While Part 1 typically covers general requirements and contractual conditions, is the technical engine room. It dictates the how of construction—from the compaction of subgrade soil to the laying of asphalt and the installation of stormwater drainage. Misinterpreting these specifications is the fastest route to project delays, financial penalties, or mandatory demolition of non-compliant work.
Mandatory excavation of 2.2km of road, removal of 12,000m³ of non-compliant sand, refill with 80/20 mix (aggregate/sand), and recompaction. Direct cost: 4.2 million AED. Schedule delay: 7 months. standard construction specifications part 2 abu dhabi
After first significant rainfall in 2020, road pavement showed longitudinal cracking and settlement adjacent to manholes. While Part 1 typically covers general requirements and
Introduction In the realm of civil engineering and infrastructure development in the United Arab Emirates, precision is not merely a goal—it is a legal requirement. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, where the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) , formerly known as the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM), has established a rigorous set of guidelines. Mandatory excavation of 2
| Element | Specification Reference | Typical Compliance Document | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Material source approval | Clause 1.02 | Quarry source certificate + QCC lab test | | Concrete mix design | Clause 5.04 | 7-day & 28-day cube break report (SRPC) | | Subgrade CBR | Clause 3.02 | In-situ DCP or laboratory CBR (soaked 4 days) | | Asphalt Marshall mix | Clause 4.12 | Stability (min 12 kN), Flow (2-4 mm) | | Compaction control | Clause 2.10 | Nuclear density gauge calibration log | | Drainage slope | Clause 6.21 | Laser level traverse (max slope error 0.02%) | | Kerb alignment | Clause 7.03 | 3m straight edge deviation ≤ 5mm | | Backfill material | Clause 2.15 | Sand equivalent test (min 35%) | | Welding of steel pipes | Clause 9.08 (if applicable) | Radiography (RT) or Ultrasonic (UT) report | | As-built survey | Clause 1.16 | Licensed land surveyor’s digital signature | Project: Residential infrastructure, Al Shamkha (Phase 2) – 2019
Found that the contractor used imported dune sand (low PI) instead of selected granular fill for backfilling deep drainage trenches. SCS Part 2 Clause 6.19 specifically prohibits dune sand for trench backfill below roads.
This article provides an exhaustive breakdown of SCS Part 2, its critical clauses, updates, and best practices for implementation in the Abu Dhabi construction landscape. The Standard Construction Specifications (SCS) for Abu Dhabi are a unified code of practice. Before their introduction, Abu Dhabi City, Al Ain, and the Western Region (Al Dhafra) often used disparate standards. The SCS unified these into a single, emirate-wide reference.