By- Kokebe Yifru -Adama University Department of Civil Engineering & Arc- 20010/2011

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS 3.1 Introduction

Excavation & Earth work Includes Site clearance Removal of trees, bushes and Vegetations Removal of termite hills Removal of structures Excavation Topsoil Excavation Excavation to reduce levels Excavation for foundation
Backfilling Disposal of excavated material

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

3.1 Introduction cont

The earth work of foundation of a building involves the following operations:1. 2. 3.

Preparing Foundation plan Setting out of foundation trenches Excavation of foundation

3.2 Setting out

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

3.2 Setting out foundation trenches

Setting out or ground tracing is the process of laying down the excavation lines and center lines etc. on the ground, before excavation is started.

'Setting out', as practiced on civil engineering and building sites, is the locating of the works to be constructed, ensuring that they are dimensionally within permissible tolerances and correctly constructed.

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

3.2 Setting out.
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Setting out is essentially an aid to the labour force and must necessarily be provided in a form that is easy for them to use and understand; the information must be reliable and must be available as and when required.

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

3.2 Setting out.
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Errors in setting out will in most cases result in remedial works which will be expensive. Whatever lines or levels are provided should be checked to be sure of their accuracy, and they should be provided to the foreman efficiently so that he can have the necessary confidence in them.

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3.2 Setting out foundation trenches cont..
Steps in marking points1. 2.

Establish reference points Fix wooden pegs and batten boards (poling boards) around the site to excavated. Each peg may be projected about 2550mm above ground level and may be driven at a distance of about 2m from the edges of excavation;

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

Steps in marking points- 3. Mark the center line of the walls; 4. Mark the plinth lines:-these are lines making the inside and the outside of walls; 5. Check the right angles ( by stretching strings and forming triangles with sides 3, 4 and 5 units, and for big projects using surveying equipments)

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3.2 Setting out foundation trenches c0nt..
Steps in marking points6. If all dimensions are correct and all corners are at their angles, mark the cutting lines on the ground (using lime) NB- It is essential to have permanent reference marks, which should
not get disturbed as the excavation proceeds.

3.3 Excavation of foundation trenches

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3.3 Excavation of foundation trenches

Excavation of foundation trenches can be done either manually with the help of conventional implements (spade, pick axe, etc) or with the help of special mechanical equipments. (Read) Working safely in excavations The most important rule is to make sure that the sides of the excavation are always supported or safe from collapsing.

3.4 Timbering of foundation trench

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS cont.

3.4 Timbering of foundation trench

The process of supporting the sides of foundation trenches by means of wooden members is called timbering of foundation trench. When the depth of foundation trench is large, or when the sub soil is loose, the side of foundation trench may irregularly form a cave like hollow (concave). The problem can be solved by timbering.

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3.5 Methods of Timbering of foundation trench
1.Stay bracing Used in fairly firm soil. When the depth of excavation is <=2m

Consists of placing vertical sheets (called sheeting) or polling boards opposite each other against the two walls of the trench and holding them in position by one or two rows of struts. Generally placed at an interval of 2 to 4 meters.

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3.5 Methods of Timbering
2. Box Sheeting Is adopted in loose soil. When the depth of excavation is <=4m

Consists of placing vertical sheets very near to each other

(some times touching to each other) and keeping them in position by longitudinal rows (usually two) of wales. Struts are then provided across the wales.

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3.5 Methods of Timbering
3. Vertical Sheeting Is adopted for soft ground. When the depth of excavation is <=10m

Similar to box sheeting except Each stage is limited to 3m depth The offset may vary from 25 to 50cm per stage.

excavation is carried out in stage.

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3.5 Methods of Timbering
4. Runner system

Used in extremely loose and soft ground, which needs immediate support as excavation progresses. Similar to vertical sheeting or box sheeting, except that in the place of vertical sheeting, runners, made of long thick wooden sheets or planks are provided. The runners are driven about 30cm in advance of the progress of the work, by hammering.

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3.5 Methods of Timbering
5. Sheet piling This method is adopted when1. 2. 3. 4.

The soil is soft or loose The depth of excavation is large The width of the trench is large There is sub-soil water

Sheet piles are designed to resist lateral earth pressure. Are driven in the ground by mechanical means (pile driving equipment). They can be used for excavating to a very large depth.

By - Kokebe Yifru -Adama University Department of Civil Engineering & Arc- 2009/2010

3. TIMBERING & EXCAVATIONS

Assignment Discuss the methods of improving safe bearing capacity of soils. 2. Explain the problems of foundations on black cotton soil briefly.(max 10 pages)
1.

Summary By Group 4

Thank You!!