What is excavated soil, methods of removal and use options

Dealing with excavated soil is a common challenge when starting construction or renovation projects. This soil needs to be handled carefully and thoughtfully because it is frequently removed to make room for basements, foundations, or landscaping modifications. Maintaining an orderly worksite and engaging in environmentally conscious activities both depend on knowing how to handle excavated soil.

Soil that has been excavated can differ significantly based on the project’s location and nature. It might have roots, rocks, or even the ruins of an old building. When removal techniques are used correctly, the site is kept safe and suitable for future work. Efficient handling of this soil is crucial because it can also affect project costs and schedules.

Excavated soil can be used in a variety of ways after it is removed. It can be recycled on-site, negating the need for extra materials, for landscaping or backfilling applications. As an alternative, it might be moved to different places for recycling or disposal, based on regional laws and environmental factors. Construction teams can make decisions that are in line with project requirements and sustainability goals by having a thorough understanding of these options.

What it is?

Once the excavation process is finished, a massive earthen mound appears beside the hole. This soil has pits in it. Since the resulting land is then used for construction planning, it is frequently referred to as a kind of "leveling" soil.

Depending on its composition, the soil from the pit may be black, gray, yellow, or red. It typically contains bricks, small stones, clay, and debris. Since there is no humus in this area, the pit mixture is regarded as infertile.

The types of soil found in excavations are as follows:

• containing fine sand;
• medium sand type;
• coarse sand;
• with gravelly sand.

Since the mixture containing gravelly sand is thought to be the densest, construction work on the site can be done with it. The mixture of fine sand and silty soil is the least dense of the materials mentioned.

Excavated soil can be extracted in a few different methods:

• when digging pits;
• during road construction;
• when digging trenches;
• at the depth of reservoirs and rivers.

Since excavated soil is a byproduct of land development for construction, it is regarded as a residual material.

Because it is infertile, such soil is not used to grow crops and plants. Earthworks and relief are its primary goals. It can be applied to improve the landscape, add greenery, and build fill pits and embankments.

GOST standards

The range of applications for various soils is established in compliance with GOST 25100-2011.

The primary attributes that impact the material’s suitability for construction are:

• stickiness;
• viscosity;
• texture;
• granularity;
• inclusion of solid particles of different sizes;
• percentage ratio of the soil composition;
• density.

The excavated soil should have a fineness modulus of 1.2–1.6 mm. No more than 5-7 m of filtration per day. There might be clay, but lumps shouldn’t be the result of it. The soil from the pit has a high water permeability; class 1 soil in the GOST classification applies to this kind of soil.

According to the impurity percentage, the excavated soil is:

1. Sandy loam – contains up to 10% clay. It has high porosity, but low density, low ductility. Prone to erosion, does not have high load-bearing capacity. Used for backfilling trenches, road construction.
2. Loam – includes up to 10% sand and up to 30% clay. Retains its shape under heavy loads, compacts well, has high density, low dust formation. Almost impermeable to water and smudge-resistant. Suitable for terrain correction and laying construction work.
3. Sandy loam – contains more than 30% clay. Considered coarse and used only in road construction.

When used in full accordance with GOST’s features and requirements, excavated soil can be used for relief efforts. The land is not used for construction if deviations are discovered during the inspection.

Step-by-step instructions for removing soil

According to local regulations, soil is removed from the excavation site during the excavation process. The soil cannot be carried to the closest field or solid waste site by you in buckets.

Restrictions are in place because the lands are owned by the municipality and are overseen by local officials. Since businesses that can export excavated soil are granted a license by a special department, it is not permitted for individuals to pick up their own waste.

The soil carrier will load the material into the body and transport it to the disposal site, so you can select the location yourself.

How does the work appear in detail?

1. The customer hires a special construction company that has a license to transport excavated soil to a designated landfill.
2. During the application process, the contractor assesses the volume of work performed. He must estimate the volume of removal and disposal of land, carry out preliminary cost calculations, draw up a plan for loading and unloading operations, and also make a plan for transport operations.
3. The contractor sends special equipment to remove excavated soil. The equipment must be able to collect, load soil and transport it to the disposal site.
4. The contractor provides the customer with reports on the successful completion of the procedure. The customer can attach this document to the estimate if construction is carried out in large volumes.

