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Module 2 Earthworks and Siteworks

This document provides an overview of module 2 which covers earthworks and siteworks in building construction estimation. It discusses key aspects of earthworks including excavation, backfilling, soil compaction, grading, and soil poisoning. Excavation involves removing earth to create voids for foundations or utilities. Backfilling replaces excavated material. Compaction increases soil density for stability. Grading adjusts slopes and elevations. Soil poisoning treats soil to prevent termites. Siteworks beyond earthmoving include clearing vegetation, erosion control, and installing site utilities. Proper siteworks provide a stable foundation and ensure a building is level for long-term structural integrity and safety.

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Ej Tolentino
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135 views

Module 2 Earthworks and Siteworks

This document provides an overview of module 2 which covers earthworks and siteworks in building construction estimation. It discusses key aspects of earthworks including excavation, backfilling, soil compaction, grading, and soil poisoning. Excavation involves removing earth to create voids for foundations or utilities. Backfilling replaces excavated material. Compaction increases soil density for stability. Grading adjusts slopes and elevations. Soil poisoning treats soil to prevent termites. Siteworks beyond earthmoving include clearing vegetation, erosion control, and installing site utilities. Proper siteworks provide a stable foundation and ensure a building is level for long-term structural integrity and safety.

Uploaded by

Ej Tolentino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 2: Fundamentals of Earthworks and Siteworks in Building Construction Estimation

I. Earthworks: An Overview

Earthworks encompass the processes of excavation, backfilling, soil compaction, grading, and soil poisoning. Let's explore each of these
aspects in detail.

A. Excavation Works:
Excavation is the process of removing earth material from a site to create a void, typically for foundations, basements, or utilities. Key
terminology includes:

Cut: The excavation of material below the existing ground level.


Fill: The placement of earth material to raise the ground level.
Understanding the type and characteristics of the soil is crucial for accurate estimation. Soil types can be classified as cohesive (clay, silt) or
granular (sand, gravel), each requiring specific excavation methods.

B. Backfilling:
Backfilling involves replacing or compacting the excavated material back into a trench or foundation. Important terms include:

Trench Backfill: Replacing material in a trench after utility installation.


Compaction: The process of mechanically densifying soil to achieve maximum stability.
Efficient backfilling is essential for the stability of foundations and retaining walls, impacting the overall safety and longevity of the structure.

C. Soil Compaction:
Soil compaction ensures that the soil beneath a structure or pavement is sufficiently dense to support the intended loads. Key terms include:

Proctor Test: A laboratory test to determine the optimal moisture content and maximum dry density of soil.
Compaction Equipment: Rollers, compactors, or vibratory plates used to increase soil density.
Proper compaction is critical for preventing settlement and ensuring the long-term stability of the construction.

D. Grading and Compaction:


Grading involves adjusting the slope and elevation of the ground to conform to the design specifications. Related terms are:

Cut and Fill Balance: Achieving a balance between the volume of excavation and backfill.
Slope Grading: Creating a gentle incline to control water runoff.
Efficient grading not only enhances the aesthetics of the site but also plays a role in managing water drainage.

E. Soil Poisoning:
Soil poisoning, also known as termite treatment, is the process of treating soil to prevent termite infestations. Key terms include:

Termiticides: Chemicals applied to the soil to create a barrier against termites.


Pre-construction Treatment: Application of termiticides before construction begins.
Protecting structures from termite damage is essential for the longevity of buildings, making soil poisoning a critical step in construction.

II. Siteworks: Beyond Earthworks

Siteworks extend beyond earthmoving activities and involve various elements that contribute to the overall functionality and aesthetics of a
construction site.

A. Site Works:
Site works encompass a broad range of activities, including:

Clearing and Grubbing: Removing vegetation and debris from the construction site.
Erosion Control: Implementing measures to prevent soil erosion during and after construction.
Site Utilities: Installation of essential services such as water, sewer, and electrical connections.
Site works lay the groundwork for subsequent construction phases and are integral to the overall success of a project.
Excavation Tools:

1. Shovels and Spades:


Manual tools with a broad, flat blade used for digging and moving loose materials.
Backhoes:
A versatile excavation machine with a digging bucket at the end of an articulated arm, often used for digging trenches.
Excavators:
Heavy machinery with a rotating cab and a hydraulic arm fitted with a bucket for efficient digging and material handling.
Bulldozers:
A tracked or wheeled vehicle with a large, blade-like plate at the front, used for pushing or leveling soil.
Trenchers:
A machine designed for cutting narrow trenches in the ground, often used for laying pipes or cables.

2. Compaction Equipment:

Vibratory Rollers:
Heavy rollers equipped with vibrating drums to compact soil and achieve the required density.
Plate Compactors:
Portable machines with a vibrating plate used for compacting granular soils and asphalt.
Sheepsfoot Rollers:
Rollers with protruding lugs or "feet" that help compact cohesive soils through a kneading action.

