EXCAVATION & TIMBERING

03
SITE ANALYSIS - SITE INVESTIGATION- SITE PREPARATION- SETTING OUT
Prepared By Saurav Shrestha
3. EXCAVATION
EXCAVATION
 Any man-made cut or cavity or trench or
depression in on earths surface formed by
earths removal
 In simple words , excavation means digging.

TRENCHES
 A narrow excavation in relation to its length
made below the ground surface.
 Depth of trench is greater than its width but
not wider than 15feet.
3. EXCAVATION

IMPLEMENTS USED FOR EXCAVATION

3. EXCAVATION
EXCAVATION HAZARD
1. Water Accumulation When water is present in an excavation is extremely
hazardous to enter
2. Oxygen Deficiency Test excavation is done for more than 4 feet before employee
enters in excavation to check :
- Oxygen deficiency
- Highly combustible gas concenteration
- High levels of other hazardous materials
3. Access/ Egress A stairway, ladder or ramp must be present in excavation
that are 4 ft or above in depth and must be within 25 ft. of
employees. Ladder should extend 3 ft above the excavation.
4. Falls Most accidents occur in trenches 5-15 feet. There is usually
no warning before cave-in
3. EXCAVATION
PRIOR CONSIDERATION BEFORE EXCAVATION
1. Verify location of underground utilities.

2. Confirm that all applicable permits and approvals are second.

3. Review soil borings and other geotechnical information.

4. Observe existing drainage pattern

5. Plan access and excavation patterns

6. Determine handling of Spoils

7. Verify original ground surface.

(compare existing contours or cross section shown on the plan)
3. EXCAVATION
KEY TO SUCCESSFUL EARTHQUAKE EXCAVATION

1. Control surface and sub-surface excavation

2. Maintain optimum moisture range by drying , mixing or metling

3. Identify and monitor cuts and fill quantities

4. Good layout (horizontal and vertical)

5. Minimize Handling and Minimize stockpiling

3.1. EXCAVATION TYPES
ORDINARY EXCAVATION
 No support is required
 No water is met
 If depth of excavation is small (i.e. Depth up to 1.5m)

DEEP EXCAVATION
 If trench side is deep enough , it requires external support (side support)
 Depth above 1.5m

MAJOR PROBLEMS IN DEEP EXCAVATION

1. Measures to prevent the collapsing side of the trench. (Timbering is needed for this)
2. Measures to prevent the capillary water from oozing into trenches. (De-watering needed)
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
During excavation in waterlogged areas, the water oozing in the trenches from
sides and bottom pose a bigger and tedious problem. Trenches will have to be
kept water free when excavations are being done. Dewatering process is
applied for this purpose.

DE-WATERING
 Process of removing water or lowering the water table within construction
site to provide dry working platform.
 Normally, dewatering process is done by pumping or evaporation.
 Usually done prior to excavation for footings or to lower the water table that
might be causing problems during excavation.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

I. By providing constructing the drains.

II. By providing sumps and pumping units.
III. By cement grouting
IV. Freezing process
V. Well point system
VI. Chemical consolidation of the soil
VII. By constructing sand drains
VIII. Electro osmosis process
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

I. By providing constructing the drains.

 In this method, drains are constructed on both sides of trench. The ground water
which otherwise would have reached the trench is intercepted by these drains and
trenches of foundation can be maintained free from oozing waters. These drains are
given suitable bed slope and connected to nearby drain . If no low spot is available ,
water may be collected at a central place and bailed out from time to time.
 Cheapest of all dewatering methods and useful only in case of shallow foundations in
water logged areas.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

2. By providing sumps and Pumping Units.

 Suitable when excavation are deep and quanitity of sub-soil water to be handled is large.
 In this system, sumps also known as wells, are constructed along the sides of the
trenches. Side drains are constructed along the bottom of the trenches by giving suitable
slope so that water getting access to these drain is led to the sumps. The water thus
collected is continuously pumped out by means of centrifugal pumps. The sumps may be 1m x
1m x 1m in size and side drains 200mm diameter semicircular. Sizes of sumps and drains
actually depend upon the area they are incharge of and intensity of seepage from subsoil.
Center to center spacing of sumps along the centre line of the trenches may vary from
40 to 60m.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

