Risk assessment for excavation workers

Abstract

The determination of the talus inclination necessary to prevent cave-ins during excavation work in soft clay soil is very difficult.

An experimental excavation was dug in clay soil, and soil behaviour and movement was recorded throughout the excavation work by means of various equipment.

Standard analysis would have under-estimated the risk of cave-in in this excavation. The effect of talus inclination and elapsed time since excavation were demonstrated. All major landslides were preceded by early warning signs.

Recommendations were formulated concerning preliminary geotechnical study, shoring, work practices, and disposal of excavation rubble. Results of the study were presented at local and international conferences, a colloquium, and a sub-committee responsible for the revision of the construction safety code, and in a popular scientific document. A further project, concerned with the long-term behaviour of excavations, was accepted by the IRSST (RS-86-47).

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Publications

Behaviour of a test excavation in soft Champlain sea clay
Lafleur J., Silvestri V., Asselin R., Soulié M.
Source :
Revue canadienne de géotechnique, vol. 25, no 4, 1988, p. 705-715
Pressions interstitielles autour d'une fouille expérimentale dans l'argile molle
Lafleur J., Soulié M., Silvestri V.
Source :
in Symposium international sur les glissements de terrain, (5e : 1988 : Lausanne, Suisse), vol. 1, 1988, p. 707-712
Limits and Difficulties in Applying the Quebec Safety Code for the Construction Industry - The Case of Excavation
Lan A., Arteau J.
Source :
in Construction Safety Affected by Codes and Standards (ASCE Anual Convention and Exposition : October 5-8, 1997 : Minneapolis, Minnesota), Ratay, R.T. (ed.). 1997, p. 16-34

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0084-0040

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 1987

Research Field: Mechanical and Physical Risk Prevention

Team:

Jean Lafleur (Polytechnique Montréal)
Vincent Silvestri (Polytechnique Montréal)
Michel Soulié (Polytechnique Montréal)