3. Grading Tools:

Graders:
Heavy equipment with a long blade used for fine grading and leveling large areas of soil.
Scrapers:
Machines designed for moving large quantities of earth horizontally, often used for bulk earthmoving.
Skid Steer Loaders:
Compact machines with a bucket on the front, capable of turning within its own footprint, used for various tasks including grading.

4. Site Clearing Tools:

Chainsaws:
Portable, motorized saws with a rotating chain, used for cutting down trees and vegetation.
Brush Cutters:
Tools with a spinning blade used for clearing underbrush and dense vegetation.
Mulching Machines:
Equipment designed to shred and mulch vegetation, aiding in site clearance and preparing the ground for construction.

5. Site Drainage Equipment:

Excavators for Trenching:


Excavators equipped with specialized buckets for digging trenches for drainage systems.
Drainage Pipes:
Pipes designed to collect and carry away excess water from the construction site.
Culvert Pipes:
Large pipes, often made of metal or concrete, used to allow the passage of water under roads, railways, or embankments.
Erosion Control Blankets:
Mat-like materials used to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly in areas with slopes.
Construction Sitework: Everything You Need to Know
What Is the Importance of Sitework?
Any work done on a construction site prior to when the actual construction takes place is referred to as site work. Plumbing, drainage, and
utility installation may or may not be included.
The process of preparing a construction site for a job is known as site work and excavation. This phase of the construction process includes a
number of activities that take place on the job site and is an important aspect of the project. Sitework will differ from project to project and
will be influenced by factors such as the project’s needs and the surrounding environment.
The following are a few items that may be required for site work on your building site, as well as why they are important.
Job site prep or site works construction, provides a solid foundation.
The lack of a solid foundation will cause a lot of long-term damage to a structure. If the earth beneath your building is excessively soft, the
foundation of your building may shift, limiting its life and necessitating costly repairs.
If damage occurs as a result of a faulty foundation, it may result in a responsibility claim over the construction quality. As a result, you should
always hire a business that specializes in site work. One of the most significant aspects of building construction is the stability of the ground.
The construction will last longer if the ground is stable. The fewer problems you’ll have to deal with in the future, such as foundation sagging
and sinking, the better.
Furthermore, site work ensures that the building is level. The building will not be as stable if it is not built on a level surface. You’ll be able to
tell the difference in the way the building appears and feels. There are a few key components to successful site work. Let’s look at these in
more detail right now.
Clearing
The clearing of the area is the initial step in the procedure. Your contractor will clear the construction site of all bushes, shrubs, and trees.
Clearing and grubbing is the part of site work that removes vegetation from the working site, such as bushes, shrubs, trees, and other plants.
Due to regulatory and environmental concerns, clearing and grubbing may require different processes depending on the types and quantities
of vegetation on your job site. Because enormous trees must be removed in a thickly wooded location, this takes longer and costs more. Not
only must they cut down the trees, but they must also remove the stumps and roots.
Before you start clearing, make sure you know the rules in your area. Cutting down specific trees or plants is prohibited in some locations.
Excavating
Excess dirt and rocks will be removed from your construction site during excavation. On many industrial construction sites, soil and rock
excavation can be time-consuming. It frequently necessitates the employment of large machinery to do the task properly.
Experienced excavators have the knowledge and skills required for this difficult task.
To remove surplus soil, contractors excavate the area. This could entail chopping down the side of a hill to create a way for the new structure.
Alternatively, you might dig a hole to house a new septic system.
When this is being done, a huge excavator is usually present. Extra dirt is removed or used to fill in low locations on the site.
It’s also crucial to clear anything that emerged following the cleaning process during excavation. This could include roots from long-dead trees,
or big underground rocks.
Tying in the Utilities
The efficiency of your building is determined by how well the utilities are integrated. Sitework includes filtration systems, septic tanks, and
underground pipes for sewer, water, gas, and electricity. To avoid complications while connecting everything to your building, all of these must
be installed with care and precision.
Leveling
It’s time to level the soil once it’s in the proper location. To move the dirt to the right spots, your contractor employs a backhoe or a skid
loader. They’ll then use a construction leveling device to make sure the foundation is level across the board.
The creation of a graded slope is also an important aspect of leveling. This means that water flows away from the structure rather than toward
it.
They fill in low locations with dirt during excavation to ensure that they are at a sufficient slope. During the leveling procedure, this dirt is
smoothed out to ensure that the slope is not excessively steep or too shallow.

Stabilizing
The soil is moved throughout the excavation process, making it softer and less stable. And the less stable the soil is, the larger the soil particles
are. Stabilizing the soil eliminates any air pockets or holes that may exist beneath the top layer of earth. Subgrade stabilization is required to
ensure that your construction site is free of cracks and other structural problems.
The soil just underneath the topsoil is stabilized during subgrade stabilization to prevent any shifting or collapse. This is an important aspect of
site work that will help ensure the project’s integrity. The soil is compacted by the contractor using a heavy roller. It’s also possible to use a
vibration compactor for this.

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