What are Groundworks?
Groundworks services are extremely important for any construction project whether domestic, commercial, or public. Before any construction project can even begin on a particular site, groundworks have to be conducted on the site. Groundworks construction is a much broader term than it sounds, it includes everything from analysing the soil conditions to excavation, from building the foundation to the final landscaping. Some of the basic services groundworks contractors provide include:
- Ground Investigation
- Site Clearance
- Construction of Substructures
- Foundations or Footings
- Ground Stabilization
- Underpinning
- Landscaping
Ground Investigation
This has to be the first step regardless of whether the construction project is a minor or a major one. No civil engineer wants unpleasant surprises in the middle of a construction project. A thorough ground investigation will teach you everything you need to know about the construction site at the right time. Ground investigation is not just a part of best industry practices when it comes to groundworks construction but is also a legal requirement in many situations. These investigations broadly include an analysis of the hydrological and geological condition of the site, soil conditions including contamination, and previous land use. How does this all help? construction workers and civil engineers will be able to decide how drainage/sewerage systems need to be installed. They will also be able to calculate the moisture content and the LBV (Load-bearing Value) of the soil. It will also help them identify if the soil has been contaminated previously because of landfills or other reasons. The necessary treatment and remedial measures will therefore be conveniently identified and utilized before any construction work begins. These may include excavation and re-filling of soil.
Site Clearance
A prospective construction site, especially for large construction projects, is hardly clear. This is especially true for large tracts of land which have remained vacant for years. Any vegetation, plantation, and trees will have to be cleared. Soil samples will be sent for analysis. Groundworks services also include excavations which will be carried out if required. The ground level will be made uniform and slopes will be created if required. Any previous structure, whether man-made or natural, will be demolished and levelled. Site clearance is just like preparing a canvas for a masterpiece painting. The clear it is, the neater will be the painting. All of these activities will be carried out in accordance with the local rules and regulations so that the construction company does not end up defending lawsuits instead of constructing the project at hand.
Constructing Foundations
Can one even imagine a tree without a trunk? The trunk carries the entire weight of the tree, including whatever grows or sits on the tree. The same is the relation of foundations with the infrastructure that stands upon them. Constructing the right foundation is one of the most technical, complicated, and important steps which groundworks contractors have to carry out. The right foundations are not only required for a strong footing but also compliance with British standards for construction. The idea is to build infrastructure that is safe not just for the inhabitants but also for neighbours and the environment. Foundations are designed and constructed based on several factors such as soil quality, load or weight of the entire structure, Surrounding structures/buildings, Trees, Drainage system, and other site conditions.
There are regulations in place which provide the allowable values for many of these and which have to be followed by construction companies. These factors will eventually decide not just the type of foundation most suitable for a groundwork’s construction but also the perimeters of the foundations. Depending on these factors, your contract builder may choose a shallow or a deep foundation. Within these categories, he will have to identify which type suits the project best. For instance, if it is a shallow foundation then should it be an isolated foundation or a combined foundation? strip footings or wide strip footings? If it is a deep foundation then which type? would the Caisson foundation be more suitable or pile foundations? All these and many other questions will have to be answered before an actual foundation is built. Groundworks services assist contractors and engineers in answering these questions.
A Ground bearing slabs is used for commercial and residential floor building. As these types of slabs stay in contact with the ground soil and have to withstand a lot of pressure, they are manufactured according to soil conditions and need curing for gaining adequate strength.
Landscaping
Another important part of groundworks services is landscaping. For residential projects, an example of a landscaping project in your garden. Without proper landscaping, it will look ordinary but with the right landscaping, the same garden will not only look beautiful but also add to the estate value of your property. Paved pathways and edging, pool design, fencing, fire pit, hardscaping (patios, walkways), plant material, etc. will give your lawn an entirely different look but it’s not just this that they have to be there, they have to be in the right and the most suitable position. Regardless of whether, it is a residential or a commercial project, landscaping is as necessary as the foundation itself.
Why groundwork is Important?
Let us recapture what we have learnt so far to understand why groundwork is Important:
- It helps groundworks contractors in providing first-hand information about soil conditions and what remedial measures (such as excavation and soil refilling) they will have to take for a safe build.
- It helps in identifying contaminations and leakages, enabling engineers to address them before they ruin a project.
- Contractors will also learn which approvals they need to acquire from the relevant authorities prior to beginning construction.
- It saves contractors from legal action by the government and other organizations.
- Groundworks will facilitate engineers and contractors in defining a proper construction layout.
- Groundworks safeguards inhabitants as well as adjacent structures and neighbours.
- Groundworks services provide the necessary information required for identifying the best foundation for a particular project as well as the suitable measurements.
