Earthworks (engineering)

Earthworks are engineering works created through the processing of parts of the earth's surface involving quantities of soil or unformed rock. An incomplete list of possible temporary or permanent geotechnical shoring structures that may be designed and utilised as part of earthworks: Mechanically stabilized earth Earth anchor Cliff stabilization Grout curtain Retaining wall Slurry wall Soil nailing Tieback (geotechnical) Trench shoring Caisson Dam Gabion Ground freezing File:Mechanically stabilized earth diagram.gif|[[Mechanically stabilized earth]] File:GroutCurtain.gif|[[Grout curtain]] File:Retaining Wall Type Function.jpg|[[Retaining wall]] types File:Soil Nail.jpg|[[Soil nailing]] File:FEMA - 6044 - Photograph by Larry Lerner taken on 03-15-2002 in New York.jpg|[[Tieback (geotechnical)|Tieback]] File:Sbh s600.JPG|[[Trench shoring]] File:Caisson Schematic.svg|[[Caisson (engineering)|Caisson]] File:Vyrnwy dam.JPG|[[Dam]] File:Gabion 040.jpg|[[Gabion]]s File:Cross section of a ground freezing pipe as used in the big dig.gif|[[Ground freezing]] Digging Excavation may be classified by type of material: Topsoil excavation Earth excavation Rock excavation Muck excavation – this usually contains excess water and unsuitable soil Unclassified excavation – this is any combination of material types Excavation may be classified by the purpose: Stripping Roadway excavation Drainage or structure excavation Bridge excavation Channel excavation Footing excavation Borrow excavation Dredge excavation Underground excavation Typical earthworks include road construction, railway beds, causeways, dams, levees, canals, and berms. Other common earthworks are land grading to reconfigure the topography of a site, or to stabilize slopes. In military engineering, earthworks are, more specifically, types of fortifications constructed from soil. Although soil is not very strong, it is cheap enough that huge quantities can be used, generating formidable structures. Examples of older earthwork fortifications include moats, sod walls, motte-and-bailey castles, and hill forts.