How can groundwater affect earthworks?

Groundwater plays a significant role in earthworks, particularly impacting soil stability and excavation processes. When groundwater levels are high, the presence of water can lead to increased pore pressure in the soil. This can reduce effective stress, which is the stress carried by the soil skeleton and significantly affects the overall stability of the ground. If an excavation is made in saturated soil conditions without proper dewatering measures, the risk of soil collapse or instability increases.

Moreover, groundwater can influence the soil's cohesion and friction angles, altering its load-bearing abilities. This necessitates careful assessment and management during earthwork operations to ensure safety and structural integrity. Understanding groundwater's effects is crucial for engineers and contractors to avoid potential hazards and project delays associated with unstable soils or in-depth excavation issues.