A construction project has many moving parts. For a successful construction project, you need complete many tasks completed professionally and in sequence . One of the very first steps in most construction projects is site work. What is site work? Site work is the preparation of the project area for commencement and completion of the construction project.
Site work has many facets. One of the many facets is to simply create a level area on which to construct a building. This work includes grading, excavation, landscape irrigation and the installation of driveways.
Planning for a Site Excavation
Construction planning is one of the keys to a successful site work with excavation. The construction plans will provide important information. Some of the information will include building setbacks, elevations, tree protection areas, erosion & sediment controls, access and entry points with building layout and design.
With added layers of construction complexity, you can expect additional construction plan notations. Site work is one of the very first steps with a construction project. You need to layout the construction site properly for a successful construction venture.
Ground Preparation
With approved plans, initial work can begin. This work will include the removal of vegetation and clearing of the construction site. The site clearing will include the removal of all trees, vegetation and overburden material. Removal of the overburden allows you to get grade and level the remaining construction site. This grade, now level is where all work is to start. With the new building layout, you can provide additional excavation for underground space.
Compaction
With site work, soil compaction is an important factor with all construction projects. Proper placement of subsoil materials is critical. Properly compacted subsoil will provided the solid foundation for all of the building footings and foundations. This is an important part of the site work process.
With soil compaction demands, structural fill dirt may be necessary. Structural fill dirt will have a Proctor report. The Proctor Compaction Test, provides laboratory testing method to determine soil properties. These measured soil properties include moisture content, density, weight, type of soil & granular size. The measured and documented soil properties determine the load bearing capacity. Soil will proper load capacity will sustain the new building and construction work project.
Site Grading
This work involves the preparation of the construction site for proper storm water management. Construction base, soil slopes and gradations are applied to all construction sites. Sloped grades allow for the proper placement of sidewalks, curb and gutters with parking areas. With proper placement, you can move onto installation of your landscape and garden improvements and surface drainage.
Common Machinery Used In Site Excavation
The type and size of machines can vary. The size of your project will determine what machines are necessary to complete your construction project. Construction projects need to be completed in an efficient manner. Extended delays, increase the construction costs of finance and labor. Increased construction costs are not a desired result.
Larger machines will provide for more efficient and improved material handling. This efficiency helps to keep the construction project on budget. Some of the machines used in site work are:
- Graders; used primarily to smooth the elevation of the ground level for landscaping, road construction or site preparation.
- Pan Loaders; these machines scrape the soil and move it to a designated stockpile area.
- Bull Dovers; are used to level the ground level area.
- Track Loaders; this loader is used to load and push materials around the job site.
- Excavators; this digging machine is used to dig areas that require certain depths and or depressions.
- Dump Trucks; load and unload material at designated construction site locations.
- Screening Machines; this machine is used to segregate materials into different sizes for future sale or use.
- Skid Loaders; smaller in size, this machine pushes and loads material.
- Roller/Compactors; the compactor does what it says, it compacts subgrade and compactable materials.
- Front End Loaders; this loader often times consists of rubber tires and is used to load material.
- Backhoes; this unique machine can excavate with the attachment in the back and load with the bucket in the front.
How We Can Help With Site Excavation
From planning to execution, Dirt Connections is ready to help you. Dirt Connections can help you with the entire excavation process. From commercial to residential, Dirt Connections can help. To learn more about some of our useful services that can assist you, review our informational pages:
Assisting With Projects Throughout Virginia
Dirt Connections can help you plan and execute your site excavation for Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC. Please send us a message online for more information on our dependable services.
