Backfilling New Foundations
/
workers run compactor machines over the soil to evenly pack it tight
After foundations are poured, the crew backfills soil along the outside of the foundations. In some parts of the building, there won’t be a basement, and instead the foundation space is filled with soil and a slab of cement is poured over top. This is called “slab on grade.”
soil for compaction is dumped in a large supply pile (back) which is then moved selectively for each lift into the program dining space
It is important to compact all of this soil carefully to avoid settling over time. Layers of soil or “lifts” are put down and then compacted before the next layer is put in. Soil tests are also done along the way to examine the level of compaction and to ensure that each lift is done properly. It is not complicated work, but still requires attention to detail and is essential to a successful structure.
The dining room of the progrm building is going to be a timber frame structure. This frame needs to go up before the support space (kitchen, staff room, bathrooms) is constructed. The timber framers are scheduled to arrive in mid-March, and so to keep making progress in other areas, the builders are accelerating the work on the student housing. You can see how they have framed the basement and done the first layer of decking.
orange blankets cover the ground to protect against early frosts. The line of insulation fastened to the outside of the foundation marks the line up to where soil will be backfilled.