The waste’s hazard class has an impact on the removal process. The contractor is required to abide by all legal requirements, including disposing of the soil if it cannot be used further. The land may be used for additional construction if it satisfies the requirements.

Cost of removal services

The average cost per cubic meter in Russian regions is 450 rubles for the removal of excavated soil. Contractors charge from 500 rubles per cubic meter if the land is excessively littered. This is because the material was moved to a different landfill so that dirt and trash could be dumped there.

You can add a loader’s labor here. For instance, a loader’s shift costs 15,000 rubles, or eight hours of labor. Although it will take a lot of time, the customer can load the waste soil into the dump truck themselves.

Furthermore, the services of a crawler excavator might be needed. Contractors demand from 20,000 rubles for an 8-hour shift. In order to determine the appropriate rate for soil removal, the contractor may carry out an assessment.

It demonstrates that excavated soil in the high hazard class contains a significant amount of waste and debris. As a result, further documentation will be needed, which will cost money. Special hazard class earth that has been excavated is not moved in the open; instead, it is moved to disposal locations in specialized containers.

There are instances when the price of clearing soil varies with material volume. For instance, the contractor will charge 300 rubles per cubic meter if the total volume of soil is less than 200 cubic meters. The price will drop if the export volume exceeds 200 cubic meters. One cubic meter will cost the customer 250 rubles.

Purposes and methods of using land

If the excavated soil does not fall into the category of waste that is especially hazardous, it can be used for construction in the future.

Such soil is hazardous to humans and the environment, and its use is forbidden. Pit soil should not be dumped in places where plants will be planted. Vegetables and trees cannot grow in such soil because there is no layer of fertile soil.

Using the earth from the pit as assistance, you can:

• level the surface for construction;
• give the garden plot an interesting topography;
• avoid swampiness;
• avoid water accumulation.

It is advantageous to use excavated earth for road construction because it contains between 10 and 30 percent clay.

Common applications:

• construction of roads;
• embankments;
• foundations.

Such land can also be used for landscaping and relief projects. Sand and larger stone types are always present in the leveling soil. Excavated earth can be used to alter the type of ground surface because it is granular and dense.

This material is used to level the site in preparation for future construction work, as well as to fill in ravines and holes.

Pros and cons of using land from a pit

The pit’s soil is ideal for excavation work on rural and dirt roads, as well as for redeveloping existing areas. Although this material has benefits, it also has drawbacks.

This material’s high clay content accounts for its plasticity and density. It can be used in any part of Russia that experiences both hot and cold weather because it is stable and does not react to extremes in temperature. It is reasonably priced and simple to install on building sites. Delivery of soil happens promptly after a call; the material is transported to the location from a designated base.

The difficulties in clearing the site of excavated soil are the drawbacks. The customer will need to hire specialized equipment to remove the soil if he purchased too much material. It is also forbidden for you to take it yourself and leave it on the premises.

For any construction project, knowing what to do with excavated soil is essential. Whether it’s from landscaping, foundation excavation, or other activities, managing soil correctly assures cost-effectiveness and environmental responsibility.

The excavated soil removal techniques differ according to the type of soil, project size, and local laws. Reuse on-site or off-site are two possible outcomes. If the soil is reused on-site and satisfies project requirements and quality standards, costs and environmental impact can be decreased.

Reusing excavated soil can involve berm construction, backfilling, or landscaping. To make sure that the soil composition complies with the intended use and local regulations, each method needs to be carefully planned. In order to dispose of soil off-site, it must be transported to approved facilities in accordance with waste management regulations.

Consider conducting a soil test to ascertain the extent of contamination and appropriate reuse options prior to selecting a disposal strategy. In addition to promoting sustainable building methods, well-managed soil reduces environmental impact while advancing project objectives.

We explore excavated soil and learn about its importance, removal techniques, and various applications. Examining the fundamentals of removed soil, we’ll find workable methods for disposing of or recycling it effectively. Comprehending these techniques not only facilitates efficient administration of construction sites but also advances sustainable methodologies within the building and refurbishment sector. This article explains how to make the most of excavated soil for a variety of applications while minimizing its negative effects on the environment.

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