Classifying earthworks: separate earthworks (010101) versus foundation earthworks (010102) split by the "preset level", and how large-area replacement fill is classified (GB/T 50854-2024 Annexes A / B)

Topic Positioning

This card serves the bill-item classification under GB/T 50854-2024 (quantity take-off standard for building and decoration works): the split between separate earthworks (code 010101) and foundation earthworks (code 010102), and the routing of "large-area replacement fill" in practice.

Core Conclusions

The datum is the horizontal line of the "preset level" - nothing to do with the size of the replacement area or whether it is replacement at all.

• Separate earthworks (code 010101): GB/T 50854-2024 Annex A A.4.1, original - "means the earthworks carried out to bring the site to the preset level (the design outdoor level / the soffit level of the external ground build-up / a level nominated by the client). 'Obstacle clearance' in the work content means clearing natural obstacles that can be excavated away together with the earth and rock." Item setting, item descriptions, units and measurement rules follow table A.1.1 (table A.1.1 separate earthworks, code 010101).
• Foundation earthworks (code 010102): A.4.2, original - "means the earthworks carried out below the preset level to execute the foundations." Follow table A.2.1 (table A.2.1 foundation earthworks, code 010102).

That is: above the line, separate earthworks (serving the site level); below it, foundation earthworks (serving the foundations).

Three classes of large-area replacement fill:

1. Site-fill type - the original ground lies below the design outdoor level and large-area filling / replacement raises the site to the preset level: separate earthworks, as "separate earthworks backfill" (010101003), quantities by volume on the cut-and-fill dimensions between the original ground and the preset level (table A.1.1).
2. Replacement at or within pits - below the preset level, within the footprint of the foundation (including its blinding), improvement of soft or uneven ground (replacement cushion method): strictly no longer earthworks - list under Annex B ground treatment as "replacement cushion" (code 010201001), by volume at design-shown dimensions (table B.1.1); "replacement material types" may be described as sand-gravel, silty clay, lime-soil, fly ash, slag etc., with added item descriptions for geosynthetics where present (B.3.6). If counted merely as earthworks, it falls to foundation earthworks 010102 pit excavation (item description including the base treatment method).
3. Local levelling - cut, fill, haul and level in place within plus/minus 300 mm of the site level: site levelling (A.4.12, original: "means the in-place cutting, filling, hauling and levelling within plus/minus 300 mm of the site level of the building before foundation earthworks"), no replacement volume computed, measured by area.

Two traps:

• "Large area" does not mean separate earthworks. The test is the level, not area or volume - a large replacement inside a pit is still foundation scope (or ground treatment); a small fill raising the whole site is still separate earthworks.
• "Replacement" may first be a ground-treatment item, not an earthworks item. Under GB/T 50854-2024, replacement cushions over soft soil list under Annex B ground treatment (010201001); only pure site fill (case 1) lists as separate earthworks backfill. The either-or question "large-area replacement: separate or foundation?" often has a false premise - first test whether it is ground treatment.

Quota cross-reference (for rate build-up):

• Beijing DB11/T 2382-2024 Construction Works Consumption Quota Standard, section 4.2 lists earthworks and ground treatment apart and provides: excavation with base width 7 m or less and base length over 3 times the base width is a trench; base length 3 times the base width or less and base area 150 m2 or less is a pit; beyond these, general earthwork (4.2.3). Clause 4.2.11: "excavation and haulage quantities shall be computed on the natural in-situ (undisturbed) volume before excavation"; 4.2.5: "earthworks consumption shall not include the treatment of above- and below-ground obstacles or the carting of demolition debris".
• Jiangsu 2024 building and decoration consumption standard (2026 edition in the source data): digging, dozing, loading and hauling of earth compute on the natural in-situ volume (m3); backfill computes on the design-shown fill volume, converted per the table where computed on bulked (loose) measure (bulked meaning soil unrolled and stockpiled not longer than a year); site levelling computes by area on the outer structural lines of the external walls plus 2 m each side, governed by the basement wall line where it projects beyond the ground-floor wall line.

Applicability Boundaries

• Applies to bill listing and measurement under GB/T 50854-2024 Annex A (earthworks) and Annex B (ground treatment and excavation retention). Where local or sector consumption quotas provide otherwise, the quota governs rate build-up, but the bill class still follows this standard's "preset level" line.
• The "preset level" must be fixed by the design documents or the client (any of design outdoor level / soffit of the external ground build-up / client-nominated level); without a fixed level no mechanical split is possible - confirm with the designer first.
• Not applicable to pure rock blasting or demolition classification; it does not replace the project's ground investigation and drawings.

Further Reading

• GB/T 50854-2024 quantity take-off standard for building and decoration works, Annex A earthworks: A.4.1 (definition of separate earthworks), A.4.2 (foundation earthworks), table A.1.1 (separate earthworks, code 010101), table A.2.1 (foundation earthworks, code 010102), A.4.12 (definition of site levelling).
• The same standard, Annex B ground treatment and excavation retention: table B.1.1 (ground treatment, code 010201), B.3.6 (replacement material types and item descriptions of replacement cushions).
• Beijing DB11/T 2382-2024 Construction Works Consumption Quota Standard, 4.2 earthworks (trench / pit / general earthwork split; pricing on natural in-situ volume; working space table 4.2.15-1; batter coefficient table 4.2.15-2).
• Jiangsu 2024 building and decoration consumption standard (2026 edition in the source data), general rules of earthworks (natural in-situ volume; site levelling rule).