2. By providing sumps and Pumping Units.

3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

3. By cement grouting .
 Used for stopping leakages from rocks or soft soils.
 Stopping leakage from rocks : if soft patches are noticed in rocks, holes are drilled whose
depth, direction and inclination are varied depending upon the kind of the rock. Thereafter
the cement grout is prepared by adding sufficient water to the cement and holes are
filled with grout under pressure. The process of grouting is continued till no grout is coming
through the hole. No holes should be left unfilled.
 Stopping leakage from soft soils : In this case, the process of formation of channels of
least resistance is undertaken before grouting. For this purpose, two pipes are driven at
small distance, and water is forced through one of the pipes until water appears in the
second pipe. Thus, number of channels of least resistance are formed in soil. Now, cement
grout is continued till grout appears in another pipe. The grout thus forced in the soil
around the trenches and thus, water proofing layer is formed and water leakage into the
trenches is prevented.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

3. By cement grouting .
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

4. Freezing Process
 In this process area under excavation is frozen and the soil is converted into wall of frozen
of earth.
 First, 100 to 150mm diameter steel pipes closed from bottom are driven into the ground
at an interval of 1-1.5m surrounding the area to be excavated. 25 to 50 mm diameter
small pipes (open-ended or perforated pipe)are inserted into the large pipe and
connected to a common pipe linked with refrigeration plant.
 Secondly, the cold water or other liquid is circulated through circuit at -23 degree
Celsius to -30 degree. The cold liquid coming through small pipes goes up through large
pipes. If proper control is maintained in this process a wall of considerable thickness can
be developed and excavation of the enclosed area can be done without much difficulty.
 Applicable only in case of water bearing sand, gravel or silt soil.
 Very expensive process and stability of frozen soil is unreliable for longer times.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

4. Freezing Process
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

 This method keeps an excavated area free from ground water by intercepting ground water
flow with the help of well-points driven deep into the ground. The well points are driven
surrounding the area to be excavated at nearly 1m intervals. The essential part of well-point
system are well-point riser pipe, swinger arm, and header pipe.
 Well point : It is 40 to 50mm dia pipe with 1m to 1.2m length which is fitted with valve at
its bottom. The valve acts in such a way that it opens when water is forced into the pipe and
closes when suction is applied to the pipe. Well point pipe is provided with holes and these
holes are covered with a fine mesh screen.
 Riser pipe : It is a vertical pipe (with same diameter of wellpoint) is sunk into the ground
jetting method and is connected to the well point at its bottom.
 Swinger arm : It is pipe that connects upper end of riser pipe with header pipe above ground.
 Header pipe: it is pipe laid surrounding the area to be excavated which is connected to well-
points through swinger arms which in turn is connected to pumping unit.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

Process :
 First all position of well points to be sunk are marked around the area to be excavated
where spacing between well points is dependent upon nature of ground and intensity of ground
water flow. (In general 1m or so)
 Well point is jetted down to the required depth by forcing water through it at the rate of 25
litres per second. This water jet emanating from the well point pipe dislodges the soil and
enables well point and riser pipe to be sunk to the desired depth.
 After all well points are sunk and installed they all should be connected to the common header
pipe through individual tee-piece and swinger arm. The header pipe is finally connected to the
suction pump.
 When suction pump is run , it creates suction or vacuum inside the well point pipes and riser
pipes and water starts coming out from the ground and the level of ground water table is
lowered. Water enters into the well point through perforations or holes provided around the
well point.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

Process :
 The practical limit upto which water can be lifted by suction is about 5m and thus in single
stage suction , water table can be lowered to only about 5m depth.
 If excavation has to go deeper than 5m , two stage or multi stage well point may be provided
 If area to excavated is clayey soil, it is not possible to pump out water through well points as
capillary forces prevents flow of water from soil pores. Under such circumstances, the water
table is lowered by adopting consolidation of soil method in which consolidation of soil is
carried out by vacuum system of well points.
 Consolidation of soil : In this filter media is tilled around well pipe such that clay seals entry
of air from filter media of well point . When pumping is carried out by suction pipe,
considerable vacuum is created in well point and the resultant pressure consolidates the soil
and water oozing out into the wellpoint which is pumped out)
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

5. Well point System

3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

6. Chemical consolidation of Soils

 In this method, the soil around the area to be excavated is solidified using solutions of
chemical compounds like silicate of soda and calcium chloride.
 First the pipes like well points are driven into the ground surrounding the area to be
excavated. One of above mentioned chemicals are forced into these pipes. After reaching the
desired depth , pipes are withdrawn and second chemical is forced through the pipe. As a
consequence, both chemical reacts chemically and solidifies the soil.
 This process is very expensive and should not be used in ordinary conditions.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

