Introduction

The term ‘groundworks’ refers to work done to prepare sub-surfaces for the start of construction work.
Aside from any demolition or site enabling works that may need to be carried out, groundworks are
usually the first stage of a construction project and may include:

 Ground investigation.
 Site clearance.
 Substructure and ground stabilisation works.
 Site services.
 Landscaping.

Ground investigation

As a matter of good practice and a legal requirement of most local authorities, a ground investigation of
the site is generally carried out to help identify past land uses, stability and potential problems. These
investigations allow data to be accumulated and used for effective design, as well as allowing any
potential defects or issues, such as contamination or abandoned mine workings, to be considered.

An assessment of ground conditions typically includes geology,

hydrology, hydrogeology, soilconditions and contaminated land issues.

See: Ground conditions for more information.

Site clearance

As part of the initial preparatory works, the site will generally need to be cleared and the topsoiltaken up
from the footprint of the structure. The depth will depend on the lay of the land, and if it is a
sloping site then the ground may need to be levelled. If required, retaining walls may be constructed in
order to create level development platforms.

Substructure and ground stabilisation

Substructure is defined by the RICS as ‘All work below underside of screed or, where no screed exists, to
underside of lowest floor finishes including damp-proof membrane, together with
relevant excavations and foundations (includes walls to basements designed as retaining walls).’

Retaining walls can be made from stone, brick or blockwork, reinforced concrete or timber. Basement
excavations commonly use sheet piling which is a relatively cheap method of retaining wall construction.
 This involves the use of a large scale hydraulic jack hammer to drive steel sheet piles into the ground and
interlocked, forming a continuous wall.

Other methods of ground stabilisation include:

Soil nails

Holes drilled and steel bars inserted into the slope face which are then grouted in place. Mesh is attached
to the bar ends to hold the slope face in place.

For more information, see Soil nailing.

Ground anchors

Steel cables with metal wedges on their ends. The metal wedge end is driven pneumatically into the
slope face to the desired depth, the cable pulled taut and attached to a finishing plate to maintain tension.

Geosynthetic materials

These can be incorporated into retaining walls and embankments and

provide reinforcement. Geotextiles are woven and allow the passage of ground water through them.
Geomembranes are impermeable and are typically used as liner materials. Geocomposites combine
both materials.

Foundations provide support for structures, transferring their load to layers of soil or rock that have
sufficient bearing capacity and suitable settlement characteristics. There are a very wide range
of foundation types suitable for different applications, depending on considerations such as:

 The nature of the load requiring support.

 Ground conditions.
 The presence of water.
 Accessibility.
 Sensitivity to noise and vibration.

Very broadly, foundations can be categorised as shallow foundations or deep foundations. Shallow
foundations are typically used where the loads imposed by a structure are low relative to the bearing
capacity of the surface soils.

Deep foundations are necessary where the bearing capacity of the surface soils is not adequate to
support the loads imposed by a structure and so those loads need to be transferred to deeper layers with
higher bearing capacity.

See: Foundations for more information.

Services

Site services may include temporary and permanent drainage and other utilities connections.
Complex sites may require specialist tunnelling or shaft sinking solutions to enable serviceducts and
cabling to the installed. Existing services such as water and electricity cables may also need to be
altered.

Landscape

Landscaping may include earthworks to remodel the site and hard landscape such as ‘black top’
surfacing of roads and car parks.

See: Landscape design for more information.