Technical Papers
Nov 15, 2013

Monitoring and Mitigation of Movements Affecting Foundations on Expansive Soils in Colorado

Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 27, Issue 6

Abstract

Foundation movements attributable to expansive clays and claystones continue to challenge the geotechnical and structural-engineering communities. This study summarizes information and data, collected over the past 25 years, associated with the investigation, monitoring, and repair of numerous structures affected by expansive soil movements in Colorado. The paper provides a brief history and description of the various foundation systems that have been used in Colorado in an effort to prevent or accommodate soil heave. From the sites included in the study, real data on the rates of movement versus time and the time to stabilization are presented. Also provided is a summary of various remedial approaches used to address foundation movements. Lastly, the subsequent performance of foundations that have stabilized without underpinning as well as those that have been proactively stabilized are described and discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank several clients who allowed the release of limited technical data pertaining to certain sites. Agreements limit the disclosure of specific names and sites to protect the privacy and best interests of current and future owners.

References

Attwooll, B., Reins, J. D., and Lykosh, P. J. (2006). “Heave at manufacturing facility: Observations and response.” Proc., Fourth Int. Conf. on Unsaturated Soils, ASCE, Reston, VA.
Chao, K. C., Overton, D. D., and Nelson, J. D. (2006). “The effects of site conditions on the predicted time rate of heave.” Proc., Fourth Int. Conf. on Unsaturated Soils, ASCE, Reston, VA.
Chen, F. H. (1988). Foundations on expansive soils, Elsevier, New York.
Colorado Association of Geotechnical Engineers (CAGE). (1996). “Guideline for slab performance risk evaluation and residential basement floor system recommendations (Denver metropolitan area),” Denver.
Colorado Association of Geotechnical Engineers (CAGE). (1999). “Commentary on geotechnical practice, drilled pier design criteria for lightly loaded structures in the Denver metropolitan area,” Denver.
Department of the Army. (1983). “Foundations in expansive soils.” Technical Manual TM 5-818-7, Washington, DC.
Kropp, A. (2011). “Survey of residential foundation design practice on expansive soils in the San Francisco Bay Area.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 25(1), 24–30.
Nelson, J. D., and Miller, D. J. (1992). Expansive soils, problems and practice in foundation and pavement engineering, Wiley, New York.
Thompson, R. W. (1992). “Performance of foundations on steeply dipping claystone.” Proc., 7th Int. Conf. on Expansive Soils, ASCE, Geotechnical Division, Reston, VA.
Walsh, K. D., Colby, C. A., Houston, W. N., and Houston, S. L. (2009). “Method for evaluation of depth of wetting in residential areas.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng., 135(2), 169–176.
Walsh, K. D., and Miguel, G. (2003). “Method for forensic analysis of residential floor-elevation data.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil., 17(3), 110–117.

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Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 27Issue 6December 2013
Pages: 731 - 736

History

Received: Mar 22, 2012
Accepted: Sep 10, 2012
Published online: Nov 15, 2013
Published in print: Dec 1, 2013

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Authors

Affiliations

John D. Reins, M.ASCE [email protected]
Principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, 3609 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 400, Lakewood, CO 80235 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Jennifer J. Volz, M.ASCE [email protected]
Senior Associate, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, 3609 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 400, Lakewood, CO 80235. E-mail: [email protected]

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