3.

0 EXTERNAL WORKS
3.1 Understand external works
3.1.1 Describe site clearance and earthwork in the early
stage of construction
3.1.2 Explain the construction of road.
a. Flexible pavement
b. Rigid pavement

3.1.3 Determine the advantages and disadvantages of

flexible pavement and rigid pavement.
3.1.4 Describe types of road furniture.
3.1.5 Explain the road drainage system.
3.1.6 Explain the construction of the pedestrian walkways.
3.1.7 Explain the construction of retaining wall
a. Purpose of retaining wall.
b. Types of retaining wall.
c. Construction process of retaining wall.

3.1.8 Describe the construction of gate and fencing

3.1.9 Explain types of landscape
a. Hard landscape
b. Soft landscape
SITE CLEARANCE
&

EARTHWORK
GROUNDWORKS

Typical groundwork activities include:

■ Site clearance
■ Site preparation
■ Excavation of foundation trenches
■ Groundwater control
SITE CLEARANCE & EARTHWORKS
■ It is a normal practice for any above ground
clearance requirements, such as removal of tress,
bushes, wall, slabs, buildings etc. to be shown on
a site plan.
■ It can also involve the clearance of fly-tipped
materials.
■ Earthwork is a process whereby the surface of the
earth is excavated and transported to and
compacted at another location.
■ Frequently carried out at an early stage in a
construction project
SITE CLEARANCE & EARTHWORKS
Things to be considered in planning of earthwork:
■ The information contained in site investigation
reports
■ Factors which affect the practical planning and
cots of earthwork operation:
– Nature and extent of excavation
– Available work area
– Disposal of soil
– Existing services and structures
– Ground condition
– Contract duration and weather prospects
SITE CLEARANCE

■ Whereas a Brownfield site, having

been previously developed, may need
extensive demolition and clearance of
concrete slabs etc. before any
excavation can commence.
CONTAMINATED
GROUND
■ Due to increase in use of brownfield sites,
and regulations imposed by the government,
many sites have to be decontaminated
before structures can be built on them.
■ This often involves the contaminated soil
being totally removed from site and being
replaced by clean soil when the site is
landscaped.
PROTECTION OF TRESS

■ Trees may have a ‘preservation order’ placed

on them by the local authority.
■ The removal of other trees generally is
subject to agreement with the planning
authority before the work on site commences
(usually at planning stage)
REMOVAL OF WASTE

■ the ground to be built upon must

be reasonably clear of vegetable
soil and matter.

This photograph shows the organic vegetable or topsoil layer

on top of the lighter coloured subsoil below.
REMOVAL OF WASTE

■ Waste material can be removed by lorry or

skip to a licensed landfill site, or if the waste
is inert, such as brick rubble or subsoil, it
can be used as ‘fill’ in certain earthworks.
■ This will generally reduce the cost of
removal of the waste to the contractor.
■ Burning of rubbish on building sites is not
normally allowed.
■ Masonry and concrete – to be crushed and
used for hardcore
Reduced Level Excavations
‘Cut and fill’ techniques are used to provide a level
base for construction on sloping sites This method
requires compaction of filled areas of soil, in layers.
■ Grading and levelling is carried out by The soil for filling may be ‘won’ from the cut areas.
the use of any of the following methods: The cut area will be already sufficiently compact.
– Cut.
– Cut and fill.
– Fill.
■ ‘Cut’ is the process of removal of high
ground to produce a level work area.
This method results in a solid and
compact base.
TRENCH EXCAVATION

Factors that influence the choice of methods for

excavation include:
■ Volume of subsoil to be excavated.
■ Nature of the site.
■ Type of soil (e.g. stone requires mechanical
excavation).
■ Time constraints (how much time available for
excavation).
■ Safety of operatives
All services below ground should be
protected and identified by the following
methods:
Service providers
should also have
plans and
information on
where the
location of pipes
and cables are
before you start
digging!
GROUNDWATER CONTROL

■ Water can be classified as

either:
– Surface water.
– Ground water.
– Subsoil water.
Problems Caused by Subsoil Water

■ The contractor must, therefore,

resist the ingress of water into
excavations as much as possible.
This is typically done by employing
pumps.

A vacuum piston pump being used to reduce ground

water from an excavation
 LIST FOR SITE CLEARANCE &
EARTHWORK
■ Clearing undergrowth
■ Cutting down trees
■ Cutting down hedges
■ Excavation to reduce level
■ Filling with imported material
■ Filling re-use
■ Disposal of excavated material
■ Extra over excavation in rock
■ Disposal of surface water