Jobsite Drying

How To Keep Construction Sites Dry and Avoid Delays

Keeping a construction site dry is critical for the site's safety, workability, and cost. Moisture at job sites can cause delays, unexpected costs, and other issues. The ability to continue working when there has been rain that compromises the soil conditions is essential. 

There is a way to mitigate these challenges, known as job site drying. At Ruston Paving, we are experienced in expediting the drying process and maintaining the soil’s structural integrity. This article discusses the importance of job site drying and how a professional paving company can be your greatest tool for managing moisture at construction sites.

Jobsite Drying Before-After

The Importance of a Dry Construction Site

Rain and melting snow create hazardous conditions during a construction project. Wet soil is a big challenge as it impedes progress on the project by creating an unsafe situation. Inclement weather and muddy conditions can cause accidents such as:

  • Slips, trips, and falls – Slipper and muddy conditions at a job site can increase the possibility of slipping and falling. This can be extremely dangerous when working with machinery, tools, and heavy equipment.
  • Sprains and strains- Getting your feet stuck in the mud and using awkward footing to get out of it can cause ankle sprains or worse.
  • Equipment over-turns and crashes – Overall traction and control of machinery and heavy equipment are greatly reduced when working in the mud.

Drying a Job Site

The best way to dry out wet soil on a job site is to add a drying or stabilizing agent, such as lime or Portland cement. This expedites the drying process and enhances the soil’s structural integrity to make it suitable for construction activities. If the soil is not adequately stabilized, it can lead to issues such as shrinkage, swelling, and eventual structural failure.

According to the soil stabilization experts at the Portland Cement Association, by amending the soil, you “achieve the desired physical properties to build long-lasting, economical structures that have a low environmental impact over their lifespan.”

If the soil is not adequately stabilized, you are more likely to have shrinkage, swelling, and eventual structural failure. The use of a drying agent ensures the required soil moisture content as well as improves compaction, which ultimately makes the foundation stronger.

The Process of Using Additives to the Soil

At Ruston Paving, we use the following process when adding drying agents to the soil.

1. Soil Assessment

The process of using additives to the soil begins with an assessment of the soil. A complete and thorough assessment includes testing for moisture content, particle size distribution, and plasticity. By conducting an assessment we can determine the optimal amount of additive that is needed to make stabilization effective.

2. Application of Drying Agent

A drying agent is applied at a pre-determined rate, usually between 3% to 6% by weight of the soil. Then, the additive is mixed thoroughly with the wet soil, using specialized equipment that ensures a homogenous mixture.

3. Hydration and Compaction

Depending on the moisture content, after mixing the drying agent into the soil, water can be added to initiate the hydration process. The chemical reaction will generate heat to help dry out the soil while binding the soil particles together. Then, the soil is compacted to the desired density to ensure a stable base.

4. Final Curing

The final step is allowing the treated soil to cure. During the curing process, the soil gains strength and further stabilizes. The time it takes for the soil to cure depends on the weather conditions and the type of soil. It typically will cure in several days.

Benefits of Using Soil Additives for Subgrade Stabilization

The benefits of using soil additives for subgrade stabilization include:

  • Enhanced soil strength – The use of soil additives chemically modifies the unsuitable material to increase its capacity to bear loads and reduce its plasticity.
  • Time efficiency – Using soil additives such as Portland cement and lime creates an exothermic reaction during hydration. This speeds up the drying process and allows construction to resume more quickly.
  • Cost-effectiveness – Using a soil additive proves to be more economical than other methods like soil replacement, especially for large projects.

Other Safety Practices

Besides using additives to stabilize the soil, several safety practices can be used when working in muddy conditions. Here are a few:

Suitable Drainage

One way to decrease the accumulation of mud is to have a suitable drainage system that avoids mud accumulation. A drainage system is extremely important at a building site. It can involve any of the following methods:

  • Grading the ground to provide slopes that route the water away from work areas.
  • Setting up culverts or drains.
  • Utilizing gravel-filled trenches or French drains to channel surplus water.

Stone or Gravel Base

A sturdy base in high-traffic areas where large machinery is used can aid with mud accumulation. Spreading a layer of crushed stone or gravel is a common way to create a sturdy base. It offers improved traction and keeps the ground from being overly soggy.

Temporary Roadways

Installing temporary roadways is commonly used where heavy equipment is moving at construction sites. Using materials such as steel plates, composite mats, or timber mats reduces the pressure on the ground and evenly distributes the weight of the machinery, which prevents mud from forming.

Scheduled Grading

Grading levels the land and clears off extra muck. For a building site to be level and mud-free, regular grading is necessary. It should be a regular component of site maintenance, in particular, after a lot of rain or other bad weather.

Silt Fences and Barriers

Silt fences and barriers are essential for reducing mud and sediment flow into surrounding water bodies. Often they are constructed around the perimeter of the building site where erosion is a problem. Silt fences need to be examined routinely and maintained since they are intended to slow down the flow of water and allow sediment to settle.

Contact Us to Dry the Wet Soil at Your Site

If you have a construction site that is prone to being wet and accumulating mud, contact our crew at Ruston Paving. We can help mitigate the moisture and keep your work progressing. We are interested in quoting your paving and site work projects. Please call any of our divisions or email us at sales@RustonPaving.com to discuss your immediate needs, or complete our form below.

  • In order to notify the correct Division, please enter the location where the work is to be performed.