Earthwork represents a crucial step in any construction project. Whether it’s to build a house, renovate a building, or install a pool, proper land preparation is necessary.
Are you wondering what earthwork is? What tools are used to undertake such work? What are the different types of earthwork? In this blog post, the experts at Excavation Chanthier explain everything you need to know about it.
DEFINITION OF EARTHWORK
Generally speaking, earthwork refers to all operations that prepare a site for a construction or landscaping project. This includes excavation work, trench digging, after-demolition waste transporting and managing, or soil removal.
Earthwork involves shaping the soil by digging deep and moving large amounts of earth or rock. The goal is to provide an ideal foundation for various types of construction projects (housing, patios, pools, driveways, roads and highways, but also dams, buildings, and other large-scale construction sites). Thus, if you are undertaking work where you plan to demolish a house, garage, or other buildings, an earthwork stage is often necessary.
When performed by a professional excavator or excavation company, various earthwork tasks on a site will help prevent the risks of subsidence and landslides.
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USE OF THE TERM “EARTHWORK” IN QUEBEC
In Quebec, when we talk about earthwork, it often means the preparation phase of the ground for landscaping projects such as:
- Laying paving stones;
- Building retaining walls;
- Planting work;
- Constructing water gardens;
- Seeding lawns or laying sod.
EXAMPLES OF EARTHWORK
Earthwork projects can take many forms. Here are a few examples:
LAND LEVELING
This operation generally aims to level the ground to facilitate various materials installation and structure construction. For example, the soil must be leveled before paving stones laying.
Leveling work can also correct negative slopes that hinder proper drainage of runoff water and melting snow.
EXCAVATION
Excavation work includes digging a ditch, cavity, channel, pit, or trench. They are therefore essential when installing an in-ground pool or constructing a house with a basement.
Commercial and residential excavation work must be done carefully to avoid damaging underground infrastructure, such as sewer or water pipes, gas lines, or telecommunications cables.
The nature of the soil must also be considered during excavation work, particularly when choosing the right equipment.
CLEARING
Clearing work involves removing a natural site’s superficial layer. During this operation, tree debris (such as roots, branches, and leaves) and topsoil are completely removed. This often happens after demolishing a house or garage.
The natural site is thus modified to bring it to the level dictated by the earthwork project.
BACKFILLING
During backfilling, cavities in the soil and portions of land that are not sufficiently elevated must be filled with appropriate materials. These can include soil, crushed stone, sand, etc.
In some projects, backfilling also involves compacting the backfill materials. This step is crucial to ensure the soil has the correct mechanical properties.
REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF SOIL
Soil removal is also part of earthwork. It is necessary when large amounts of soil have been excavated and have to be removed from the site.
EQUIPMENT USED FOR EARTHWORK
Earthwork projects, depending on their nature and scale, may require the use of various equipment.
Heavy machinery like loaders, backhoes, and graders are crucial for carrying out major earthwork tasks more easily and quickly. That said, unlike large earthwork machines, mini excavators and track loaders are very agile and can accelerate many residential earthwork tasks, when space is limited.
Let’s not forget the measuring instruments that ensure earthwork is done with precision. These include, for example, the laser level and the theodolite.
LOOKING FOR AN EARTHWORK COMPANY? CONTACT EXCAVATION CHANTHIER
Now that you know what earthwork involves, you might realize that you will need such work to carry out a project you have in mind.
If that’s the case, and you reside in Quebec, you can trust our team of experts. We have all the necessary equipment, and our operators are trained and certified by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec.
Contact us today to discuss your project.