The prospect of commencing any construction project is often energizing. However, in modern architectural practices, you are not allowed to simply acquire a land and commence construction immediately.
There are basic preconstruction activities that should be carried out. The first of these preconstruction activities is grading. Grading of a lot is what facilitates for successfully construction, both in the immediate stage, and in times to come during which the quality and durability of construction will be tested. There are usually government guidelines directing grading, as this is a complex and compulsory engineering process. By definition, Grading is the process of ensuring that a lot is restructured to a desired level base or specified slope. The need for grading in modern architecture can simply not be undermined.
Site Grading Steps and processes
There are basically four steps in lot grading:
- Land Clearing
Land clearing is the first step for grading to be achieved. The site must be cleared before excavation begins. All trees, builders, undergrowth and vegetation must first be cleared. These must be uprooted completely to prevent any potential future regrowth.
- Excavation
Evacuation is often done with heavy-duty machines, and it involves the process of test drilling and soil evacuation. Evacuation helps to guarantee that the potential building foundation is on a level plain.
- Compaction
Compaction is the process of applying stress to soil to reduce air, water and other voids particles that may be present in the soil, to increase it density. This mechanical process help reduce the potential risk of soil shifting in the future.
- Drainage and Water Systems Installing
This is the last step in lot grading. The drainages and water system are put in place to forestall potentials of erosion and pooling water that could affect a building’s foundation.
Reasons for Site Grading
- To Prepare the Soil for Foundation
Every form of construction needs grading to help prepare the soil. This process goes a long way to prevent inadequate load-bearing properties from influence the structure that will be erected. Usually, soils are not of same composite and some soils are actually softer than others. This factor can easily lead to building subsidence in the future. Notably, buildings won’t sink evenly as some sections may sink faster than others. This will therefore crack the foundation and consequently, the structure itself. Soil evacuation and compacting is needed for detecting potential soil lapses and other voids that way cause imbalance in the structure’s foundation.
- Protecting Against Water Damage
Grading guarantees the safety of the building by redirecting the flow of water and ensuring that rains and other weathering factors do not cause damage to the foundation of a building. In the instances of poor grading for instance, whenever it rains, water may flow and pool at a building’s foundation. This could easily damage the foundation of the building. This is why proper drainage is necessary to prevent such grave potentials that may eventually necessitate foundation replacement or total building collapse. Controlling the flow of water is a major concern when grading is executed.
- To Establish Landscape and Aesthetics Desired
Grading and land levelling is important to the creation of desired architectural image of the finished property. Grading will normally cater for your landscape elevations and leveling requirements, facilitating the erection of a suitable driveway, walkways and the other gardens, parks or natural landscaping around the building.