General
1. The exact position of the square within the site should be determined by the Customer, however, it would be a good idea to ensure that the Contractor is responsible for the physical side of setting the levels and providing all the materials and staff required to set out correctly. Essentially all that the Customer will be doing is advising on the location at the time the Contractor is marking out the area, at a convenient time for the Customer.
2. The Customer should undertake a site survey, even a general one, to provide a reasonable indication of the likely work required to achieve suitable gradients - especially for the blending in of the outfield to the square.
3. The size of the square to be excavated and constructed will need to be clearly stated. For example 24m x 30m, i.e. 720 m2. (If a perimeter drain is to be installed, then add 1m extra, i.e. 25m x 31m in this example). A detailed cross sectional plan should be provided to indicate how the square is to be constructed.
Setting of levels and excavation
4. Determine the correct levels and mark out with wooden pegs at 2-3m spacings for the square and 5-10m spacings for the outfield. A number of cut and fill permutations might be possible and the Contractor will need to provide a number of options with the most appropriate being chosen by the Customer.
5. Excavate the existing soil and grade the area of the square to provide a fall of 1:100 in the line of play and 1:100 - 1:80 across the line of play. Some flexibility may be required.
6. The surrounding outfield will, ideally, have a similar gradient to the square, and will be graded and blended in with the new square providing a smooth transition between the existing ground and the new square.
- The tolerance of evenness, shall be no greater than 8mm (for the blended in outfield), between the surface of the outfield and a 0.5m straight edge.
7. The excavated topsoil, if suitable, may be reused in the building up of the sub-base of the square or for blending in the surrounds. Soil tests would help to determine this and may reduce the cost of the project by a not insignificant amount.
Construction of layers
8. Once adequate excavation has taken place and sub-base gradients produced, the area shall be adequately consolidated to provide a firm base.
- The tolerance of evenness, shall be no greater than 15mm between the sub-base surface and a 0.5m straight edge.
9. Supply and spread a sub-angular / angular stone to a uniformly consolidated depth of 100mm.
- The tolerance of evenness, shall be no greater than 15mm between the stone surface and a 0.5m straight edge.
10. Supply and spread a sandy loam to a uniformly consolidated depth of 150mm.
- The tolerance of evenness, shall be no greater than 10mm between the sandy loam surface and a 0.5m straight edge.
11. Supply and spread a clay loam to a uniformly consolidated depth of 120mm. The finished level of the clay loam is to be 20mm above the surrounding ground to allow for consolidation in the preparation of future wickets.
- The tolerance of evenness, shall be no greater than 3mm between the clay loam surface and a 0.5m straight edge.
12. All soil materials used in the construction of the square are to be laid and firmed by treading and raking in not more than 50mm depths. Raking shall also take place between each firmed layer to form a key, enabling a suitable binding to be made between each firmed layer.
13. The laying of the sandy loam and clay loam will take place in well defined bays of 2m width, to allow for effective screeding to take place. The loams will be laid in a specified sequence, first the sandy loam in bay 1, then the clay loam in bay 1. Next would be the sandy loam in bay 2 and then the clay loam in bay 2, and so on. This would prevent machinery from compacting the sandy loam layer if it was laid over the whole square first: If the soil and weather are suitably dry it might be possible to carry out the works as just mentioned.
Cultivation and Seeding
14. Cricket Square & Outfield :
- Produce an even, firm seedbed by treading and raking the surface to form a suitable seed bed.
- Supply and apply a pre-seeding fertiliser, at an even spread rate of 50 g/m². The fertiliser is to be applied in two equal applications in transverse directions.
- Supply and apply, a grass seed, at an even spread rate of 34 g/m². The seed is to be applied in two equal sowings in transverse directions.
- Lightly rake the fertiliser and seed into the immediate surface without causing unacceptable disturbance. The same tolerance of evenness applies as in section11 above.
Note: An indication would need to be given as to how much, if any, of the excavated material might be able to be used within the construction works.