There are different types of excavations, classified according to two criteria.
The material being excavated:
- Earth surface excavation
This is also called topsoil excavation; its depth varies from 150-300 mm.
- Earth excavation
This process refers to removing soil from beneath the surface, with the purpose of building foundations or embankments.
- Rock excavation
This type of excavation requires special methods (drilling or blasting with explosives).
- Muck excavation
Sometimes there is a lot of wet soil and material on a construction site that must be removed, considering that it is unsuitable for stockpiling. This is referred as muck excavation.
Besides these types, there is also unclassified excavation, which involves the removal of more of these materials at the same time. Unclassified excavation is actually quite common, considering that it is not easy to estimate the materials you will encounter.
The excavation purpose
- Cut and fill excavation
In this process, topsoil is removed from elevated sections of the construction site and moved to lower sections to fill them and create an even surface to build on.
- Trench excavation
This type of excavation is typically long but not always very deep, being used to create strip foundations.
- Dredging
This process refers to removing sediments and debris from rivers, lakes and other locations below water level.
To make sure that these excavations do not damage sewer, electrical, plumbing or water cables and pipes, it is important to identify Colorado Springs utilities locations by accessing ‘call before you dig’ professionals.