Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
COMMENTARY
USING THE DOCUMENTS
The latest edition of this annexure can be obtained by down loading from the Brisbane City Council
internet site (www.brisbane.qld.gov.au) via the following path: Planning and building › Planning
guidelines › Subdivision and Development Guidelines › Annexures to reference specifications for Civil
Engineering work. The user can either mark up a paper copy to suit the proposed contract or edit the
file direct in Microsoft Word 2010 (or later). Please note that the section and page breaks in the
Microsoft Word file have been inserted to suit double-sided printing.
This annexure forms part of a two-part specification system. The corresponding reference
specification and this annexure must be incorporated in the tender documents either by reference
alone (quoting an edition date) or both by reference and physical inclusion.
The annexure modifies the reference specification by additions, deletions or amendments and takes
precedence over any inconsistent provisions in the reference specification. In particular, the annexure
adapts the reference specification to the technical needs for the particular project. However the user
may, alternatively, employ a ‘Job Specification’ to convey job-specific information. If both annexure
and job specification are used, the job specification takes precedence.Because of the job-specific
nature of the annexure, it is important to identify the project adequately in the header to the annexure
or in the text of each section (either by description or by a contract serial number).
CONTRACTUAL PROVISIONSThe reference specification and annexure deal only with
technical and administrative matters. They do not deal with commercial arrangements. It is most
important that they are used in conjunction with an adequate contract, which makes all necessary
commercial arrangements including provisions for measurement of work and methods of payment.
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Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
INSPECTION (Clause 2.2)
Specify additional witness points for the Contract. [Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not
Applicable’]
Specify stages where notification is not required for the Contract. [Insert the relevant requirements
or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Specify hold points (i.e. work stages that cannot proceed without approval) in the Contract. [Insert
the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
TESTING (Clause 2.3 and 7.1)
Supply test results verifying slip and skid testing methodologies undertaken.
Location of test
Test method
(e.g. project chainage, property
address etc.)
(e.g. British Pendulum
etc.)
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Test for
(e.g. Skid test or slip test)
Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
CONTRACTOR’S SUBMISSIONS (Clause 2.5)
For multi-story work, it may be advisable to require formwork calculations and certification. Submit
design calculations to show that allowable concrete stresses will not be exceeded if:

formwork procedures or loadings differ from the information included in the project
documentation; and/or

project documentation does not include formwork shoring or stripping procedures or allowable
loadings from stacked materials; and/or

