# Division 31: Earthwork submittal deviations > Source: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/ > Deviation Check - AI submittal review for General Contractors (Aliso LLC). Division 31 covers earthwork operations in commercial construction: site clearing, excavation, shoring and retention systems, geosynthetics, erosion control, engineered fill, and dewatering. Common CSI sections submitted for review: ## Common Division 31 CSI sections - 31 05 00 - Common Work Results for Earthwork - 31 10 00 - Site Clearing - 31 20 00 - Earth Moving - 31 23 00 - Excavation and Fill - 31 25 00 - Erosion and Sedimentation Controls - 31 31 00 - Soil Treatment - 31 32 00 - Geosynthetics (geotextiles, geogrids, geomembranes, drainage composites) - 31 35 00 - Geomembranes - 31 41 00 - Shoring (soldier pile, sheet pile, secant pile) - 31 43 00 - Concrete-Filled Caissons - 31 50 00 - Excavation Support and Protection (tiebacks, soil nails) - 31 62 00 - Driven Piles - 31 63 00 - Bored Piles and Shafts ## The six deviation categories in Division 31 Earthwork ### Manufacturer or Product Substitution (default grade: Blocker) The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request. Geosynthetic and shoring specs frequently name manufacturers or specify proprietary systems. Look for: - Geotextile brand substitutions (Mirafi, Propex, Tensar, Huesker) without equivalency documentation - Geogrid manufacturer swaps (Tensar TriAx, Fortrac, Secugrid) where specific products are tied to engineered designs - Drainage composite substitutions (Enkadrain, Miradrains, Serindrain) that may have different flow rates - Erosion control blanket brand changes (North American Green, Profile Products, Western Excelsior) affecting C-factor ratings - Shoring system component manufacturer swaps where proprietary system was specified (e.g., Schnabel, Hayward Baker, Golder) - Dewatering pump manufacturer substitutions where flow capacity is performance-critical Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/manufacturer-substitution/ ### Performance Specification Gap (default grade: Blocker) A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires. Key performance parameters in earthwork submittals: - **Compaction requirement** - percent of maximum dry density per ASTM D1557 (Modified Proctor) or ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor); spec typically requires 95% or 98% - verify submitted value matches - **Geotextile grab tensile strength** (ASTM D4632) and puncture resistance (ASTM D4833) - must meet AASHTO M288 class minimum - **Geotextile permittivity** (ASTM D4491) and AOS/EOS (ASTM D4751) for filtration applications - **Geogrid tensile strength** (ASTM D6637 for geogrids, ASTM D4595 for woven) at specified strain level (2% or 5%) - **Drainage composite flow rate** (ASTM D4716) at design compressive load - **Shoring system allowable load** per linear foot or per soldier pile - must match structural engineer's design load - **Tieback design load vs proof load** - submitted load test procedure must target correct proof load (typically 133% of design) - **Dewatering pump capacity** (gpm) and head rating vs site hydrogeology requirements - **Erosion control blanket C-factor** - must meet or exceed specified value for site slope and rainfall intensity Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/performance-specification-gap/ ### Missing Certification or Compliance Documentation (default grade: Fix and Resubmit) A required listing, test report, certification, or compliance document is absent from the submittal package. Required certifications in earthwork submittals: - **AASHTO M288 class designation** for geotextiles - Classes 1, 2, 3 correspond to different survivability requirements; wrong class is a blocker - **Geotechnical engineer stamp** on shoring and retention system shop drawings - legally required under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P - **ASTM D1557 Proctor test report** for the specific fill material proposed - generic data sheets do not satisfy this requirement - **Independent laboratory certification** for compaction test frequency and method per spec - **OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P** compliance documentation for excavations deeper than 5 feet - **IBC/ASCE 7 shoring load calculations** - required for temporary structures in seismic or wind-critical zones - **Geotechnical engineer approval letter** for proprietary shoring system modifications - **SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan)** approval from local authority where required - **Tieback pre-production and proof test procedures** stamped by geotechnical or structural engineer Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/missing-certification/ ### Aesthetic Deviation (default grade: Fix and Resubmit) A visible attribute (color, finish, texture, profile) differs from the spec or the architect-approved sample. Less common in earthwork but applies to: - Erosion control blanket color where specified (visible at site perimeter, HOA-sensitive projects) - Drainage composite facing material color or texture where architecturally exposed at retaining walls - Silt fence color or height visible from street Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/aesthetic-deviation/ ### Detail or Installation Mismatch (default grade: Fix and Resubmit) The submitted detail, dimension, anchorage, or installation method differs from what the spec or drawings require. - **Tieback spacing** differs from shoring design drawings (changes tributary load per anchor) - **Soldier pile embedment depth** below excavation subgrade differs from design (affects passive resistance) - **Geogrid overlap dimensions** at connections and boundaries - spec typically requires minimum 12-24 inches - **Compaction lift thickness** differs from spec maximum (typically 8-12 inches per lift for granular, 6-8 inches for cohesive) - **Geotextile overlap** at seams - spec typically requires 12-24 inches; stapled seam vs sewn seam requirements - **SWPPP best management practices** proposed differ from approved plan (inlet protection type, silt fence placement, stabilization method) - **Drainage composite overlap** at joints - most products require minimum 6-inch lap - **Dewatering discharge location** differs from approved SWPPP or stormwater permit Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/detail-installation-mismatch/ ### Submittal Package Incompleteness (default grade: Fix and Resubmit) A required submittal element (cut sheet, schedule, calculation, sample) is missing, leaving the package unreviewable as submitted. Commonly required items in Div 31 specs: - Shoring and retention system shop drawings with licensed PE stamp (civil or geotechnical) - Tieback design calculations and pre-production test procedure - Geotechnical engineer approval letter for proposed shoring system - Proctor test report (ASTM D1557 or D698) for proposed fill material - Compaction specification (target % and field test frequency per specification section) - Geosynthetic manufacturer's certification of conformance and MARV (Minimum Average Roll Value) data - Geosynthetic installation manual and seaming procedures - SWPPP narrative and site map - Dewatering plan with pump sizing and discharge point - Boring logs or geotechnical report excerpt (by reference acceptable, but reference must be named) - Erosion control blanket C-factor test data and installation instructions --- Full guide: https://deviationcheck.com/divisions/31-earthwork/submittal-package-incompleteness/ ## How Division 31 deviations are graded - **Shoring or retention drawings missing PE stamp:** Always BLOCKER (OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P legal requirement; cannot excavate without it) - **Tieback proof load below 133% of design load (or spec's required multiple):** Always BLOCKER (structural safety) - **Compaction spec below geotechnical report recommendation for bearing subgrade:** BLOCKER (foundation bearing capacity directly affected) - **Geotextile AASHTO M288 class lower than specified:** BLOCKER if separation application under heavy traffic or aggregate, FIX_AND_RESUBMIT if filtration or drainage facing - **Missing geotechnical engineer approval for shoring system modification:** BLOCKER (OSHA compliance) - **Geogrid tensile strength below spec at required strain level:** BLOCKER if in reinforced retaining wall or MSE structure, FIX_AND_RESUBMIT if subgrade reinforcement only - **Compaction test frequency below spec:** FIX_AND_RESUBMIT (documentation gap, not a material deficiency) - **Erosion control blanket C-factor below specified value:** FIX_AND_RESUBMIT (regulatory compliance, potential SWPPP violation) - **Geosynthetic overlap below spec minimum:** FIX_AND_RESUBMIT - **Dewatering pump capacity below site estimate:** FIX_AND_RESUBMIT with supporting hydrogeological justification - **Missing SWPPP narrative:** FIX_AND_RESUBMIT (regulatory requirement before grading begins)