1. Site Work

2. Major Topics Site Plans/Surveys Grading Compacting/Erosion Earthwork
Soil
Surface & Groundwater
Paving and Surfacing Materials

3. Site Plans Include: All information shown on a survey
Changes in topography or grade
Demolition of existing construction
Exact location of new construction

4. Surveys Legal description of a piece of land
Typically done by a registered land surveyor
Surveys include the boundaries and elevations of land plots and buildings (in text and drawings)

5. Topography or Grade Contour lines show elevation
Closer the contour lines are together- the steeper the slope
This information is critical in determining how much earth must be moved to prepare site for structure being built

6. Grading
Both the rough and final grades on a building site are established by grading, using power equipment and hand tools.
Grading is needed wherever slabs, pavement, walks, and landscaping is anticipated.
Finish grading should slope downward away from the building at a minimum of 6 inches/ 10 feet (about 5 %).

7. Compacting
Compacting applies energy to soil to consolidate it by compressing air voids to increase the soils dry density.
Minimizes settling
Increases load-bearing capabilities
Increases soil stability
Reduces water penetration

8. Slope Protection & Erosion Control
Building codes often dictate prevention of erosion
Possible methods used include:
Filter fabrics – open weaved mats of nylon or other synthetic materials
Riprap – a layer of stone or broken concrete used to control or divert the flow of water

9. Earthwork
Involves some type of cutting (excavation) or filling of soil materials
The level down to which the materials are removed is determined by the contract documents
This phase of site work is referred to as “rough grading”
Soil testing is usually performed at this time

10. Fill and Backfill
Soils used for fill should contain no vegetation or foreign materials that would cause uneven settlement.
Beneath slabs a base course (4 “ thick mixture of gravel, crushed stone, sand, or crushed slag) should be provided.
See figure on page 1079 for acceptable soils to use for fill

11. Soil Testing Identify the materials on the site Determine Soil density
Moisture Content
Load-bearing capacity
Shear Strength
Plasticity index
Analyze the gain size of soil particles

12. Soil Types Division Description Value as a foundation material
Gravel and Gravelly Soils
Well-graded;
Gravel-sand mixtures; little or no fines
Excellent to good
Sand and Sandy Soils
Silty sands, sand-silt mixtures
Fair
Silts and Clays
Organic silt-clay of low plasticity
Poor to very poor

13. Primary Soil Considerations:
Dewatering-
Critical in sub-surface foundations (basement –earth sheltered)
Open-drain (French) & gravel used to lead water away
Pumps may also be used to remove excess water
Compaction – critical !! - to prevent uneven load settlement

14. Soil Considerations con’t:
Stabilization – use various additives to adjust the properties of soil
Poisoning- used to control termites * Note: certain chemicals are no longer used due to environmental concerns

15. Termite Control
Subterranean termites pose a great hazard to building materials – especially in mild climates
Termites live underground but build tubes of earth to reach wood, fiberboard, fabrics, and paper. They must have a constant source of water or they will die
They enter a structure by attacking wood in contact with the ground, through small cracks, or by flying.

16. Soil Poisoning
Because of environmental concerns many chemicals are no longer used for this
Acceptable termiticides include:
Chlorpyrifos
Cypermethrin
Fenvalerate
Isofenphos
Permethrin

17. Surface & Groundwater
Surface water – most problems with this arise from improper grading
Slabs on grade – problems may be eliminated by proper grading, selecting correct base materials, and installation of a vapor retarder
Vapor Retarder – this membrane should resist deterioration, be thick enough to resist penetration (usually 6 mils), and be overlapped 6 inches during installation
Common material used is polyethelene sheeting

18. Paving & Surfacing Different materials are used to perform each
Paving – uses concrete, stone, or brick
Surfacing – uses flexible and water-bound surfaces

19. Asphalt
Is a dark-brown to black, solid or semi-solid, mainly composed of Bitumens (a tarry mixture of hydrocarbons)
Bitumens also used in:
Water proofing coatings
Sheet Water proofing
Damp proofing below grade
Asphalt moves into a liquid state when heated
Coal Tar Pitch – greater water resistance than asphalt, good adhesive properties, unlike asphalt - contains very little bitumen

20. References
Construction Materials and Processes, 3rd Edition. Watson, Don A.. McGraw-Hill, Imprint ISBN:
Construction Principles, Materials, and Methods, Seventh Edition. H. Leslie Simmons, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2001.
Olin’s Construction Principles, Materials, and Methods, Eighth Edition. H. Leslie Simmons, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2007.
Architectural Materials for Construction, Rosen, Harold J. and Heineman, Tom. McGraw-Hill, ISBN:
Basic Construction Materials, 6th Edition. Marotta, Theodore W. Prentice Hall, ISBN: X
Building Construction: Materials and Types of Construction, 6th Edition, Ellison, Donald C., Huntington, W.C., Mickadeit, Robert E.. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN:
Architectural Graphic Standards: Student Edition, Abridgment of 9th Edition. The American Institute of Architects. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: