A brief introduction to Heavy Civil Earthwork Construction.
Engineering large earthwork projects are very involved and require many disciplines. Designs need to consider geotechnical issues, drainage issues, final surface design (whether it is a roadways line and grade or a structure’s foundation), environmental concerns, and owner’s economics to name a few.
This course is designed to give a brief overview of the construction practices and procedures of this very important subject to Heavy Civil Construction Projects. It will discuss common terms and definitions, review the basic materials and equipment used, basic construction engineering roles and responsibilities, briefly describe some specialized earthwork operations, and lastly a statement concerning construction safety. All of these topics for the various types of excavation and embankment construction, will be presented as an introduction only, and possible future-more specific courses on the subject matter may be added to supplement the information provided.
The purpose of this course is to help engineers who design the above items understand the processes of construction to make their designs safer, more timely, cost effective, and with better quality, and to identify the roles of the Construction Engineer in these projects. After completion the reader should have a basic understanding of the standard methods of earthwork construction and the associated equipment needed. Additionally, which construction methods and equipment choices are more suitable for specific applications. Lastly, what the role of a construction field engineer is related to these construction activities.
From better understanding of the construction methods, engineers can account for better access and staging areas, and more efficient designs to suit a construction method that is advantageous to the project.
