CONSTRUCTION
TECHNOLOGY EARTH
MOVEMENT
COTE 11153
Define cut and fill in earth movement
Define the order and steps of earthworks and describe the purpose
of each step
Understand the concept of bulking (the changes in the soil volume
that occur during earthworks )using 3-phase diagrams,
List equipment typically need for performing earthworks
The downward movement
of a structure's foundation
Settlement due to the compression of
the underlying soil layers
under load.
The weight of a structure or
its components, such as
Self Weight beams, columns, and slabs,
resulting from the materials
used in construction.
External loads applied to a
structure, such as the
weight of occupants,
Imposed Load
furniture, vehicles, or other
temporary items. Also
called live load.
Uneven settling of a
structure’s foundation due
to variations in soil
Differential Settlement
properties or load
distribution, which can lead
to structural damage.
Material, such as soil or
gravel, used to refill an
excavated area around a
Backfill
foundation, retaining wall,
or trench to provide
support and stability.
Earth movement in construction refers
to the processes of excavating, moving,
and shaping the soil or terrain at a
construction site. This is typically
achieved through methods like
excavation, grading, leveling, filling, and
compaction. These activities are crucial
to preparing a site for building, ensuring
stability, and accommodating various
structural and infrastructural needs.
Earth movement is a fundamental
aspect of construction, serving as the
crucial first step in preparing the
foundation for any structure.
It is a process that involves various
activities aimed at reshaping and
manipulating the natural terrain to
create a stable, safe, and functional
space for construction.
Proper earth movement is not just a
preliminary task; it's the cornerstone of
construction. It directly impacts the longevity,
safety, and structural integrity of any building
or infrastructure.
Prepare the site for construction of various
structure:
Road Construction
Dam Construction
Building Construction
Services Provision (sewer pipe works)
etc
1. Foundation Preparation
A properly leveled and stable surface is essential for the foundation of any
structure. Earth movement ensures that the site is suitable for constructing safe
and durable foundations.
2. Structural Stability
By compacting and stabilizing soil, earth movement prevents future issues like
settlement or shifting, which can damage structures.
3. Drainage and Water Management
Shaping the terrain through grading ensures proper water drainage, reducing
the risk of waterlogging, erosion, or foundation damage.
4. Site Accessibility and Usability
Earth movement helps in creating access roads, pathways, and leveled areas
for construction equipment and personnel to operate efficiently.
5. Adaptation to Design Requirements
Earthwork allows the transformation of natural terrain to match the
architectural and engineering designs, such as creating flat areas,
embankments, or sloped surfaces.
6. Infrastructure Development
For large-scale projects like roads, dams, or pipelines, earth movement is
critical to creating the required shapes and grades for functional
infrastructure.
7. Material Reuse
Soil excavated during earth movement can be repurposed for filling or
landscaping, reducing material costs and environmental impact.
8. Mitigation of Natural Hazards
Earth movement can stabilize slopes, reduce the risk of landslides, and
prepare the site to withstand seismic activity or floods.
Site clearance is the process of
preparing a construction site for
development by removing obstacles,
debris, vegetation, and existing
structures or materials that may
hinder construction activities. It is a
crucial step in the pre-construction
phase and serves as the foundation
for efficient and safe project
execution.
Components of Site Clearance
Vegetation Removal Cutting down
trees, bushes, and other plants.
Grubbing and removal of roots.
Debris Removal Clearing rocks,
rubble, garbage, and any other
unwanted material.
Demolition Breaking down old
structures like buildings, fences, or
utilities no longer needed.
Hazard Removal Dealing with
hazardous materials such as asbestos
or contaminated soil.
Leveling and Grading Smoothing
and preparing the site surface for
foundation and construction activities.
ACHIEVE A LEVEL AND CONTROL WATER DRAINAGE CREATE A FOUNDATION THAT ENSURE THAT THE STRUCTURE
STABLE CONSTRUCTION SITE. AND PREVENT EROSION. CAN EVENLY DISTRIBUTE THE WILL WITHSTAND
WEIGHT OF THE STRUCTURE. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
AND GROUND SETTLEMENT
OVER TIME.
The concepts of "cut," "fill," and "cut and fill" refer to different activities related
to reshaping the natural terrain to prepare a construction site or to manage land for
various purposes.
A "cut" in construction Cuts are typically This activity involves
refers to the process made to create the removal of excess
of excavating or trenches, basements, material, and the
removing soil, rock, or other excavated excavated material is
or other materials areas where often relocated to fill
from a construction structures, roads, or areas on the same site
site to lower the utilities can be built. or hauled away from
existing ground level. the site if it is not
needed for filling.
