Täitekihid

Täitekihid are layers of material used to fill voids or reconstruct ground after excavation or subsurface removal in geotechnical and civil engineering. The term comes from Estonian täide, meaning “to fill,” and kiht, meaning “layer.” They can consist of natural or engineered fill, including compacted soil, sand, gravel, crushed rock, or cement-stabilized mixtures, and may incorporate drainage layers or geosynthetics to control seepage and stability.

Applications include mining and tunneling backfilling to support the surrounding rock and restore bearing capacity, road construction and embankment projects to create a stable, level foundation, and trench backfilling in various civil works. In some cases, backfill systems are designed with multiple sublayers of varying grain size to improve drainage, reduce settlement, and meet specific load requirements.

Design considerations cover material selection, compaction criteria, moisture content, drainage properties, chemical compatibility with adjacent materials, frost behavior, and settlement projections. Construction practice typically involves layering, thickness control, and field density testing to ensure proper compaction and stability. Quality control and safety measures address proper handling of materials, compliance with environmental regulations, and monitoring for potential contamination or differential settlement.

Täitekihid are planned as part of a backfill strategy and may be used alongside drainage, reinforcement, or waterproofing features. Related terms include täitekiht (singular), backfill, engineered fill, and geotechnical backfilling.