masonry.
A4 A4 Hydraulically bound and Material resulting from processing hydraulically bound and unbound
unbound materials materials.
A5 A5 Mix of A1, A2, A3 and A4 Material resulting from processing a mix of bituminous layers
and/or concrete and/or demolition brick work and masonry.
A6 A6 Reclaimed railway ballast Material resulting from recycling of railway ballast.
b
B Municipal solid AM B1 B1 Municipal incinerator bottom Material resulting from processing ‘bottom ash’ following the
a
waste ash incineration of Municipal Solid Waste (domestic and commercial) by
a 'moving grate' or 'fluidised bed' or gasification' process. Today also
incineration (excluding fly ash) (MIBA)
referred to as MIBA (Municipal Incinerator Bottom Ash).
industry
B2 B2 Municipal Material resulting from flue gas following the incineration of
municipal solid waste (municipal and commercial) by a 'moving
incinerator fly ash (MIFA)
grate' or 'fluidised bed' or gasification' process, captured by flue gas
treatment (FGT) systems and in some cases electrostatic
precipitators’. Today also referred to as MIFA (Municipal Incinerator
Fly Ash).
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
C Coal Power AM C1a C1 Coal fly ash - siliceous Material resulting from flue gas following the burning of pulverised
generation hard (or bituminous) coal, with or without co-combustion materials,
industry captured by electrostatic precipitators.
C1b C1 Coal fly ash - Material resulting from flue gas following the burning of pulverized
calcareous lignite with or without co-combustion materials, captured by
electrostatic precipitators.
C2 C2 Fluidized bed Material resulting from flue gas following coal burning with or
without co-combustion in fluidized bed combustion boilers at
combustion fly ash (FBCFA)
temperatures of 750 °C to 900 °C.
C3 C3 Boiler slag Material resulting from coal combustion in boilers at temperatures
of 1 500 °C to 1 700 °C, followed by wet ash removal of wet bottom
furnaces.
C4a C4 Coal bottom ash- Material resulting from the bottom of dry boilers, derived from the
siliceous combustion of (hard or bituminous coal) coal with or without co-
combustion.
C4b C4 Coal bottom ash - Material resulting from the bottom of dry boilers, derived from the
calcareous combustion of lignite with or without co-combustion.
C5 Fluidized bed combustion Material resulting from the bottom of fluidized bed combustion
bottom ash (FBC bottom ash) boilers at temperatures of 800 °C to 900 °C, derived from the
burning of coal with or without co-combustion.
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
D Iron and steel AM D1 D1 Granulated blast furnace slag Material resulting from the manufacture of iron by thermochemical
industry (GBS) (vitrified) reduction in a blast furnace and subsequently rapidly-cooled to form
a glassy material.
The rapid cooling (quenching) of the liquid slag generates the glassy
granulated blast furnace slag.
D2 D2 Air-cooled blast furnace slag Material resulting from the manufacture of iron by thermochemical
(ABS) (crystallized) reduction in a blast furnace and subsequently air-cooled to form a
crystalline aggregate.
D3 D3 Basic oxygen furnace slag Material resulting from the conversion of liquid iron (hot metal) and
(converter slag, BOS) steel scrap into steel during a batch process in a basic oxygen
furnace.
D4 D4 Electric arc furnace slag (from Material resulting from melting steel scrap into steel during a batch
carbon steel production, process in an electric arc furnace.
EAFC)
D5 D5 Electric arc furnace slag (from Material resulting from the manufacture of stainless or high alloy
stainless/high alloy steel steel in different metallurgical vessels, e.g. electric arc furnace,
production, EAF S) converter and ladles.
D6 Secondary metallurgical slags Material resulting from the manufacture of carbon steel in different
(SMS) metallurgical vessels, e.g. ladles.
E Non-ferrous AM E1 E1 Copper slag Material resulting from the manufacture of copper in a furnace
industry process.
E2 E2 Ferromolybdenum slag Material resulting from a metallo-thermic reduction process to
produce ferromolybdenum from roasted molybdenite concentrate
and other raw materials.
