How Earthworks Are Carried Out (Part 2)

You are reading this article because you must have liked the 1st part on the different steps of earthworks. Without further ado, we continue in this 2nd part with the following steps.

Stages of the earthworks: the disbursement

The excavation precedes the clearing. Also called stripping, this operation consists in removing the topsoil until the solid strata appear. This excellent quality soil is often preserved for future plantations or additional development. The price of this action is calculated per square meter but is generally degressive if the surface of the ground to be dug is essential.

The excavation must be carried out regularly with mastery and know-how to obtain stable soil. The driveways and access roads to the house will be laid in this way. The backhoe and the bulldozer are the two machines most often used to work the ground. The tamper will take over to compact the soil and prepare it for the gravel.

Stages of earthwork: excavations and trenches

The trenches where the foundations of the future construction will rest are formed here, whether shallow, semi-submerged, or profound. The ground is marked out, and the digger knows precisely where to dig and how. The trenches, known as the bottom of the excavation, will first accommodate the clean concrete and then the concrete footing to guarantee the strength of the foundations. Trenching is the trenching of the foundation to accommodate the concrete instead of the trenching of the foundation. Their role is essential to help distribute the weight of the retaining walls on the ground.

The price of this operation varies according to the number of cubic meters excavated and can only be determined after a complete study of the project. The estimate will be of great help to understand how the craftsman calculates the price of this operation.

Stages of the earthworks: the servicing

The next step in the earthworks for constructing a single-family home is the servicing of the land. This operation consists of bringing in water, electricity, gas, telephone cables and ensuring the installation of sewer pipes. The location of the cables and pipes is determined well before the start of the work and plotted on a precise plan. Whatever the type of work envisaged and to facilitate possible repairs in the future, a color is assigned to each network category. Finally, the septic tank is installed according to specific standards, and its capacity and dimensions are calculated according to the number of occupants in the house.

A carefully landscaped site is ideal for any construction site. To choose the professional in charge of your work, you will have to examine the different estimates requested rigorously. Services and prices are indicated, and the craftsman’s registration number in the register of trades, the qualifications, and the contracted insurance.

Stages of the earthworks: the backfill

Many constructions require the installation of a geotextile film before the backfill stage. This film limits the growth of weeds and avoids wetness. Backfill is the action that fills the holes designed to bury the gutters, pipes, drains, and systems needed for servicing. The land is restored to its original state using a laser level. At this point, the ground is flat again.

The backfill is a mixture of soil and rubble kept during the excavation. It can also be made up of superimposed layers of natural materials of different thicknesses brought to the site specifically for this operation. The objective is to stabilize the soil and ensure the solidity of the foundations. The use of backfill is regulated in some municipalities. Ask your city hall or the professional in charge of your project for more information. The local urban plan and the city’s regulations will give you many indications of the authorized earthwork methods.