EARTHWORK EXCAVATION

Building Construction Ideas - Topic 3
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After proper setting out is done as per previous article (setting out) we start the earthwork excavation work.

Earthwork excavation shall include removal of all materials, of whatever nature and whether wet or dry, necessary for the construction of foundation and substructure exactly in accordance with the lines, levels, grades and curves as shown on the drawing or as directed. It shall be taken to the exact width of the lowest step of the foundation and its sides shall be left plumb where the nature of the soil admits it. If necessary, depending on the nature of the soil, it could be cut in slope up to 1 in 6 (1 horizontal to 6 vertical).  Any caving in of earth should be cleared and re-excavated.

Excavated material should be handled to allow suitable material to be recovered and placed in the embankment. Suitable materials shall be deposited within the designated areas of the work as shown in the plans or as directed by the Engineer. If at the time of excavation, it is not possible to place any suitable material in its proper section of the permanent construction, it shall be stockpiled in approved areas for later use. The excavation shall not be carried out below the level of the existing adjacent foundations.If it is necessary for some reason to excavate below the adjacent foundations, these foundations shall be underpinned and shored.

The earthwork shall be classified under the following categories and measured separately for each category:

(a) Soft Soil Material

It shall mean soft comprising any of the following:

- Vegetable or organic soil, turf, sand, loam clay, mud, peat, black cotton soil, stiff heavy clay, shale, mourn and any mixture of these soils.

- Mud concrete below ground level.

- Generally any material, which yields to the ordinary application of pick and shovel or other digging implements.

(b) Hard Soil Material

It shall mean hard soil comprising any of the following:

- Gravel, Shingle and river or streamed boulders having maximum dimension up to 300 mm in one direction.

- Soling of roads, paths, etc. and hard-core.

- Macadam surfaces or any depreciation (water bound, grouted, tarmac etc.).

- Lime concrete, stone masonry in lime mortar and brickwork in lime or cement mortar below ground level.

- Soft conglomerate, where the stone can be detached from the matrix, with picks.

- Generally any materials, which requires the close application of picks, scarifies or other digging implements.

(c) Soft rock

It shall mean rock comprising any of the following:

- Any rock or Portland cement concrete for the excavation of which the use of

mechanical plant or blasting is required.

- Reinforced cement concrete (reinforcement cut through, but not separated from the concrete) below ground level.

Method of Payment 

Earthwork excavation of respective class (as mentioned above) shall be paid in terms of volume i.e. per cubic meter.

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