### Core Definition
- Purpose: Transform land by creating precisely dimensioned voids while managing displaced soil
- Function: Remove and relocate soil to create specified excavations for construction, drainage, or other infrastructure needs
- Quality Standards:
- Dimensional accuracy: ±1" for precision work, ±6" for rough excavation
- Surface finish: Smooth, uniform surfaces free of loose material
- Soil compaction: Meet specified density requirements for application
- Universal Safety Requirements:
- Underground utility verification before any excavation
- Soil stability assessment and monitoring
- Safe access/egress maintenance
- Proper shoring/sloping for depths over 4 feet
- Site security and access control
### Resource Requirements
##### Resource Inputs
|Resource|State/Condition|Quality Checks|Notes|
|---|---|---|---|
|Work Area|Cleared, marked|Utility verification, drainage assessment|Must have adequate access routes|
|Soil|10-30% moisture, above freezing|Stability testing, moisture testing|Must meet safety parameters|
|Equipment|Operational, calibrated|Pre-operation inspection|Includes required attachments|
|Fuel|Available|Level check|Adequate for planned work|
|Operator|Qualified for work type|Certification verification|Must meet skill level requirements|
### Skill Levels
|Level|Requirements|Capabilities|Supervision Needed|Sign-off Requirements|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Watcher|Basic safety training, Site awareness|Observe operations, Flag safety concerns|Direct supervision|Safety orientation completion|
|Support|Equipment familiarity, Basic operation certification|Basic excavation, Simple grading|Periodic checks|Equipment certification, 2 peer reviews|
|Standard|Advanced operation skills, Soil assessment ability|Precision excavation, Complex grading|Self-directed|Advanced certification, 3 peer reviews|
|Expert|Master operator certification, Teaching ability|System optimization, Emergency response|Independent|Master certification, Community vote|
### Output Specifications
##### Resource Outputs
|Resource|Expected State/Condition|Category|Quantity|Quality Checks|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Excavated Void|To dimensional specs|Primary|Per plan|Survey measurements, slope verification|
|Displaced Soil|Properly placed|Secondary|Equal to void volume|Contamination check, compaction testing if reused|
|Grade Surface|Even, stable|Primary|Per plan area|Level/slope verification|
|Equipment|Used, maintained|Byproduct|Hours used|Post-operation inspection|
|Documentation|Completed|Secondary|Full record|Accuracy verification|
### Common Issues
- Warning Signs:
- Unexpected soil conditions
- Water infiltration
- Equipment performance changes
- Unusual resistance or sounds
- Emergency Procedures:
- Equipment malfunction response
- Cave-in prevention/response
- Utility strike protocol
- Troubleshooting Steps:
- Soil condition assessment
- Equipment inspection
- Work area evaluation
- Escalation Criteria:
- Safety concerns
- Quality deviations
- Resource limitations
- Schedule impacts
### Volume Context
Average excavation volumes for reference:
- House foundation: 100-200cy
- Swimming pool: 150-300cy
- Drainage system: 50-100cy/100ft
- Road construction: 500-1000cy/100ft
- Micro society estimate (1000 people):
- Initial construction: 15,000-20,000cy
- Annual maintenance: 1,000-2,000cy
- Lower than typical development due to:
- Clustered housing reducing infrastructure
- Shared facilities reducing total building footprint
- Minimal parking requirements
- Integrated drainage systems
### Single Equipment Analysis (Standard Soil Context)
| Equipment Type | Initial Cost ($/unit) | Operating Cost ($/cy) | Excavation Rate | Required Units for 1000cy/week | Space Efficiency | Stability Metrics | Micro Society Feasibility | Key Implementation Notes |
| --------------- | --------------------- | --------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------------ | ---------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mini (5-10t) | $30k-50k | $0.8-1.2 | 10-15cy/hr | 2-3 units | Storage: 200sqft | Uptime: 90%<br>All-weather: 85% | High | Easy transport, versatile, community maintainable |
| Medium (15-25t) | $80k-120k | $1.0-1.5 | 20-30cy/hr | 1-2 units | Storage: 400sqft | Uptime: 95%<br>All-weather: 90% | Medium | Good balance of power/mobility, some specialist maintenance |
| Large (30t+) | $150k-250k | $1.2-1.8 | 35-50cy/hr | 1 unit | Storage: 800sqft | Uptime: 92%<br>All-weather: 95% | Low | Transport challenges, requires specialist maintenance |
### Recommended Configurations
| Configuration | Components | Total Cost ($/1000cy) | Space Required | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Basic Mixed | 1 Medium + Rental backup | $1,400-1,800 | 500sqft | - Flexible capacity<br>- Moderate independence | - Coordination needed<br>- Some rental dependence |
| Full Capability | 1 Medium + 1 Mini | $1,800-2,200 | 700sqft | - High independence<br>- Parallel operations | - Higher maintenance<br>- More storage needed |
| Minimal Capital | Rental + Contractor mix | $2,500-3,000 | 0sqft | - No storage needed<br>- No maintenance required | - Higher operating costs<br>- Limited availability |
### Equipment Selection Factors
Terrain Impact:
- Flat open: Large equipment efficient
- Sloped/tight: Mini excavators required
- Mixed: Medium units most versatile
Soil Conditions:
- Sandy: 15-20cy/hr higher rates
- Clay: 10-15cy/hr lower rates
- Rock: Specialist equipment needed
- Water table: Dewatering requirements
Project Types:
- Infrastructure: Larger equipment
- Building sites: Medium equipment
- Utilities: Mini equipment
- Mixed use: Medium most versatile
### Operational Considerations
Weather Impact:
- Rain: 20-30% productivity reduction
- Freezing: 40-50% productivity reduction
- Snow: Access limitations
- Heat: Equipment cooling needs
Safety Factors:
- Slope stability limits
- Underground utility protection
- Operator certification requirements
- Equipment inspection protocols
Optimization Opportunities:
- Project sequencing
- Equipment positioning
- Soil management
- Weather scheduling
- Maintenance timing