3.

0 Case study

UiTM Shah Alam have conducted a site visit at the construction site located at sekyen 7, shah alam.
The construction is in the substructure stage. During the stage, excavation of trenches was
conducted to prepare for the foundation. Proper excavation must be carried out to prevent the
trench from collapse. We have been ask to identify the type of trenches excavation, procedure of
trenches excavation and trench support system that they might use in the contruction.

Figure 1: Excavation of footing trenches.

3.1 The types of methods/material

For this case study, Vertical Cut Trench method will be used because the working space is restricted
and this construction site is in urban area. The required excavations classification is shallow
excavation – up to 1.5m which is suitable for vertical cut trench because the effect of the
construction regulation is to require trenches over 1.2m in depth to be supported unless the trench
is in stable ground. For trench excavation with a depth greater than 1.2 m, adequate support must
be installed in a timely manner and ahead of excavation as far as is practicable in order to avoid
unnecessary accidents that could affect the construction workers and delay the project. For the
trench support system, Full Timber Board has been installed because the ground condition is poor
and has little or no ‘free standing’ time.
3.2 The advantages and disadvantages of the methods

3.2.1 Vertical cut Trench

If there is sufficient right of way, Vertical cut trenches can be used in almost any soil condition.
Generally a vertical cut trench excavation is the most cost and schedule effective method of
trenching.

Advantages

1. Allows continuous excavation, laying and backfilling operations.

2. Minor breakdowns usually do not cause delays to all activities.

3. Cover small working space and easy to reach to the trench unlike sloped trench which cover wide
working area.

Disadvantages

1. The only bank support is the strength of the soil. If drying, flooding, or change of soil properties
weakens the soil, then sloughing and collapse can happen with little or no warning.

2. Removal of the soil will be difficult when the trench become deeper.
 3.2.2 Full timber board

Support of trench excavation should be constructed strictly in accordance with the design and
contract specifications. In no circumstances should workers be permitted to work in an unsupported
trench which is deeper than 1.2m. When the ground condition is poor and has little or no “free-
standing” time, full timber board support should be installed in such a way that the sides of the
trench are supported at all times.

Advantages

1. Convenient and versatile support system

2. Components cheap and easily obtained

3. Light and easily dismantled by operatives

4. Ensure safe working in all stages during hand excavation

Disadvantages

1. Wide variations in the design, i.e. the arrangement and spacing of struts and walings which may
require attention of more competent site supervisors

2. Installation may be obstructed by the closely spaced struts inside the trench of deeper depth in
particular
3.3 The procedure/methods

Procedure of the trenches excavation

Part 1: Planning the excavation

1. Call the local or government utility location service. Before you begin any digging project,
call a utility location service. This will locate underground gas, electric, water, and
communications pipes and cables in the area, to protect you from injury or liability in the
event they are damaged.

2. Plan a route that causes minimal damage. Take your time in the planning phase to find a
layout that meets your needs, avoids utility lines, and minimizes damage to valuable
property. With careful planning, the materials you purchase should be sufficient to complete
the trench, and you won't have to change your plan after you start digging.

 Trees, shrubs and other plants may suffer injury or die if their roots are damaged in
excavation. Driveways, sidewalks, and structures can collapse if they are undermined.
 Small plants, even turf grasses, can be removed and stored for replanting with proper care.
3. Determine the depth your project requires. The trench's depth requirements (for example,
the required depth of a utility line) is a factor in choosing excavation equipment and other
materials.

 Some plumbing systems are gravity operated, and require a slope so the waste or water will
flow unaided to the discharge location. In this situation, you may find the trench will be
deeper on one end than the other.

