Earthworks can be one of the biggest financial risks on a construction project. A few unexpected metres of unsuitable soil can quickly turn a manageable excavation budget into a very expensive problem.
In this episode of What the RFI?, we dig into how architects, owners, consultants and contractors can better manage earthworks risk before construction starts.
We cover geotechnical investigations, test holes, stripping plans, tender unit rates, unexpected soil conditions, Change Directives, truck tracking and the Construction Administration required when the ground doesn’t match what everyone expected.
▶️ WATCH NEXT: Change Directives Explained
https://youtu.be/1dPqrlDBGqw
In this episode:
• Who should retain the geotechnical engineer?
• What does a geotechnical investigation actually tell you?
• Why should you consider additional test holes before tender?
• What is a stripping plan?
• How does a civil engineer use geotechnical information?
• Why should earthworks unit rates be established at tender?
• What happens when excavation goes deeper than expected?
• When should a Change Directive be issued?
• Why should you track every truck entering and leaving the site?
• Can a contractor change an agreed earthworks unit rate?
• How good Construction Administration protects the Owner when things go wrong underground.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – You Want Me to Strip What?
00:29 – Welcome to What the RFI?
02:31 – Who Should Hire the Geotechnical Engineer?
05:03 – The Initial Geotechnical Investigation
08:00 – Why You Should Bring the Geotech Back
10:00 – What Is a Stripping Plan?
12:59 – Building the Earthworks Tender Package
14:00 – Why Unit Rates Matter
15:55 – Construction Starts… and Things Go Sideways
16:49 – The Emergency Site Meeting
18:26 – When It Becomes a Change Directive
20:09 – Track Every Truck
22:38 – The Unit Rate Argument
24:30 – Closing Out the Earthworks Costs
26:28 – Key Takeaways
28:23 – You Make or Lose Your Money in the Ground
ABOUT WHAT THE RFI?
What the RFI? is all about Construction Administration — the RFIs, shop drawings, site instructions, change orders, field reviews and real-world problems that happen after the drawings are issued and construction begins.
If you’re an architect, consultant, contractor, construction administrator, project manager or owner trying to deliver better projects, you’re in the right place.
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