Site Preparation for Construction: Types, Checklist, and Importance of Proper Site Preparation

What Is Site Preparation?

Site preparation involves various activities like demolition of old existing construction, clearing of building sites, underground service, wire mapping, site surveying, and layout and anti-termite treatment before starting construction work.

Sometimes, construction site preparation requires blasting, test drilling, landfill, leveling, earth-moving, excavating, land drainage, and other land preparation

Construction Site Preparation work is essential for any project. It is important to prepare a construction site before the main construction activities started.

The Construction site may have lots of obstructions like old buildings or structures, big trees, sloping ground, loose soil, and underground services. This may create problems during construction work.

Therefore before starting any site preparation for construction is a must for the smooth running of construction projects.

Types of Site Preparation

Following are the types of site preparation for construction,

1. Soil Testing and Report Analysis
2. Demolition of Old Structure
3. Underground Service and Wire Mapping
4. Site Surveying and Layout
5. Site Clearing
6. Site Excavation and Earthwork
7. Compaction of Construction Project Site
8. Anti-Termite Treatment
9. Start Construction Work

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1. Soil Testing and Reports Analysis

Soil testing is essential before planning and designing any construction project. Without knowing the properties of soil we cannot design any structure.

Soil geotechnical investing is carried out to know the properties of soil, types of soil, and its load-bearing capacity. So, the structural designers can decide whether soil requires any strengthening treatment or not.

Soil testing reports various different details like type of foundation appropriate for the site, settlements and related recommendations, liquefaction possibilities, slope stability, groundwater level, soil bearing capacity, excavation-related hazards, soil strength, soil classification, and much more information are provided in the geotechnical reports.

This soil investing provides valuable information about the properties of soil and its behavior in the future. If the construction site is near an earthquake-prone area, then necessary testing and recommendation should be included in the geotechnical report.

2. Demolition of Old Structure

The demolition of the old structure is important in construction site preparation work. If there is any old structure then prepare a plan to demolish it with the help of the demolition team. Demolition must include,

• Which structure on-site needs to be demolished?
• What are structures on-site which require repairs, not demolition?

If the structure is required partial demolition, you should make sure the remaining part of the structure remains safe as per building rules and regulations.

For example, if any part of the building needs cracking then the necessary care should take to support other structures connected with it.

In this stage, the presence structural engineer or any other competent professional might be necessary to monitor any movement or cracking.  

Without a doubt, Systematic planning and work will help determine methods and procedures in order to identify hazards, ensure the safe disposal of materials, and comply with legislation requirements.

As for the demolition of a structure, you may also need an asbestos clearance certificate.

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3. Underground Service and Wire Mapping

While doing construction site preparation work and excavating in urban areas, near telecom service, or near to railway lines care should be taken no service line or underground wire breaks and disturbed due to work.

Therefore, as a precautionary measure, you should conduct an advance survey of underground assets or wire running below the ground before starting any construction excavation.

Write a letter to the telecom department, natural gas supply department, and electrical department to aware them of your work area.

This department receives your letter and verifies if there are service assets running underground in your workplace.

If they found any wire below your work area they will shift the wire from that location to any other so that no damage will happen due to work on site.

4. Site Surveying and Layout

Now, it is time to lay out the building plan and fix the exact position of the building. With the help of survey pegs or physical markers, a surveyor will locate the boundaries of the new building.

A land surveyor will position pegs on a construction site, which are further complemented with engineering and informational surveys. 

Other engineering surveys will assure that the building structure is built in the proper place and as designed, while the second one helps to obtain data concerning topography, drainage, and man-made features of the area.

A site layout plan is essential to have all of the important data at hand: where the new building will be located, access roads for construction vehicles, storage areas for supplies, the locations for drainage systems, etc.

Having the site set out at hand, you now know which area needs to be cleared of vegetation and rocks.