props above a floor do not coincide with the props below.
Specify formwork location requiring certification by a suitably qualified structural engineer. For
example, where required by the relevant safety regulations or formwork requiring vertical or raking
support and vertical forms more than 900 mm high. [Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not
Applicable’]
MATERIALS – CONCRETE (Clause 4.1)
Special class concrete performance order
Typically normal class concrete is adequate. In specifying special class concrete, AS 1379 gives you
two options, either a performance order of a prescriptive order. (Note: With a special class
performance order, you can change or add to the normal class requirements e.g. the addition of fibres
or early age strength limitations. The manufacturer accepts the order on a ‘performance’ basis. The
manufacturer is entitled to decline the order, so it is advisable to check availability before specifying.
AS 1379 Appendix B gives some good guidance.) [Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not
Applicable’]
Grade (S20/S25/S32/S40/S50):
Location in the Works:
Special requirements:
Special class concrete prescriptive order
With a special class prescriptive order you need to specify just about everything, including testing of
materials. The manufacturer supplies the product as per your design and accepts no responsibility for
its performance. Mixes would best be developed and trialled in conjunction with the eventual supplier
and using their aggregates. Even then, difficulties can be expected given normal variations in
aggregates with time. The following parameters are provided for suggestions only. [Insert the
relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
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Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
Mix application
Minimum cement content (kg/m 3):
Cement source:
Cement type:
Cement colour:
Coarse aggregate
Source:
Type:
Size (mm):
Proportions (kg/m3):
Fine aggregate
Source:
Type:
Size (mm):
Proportions (kg/m3):
Water: cement ratio
Maximum value:
Admixtures
Types:
Proportions:
Aggregate details
Unless aggregate is specified satisfactorily by source and type above, it will be necessary to specify it
in detail. Do not do both.
Aggregate water absorption, maximum (%):
Specify for each exposure classification U to AS 3600. (Conduct aggregate durability assessment in
accordance with AS 2758.1 for the exposure classification defined in AS 3600.)
Minimum wet strength (kN):
Maximum wet/dry strength variation (percent):
or
Los Angeles Value:
Sodium Sulphate Soundness:
or
Los Angeles Value:
Maximum unsound stone content:
Total of unsound stone and marginal stone:
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Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
Concrete schedule
Unless shown on the drawings, specify the concrete required for each element. Typically, only the
strength grade and nominal aggregate size need be specified. Slump and method of placement are
generally the Contractor's business; only specify them if they are critical to the design. Project
assessment would only be appropriate on a really large job, say >1000 m3. You are permitted to
specify level of air entrainment and early strength development if necessary. [Insert the relevant
requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Location in the Works:
Strength grade (N20/N25/N32/N40/N50):
Slump (40/60/80/100 mm):
Nominal aggregate size (10/14/20 mm):
Method of placement (better to leave to Contractor):
Project Assessment (required/ not required):
Level of air entrainment (up to 5.0% in Class N):
Early strength development (E3/E7):
REINFORCEMENT (Clause 4.4)
Reinforcement schedule
You have to nominate the requirements for all reinforcing steel. If the project has drawings, it s best to
put the requirements there. The standards are already called up so reinforcement can be specified by
grade designation. The reference specification has defaults for supports and tie wires. These would
normally only be specified here for coated bars, and then only if the defaults do not suit. [Insert the
relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Structural element
Reinforcement type
Coating
Support type
Tie wire
PLACING AND COMPACTION (Clause 5.2)
Sequence of pours
Unless shown on the drawings, specify sequence of pours and any particular issue with crack control.
[Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
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Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
Minimum time delay schedule
[Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Between (pour locations)
Minimum period between
adjacent pours (days)
Adjacent pours abutting vertical construction joints in walls
Adjacent pours abutting horizontal construction joints in walls
or columns
‘Closing strips’ and adjacent concrete
CURING (Clause 5.2)
The reference specification already covers issues of compatibility with applied finishes, and defines
standards. Unless shown on the drawings, stipulate curing methods.
[Insert the relevant
requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Concrete surface
Curing method
EXPANSION JOINTS (Clause 6.2)
Unless shown on the drawings, specify jointing material schedule. [Insert the relevant requirements or
insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Location of joint
Jointing material
Joint filling material
CONCRETE SURFACE FINISH (Clause 7.2)
Any surface which needs anything but the default off-form finish of the class specified needs to be
defined. It would normally be on the drawings for civil work but can be done here.
Specify for each type of honed surface finish.
Applicable’]
[Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not
Location:
Coarse aggregate source:
Description of coarse aggregate:
Caution: choose aggregate with adequate slip-resistance for the application.
Cement source:
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Brisbane City Council
Reference Specifications for Civil Engineering Work
S205 Centres Concrete Paths – Annexure
Cement description:
If there are no particular requirements, insert ‘unspecified’.
Concrete pigment source:
Concrete pigment description:
Concrete pigment dosage rate:
If no pigmentation of the matrix is required, specify ‘none’.
Honing method employed
Concrete sealer used
DECORATIVE SAW-CUTTING (Clause 7.3)
Specialist and additional requirements for the decorative saw-cutting of the surface pattern. [Insert the
relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Time after pour for saw-cutting
Specialist or alternative saw-cutting equipment
TACTILE GROUND SURFACE INDICATORS (Clause 7.6)
This is where the brand or proprietary Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) pavers, both hazard
and directional types is to be nominated. [Insert the relevant requirements or insert ‘Not Applicable’]
Hazard TGSI paver brand
Directional TGSI paver brand
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