Once you decide to build a structure on your piece of land, you must first prepare the site, basically by clearing the construction site, grading the land, and compacting the soil. This lays the groundwork for a successful and safe construction project.
Site preparation ensures the construction area is safe and ready for the work at hand. It also minimizes the impact of the construction work on the surrounding environment. And lastly, it helps speed up the construction process by making it easier to access the site and move materials around. But you must do it in the right way to reap these benefits.
Below are some best practices for site preparation. Read on for the details.
1. Thorough Site Assessment
The first step of site preparation is assessing it. This is more than just walking around the site and visually surveying it. Firstly, make a point of checking the soil to determine how it’ll impact your construction project.
Use the USCS classification system that categorizes soil into the following types:
- Coarse-grained soils, namely sands and grains. For these soils, at least 50% of the material by weight exceeds 75 micron IS sieve size.
- Fine-grained soils, namely silts and clays. For these soils, at least 50% of the material is less than 75 micron IS sieve size.
- Organic soils, which contain large amounts of fibrous organic matter, including peat and decomposed vegetation
Soil evaluation will also help you identify any obstructions on the site that need removal. These include rock formations, utility lines, old foundations, tree roots, buried tanks or pipes, and sewer or electrical lines. Utility maps can significantly help in this evaluation. It would also be a great idea to engage the services of experts specializing in earthworks Gold Coast as they can advise on the best location to set up your structure. Their help is invaluable in the succeeding steps too.
2. Get the Requisite Permits and Approvals
Before you break ground, it helps to get all the required permits and approvals from the local authorities, at least to avert legal risks. These include:
- Zoning permits: These confirm that the proposed construction complies with existing land use regulations dictating the types of structures that can be built in specific areas, such as residential, commercial, or industrial zones. Zoning also regulates building height, density, and setback requirements from property lines.
- Environmental clearances: These confirm that the building project complies with environmental protection standards and minimizes negative impacts on the surrounding ecosystem. They address concerns like air and water quality, wildlife habitats, noise pollution, and soil erosion.
- Building permits: These authorize the actual construction work, ascertaining that the structure is in compliance with health, safety, and engineering standards.
Beyond these permits, make sure all persons involved in the construction project have the necessary training and certifications.
3. Clearing and Demolition
After getting the greenlight from the authorities, the next step in site preparation is clearing it of existing vegetation, old structures, debris, and any other items that can hinder construction.
Examine the structure thoroughly to foresee and reduce risks. In 2020, about 150 people died and 14,000 sustained injuries from struck-by incidents, totaling USD1.4 billion in workers compensation. You wouldn’t want such things to happen at your site. For large structures, use non-destructive testing methods like ultrasonic testing, ground-penetrating radar, and laser scanning to investigate the structure’s condition. (2)
While at it, consider the presence of asbestos and other contaminants, which can be significant health hazards. Statistics reveal that asbestos kills about 250,000 people globally every year. Engage professionals with special training in handling such perilous materials. Correct disposal of these materials protects the health of workers and the community. (3)
After demolition, sort the materials to set aside those that you can recycle and dispose of the rest. You’ll also need to carry out site stabilization to ensure the cleared site remains safe. This may involve securing excavations, reinforcing remaining structures, and controlling erosion.
4. Earthwork and Grading
Earthwork involves excavating, grading, and leveling the terrain to achieve the appropriate elevations and contours for the foundation and other structures.
Some key stakeholders you’ll need for excavation include geotechnical engineers to analyze and classify the soil’s characteristics, strengths and ideal uses, civil engineers to design an earthwork plan, and general contractors interpret these plans and do the actual excavation.
The first step in excavation involves removing soil and rock from the site to create an open face or hole for the structure’s foundation. For some structures, you may need to build up areas with soil or other materials to add elevation. Embankment construction is important for structures requiring a raised platform, like roads, levees, or railways.
Another essential earthwork activity is grading, where you shape the ground to level or slope it to the desired degree. This helps with drainage and curbing erosion. Backfilling involves adding soil to excavated areas, perhaps over utilities installed underground. Then you’ll need to compact the replaced soil to increase its density and strength.
Conclusion
Proper site preparation lays the ground for a successful construction. Follow the best practices outlined herein to make sure your project adheres to the fundamental standards. Your winning point is working with professionals who’ve got the expertise in the various site preparation aspects.
