'Grading' in civil engineering and construction is the work of ensuring a level (or possibly sloped to specific degree) base for a construction work such as a
foundation or the
base course for a
road or a
railway.
In the case of
gravel roads and
earthworks for certain purposes, grading forms not just the base but the cover and surface of the finished construction.
See also
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Grader (machine)
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Grade (slope) (civil engineering and geographical treament)
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Slope (mathematical treatment)