Excavation work that encounters rock can make the site preparation part of any construction project much more challenging than initially anticipated.

Excavation that includes rock removal also slows down progress considerably and increases the cost of preparing the construction site.

Before excavation contractors can start any site preparation project, here is how the issue of rock in the ground is addressed to eliminate surprises so there are solutions in place for efficiently extracting all of that rock.

Detecting Rock In The Soil

Dealing with the challenge of rock excavation starts with first detecting whether there is rock in the ground that must be removed.

The most accurate way to do this is to perform geological boring in various spots over the work site to detect what lies beneath the surface.

Boring to examine the consistency of the soil and the presence of rock allows excavation contractors to get a better idea of what they will encounter in their work so it can be planned for without any surprises.

If boring is not performed due to its cost, contractors can also review geological reports from other jobs done locally to at least estimate the presence of rock in the soil, so they are prepared for this potential.

Removing Rock From The Soil

After rock has been detected in the soil, the next question is what excavation work methods will be required to remove it.

That always depends on how much rock is present, how large the pieces are, and whether it will require more than just standard equipment to get it out.

When excavation equipment alone is not enough, contractors might resort to blasting and then breaking up the larger pieces into smaller ones that can be successfully loaded and removed from the worksite.

It is a time-consuming and dangerous process, but rock must be removed from the construction site for proper site preparation and foundation installation for the structure being built.

How Does Rock Excavation Affect Project Timelines and Costs?

Like any other task that becomes harder to accomplish, excavation work that involves rock removal from a construction site takes considerably longer than when no rock removal is involved and it inflates site preparation costs.

It also requires excavation contractors to bring in special equipment to complete the work, as well as blasting experts and supplies, all of which add additional cost to the original project.

The longer the excavation takes, the more expensive the project becomes for owners as well.

All of these potentials must be added to the time schedule and project budget if there is a known need to remove rock or a supposition that it could be there.

Plan Rock Removal With A Skilled Excavation Contractor

The key to effective rock removal from an excavation site during the site preparation phase of any construction project is foreknowledge and good planning.

When there is a possibility of encountering rock under the surface that could affect site preparation, experienced excavation contractors should be allowed to either arrange for geological boring or proceed under the idea that heavy excavating to remove rock will be required.

A good plan and having access to the equipment and professionals necessary to complete this more challenging excavation work will minimize associated delays and added costs to keep the project moving forward, even when rock removal is necessary.