Preliminary Works in Construction

The construction of a structure is a lengthy and time-consuming process. Building a structure might take from a few months to years, depending on factors like the size of the project, the type of structure to be built, and other such factors. Before the commencement of construction, there are a few tasks to be completed. They are known as preliminary works. Preliminary works include all activities performed on a construction site prior to the start of actual work, such as demolition, site clearance, site survey, soil survey, planning, designing, and cost estimation. These activities are critical because they lay the groundwork for the construction process. Let us dig deep into these activities and learn them in detail.

Demolition

This is the step in which, by means of controlled or pre-planned methods, structure is destroyed. It is possible to do so before a structure is no longer fit to serve. When a structure objects, intervenes, or lies within the boundaries of a new proposed building, the demolition process is initiated. In this stage, surveying of buildings, removal of hazardous materials, methods of demolition, and safety measures are covered.

Site Clearance

It is important to remove unnecessary obstructing elements such as vegetation found at the site to prepare for excavation. This process involves the grubbing of bushes or trees and the removal of topsoil to form the reduced levels.

Site and Soil Survey

This is an essential preliminary step in the design and construction of a project, as the superstructure depends on the substructure. The importance of carrying out a soil survey is to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed project, to determine a suitable and economical foundation design, and to determine the occurrence and case of changes in subsoil conditions.

Planning

This is the stage where methods, budgets, flows, and all the requirements needed for a satisfactory final outcome are decided. This planning helps to reduce costs by making the best use of available resources, reduces irrational approaches, duplication of work, and inter-departmental conflicts, encourages innovation and creativity among construction managers, and strengthens the enterprise's competitiveness.

Detailed Designing

A detailed design is the complete and precise physical description of all parts of the structure and how they are fit together, which serves as the basis for the construction phase. It also involves the investigation of the stability, strength, and rigidity of the structure to be built, based upon the physical requirements of the building and an understanding of the structural performance, materials, and geometries used.

Cost Estimation

Cost forecasting for the project is done at this stage. The cost estimation can be carried out in different ways by using different tools and techniques. This process incorporates the direct cost of various items of work, provision for contingencies, direct supervision charges, miscellaneous expenses, labour hutment, etc. After carrying out all the above steps, the actual process of construction, such as setting out, excavation, and further activities, is executed.

Conclusion

Preliminary works serve as the base of the whole construction project. It is vital for the commencement of the succeeding activities because it ensures that the project proceeds smoothly and in an optimised manner. Pre-construction processes are helpful as they depict the roadmap for the whole construction process, which is usually followed from start to finish. So, it is advisable to ensure that the preliminary works are accurately done in order to proceed further without any complications and to avoid any incompatibilities during the construction.