7. Electro-osmosis

 In case of very fine soil, it becomes difficult to be drained because such soils have very poor
permeability . These soils tend to hold the water by capillary action.
 When direct current is passed through the two electrodes driven in the saturated soil , water
contained in the soil is repelled by positive electrode (i.e anode) and is attracted by
negative electrode (i.e cathode) .
 When cathode electrodes are put into well points and anode electrodes at mid-distance
between two well points and direct current passed through them, the flow of ground water
towards cathodes i.e well points is increased, from where it is pumped out and rainage of the
area is achieved .
 Very expensive process as it involves use of very expensive equipments.
3.2. Excavation in Water Logged areas
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR DEWATERING TRENCHES

7. Electro-osmosis
3.3. Protective systems in excavation
1 Shoring Support system for trench faces that
prevents soil movement, underground
utilities and foundation .
Types : Timber, Hydraulic, Pneumatic and
Screw jack systems.
2 Shielding Support system that includes trench box
to protect workers from cave-in or any
other accident.

3 Sloping Excavation is done in an inclination to

prevent cave-in or soil erosion near
trenches.
4 Slope and Excavation is done in an inclination and
shield shield is placed at the bottom.
Combination of sloping and shielding
3.3. Protective systems in excavation
SHORING & TYPES
Types : timber, hydraulic, Pneumatic & screw
and jacks systems
1 Timber Simple support system with timber
sheeting, wale and strut. Timber shoring Pneumatic shoring
2 Hydraulic A Prefabricated strut or wale
system of aluminium or steel.
More safe, easy installation,
adaptable for various types of
trenches
3 Pneumatic Similar to hydraulic but uses air Hydraulic system

pressure
4 Screw & Includes struts of a screw jack
jacks system that has to adjusted
system manually
Screw and Jacks system
3.4. TIMBERING IN TRENCHES
TIMBERING
Process of arranging timber planks in trenches to provide temporary
support to the collapsible sides of the trench

3.4.1. TIMBER MEMBERS USED IN TIMBERING

1. Sheeting Timber planks which are vertically placed in
(poling boards) direct contact of sides of trench.
2. Waling or Intermediate timber pieces used to transfer
Wales load from sheeting to the strut. It is mostly
horizontal.
3. Strut Timber pieces that maintains fixed distance
between sheeting or walings
4. Bracing Inclined timber piece used to impart rigidity to
framework of timbering.
3.4. TIMBERING IN TRENCHES
3.4.2. METHODS USED IN TIMBERING
1. Stay - Only vertical boards and struts used
bracing - Suitable for moderately firm soil
- For 1m trench, 1 layer of struT and above 1m , row of
struts.
2. Box - If soil is too loose, vertical sheets, wales and struts
sheeting are used in combination
3. Vertical - For deep excavation ( 8-10m), combination of box
sheeting and stay bracing is used.
4. Runners - Used for very bad soil
- Runners used in place of vertical sheeting
5. Sheet - Used to prevent soil to slip
Piling - When large area to be excavated and soil is loose.
- Upto 10m (timber piles) and above 10m (steel
piles
3.4. TIMBERING IN TRENCHES
3.4.2. METHODS USED IN TIMBERING
Wale

Polling Vertical
board sheeting

Strut

Stay bracing Box sheeting

Wale

Runner

Soil to be
excavate
d

Vertical sheeting Runner system Sheet piling

3.4. TIMBERING IN TRENCHES
3.4.3. PRECAUTIONS IN TIMBERING OF TRENCHES
1. Possibility of slip of earth .
- Cracks are developed before slipping and thus can be avoided.
2. Testing of timbering elements.
- If too much spacing of timbering elements > buckling or bending > thus needs to be checked.
3. Safety of adjacent structures
- Proper temporary support to be given to the foundation and substructure of adjacent building.
4. Traffic
- Movement of trucks , wagons, other mechanical equipment's should not be allowed too close.
5. Ladder provision > no of ladder to provide escape to safety ( an extra ladder in every 15m)

6. Safety Helmets > to protect from possible injuries.

7 Supervision > supervision for welfare of workers in the trench

8 First and Box > to treat minor accidents and injuries on site.
9 Fencing and Lighting > to prevent any person falling in the trench and lights to avoid accidents.
IMPORTANT REFERENCES
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BY R. CHUDLEY
PAGE 251-256