Sitework

Question 1

What sort of information is included in site plans? (7)

Answer 1

• lot dimensions
• building setbacks
• public utility easements
• building footprint
• location of structure on lot
• driveway location and width
• topography

Question 2

What is the purpose of retaining walls? (2)

Answer 2

• hold back soil where an aburpt change in eleveation occurs

- the wall must be strong enough to resist the forces of the earth and any groundwater

Question 3

What materials are retaining walls generally made of?

Answer 3

masonry, wood, steel, precast concrete, or sitecast concrete

Question 4

What sort of problems can retaining walls encounter?

Answer 4

horizontal sliding, overturning, or undermining

Question 5

What are gabions?

Answer 5

another form of earth retention utilizing corrosion-resistant wire baskets filled with cobble or boulder-sized rocks

Question 6

What is a common use for gabions?

Answer 6

can be used to resist or control erosion

Question 7

What is earth reinforcement? (4)

Answer 7

• aka “mechanically stabilized earth”
• a reinforcing material is placed between each layer of infill or backfill is compacted in layers
• the reinforcing layer adds tensile strength to the soil
• often an economical alternative to retaining walls

Question 8

What is the difference between filling and backfilling? (2)

Answer 8

• filling: broad term to describe any placing of earth material
• backfilling: refers more specifically to the replacement of earth material to restore it to finished level

Question 9

What are lifts?

Answer 9

filling or backfilling is placed and compacted in “lifts”

Question 10

What is required for fill to be compacted with heavy equipment?

Answer 10

large open spaces

Question 11

What is required to fill or backfill in confined spaces?

Answer 11

the use of small, walk-behind equipment