Getting rid of excess groundwater from your construction site is very important. Not only does it create a safe working environment for the workers, but it also helps secure the building under construction. Dewatering construction sites can be time-consuming and very costly. However, it’s just one of those things that can’t be avoided, especially on a swampy construction site.
Having a suitable construction dewatering plan is essential. It’ll help keep the project within your budget and also on the schedule.
Various methods can be used to dewater a construction site. Every job has its method, so each method should be assessed carefully before choosing. Selecting the right dewatering method can be very critical, but with the right guide, it should be a walk in the park for you.
What does dewatering mean?
Dewatering is the process by which surface water, also called groundwater, is removed from a construction site. This can be done by lowering the water table. Construction dewatering is usually used at construction sites due to accumulated water in holes and trenches. This accumulated water can also be found in places with little slope or a high water table. This collected water must be removed to maintain safety at the workplace.
One or a combination of any of the following methods can be used to remove groundwater from your construction site:
Well-point method
This is one of the most effective means of removing groundwater. In this method, various wells are aligned along the excavated area. The well point is connected to a riser pipe, which is then connected to a common header pipe and vacuum pump. Water is released from the site with enough treatment to get rid of contaminated and harmful materials. For this system to work effectively, the depth of the well must be up to 5 or 6 meters.
Eductor Wells
The eductor well method and well-point method are similar to each other. The main difference is that instead of making use of a vacuum, eductor wells use high-pressure water to draw water from the well-points. The eductors circulate high-pressure water in the base of each well, causing a reduction in the pressure; the pressure drop will then draw water through the rider pipe.
The eductor well method is best used when the ground has a low permeability material. Eductors are mainly used to help stabilize the side slopes and soil in the excavation area.
Flood control method
This method is often adopted if a heavy downpour of rain and storms causes problems at your construction site. Flood control is a method used to reduce or prevent harmful effects of flooding, for example, stormwater and heavy rainfall. As a site manager, you need to be prepared for potential site flooding, be it construction, tunneling, or mine work.
When the water table rises, the ground becomes sodden and unstable, creating a safety hazard for construction workers.
It is important that construction corporations have good flood protection and are prepared to act quickly on these occasions.
Conclusion
To thrive and survive in an environment where more and more buildings are designed and built, construction specialists have to learn about the industry laws and regulations and be skilled enough to accomplish construction projects.
