How can excessive water impact earthwork practices?

Excessive water can significantly impact earthwork practices primarily by reducing soil strength. When too much water is present in the soil, it saturates the voids between the soil particles, leading to a decrease in the effective stress and cohesion that the soil can provide. This saturated condition can result in a loss of bearing capacity, making the soil less able to support loads. As a result, construction activities may become more challenging, as the weakened soil can lead to issues like instability, increased risk of erosion, and challenges in achieving proper compaction during the earthwork process. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for managing construction sites and ensuring that the ground conditions are conducive to safe and effective earthwork activities.