Proper preparation of the ground covers a wide range of services. All construction projects require adequate adjustment of the ground for the construction site. It is necessary to carry out earthworks, whose task is to shape the ground according to the requirements and needs of a given construction project. So, what activities are classified as earthworks?
Division and classification of earthworks
Earthwork is, above all, activities that aim to create suitable conditions for the foundation of buildings, underground installations, foundations and bases for surfaces. However, earthworks may take various forms.
First of all, it is necessary to distinguish the manner of performing earthworks, which may be carried out manually, mechanically, or through explosives. Usually, manual work is used to prepare small architecture or terrain that is not accessible to construction machinery. However, specialized heavy equipment (excavators, bulldozers, scrapers, loaders) is necessary for more significant investments. For rugged terrain, compressed gases, explosives, or electricity are required.
Earthworks can also be classified according to the shape and size of the area to be prepared:
Building excavation – this type of work is necessary to excavate underground parts of a building, e.g. basements, foundations, underground car parks. Linear – they are created on a long and narrow area to build, among others: roads, tracks, water and energy installations.
Surface excavations are performed in vast areas that do not require deep hole, e.g. town squares or airports.
Moreover, earth excavation services can be divided into three basic types according to the stage of work:
Cleaning and preparation – during this stage, activities are carried out to clear the area: grubbing up trees, removing humus (a layer of plant-soil), demolishing the current structure, and drying the ground. On the other hand, the preparatory work involves laying the power line and marking out the contour of the planned structure.
Basic – includes the creation of embankments, excavations, heaps and leveling of the ground (ground leveling).
Finishing – the last stage aims to consolidate, secure, and final shape embankments and excavations. In addition, the finishing work also includes the creation of aesthetic landscaping.
What types of excavations and embankments can we distinguish?
By far, the most important earthworks are excavations and embankments. Excavations can be temporary or permanent. They are made below the ground level, and their shape and size strictly depend on the purpose of a given structure. Therefore, they are divided into
- wide-space excavations – with the width of the bottom exceeding 1.5 m, which are made mainly for the construction of basement houses, and underground utilities.
- Narrow-space – with a bottom width less or equal to 1.5 m, while their length may be arbitrary. They are used for linear structures and footings.
- cavernous – deeper than 1 m and with a maximum bottom width of 1.5 m. Their characteristic feature is the slope surrounding the excavation.
On the other hand, embankments are formed above the ground surface and serve to raise the original level of the ground. There are two types of barriers: controlled and uncontrolled. Controlled barriers are placed in layers and compacted, e.g. macro-leveling is used in road construction. Uncontrolled barriers, on the other hand, are stockpiles and piles.
Earthworks are not as simple as they may seem. They are often very challenging, so they must be carried out by professionals using specialized equipment. Our company provides comprehensive earthworks services. Our many years of experience, cooperation with reputable brands, and the use of the best machines guarantee the highest quality of construction work.
