Discover what grading means in construction, the types of site grading, why it’s important, and how to develop a grading strategy for a construction project.
Grading in construction, typically called site grading, refers to reshaping the land in preparation for the construction. Mainly, the goal is to ensure a level base or get a specific slope on the land. When grading the land, the construction team sculpts the surface to get the desired result. Generally, grading is necessary to ensure a level base for the structure. However, it’s also used to produce specific slopes on an area.
The primary objectives of site grading include:
Ensure a proper drainage system
Get the property’s desired aesthetics
Reduce environmental impact by ensuring water runoff and reducing erosion and pollutants
Comply with any relevant local rules, restrictions, and regulations
If the land isn’t graded properly, the building may have structural issues, differ from the original architectural concept, affect drainage, and even cause a negative environmental impact. For most construction projects, land grading is essential to ensure construction safety and that the project yields the desired results.
To start, site grading is crucial for drainage. When building on an uneven surface, water won’t drain out properly. So, it’s very important to prepare the land and ensure that it’s leveled before construction begins and direct water away from the site.
Additionally, land grading allows for a more solid foundation. When the land is properly graded, the structure’s base will be more steady, ensuring more structural integrity.
On top of all of that, site grading also improves the aesthetics of the site. A smooth land area is more visually pleasing and crucial for the finished structure. Besides that, an uneven area may also cause logistical issues during the project.
There are various types of site grading required for different construction projects. These include:
Basically, landscape grading refers to the act of altering the land area to create better irrigation and to reshape the land entirely. This usually requires the removal of the topsoil, modifying slopes, implementing a drainage system, smoothening the soil for plants, or changing the entire appearance of the land.
Regrading refers to the act of lowering or raising certain areas of the land. This can be done in both large and small areas and is usually required for irrigation.
This type of grading is performed on properties before building a new home, building, or commercial property. This process involves changing the entire contours of the landscape to allow for better drainage and a level base, and shaping the land to fit the project.
Rough grading is done to set the slope or level of an area before the construction project. This provides a base for developing turf and resolves any drainage issues. This is done at the start to get the basic desired shape of the land.
Finish grading is only done for specific projects like gravel roads and earthworks. This type of grading includes the surface and cover of the finished projects. In landscaping projects, finish grading refers to getting the ideal shape for the land. This is done right before planting, seeding, and sodding.
In landscape projects, a final grade is usually necessary. This process involves placing a top layer on top of the graded land to promote plant growth. During the final grade, teams usually apply a layer of topsoil, allowing for better plant growth.
When grading the land before starting construction, it’s best to develop a proper grading strategy beforehand. This allows the team to have an outline of the grading process and know exactly what to do each step of the way.
Typically, a grading plan is a complex set of documents that may seem baffling to the untrained eye. This is because the civil engineer is usually in charge of developing the grading plan, which is supposed to contain a plethora of information for other engineers, zoning and construction authorities, and evening building commissioners.
When developing a grading strategy, it’s important to have a 3-dimensional illustration of the site. This allows the people who need to read the plan to easily understand what’s going on and have a reference point.
Grading strategies are complex and best developed by a professional with knowledge and experience in creating one. Without a proper grading strategy, it will be hard to grade the site properly, which can put the entire project at risk.
Grading in construction is an essential but complicated process that involves regulations, rules, and restrictions depending on where you’re constructing. These are set so that your teams are working safely, sustainably, and efficiently. On top of that, your crew needs to learn how to handle hazardous equipment like bulldozers, excavators, and motor graders.
Ensure your team is compliant with safety regulations using Training. Create and deliver learning programs on topics like site grading, construction safety, personal protective equipment (PPEs), equipment handling, and more. You can track and monitor learner progress to guarantee that all your team members are compliant before your next job.
When grading a construction site, it would be very helpful to use the tools to keep things organized and streamline the entire process. And one tool that would be a huge help when site grading is Mitti (by SafetyCulture). This software contains various features designed to streamline productivity and boost safety.
Here are some of the features iAuditor has to make the grading process easier:
Create or customize site inspection checklist templates to use when inspecting a site before grading and for equipment during the grading process
Build workflows to allow for a smoother and more efficient grading process
Retrieve relevant data and analytics that teams can use to further streamline and improve their processes
Establish an issue reporting system so that workers can report issues and managers can assign actions to correct the issues right away
Streamline workplace communications to allow for meaningful collaborations and timely updates throughout the project