E3 E3 Zinc slag Material resulting from the pyrometallurgical step when treating
zinc-bearing materials.
E4 E4 Phosphorous slag Material resulting from the manufacture of phosphorus in an electric
arc furnace process.
E5 E5 Lead slag Material resulting from the manufacture of lead.
E6 E6 Ferrochromium slag Material resulting from ferrochromium production. Slag product
processing starts from melt phase.
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
F Foundry AM F1 F1 Foundry sand Material obtained in iron, steel and malleable iron foundries as well
as in non-ferrous foundries during core making, preparation of
industry
moulding material and after casting and shake out of the moulds.
F2 F2 Foundry cupola Material resulting from operation of a cupola furnace in iron
furnace slag foundries.
G Mining and AN G1 G1 Red coal shale Material resulting from uncontrolled burning of colliery spoil on tips
quarry industry Burnt colliery spoil after of bituminous coal.
burning
G2 G2 Refuse from hard coal mining Material from black coal shale (black minestone).
(black coal shale). Unburnt
colliery spoil from hard coal
mining.
G3 G3 Pre-selected all-in Material from the quarry or the mining industry which has
from quarry/mining processed mechanically. It includes quarry spoils.
G4 G4 Spent oil shale Material resulting from oil shale processing by heating under poorly
oxidizing conditions to extract the oil.
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
H Excavated AN H1a Tunnel arisings from hard Coarse material excavated by blasting in hard rock by the traditional
natural rocks traditional method method (e.g. NATM – New Austrian tunnelling method).
materials
H1b Tunnel arisings from hard Material excavated with a Tunnel Boring Machine in a hard rock.
rocks with TBM
H1c Tunnel arising from soft Material excavated with a slurry shield TBM.
material
Slurry shield
H1d Tunnel arising from soft Material excavated with a TBM with earth pressure balance (EPB).
material
Earth pressure
H2a H1 Dredge spoil - fine Fine material excavated in lakes, dams, ports or rivers exhibiting a
very moisture content and very low bearing capacity even after
stockpiling.
H2b H1 Dredge spoil - coarse Sandy or gravelly material excavated in lakes, dams, ports or rivers
with permeability high enough to allow departure of free water after
stockpiling.
H3 Processed reclaimed natural Material resulting from a screening or treatment process which
soil leaves a residue of natural soils.
I Other
AM I1 I1 Paper sludge ash Material resulting from the incineration of paper sludge (from
combustion deinking process).
residues
I2 I2 Sewage sludge incineration Material resulting from the incineration of sewage sludge (mostly
ash (municipal) communal sludge) by a fluidised bed process.
I3 I3 Biomass ash Material resulting from the incineration of biomass.
I4 Oil shale ash Material resulting from incineration of oil shale.
EN 16907–2 Subnumber
Group Source Group Specific material Definition
Group (CEN/TS 17438)
J Miscellaneous AM J1 I4 Crushed glass Material resulting from the crushing of old glass products e.g.,
bottles.
J2 Cement and lime kiln dust Old tips of dust collected from the flue gas stream of cement or lime
calcining operations
J3a Shredded tyres Shreds resulting from mechanical process of tyres.
J3b Tyre bales Processed tyres to get boxes.
J4 FGD artificial gypsum Material resulting from the desulphurisation process of coal-fired
power plants.
J5 Industrial artificial gypsum Industrial gypsum is a by-product from industrial process. It
contains mainly hydrated CaSO plus Fe and Ti oxides.
J6 Marginal materials These alternative materials are meet very locally and are not part of
(local experience) this guide. They encompass e.g. China clay, peat ashes.
NOTE Shaded materials are without material sheet.
a
Requirements on MIBA are based on experience with grated installations.
b
Bottom ash can include as a small component ‘boiler ash’.

6 Incorporation of new source materials
A request for the incorporation of new source materials into this document will be considered when
this request is made by at least one of the CEN members and the request is based on the actual routine
application of material from this new source.