4. Determine the type of soil you will be digging in. Sandy soils, loose stony soils, and wet,
mucky material will make excavating a straight, deep ditch difficult and dangerous. In these
scenarios, you may have to plan additional measures to complete your project successfully:

 Shoring: This process uses a support structure for your ditch sides so they do not cave in and
injure anyone, or undo the digging you have done before the project is complete. For
example, a small excavation could use sheets of plywood supported by posts. Large
excavations could use steel trench boxes or sheet piling. Anything deeper than 3 feet (0.91
m) should be shored up. Never enter a trench deeper than your waist if it is not shored up.
 De-watering: This removes the excess water from the soil to help stabilize it while working.
This can be accomplished either with a well point system, or a sock pipe and mud-hog type
diaphragm pump to remove the water as it seeps into the excavation.
 Benching the excavation: If you are digging in loose soil, a deep vertical trench wall is at risk
of collapse. Benching involves digging the trench in steps or tiers instead, so the banks do
not have to support more material than they are capable of. These benches are usually at
intervals 2.5–3 feet (0.76–0.91 m) deep and twice as wide. They do take quite a bit of
sidewall digging, which can require extensive area to complete. Keep in mind that it can still
collapse the deeper the trench goes.
 5. Get the excavation equipment. Shovels, pickaxes, and other hand tools will suffice for minor
excavations, but renting a mini excavator can save a lot of work on large jobs. Backhoes and
even trackhoes may be needed if the project requires a very deep and/or long trench.

 Unless you are already experienced with these types of equipment, it may be cheaper and
safer in the long run to hire a professional excavator.

Part 2: Excavating the trench

1. Remove the topsoil. Excavate 10–20 centimeter (3.9–7.9 in) of soil, depending on the depth
of the topsoil layer. Store the topsoil away from other spoil material to avoid contamination.
Ensure that the topsoil heap does not exceed 1–1.5 meter (3.3–4.9 ft) in height to avoid
compaction. For the same reason, either demarcate the topsoil heap or locate it away from
frequent foot and vehicle traffic.

 If the topsoil is going to be stored for prolonged periods of time, over-seed with non-
invasive grass species to reduce erosion, or cover it with a heavy tarp or plastic sheet.
 You may be charged fines if heavy soil or muddy water runs off your work site. Installing
erosion control wattles or rolls can contain the water and prevent fines. These can be
purchased at landscape and\or construction supply outlets.
2. Begin the digging. Line your workers or equipment up with the ditch line, and start to dig. Be
careful to observe soil conditions so that the trench embankments do not yield, allowing
them to cave in.

3. Dig your first cut to the appropriate depth. If the trench needs to be "benched" (excavated
in steps), dig to the depth of the first bench. Otherwise, dig the first section to the full depth
of the trench.

 If you need to bench, make subsequent entrenchments to the depth of each bench prior to
digging deeper, so the banks of each bench will remain stable throughout the process.
4. Keep the removed soil as far from the excavation as possible. Throw the spoil (the removed
soil) far enough that it will not encumber you while working in and around the trench. This
will also prevent the removed material from creating an overburdening of the trench's banks
or sides, which would increase the risk of collapse.

5. Move along the length of your trench as each section is excavated to the required
depth. Check the depth with a laser level or builder's level where the grade is critical to
ensure the finished trench will not require adjustments.

 It is very difficult to 'walk' a piece of equipment back down an excavated trench. The heavy
weight of the tools or machinery can increase the risk of collapsing trench walls. If you are
operating equipment on your own, always keep it on undisturbed solid ground for as much
of the process as possible.

6. Check the completed trench. Once the entire trench has been excavated, recheck the depth
throughout its length. Check the embankments for stability, and do any smoothing or
finished grading of the trench bottom necessary to install the material the trench was dug
for.
7. Complete the project. For example, you may be removing an obsolete utility line, installing a
new one, or installing a drainage system or sanitary sewer.

8. Backfill the trench. If you have access to one, a gasoline operated plate tamp will enable you
to pack the soil as it is replaced in the trench. For deep trenches, backfilling in lifts (layers) of
about 8–10 inches (200–250 mm) and compacting the material as it is placed will reduce the
amount of settling that will occur after the project is completed.

9. Replace topsoil as soon as all the spoil has been back-filled. Roll out a heavy geotextile
barrier over the soil first to prevent topsoil from mixing with gravel in the trench. Then
replace the topsoil in the trench. This will ensure fertile soil and easy re-vegetation without
having to resort to costly fertilizers.

10. Regrade and relandscape the area. Attend to surface conditions after connecting any
utilities you have installed.