What Site Excavation and Grading Actually Involves
Site excavation and grading are essential processes for building on a site. Site excavation is crucial to moving earth, while grading brings the surface to design elevation for roads, pads, and drainage.
At Wynn Site Development, we have a fleet of state-of-the-art equipment and the latest GPS technology, allowing our team to achieve high production and the most accurate results.
When you work with WSD, you can have faith you are working with the team that has the expertise and resources to identify and execute the best and most efficient plan for your development project.
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The Difference Between Excavating and Grading
Clearing and grubbing are both necessary because before grading, any buried organic material can decay, leading to uneven settlement under roads, building pads, and foundations.
What is excavating?
The excavation process involves removing trees, rocks, and any other debris to clear the work area for development. Depending on the project, excavations typically use heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and backhoes to get the job done.
Often, trenching is necessary to dig narrow paths to lay underground water, sewer, and electrical lines. This is a necessary part of the construction process. The main goal of the excavation process is to prepare sites for construction, support utility installation, and address environmental concerns along the way.
What is grading?
Grading focuses on redistributing existing soil to achieve specific slopes, elevations, and other land formations. The goal is to establish a stable and uniform foundation for structures. Through the grading process, uneven surfaces are smoothed to prevent erosion.
When it comes to grading, there are two processes: mass grading and fine grading. Mass grading involves moving large amounts of earth to reshape the overall landscape. Meanwhile, fine grading refines the land to specific elevations and slopes.
The Strategic Impact of Cut/Fill Balancing
In any site development project, you want to have an equal cut/fill balance so that the volume of material excavated matches the volume required for grading. This can help to keep the project on time and on budget.
When the site is unbalanced, you can face massive logistical costs. By balancing the site, you can reduce project costs.
Technology Counts
GPS Machine Control: Why It Changes the Job
GPS machine control can be a real game-changer for the excavation process. It connects digital blueprints to the actual machine, allowing operators to dig precisely the first time around. At Wynn Site Development, a substantial fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, coupled with the latest GPS technology, enables our team to deliver high production and accurate results.
With GPS machine control, there is no need for a human surveyor to be on the ground to check depths. It also prevents digging too deep. This can save on expensive backfill and wasted material.
Soil Conditions in the NC Piedmont and Coastal Plain
North Carolina’s soil conditions are an important factor in the excavation and grading process. There are three main areas to consider: The Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plains. Our extensive experience in NC means we've got your project covered.
The Piedmont
Piedmont red clay has high plasticity and is moisture-sensitive so that wet weather can stall earthwork and building pad prep.
Coastal Plains
The coastal plains have sandy soils that shift easily and high water tables. Since the area is naturally flat, precision is key. Even the smallest grading error can cause significant drainage issues.
The Mountains
Excavation in the mountains differs because it requires cutting into hillsides and other rocky terrain.
How to Evaluate a Site Grading Contractor in NC
When hiring a grading contractor in North Carolina, you want to consider several factors. These include:
NC General Contractors license
Whether the company sub-contracts the work
GPS-capability on equipment
Experience with NCDEQ erosion-control plans
Frequently Asked Questions About Site Excavation & Grading
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