"Fill" in construction involves
adding or placing material, such
as soil, gravel, or other suitable
materials, into an area to raise the
ground level to the desired
elevation.
Filling is done to level the ground,
create embankments, or build up
the foundation for construction. It
can also be used for reclamation
projects, like raising low-lying
areas in flood-prone regions.
The fill material should be
properly compacted to ensure
stability and to prevent settling
over time.
Excavation or CUT from a borrow pit
Transportation- to stockpile area
Stockpiles- Excavated material stored in
stockpiles
Grading- to sort material into appropriate
grades
Transportation – to fill area
Fill
Placements
Moisture Conditioning/ sluicing
Compaction
EXCAVATION
The process of removing soil, rock, or other
materials from the ground to create a depression or
cavity.
Purpose:
The primary purpose of excavation is to prepare
the ground for construction by creating a cavity or
trench in which various structures or utilities can
be installed. Key objectives include:
Creating foundations for buildings, bridges, and
other structures.
Digging trenches for utilities like water and sewer
lines, electrical conduits, and gas pipelines.
Preparing sites for road construction and
landscaping projects.
Excavating for basements, retaining walls, and other
subterranean structures.
CONSIDERTATION AFTER EXCAVATIONS
Excavation Process:
The excavation process involves marking the area to
be excavated, digging according to the project's
design or engineering plans, and ensuring proper
slope and depth. The excavated material is then
removed from the site.
Safety measures, including trench safety, shoring,
and protective equipment, are critical during
excavation to prevent accidents and cave-ins.
Environmental Considerations:
In some cases, the removal and disposal of
excavated materials need to be managed
responsibly to comply with environmental
regulations. The excavated soil may need to be
tested for contaminants.
Once the borrow material is excavated, it
needs to be transported from the excavation
site to the location where it will be used as fill
material or stockpiles for temporary storage.
This typically involves loading the material
onto trucks, conveyors, or other hauling
equipment.
STOCKPILES
A designated area or mound where materials such as soil, gravel, sand, rock, or other excavated or
imported materials are temporarily stored.
Material Storage:
Stockpiles are used to store materials that will be used at a construction site. These materials can
include excavated soil, fill material, aggregates, crushed rock, and construction debris.
The stockpiles provide a convenient and organized location for materials, making it easier to access and
transport them as needed during construction.
Material Segregation:
Different types of materials may be stockpiled separately to maintain material integrity and make it
easier to select and use specific materials for different aspects of the construction project.
Segregation can help ensure that the right materials are used for their intended purposes, such as
specific layers in road construction or backfilling for foundations.
Material Testing:
Stockpiles are often used as locations for sampling and testing the quality and properties of the stored
materials. Testing may involve assessing the moisture content, particle size distribution, compaction
characteristics, and contamination levels.
Test results help ensure that materials meet engineering and project specifications.
Quality Control:
Stockpiles are integral to quality control in construction. By controlling the materials and their
properties in stockpiles, construction professionals can ensure that the materials meet safety and
engineering standards.
Quality control helps prevent issues related to the use of substandard materials in construction projects.
Inventory Management:
Contractors and project managers use stockpiles to keep track of available materials and quantities on
hand. This aids in material procurement and project scheduling, ensuring that there is a sufficient
supply of materials when needed.
The process of evaluating, classifying, and
categorizing the quality and characteristics
of soil, rock, or other materials that are
excavated from one area of a construction
site.
Purposes:
Quality Control: Grading ensures that
the borrow material meets the project's
quality and safety standards. It helps
avoid using unsuitable materials that
could compromise the integrity of
structures or pose safety risks.
Selection of Material: Grading helps
construction professionals make
informed decisions about which material
to use for different construction
elements. For example, materials with
higher shear strength may be preferred
for foundations, while more granular
materials might be suitable for backfill.
Soil placement is the process of systematically depositing and
spreading soil on a construction site to achieve specific engineering
purposes, such as creating a stable foundation, filling voids, or leveling
terrain. This process is essential in earthworks and is typically followed
by compaction to enhance soil stability and load-bearing capacity.
Soil moisture conditioning is the process of adjusting the moisture
content of soil to an optimal level to facilitate compaction and achieve
the desired density and strength during construction. This process
involves either adding water to dry soil or allowing wet soil to dry until
it reaches its Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), which is the
moisture level at which soil achieves maximum compaction for a given
effort.
Soil compaction is the process of increasing the density of soil by
reducing the volume of air voids through the application of mechanical
force. This process does not significantly change the volume of water in
the soil but rearranges soil particles to achieve a denser structure. It is a
critical step in construction projects to ensure the soil provides a stable
foundation for structures.
