1 Earthworks
1 Earthworks
10 MYM
1.1 List the two categories of foundations and describe how they will transfer the loads of the
structure to the soil. (5)
Shallow foundation- Transfer the loads of the structure to the soil at a point near to the
ground floor of the building. Less than 1.5m deep.
Deep foundation- Transfer the load of the structure to the soil some distance below the
ground floor of the building. Deeper than 3.0m.
1.3 Construction plant is divided into three categories. List the machineries that fall into the
different categories? (11)
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1.1 List three factors that determine the choice and design of foundations for structures. (3)
Total load of the building
Nature and bearing capacity of the soil
Settlement of the soil
1.5 What four factors must be considered when selecting excavation plant? (4)
Site conditions Activities that need to be carried out
Volume of work Economics of hiring equipment
1.6 Compaction plant is designed to compact filling material and surface finishes.
Describe a Static Weight Roller to your friend.
Rely on dead weight of the machine to carry out compaction.
Usually diesel powered and driven by a seated operator.
They distribute dead weight loads to the ground through:
a) two large diameter steel wheels at the rear and
b) one large steel drum in the front.
Many carry water tanks that can be filled with water to add to the dead weight.
Some are equipped with a steel tooth at the rear of the vehicle
for ripping up hard surfaces like roads.
11 MYM
Bearing capacity: Is the safe load per unit area that the ground can carry,
measured in kN/m2
Bearing pressure: Is the pressure produced on the ground by the applied loads
Measured in kN/m2
1.1 You requested you fellow workers to temporary support the sides of an excavation.
What was the purpose of the supports? (5)
1.2 How will you determine the nature and bearing capacity of the soil? (6)
1.1 You were requested by your friends to explain to them what you understand by
earthworks in modern engineering. (6)
1.2 With an aid of a sketch discuss what type of foundation will be used where the soil has a
low bearing capacity. (5)
1.3 What is the most versatile earth moving plant available on a construction site and give
reasons to substantiate your answer. (6)
1.1 After the boundary pegs are placed how you will go about clearing and leveling the site.
(9)
The site has to be cleared of vegetation, bushes, trees, topsoil,
and any other unwanted features.
The removal of tree and bushes can either be done manually or mechanically.
Construction plant like bulldozers and front end loaders are used for this purpose.
All unusable material is removed from the site by truck.
The removal of existing buildings is best left to demolition experts.
The removal of large tree can be just as dangerous and
it is best to call in experts from the municipal or state forestry department.
1.3 For the construction of deep basement, what basic earthworks methods can one use? (4)
Perimeter trench
Raking struts
Cofferdams
Diaphragm walls
11 YEM
1.1 What are the different ways one can interpret earthworks in modern engineering
depending on the process they are involved in? (6)
A geotechnical engineer will interpret earthworks as dealing with soils in general.
A structural engineer and building contractor will interpret earthworks with reference to
foundations.
A road engineer will look at general earthworks in relation to road layerworks.
1.2 Briefly describe the three types of caissons used in constructing foundations. (9)
Box caissons: are open at the top and closed at the bottom.
They are designed to be sunk on to a prepared foundation below water level where erosion cannot
undermine them.
Box caissons are most suited for compacted inerodable gravel or rock, but can also be used on uneven
rock surfaces if all the loose material is removed and replaced by a blanket of sound crushed rock.
Open caissons, as the name suggests, are open at the top and bottom, and sunk through excavation of
the soil inside the caisson.
Soil suitable for this method of construction includes soft clays, silts, sands and gravels.
On reaching the required foundation level, open caissons are sealed by depositing a layer of concrete
underwater in the bottom of the wells .
The wells are then pumped dry and more concrete is placed, after which the caisson can be filled
with clean sand or concrete.
Pneumatic caissons have a working chamber in which air is maintained above atmospheric pressure
to prevent ingress of water into the excavation.
Pneumatic caissons are used in preference to open well caissons in situations where excavations in
unstable soil conditions will result in the possible settlement of adjacent structures. They are also
used in variable ground or through ground with obstructions, where an open caisson would tilt or
refuse further sinking.
Excavations inside pneumatic caissons can take place under relatively dry conditions and, once the
necessary level is reached, the sealing concrete is placed.
1.3 While excavating on site the contractor experiences loose soil conditions, you will need to
provide him with a drawing showing a section how to support the sides of the trench. (8)
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11 YES
1.2 Normally a contactor or a qualified engineer does the design of timbering. What factors
determine the type and amount of timbering needed? (6)
1.3 A backactor excavating plant is the most common plant. Explain? (6)