Building construction simply means the process of putting up a structure like a house, school, church, mosque, office, or shop. Before any building is completed, there are many steps and stages involved. One of the very first steps is site preparation.
What is Site Preparation?
Site preparation is the work that is done on the land before actual construction begins. It is like cleaning and preparing your room before you start arranging your clothes and books. Before a building can be constructed, the land must be cleared of bushes, trees, stones, refuse, or any unwanted materials.
In Nigeria, we usually see people using cutlasses and diggers to clear land before building. This first stage is very important because it makes the land ready for the next stage, which is setting out.
Tools Required in Site Preparation and Their Uses
There are different tools that are used in preparing a site. These tools can be divided into two groups:
A. Hand Tools:
These are tools that are operated by hand. They do not need fuel or electricity. Some common hand tools used in site preparation include:
- Cutlass: Used to cut down grass, small trees, and clear bush.
- Hoe: Used for digging and loosening soil.
- Spade: Used to scoop sand and dig the ground.
- Pickaxe: Used to break hard ground or remove stones.
- Shovel: Used for carrying loose sand, gravel, or rubbish.
- Wheelbarrow: Used to carry materials from one point to another.
- Rake: Used to level the ground and remove roots or stones.
- Axe: Used to cut tree trunks or thick roots.
Mechanical Tools:
These are tools or machines that need fuel or electricity to work. They are faster and used for bigger projects. Examples include:
- Bulldozer: Used to push down large trees, remove topsoil, and level land.
- Excavator: Used to dig large holes or trenches for foundation.
- Grader: Used to level the ground after clearing.
- Tipper (Truck): Used to carry away unwanted materials or bring in sand and gravel.
- Power saw: Used to cut wood or tree branches fast.
Uses of Site Preparation:
Site preparation is very important because:
- It clears the land and makes it clean and ready for construction.
- It helps to remove things that can disturb the building process, like tree roots and stones.
- It allows workers to see the shape and size of the land.
- It prevents future problems like building on swampy or weak land.
Setting Out Tools and Their Uses
Setting out tools are used to mark the exact position of a building on the land after site preparation is complete. This is to make sure the building will be straight, level, and in the right place.
Here are some setting out tools and their uses:
- Measuring Tape: Used to measure distances on the ground.
- Theodolite or Dumpy Level: Used to check the level and angle of the land.
- Pegs and Ropes: Used to mark the corners and sides of the building.
- Plumb Bob: Used to check vertical lines to ensure straightness.
- Builders’ Square: Used to check right angles in corners.
These tools help the builder know where to start digging and how the building will be shaped.
What is Setting Out?
Setting out is the process of marking the land to show where the foundation and walls of the building will be placed. It is like drawing on the ground with ropes and pegs to guide the builders. Setting out helps to avoid building in the wrong place or making the building too big or too small.
Imagine you want to draw a square with chalk on the ground before placing your mat. That’s exactly what setting out does—it draws the shape of the house on the land using ropes and pegs.
What is Excavation?
After setting out, the next thing is excavation.
Excavation is the process of digging the ground to make space for the building’s foundation. The foundation is the base that holds the building and makes it strong.
In Nigeria, you will often see labourers using diggers and shovels to dig trenches or big holes in the ground. For very big buildings, machines like excavators are used. Excavation must be done properly so the building will not sink or crack in the future.
What is Timbering?
Timbering is the use of wooden supports to hold the sides of a trench or hole after excavation has been done. It is used to prevent the soil from collapsing and injuring the workers.
Let’s say you dig a deep hole in soft soil; if you are not careful, the sides can fall in. So, timbering is like building a wooden wall to support the sides of the hole and make it safe to work in.
Timbering is very important especially during rainy season when the soil is wet and weak. It helps to protect both the workers and the construction work.
Conclusion
Building construction involves many steps, and each step must be done properly for the building to be strong and safe. Site preparation helps to get the land ready, setting out shows the shape of the building, excavation digs space for the foundation, and timbering protects the trenches from falling in.
By using the right tools and following the right steps, we can build safe and strong buildings in Nigeria that will stand for many years.