Shallow excavations up to 6 meters deep are commonly used for site investigations and surveys to study subsurface composition and structure. Excavations less than 2 meters are done by hand, between 2-4 meters use a wheeled backhoe, and 4-6 meters use a hydraulic excavator. Deeper excavations over 6 meters use drilling rig machines, which allow extraction of soils and rocks to greater depths in a faster, easier manner compared to other methods, though they require more skilled labor and are louder.

2. • Excavation of ground in order to study or
sample the composition and structure of the
subsurface, usually dug during a site
investigation, a soil survey or a geological
survey.
• To identify whether the site is suitable for the
proposed work.

3. • Shallow excavations to a depth no greater 6m.
Depth Excavation Method
0-2m By Hand
2-4m Wheeled Back Hoe
4-6m Hydraulic Excavator
• Support use are timbering, steel frames with
hydraulic jack, battered or tapered side.
• Suitable for most low rise developments.
• Suitable for the investigation of all types of
land.

4. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
•Preferred for cohesive •Depth is limited.
soil and soft rock. •Deeper excavation will
•Easy dug / excavated require the human energy.
using diggers.
•Showing clear land
strata to facilitate rough
inspections.

5. HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR
WHEELED BACK HOE

7. • Excavations to a depth above 6m depth.
• Excavation method using drilling rig
machine.
• Common method of site investigation.

8. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
•Can extract mineral • Require skilled workers
resources. to do the work of drilling.
•Work becomes easier and •Labor cost expensive.
faster. •Noise that interferes with
•Can excavated soils to a public.
depth above 6m.

9. Drilling rig machine