The request is formally taken into consideration by CEN/TC 396 after evaluation and recommendation
of WG 7.
Basic information on the following items is provided as an input for the request (Table 3).
Table 3 — Information requested for new source materials
Subject General information to be given by applicant
CEN Member From one or more CEN Members
Definition Clear description of the source material
Field of application(s) Applicable CEN/TC 396 standard(s)
Technical information Material characteristics and end use information
Experience/quantity/demonstration Existing applications, not only laboratory
experience
Criteria used to control the quality of material Factory production control, national
regulation(s) or private assessment
Additional requirements necessary to consider
7 General technical perspective
Utilization of alternative materials ranks among the fundamental tasks of the developed world. The use
of alternative materials in earthworks helps to protect the environment and reduces the need to use
natural resources. Earthworks using alternative materials reduces the carbon footprint of construction
and makes a significant contribution to the circular economy.
The use of alternative materials in earthworks is subject to the fulfilment of the same technical
requirements as for natural materials, to achieve the design requirements of bearing capacity,
serviceability, constructability and durability for earthworks. Geotechnical and technical requirements
are defined in the earthwork project.
In earthworks, only such materials that have been suitability verified and fulfil the project requirements
are used. In case of non-homogenous materials their usability according to the design are verified based
on laboratory and full-scale trials or in situ testing.
Regarding the possible significant variability of properties and behaviour inside each class of
alternative materials due to the non-homogeneous composition, the project design specifies the
conditions under which their use is allowed. When using alternative materials in an earthwork project
it defines the following items:
— description of the alternative material to be used;
— technology of their processing;
— mechanical/engineering properties (given by intrinsic and state properties);
— environmental properties;
— durability of mechanical properties (e.g. volume stability, etc.);
— quality control, including frequency of tests.
Achievement of designed parameters is supported by laboratory tests with respect to real conditions in
earth construction and verified by relevant testing.
Most relevant physical, chemical and mechanical properties of alternative materials potentially utilized
in earthworks are presented for each class material in material sheets (see Clause 11). More
information concerning characteristics, testing and utilization of alternative materials in several
countries (Czech Republic, France, Germany, United Kingdom) are presented in Annexes B to E. Apart
from national specifications, the principal testing needs and evaluation schemes are provided in
EN 16907-2.
8 General environmental perspective
8.1 Introduction
The use of alternative materials in earthworks is an important contribution to the European circular
economy policy, aiming to increase resource efficiency in the field of building operations and contribute
to the sustainability of construction. Following the principles of the circular flow economy, transport
journeys can be minimized, CO emissions reduced, and destructive land use downsized.
The use of materials in earthworks, either from natural or alternative origin, needs to take into account
and manage potential impacts on environment and health, to ensure a safe use of the material. This part
describes the main issues to consider in order to guarantee environmental performance consistent with
the use of the material, in the same way as technical performances are required for building
construction of earthworks.
NOTE This document does not deal with the Waste Framework Directive or the material’s legal status in the
different Member States.
8.2 General approach for environmental assessment
Management of the potential environmental impacts of materials – natural or alternative – for
earthworks is based on a general risk assessment approach, to determine if the characteristics of the
material are compatible with the conditions of use and with the sensitivity of the environment where
the earthworks are to be constructed.
The potential environmental impacts which are considered for earthworks are either in the short-term,
or in the long term:
— Short term environmental impacts in conjunction with the application of the materials:
— The potential contamination during application (wind transport of fine particles or leaching
during temporary storage before the final application);
— The potential risks to working security, e.g. because of dust emissions;
— Long-term environmental impacts due to the use of the materials:
— The potential contamination of ground (which is next to, under or over the application area)
through short or long-term leaching or transfer of chemical substances with rainwater, flooding
or wind transportation;
— The potential contamination of water (ground water, surface water) either directly or after
leaching and transfer of chemical substances with rainwater or through flooding.