Read More: Types Of Estimate Used In Building Construction

5. Site Clearing

Construction site preparation work involves removing any underground wood, underbrush, trees, and rocks to a distance of approximately three meters from the building zone.

Topsoil quality is not good for structure, then removes and replace with a suitable type of soil. The site should be clear such it looks flat and clear without any undulation.

6. Site Excavation and Earthwork

As the layout of the building plan is transferred to the ground, the excavation work begins and the soil is removed to a required depth in which the foundation of the structure is placed.

There are different types of machinery used to excavate and transport soil at the project site. The type of machinery used for excavation is based on the soil type, how long the distance the soil needs to be transported, the soil site’s ability to carry the load, and site accessibility.

In case hard soil like rock is available on the construction site blasting, drilling, and machinery like boulders, backhoes, shovels, and scoopers are involved to excavate and transport blasted and drilled materials when rocks are present at the site.

7. Compaction of Construction Project Site

The soil at the base of the foundation must be compacted to the required degree which as per the IBC Code is 90% of maximum dry density. Compaction of soil at the base of the foundation is essential because it decreases settlement and consequently prevents undesired incidents.

For the compaction of soil, there are different methods are utilized ad tamping, rolling, and vibration. There is various machinery available in construction sites such as smooth wheel roller, sheep foot roller, rubber tire, crawler, and tamping plate compactor.

Compaction of soil as the base of the foundation not only improves the shear strength but also declines soil permeability and compressibility. Compaction of soil is important while doing construction site preparation.

Read More: Water Leaking From Ceiling Causes And Repairs

8. Anti-Termite Treatment

Anti-Termite treatment is essential for building constriction. Termites may eat timber items and another material contains cellulose as their principal food is timber. Termites are able to infiltrate into wall cavities, cracks in concrete slabs, and voids in walls or floors.

Check details of the nearby sites to justify the need for termite risk management is needed in your site.

9. Start Construction Work:

After all the task works of construction site preparation, we can now proceed to start our main construction activities. Site preparation is an essential task needed specialist skills to be carried out safely and appropriately.  

With well-construction site preparation work ensures uninterrupted working conditions for future construction work.

Construction Site Preparation Checklist

Careful construction site preparation will allow construction to proceed smoothly and efficiently with the least amount of confusion, disruption, or delays.

• For everyone’s safety, please inform your family and guests to enter the construction area cautiously and only when necessary.
• Always keep pets and kids away construction area and materials and tools.
• Contact your homeowners’ insurance agent and follow their recommendations for updating your policy to include your remodeling project.
• Inform your Production Supervisor how to use the security system and turn on/off the sprinkler system, if necessary.
• Move all furnishings and accessories from the construction area. Clear all walls, shelves, cabinets, and counters, and secure any items that have sentimental value or are irreplaceable.
• Provide clear access to the construction area and to secondary construction areas such as electrical service, ductwork, plumbing, etc.
• Always try to clear outside areas clear and adequate room for construction activities, as well as access for storage of materials and equipment. This may also include your garage and driveway.
• Remove any shrubbery, flowers, etc. that you want to save and replant.
• Identify and clearly label any salvageable items you wish to retain.
• We take precautionary measures to confine dust and debris, but since air is moving throughout your home, it is impossible to totally contain dust. You should:
• Cover or remove furnishings and other possessions from the construction area to protect against dust or other damage.
• Always close doors to other rooms and vacuum often to help control dust from spreading.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the site preparation is an important aspect of construction which lays the groundwork for a successful construction project.
By understanding the site preparation, include a various type of factors such as cleaning the site, demolition, grading and excavation, soil stabilization and utility installation.
Environmental consideration such as erosion control and protection of sensitive areas, to contribute a sustainable practice.
Moreover, prioritizing safety through proper signage, equipment and handling of hazardous material safeguard works and the surrounding environment.
By investing time and efforts into the throughout the construction site and it can proceed with confidence, resulting in quality outcomes and client satisfaction.

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