As a construction contractor, land developer, or project manager, you need to know what type of excavation your excavating contractor in Denver is delivering to your project. Granted, you probably do not need to know the fine details, but when your contractor explains what’s happening and how it’s going to happen, you want to be in the know. In this post, Claystone Construction will be sharing the 12 types of excavating you need to know before hiring your next excavating contractor.
12 Types Of Excavation
Type #1 – Bridge Excavation
This type of excavation is directly related to the construction of bridges or overpasses. It focuses on removing any materials that may impede the progress of the construction, including substructures, foundations, and more that supports the bridge.
Type #2 – Borrow Excavation
A large majority of excavation projects focus on removing materials to make room for new construction. Borrow excavation requires that other materials like dirt, gravel, or soil are “borrowed” from what the industry calls the “sandbox” and delivered to another location. These materials are then used for fill, grading, or mixed with other materials to create concrete and the like.
Type #3 – Channel Excavation
Excavation that focuses on channels primarily removes materials to redirect the flow of water. In many cases, channels, ditches, or thoroughways are created to alleviate flooding, manage water flow, or to induce sediment buildup.
Type #4 – Structure Drainage
When excavating contractors are called for drainage-related work, they are focused on moving water away from a given structure or area, utilizing the creation of ditches, trenches, storm drains, and more.
Type #5 – Dredging
Waterways can accumulate sediment over time. This means that said sediment needs to be removed to allow the passage of boats and the like. Dredging takes place when the sediment is excavated from underwater and moved to another area. This typically occurs in shallow ocean passageways, other waterways, or rivers.
Type #6 – Earthmoving
Material that needs to be removed, primarily soil below topsoil, is considered earthmoving excavation. This type of excavation pertains mostly to new construction, either for residential, commercial, or industrial projects.
Type #7 – Footing Excavation
Footings are the foundational components that support structures, buildings, and bridges. The footing excavation happens once a site has been adequately graded. This type of excavation is more precise compared to earthmoving or dredging.
Type #8 – Muck Excavation
Comparable to earmoving, this type of excavation simply involves water. Areas that need to be excavated but include water as an element to manage are typically considered muck projects. The goal of most muck projects is to isolate a contaminated area or regain access through an impassable area.
Type #9 – Roadway or Highway Excavation
Commercial speaking, highway and roadway excavation are some of the most common excavation projects in action, currently. Depending on the type of materials excavated, they can be moved to another location or used in the building of the roadway.
Type #10 – Rock Excavation
Rocky surfaces are tough to excavation, and they can impede construction or engineering projects. The primary reason for rock excavation is to clear the area or way for residential, commercial, or industrial building. In some cases, specialized equipment is needed to excavate the rocks effectively.
Type #11 – Stripping Excavation
If your project is a large area that simply needs clearing, you will want to set a stripping excavation objective. This typically includes the clearing of land like topsoil, trees, shrubbery, and more. Rarely does stripping include the digging of trenches, channels, or the like.
Type #12 – Topsoil
Typically included in stripping, topsoil excavation focuses particularly the top level of soil and removing it from a given area. The material is removed and stored on-site out of the way for later use or removed from the site entirely.
Why Choose Claystone Construction
Claystone Construction has been helping build Colorado since 2003. They have more than 60 years in the construction industry. Claystone’s primary mission is to foster professional relationships with those in their industry, including land developers, project managers, and other contractors involved in the excavating construction process.
As the premiere excavation construction company in Colorado, Claystone is here to help you finish your project on time and under budget. Ready to get started? Give us a call today!