Ground disturbances are inevitable in construction activities. They are unavoidable and will cause some unavoidable impacts on the local residents and the environment. Ground disturbances such as blasting, drilling, and heavy machinery activities can cause noise, dust, vibration, traffic, and other negative impacts on the nearby communities. These disturbances not only affect the residents’ quality of life but also affect their health. Ground disturbances can also have a negative impact on the environment (such as soil, water, and surface water) and biodiversity, especially when they are not managed properly or not managed at all. Ground disturbances might also be unavoidable in some circumstances such as when there is no alternative or when they are necessary for construction activities. However, there are some ways to minimize the impacts of these ground disturbances as much as possible and make them less harmful for the surrounding environment and people’s lives.
Reduce the frequency of disturbances
Reducing the frequency of construction activities can help minimize the impacts of ground disturbances. For example, if there is a highway construction project that will cause a lot of ground disturbances, then the construction company can choose another location for the highway construction. Or if a highway construction project is unavoidable, then the construction company can reduce the intensity of the construction activities. For example, the construction company can reduce the amount of machinery working at each site, reduce the amount of materials used, and use construction methods that cause less ground disturbances. The construction company can also use different construction methods such as underground construction or above-surface construction to minimize the impacts of ground disturbances.
Reduce the intensity of disturbances
The intensity of ground disturbances depends on various factors, such as the type of activities, weather conditions, and the stage of the construction project. It is important for the project managers to understand these factors and use them to reduce the intensity of the ground disturbances. For example, it is possible to reduce the intensity of ground vibrations caused by heavy machinery by selecting suitable working hours, reducing the speed of the machinery, and using the right type of machinery. It is also important to monitor the ground vibrations during the construction process and identify the root causes of the disturbances. For example, managers should monitor the ground vibrations during the blasting activities to check if they are within an acceptable range.
Use construction methods that cause less disturbances
Most construction projects require the use of heavy machinery and other equipment to be able to complete their work. The type of construction methods used will affect the intensity of ground disturbances. For example, if a construction project involves heavy machinery and an above-surface construction method is used, then the intensity of the ground disturbances will be high. However, if a construction project uses underground construction, then the intensity of the ground disturbances will be low. It is important to choose the right construction methods for each project to minimize the impacts of ground disturbances. For example, the government can require contractors to use construction methods that cause less ground disturbances. Or a construction company can choose the above-surface construction method only for small projects.
Install noise barriers and fencing
Noise barriers and fencing can be useful in minimizing the noise from construction activities. They can be installed around the area where construction activities are taking place to protect nearby residents from the unwanted noise. They can also be installed around construction sites to protect the nearby residents from the dust and other harmful substances caused by the construction activities. They can also be installed around sensitive areas, such as schools and hospitals, to reduce the noise for the people who live or work in those areas. However, noise barriers and fencing cannot completely eliminate the effects of construction noise. They can only reduce the noise by a certain level.
Limit or avoid activities that cause high levels of vibrations
Vibrations caused by construction activities can be reduced by reducing their intensity. However, it is important to identify the activities that cause high levels of ground vibrations and avoid them as much as possible. For example, if a construction project involves the use of heavy machinery, then there is a high chance of causing high levels of ground vibrations. The construction company can reduce the intensity of the vibrations by choosing the right type of machinery, operating the machinery at low speeds, and installing vibration-reducing equipment, such as shock-absorbing systems, on the machinery.
Conclusion
Ground disturbances are inevitable in construction activities. They can cause noise, dust, and other negative impacts on nearby residents and the environment. Ground disturbances can also have a negative impact on the environment (such as soil, water, and surface water) and biodiversity, especially when they are not managed properly or not managed at all. There are some ways to minimize the impacts of these ground disturbances as much as possible. These include reducing the frequency of construction activities, reducing their intensity, and using construction methods that cause less ground disturbances.