Ripping ground
In relation to civil engineering, the term ‘ripping’ refers to the loosening of soil, rock or frozen ground by drawing a forked or pronged implement through it.
Ripping (or deep ripping / deep tillage) is also used in agriculture to break up ground for crop planting.
Ripping can be carried out by tractors with rear-mounted rippers or by simple ripper or ‘blade’ attachments for excavators that can provide an alternative to hydraulic breakers.
A 'subsoiler' is similar to a ripper but often with wings on the foot of the tines to increase soil heave and shatter. Ref The HS2 London-West Midlands Environmental Statement, Glossary of terms and list of abbreviations, DETR 2013.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Why being a mentor can help your career.
Channel 4 broadcaster to host 125th anniversary ceremony.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.

















