Sometimes, a location that’s best-suited for a particular construction project comes with some particularly challenging terrain. Despite these challenges, though, construction budgets and deadlines must be met. Therefore, it’s important to find ways to increase efficiency so that the project succeeds. Fortunately, there are plenty of methods you can use to work smarter instead of harder on the construction site.
Planning is Critical
For any construction project, a solid plan is an absolute must. When it comes to a construction site with rough terrain, planning is even more essential. Since you’ll need to be precise in scheduling land-clearing equipment to account for the rough terrain, the day-to-day timing is more important than for a normal site plan. If you don’t take the time to schedule, though, you could face delays if workers face obstructions that they don’t have the correct equipment to remove.
Multi-Purpose Tools
When it comes to variable terrain, you never really know what type of obstructions you’ll face. In some cases, these obstructions will require specialized equipment to remove that you’ll need to bring on-site. This can cause construction delays, which can put your team behind schedule. However, if you use multi-purpose tools, such as 4 in 1 buckets for skid steers, you will be able to remove more of these obstructions without needing separate equipment, which can speed-up construction.
Modularize Construction
For a site with unpredictable terrain, ground preparation will occupy the bulk of the construction timeline. Since this part of the project will take so long, it makes sense to modularize the project as much as possible. Rather than preparing the entire site at once, have crews focus on a specific area so that the rest of the project can proceed in that area while the next section of the ground is prepared. This will keep all of your contractors working and help increase progress.
Fill Versus Removal
When evening rough terrain, you have two options: fill in the low spots or remove the high spots. To help improve efficiency, a mix of both approaches is likely warranted. Through extensive pre-project surveys, you should know the elevation of the various areas on the site. This will help you direct personnel and equipment to properly even-out the ground.
Dealing with uneven terrain can be tricky. If certain areas are too heavily sloped or consist of unstable soil, your contractors could be in jeopardy if they aren’t aware of the potential risks. Therefore, solid communication across all levels of the project is crucial so that you can press forward with safety and efficiency.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