Finally, when answering the question as to whether a material can be used for earthworks (or not), two
main issues are taken into consideration:
— The evaluation of environmental properties of the material used (see subclause 8.3.1);
— The exposure scenario and conditions of use, considering environmental sensitivity of the area
(protection areas, ground water vs. industrial areas) and the type of application.
8.3 Relevant aspects to be considered for environmental assessment
8.3.1 Environmental properties of the material used
Different approaches exist in national regulations to determine or estimate the environmental
properties, or the material used:
— Determination of the total content of relevant chemical substances,
— Determination of the leachable amount of chemical substances by
— simple and short batch compliance leaching tests (e.g. liquid/solid ratio 1:2 or 1:10), or
— more complex and longer leaching tests (percolation test, pH-stat test),
— Evaluation in selected media: ecotoxicity-tests (daphnia, water plants, algae),
— Pilot scale/Full-scale experiments/trials.
For all these approaches, the sampling strategy used has very high importance, aiming at delivering
representative samples for the (normally high amount of) material used. As a first approach, the
sampling method can follow the procedure described in EN 932-1. Two main sampling strategies can be
distinguished:
— Batch sampling: a specific amount of material is sampled and analysed, the quality for the specific
mass of material can be determined;
— Continuous sampling: samples are taken at fixed intervals, either after a certain mass of material or
after a certain time. The tested material is homogeneous during these intervals.
The main issues for some classes of alternative materials can be the homogeneity. Materials resulting
from controlled industrial processes tend to have a good homogeneity, in this case continuous testing
can be sufficient. Materials resulting from recycling process (especially construction and demolition
waste, excavation material, tunnel arisings) can be very non-homogeneous, therefore batch sampling
can be the most suitable method.
8.3.2 Site specific risk evaluation and conditions of use
The environmental sensitivity of the area, where earthworks are being undertaken, is one important
factor which is taken into consideration when alternative materials are proposed. Different sensitive
areas/targets can be identified and considered from the environmental perspective:
— water protection areas,
— groundwater,
— areas with contact to surface waters,
— areas subject to flooding,
— nature protection areas,
— areas with active agricultural production (plants, livestock farming).
Therefore, environmental properties of materials used in earthworks are considered and are evaluated
to ensure compatibility in these (vertical and horizontal) sensitive areas.
Another key factor is the exposure to run-off rainwater, which can cause emissions of substances and
transport these emissions to distant areas or water bodies (ground water, soil, surface water). The
exposure can be different if the material is used under a non-permeable layer (for example, asphalt
layers in road construction or under building constructions, etc.) or open to run-off rainwater (for
example, dam construction, road shoulders, etc.).
NOTE The above-mentioned principles are finally set in national regulations.
9 Design testing and construction control
9.1 Testing philosophy
9.1.1 General
Like natural materials, alternative materials can be used in the construction of earth structures,
provided they comply with the specification in place for the intended use. In all cases, they meet the
following requirements:
— Provisions of the national legislation about the environment, health and safety, and storage,
handling and transport of construction products;
— Physical and chemical properties of the materials for short and long-term stability and service
conditions of the earth structure.
The selection of tests to be undertaken will be linked to the proposed use of the materials, their
anticipated behaviour and the environmental regulations at the place of the use.
Testing of the materials will fall into two categories:
— geotechnical and
— chemical/environmental.
Parameters and intensity of testing vary in relation to the risks associated with the material used, the
homogeneity of the material in relation to geotechnical and chemical properties and the site where the
material will be placed. The proposed testing is in compliance with national regulations and practice.
9.1.2 Geotechnical testing in advance of construction
Geotechnical testing is carried out in order to determine the short-term and long-term characteristics of
the materials.
The choice of geotechnical tests would be the same as for a natural soil and include for sufficient tests in
order to accurately represent the behaviour of the material (some specific tests are in material sheets).
CEN Standards, where applicable, are used for the geotechnical testing of alternative materials.
9.1.3 Chemical testing in advance of construction
In addition to the geotechnical testing, chemical testing is undertaken to determine if there is a
potential risk to the environment through the use of an alternative material.
