Water Table above Footing Level

Queryasked by Rohit

Water Table above footing level, Provide me solution to start work in proper process.

Solutionby Gharpedia

Dear Rohit,

Thank you for contacting Gharpedia!

Foundation is an integral part of a structure. Water logging at footing level during the construction can be a significant hurdle during construction. Because of the high water flow, the foundation pit remains continuously flooded. Working in continuously flooded water is a very challenging task. In addition, water logging at footing level, causes the problem of mud or may cause the dislodging of side soil. 

Coming to your query, it is better to give a solution if our experts can know the size of the project and the exact site conditions.          

If the project size is small, dewatering of the site can be carried out by constructing shallow drains. In a waterlogged area or where water is encountered, the foundation work should be carried out in a very systematic manner. Foundation should be excavated one by one. Provide sufficient slope at the bottom of the foundation pit so water can be directed towards the sump, which can be located at the corner. Remove water from the sump by deputing labours. You might have to use mud pump continuously to drain out the water. 

Finish the RCC work of one foundation and then start the excavation of the next foundation. However, suppose you begin the excavation on the whole site. In that case, you can mess up the entire area due to the water logging and deploy extra labourers to do the activities like mud cleaning, frequent repairing of the muddy road, removing collapsed soil/mud, etc.

The higher working space should be considered while excavating the foundation pit. Higher working space will facilitate you in constructing the sump and drain at the bottom periphery of the foundation. The drains collect the excess water of excavated pit and transfer it to the sump, from where water is drained manually or by mechanical pump (mud pump, anti-clogging pump).

Dewatering by constructing deep wells can be considered for a more extensive project site. But it is an expensive solution. The well-point system keeps the excavated area dry by intercepting groundwater flow. 

We hope, your query is answered.

Thanking you,

Gharpedia Team