CHAPTER 15 EARTHWORK OPERATIONS

A solid foundation must be prepared to support roads, runways, buildings, and other temporary or _{permanent structures.} To accomplish this task, the Naval Construction Force (NCF) must perform earthwork operations, often referred to as horizontal construction.

Earthwork operations include much more than just moving the earth. As an EO, you must be able to use the techniques required to achieve the finished product. You accomplish this by planning and developing the steps to complete the project, studying and understanding project drawings, computing earthwork volumes, reading and using construction grade stakes, transferring elevations with leveling equipment, and understanding the characteristics of soils and the procedures used in earthwork operations.

PROJECT PLANNING

In the NCF, the entire history of each construction project, from the initial planning phase, through the execution phase, to the closeout phase, is documented in a standard nine-folder project package (fig. 15-1). This format is used on all tasked projects.

Figure 15-1.-NCF project package outline. 15-1

Figure 15-1.-NCF project package outline-Continued.

A flow chart, showing the sequence of planning steps, is shown in figure 15-2. These steps are also listed in the project planning milestones list (fig. 15-3). This list is normally assigned by the operations department at the beginning of home port. Step-by-step information on how a project package is developed is outlined in the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Crewleader's Handbook, COM-SECOND/COMTHIRDNCBINST 5200.2X.