The choice of chemical tests is made in relation to the potential risks associated with the alternative
material and any identified risks associated with the intended location of use. Reference is made to
Clause 7 for different approaches and methods to determine the risks to the environment.
The duration of the chemical testing is considered, particularly for leachate testing as the leachate levels
will normally change over time.
CEN Standards, where applicable, are used for the chemical testing of alternative materials.
9.2 Control during construction
Geotechnical and chemical compliance testing, where applicable, is carried out during construction to
ensure the material used is in accordance with the project specification. The choice and frequency of
testing are specified in the project. Their specification could be based on the client requirements, on a
risk assessment and considers the nature and intended use of the alternative materials.
Compliance testing, where applicable, allows for the potential variable nature of alternative materials.
Compliance testing could also be used to assess the variance of the material from that tested in advance
of construction.
All test locations are recorded in both horizontal and vertical position and each test give a unique
reference.
European Standards, where applicable, are used.
10 Health and safety
10.1 General
There are both European and national legal frameworks relating to Health and Safety, and these are
followed as applicable to the country of work. This section gives current best practice guidance to aid
the management of risk to operatives and others.
The use of alternative materials in earthworks requires that operators working with them have
adequate personal protection. The type of personal protection required will depend on the
classification and risk assessment for the material being used. Typical personal protection equipment
could include dust masks, overalls, gloves, goggles, etc.
10.2 Dust emissions
One of the biggest potential risks to Health and Safety is from airborne dust during earthworks
operations.
Water bowsers or similar equipment are used to keep surfaces damp where vehicles will traffic the
earthworks to reduce the risk of dust, particularly in environmentally sensitive and urban areas.
10.3 Runoff water and leachate
Runoff water and leachate can lead to potential health and safety issues both on the site and offsite.
Precautions, if necessary, are taken to avoid any leachate or run off from of the site. This is normally in
the form of cut off ditches and silt tanks/water treatment depending on the risk of the material being
used.
11 Material sheets
11.1 General
Material sheets contain basic information on individual alternative materials that are used in
earthworks, including:
— material definition;
— description of the material;
— typical applications in earthworks;
— specific technical properties – chemical, mineralogical, physico-mechanical;
— specific environmental properties;
— considerations during construction;
— long-term considerations;
— recommended specific tests;
— overview of countries that use the material;
— case studies.
Typical applications were adopted from other EN 16907 series standards:
• capping layer
Specific transition layer, part of the upper zone of the fill, placed below the superstructure. The
capping layer is part of the earth structure (EN 16907-1:2018, 3.1.4).
• fill
Collective term used in EN 16907-1 to describe all earth-structures formed by the placement of fill
material in a controlled manner for an engineering purpose (including embankment, infill, platform,
etc.) (EN 16907-1:2018, 3.1.24). The fill can be divided into the following zones. The tables in this
document for typical use only refer to fill rather than any sub division:
• base
Fill zone in direct contact with the existing ground. This zone can be divided into layers, e.g. for
drainage, working platform, impervious protection layer. It includes replacement of existing
foundation ground to some depth or improvement of existing ground by binders or installation
of geosynthetics (EN 16907-1:2018, 6.2.2.2).
• core
Fill zone located between any base layers and the upper zone (where the embankment is of
sufficient height). The core can be protected from water or isolated to limit pollution of the
environment (EN 16907-1:2018, 6.2.2.2).
• shoulders (side zones)
Lateral zones of fills. These zones can have various functions, e.g. enable steeper slopes, protect
the core, serve as filters, protect from erosion (EN 16907-1:2018, 6.2.2.2).
• upper zone
Zone located between the core and the superstructure (pavement, track). This zone can
comprise different layers such as the “upper part of fill“, the "capping layer", a "transition layer"
to separate rock fill from the upper granular layers, an impermeable layer, or another layer with
a particular function. It does not include the superstructure layers (EN 16907-1:2018, 6.2.2.2).
• transition zones
Embankments can comprise different types of transition zones: longitudinal tr
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