Digging beams after forms are down?

[krazykevin76]

Still very new to the concrete slab/construction world. Thanks for answering all my other questions in my last post. I now have one more question before buying supplies for my slab.

I've ordered and spread out 5 loads of dirt for my slab. It's nice and smooth and ready to be formed. I'm going with a 40x50 without my porch for now. I'm going with 12x18" beams around the outside. To me, it seamed like a lot of digging by shovel, so I put away some budget for a mini excavator. I know if I was doing this by hand, I would put the forms up and start digging around the outside and be done. But with the excavator, what's the easiest method? I don't know if one can straddle the form boards so I'm thinking digging before putting down the forms. But that just doesn't sound right to me. To many issues to contend with. What is the best method for using the excavator?

 

[ez-duzit]

Use batter boards to mark your trench lines.

 

[ConCretin]

Do your excavation before you put up your forms.

 

[krazykevin76]

Honestly, that was how I "thought" you would do it but my worry was driving stakes down so close to the edge of the trench. Is there an issue with this? The trench won't give way, like sides of walls caving in and such? Thanks for the quick responses.

Edit: I trust in that's how you do it LLWillysfan, I guess I was asking that there is nothing special to do other than drive your stakes and nail up you form boards?

 

[ez-duzit]

Find out what batter boards are; these are out of the way. And, from them, it is easy to setup your stakes which, yes, will be dug up as you progress digging the trench. Just stretch a line between the boards--that locates your row of stakes. You can use chalk or lime to help you better see the edges of the excavation.

 

[ADSR]

Use batter boards to mark your trench lines.

This is what i do. I think this is what everyone pretty much does.

 

[krazykevin76]

My bad again. I understand the concept of batter boards. Setting them up outside of your slab deminsions. I was asking about once your beams are dug putting your forms up next to your trench. How solid the walls gonna be driving stakes next to the trench. But I guess it isn't an issue. Thanks all.