The first step in concrete construction is generally excavation. The digging of your construction area is meant for the installation of support structures. Your excavation depth will be influenced by the weight of your construction materials and the weight it will be expected to bear along with the size of your building. For some property developers or even property owners who want to add an extra concrete structure on their properties, excavation is a simple task that includes a shovel and some digging.
The excavation of residential and commercial concrete construction for Salt Lake City properties nonetheless starts with picking the ideal technique. To this end, this task is best left to a knowledgeable professional with the right tools. This is your only option for guaranteeing the durability of your structures and its ability to withstand the most adverse elements. Here are tidbits on the excavation techniques used by professionals when handling concrete structures.
Full Open-Cut Method
The two types of full open-cut excavation are sloped and cantilever excavation methods. Sloped full open-cut excavation is often the cheaper of the two since you do not need support to hold your foundation wall with the sloping sides. Though the cantilever open-cut technique will need retaining walls to avert the collapse of your excavated site’s sides, it needs no backing. To this end, it is considered the better choice for very deep excavations.
Bracing Method
This requires the installation of straight struts in front of your excavation’s retaining walls. These struts are meant to hold the material pressure from your retaining walls. Bracing systems comprise center, end, and corner posts, struts, and wales. The weight from earth material will be transferred to your horizontal struts through the wale while the end and corner braces reduce the wale span without an increase in your strut number. The center posts, on the other hand, are meant to avert the struts’ failure.
Anchored Method
Here, anchors will be installed to counteract the earth’s pressure. The bonded portions of your anchors generate an anchoring force that will hold up against earth loads. The unbounded ones will move pressure to the anchor’s head that then transfers loads to your retaining walls. The anchoring force essential for your construction is primarily dependent on the soil strength. Anchoring takes minimal time but cannot be used in deep excavations and granular or clay soils with high water tables.
Island Method
Here, the excavation center will be dug before the excavated material is placed close to your retaining walls to generate a slope. Afterward, the major section of your excavated structure will be constructed at the excavation site’s center. Struts are placed between your main structure and the retaining walls though these will be later removed. If the excavation is too deep, your contractor might use the braced or anchored technique to strengthen the sloped materials.
The above excavation techniques are nothing you can take for granted in your construction. The ideal choice for your project will depend on your available budget, building conditions, and the allowable timeframe. The state of adjacent constructions and the available equipment also play a role in the excavation method a contractor will recommend.