Earthworks in road construction can be defined as all the operations involved in the loosening, removing and depositing of earth, soil and rock. The principal earthworks operations are :-
• Stripping vegetation and topsoil
• Loosening material in cutting and borrow pits
• Excavating material
• Loading material from cuts etc. and hauling to fills or to spoil
• Spreading, shaping, watering, compacting and trimming the fill material.
Earthworks in road construction belong the several sections and deals with the construction of earthworks cuttings and embankments and also the cost of earthworks is a major part of the total job cost, it is essential that the construction managers and project managers :-
(1) has a sound knowledge of the specification requirements,
(2) plans and supervises, directs and control ; the job in the most efficient and economical way.
(3) gives close attention to the selection of the correct plant, and
(4) has a sound knowledge of correct operational procedures.
The types of earthworks plant available, its use and its management are also required the close attention to carry job constantly.
Specification Requirements for Earthworks
Details of the standard of work and the quality of materials are contained in the job specifications. Since the project manager must always ensure that the work for which he is responsible meets the standards specified, the specification requirements must be fully understood.
Planning Earthworks Operation
In order to obtain satisfactory and economical results an earthworks job must be adequately planned by the consulting engineer and project manager. Broadly speaking planning may be divided into two operations, viz :
(1) Pre-construction planning and programming which must be carried out well in advance of job commencement by the project engineer in consultation with the supervisor.
Though the engineer is responsible for drawing up the works program, the project manager can assist him greatly in this task by contributing his knowledge and experience. The consultant will benefit by becoming thoroughly familiar with the programmed plan of operations.
(2) Construction planning which involves the day-to-day organization and supervision of the job by the consulting supervisor.