Classification and types of soils. What is non-heaving soil, its features

In building and remodeling projects, it is essential to understand the soil beneath our feet. When exposed to varying environmental factors and the weight of buildings, different types of soil exhibit distinct behaviors. Non-heaving soil is one crucial category that is crucial for guaranteeing sturdy foundations.

Soils that do not significantly expand or contract in response to changes in moisture content are referred to as non-heaving soils. In contrast to expansive soils, which expand when it gets wet and contract when it gets dry, non-heaving soils keep their volume largely constant. This stability reduces the possibility of foundation movement and structural damage, which is especially helpful in the construction industry.

Consistent volume regardless of moisture content is one of the main characteristics of non-heaving soil. Because of its consistency, building foundations can be built on a solid base, guaranteeing the stability of structures over time. Because non-heaving soils are predictable and can sustain large loads without experiencing significant settlement or upheaval, builders and engineers frequently favor them.

Well-compacted clay, gravel, and some types of sand are examples of non-heaving soils. These soils usually exhibit minimal volume changes with variations in moisture content and low plasticity. They are typically found in areas where stable soil conditions are necessary for building strong, long-lasting structures.

Basic Concepts

Heaving is a seasonal increase in soil volume that happens when subsurface sources freeze. Ice puts a lot of pressure on the foundation when forces act upon it, changing its position. Ejection processes cause wall cracks that could distort windows and doors. Moisture that seeps into the building’s foundation will eventually ruin the basement floor.

Soil expansion is increased by 9% when the volume of frozen water increases. The underground layers move upward because of the high density, which prevents them from compressing. Under pressure, the foundation is "squeezed" out of the earth if heaving forces are not balanced. The building’s and the foundation’s integrity are badly impacted by regular seasonal fluctuations.

Temperature, the length of cold days, and the density of the snow cover all affect how quickly and deeply something freezes. The length of time the soil is frozen can range from three to nine months, depending on the area. Loose soil allows water to flow through it without stopping or solidifying. Moisture seeps into heaving species over time and reaches a depth of 1.5 meters. When frosts are persistent, the droplets solidify and enlarge.

There is no issue because the ground rarely freezes in the southern regions. The foundation deforms in the northern regions due to a 2.4 m hardening of the soil. The properties of non-heaving soil can be drastically altered by the nearby presence of groundwater. In certain places, unstable areas may arise due to topography if the structure is built on a slope.

Classification and types

Any soil that gets wet compacts and sinks. Deformation results from the abundance of moisture freezing and congealing at depth. Hydrogeological studies are required to ascertain the type of soil when building a structure on your own.

As per GOST, the type of soil is specified. Five groups are formed based on the extent of swelling:

• Non-heaving. Includes hard and sandy (silty) soils, coarse gravel.
• Slightly heaving. Semi-hard clay soil with fine sandy inclusions. The sites are located on hills and elevations, moistening occurs due to precipitation.
• Middle -beam. Tugoplastic clay and dusty soils saturated with moisture are found in plains with protracted slopes. Irrigation is carried out by rains, melting snow and an influx of underground sources.
• Strong -gun. Sites in the swamp, in the tundra and the whole earth, filled with moisture
• Excessively fluffy. Soft plastic soil, which is surrounded by water.

When frozen and thawed, eliminated soil retains its volume and properties. This category includes soil that has either very little or no moisture content. Building with monolithic rocky breeds won’t cause any issues because they don’t change in the winter. Messions are resistant to water absorption, sagging, and the weight of entire buildings. frequently consist of sizable chunks of mountain combined with sand.

The liquid moves swiftly through cartilaginous (embankment) types without lingering or changing. It erodes poorly because of the large particles and gravel content. As long as the site is properly prepared, the mass will resist heaving.

Tiny components found in clay species have a high water absorption capacity. On such surfaces, buildings sink quickly, and the moisture freezes to become ice. The raw material is extremely soft and plastic in its pure state. Loam makes up twenty to thirty percent of the main component; sandy loam makes up the remaining ten percent.

Particle size categorizes different types of sand. Water rises well and is retained, much like in a blotter, because fine sand has a high capillary activity. Snow and rainmelt, in addition to groundwater, have an impact on the level. At a depth of 1.5 to 5 m, the material can hold moisture, which can cause freezing and heaving in extremely cold temperatures.

Buildings of any complexity should not be constructed on quicksand as it is deemed dangerous. Because of the high saturation of water, the area freezes and swells quickly. The earth gets wet when warm weather arrives. animals that live in wetlands.

The process of hardening soil proceeds from top to bottom. The weather affects how quickly the line separating wet and frozen ground descends. The liquid seeps into the clay and freezes, forcing itself up into the soil’s upper layers. Sand and pebbles with coarse grains don’t resist, allowing water to pass through them without causing displacement.

The weight of the structure often lessens heaving phenomena. The soil layer is subjected to significant pressure from the foundation base, resulting in compaction and a reduction in its holding capacity. More structure equals higher density and lower degree of glaciation.

How to Determine Characteristics

A hydrogeological study is required to determine the extent of soil heaving. The physical characteristics of the land at the location can be used to determine it if measurements are not possible. You will be able to determine the soil type, fluidity index, and groundwater level on your own.

Two 1.5–2 meter deep vertical, narrow holes are excavated next to the planned construction site. Visual inspection is used to identify non-heaving coarse gravel and rock monoliths. To find out, a sample of soil is taken from the pit’s cut. A tiny quantity is made wet with liquid. The mass is moistened, then rolled into a sausage and bent into a ring with your palms. Sand cannot be used to gather materials because the sandy loam breaks up into tiny fragments. Loam fractures into three pieces while clay maintains its shape.

One can independently calculate the groundwater level. A further 1.5 meters are added to the drill hole if liquid is still not visible in the pit after 24 hours. The amount of moisture that is permeating the soil’s surface will reveal how deep it is present. The minimum dimensions for slightly heaving sand and clay are two meters.

Foundation types

A great choice for building construction is non-heaving soil. Deep filling is not necessary in any freezing or humidity. Building load-bearing structures will be possible with little effort and expense if a fixed base is used.

Large pebbles or pieces of rock mixed with non-heaving soil contribute to a solid and stable foundation. After removing the outermost layer of vegetation, create a 20 cm-deep shallow trench and fill it with construction concrete. Once the mass has solidified, you can start constructing the framework.

For a country home, a recessed foundation for non-heaving soil is appropriate. There, a 70-centimeter-deep trench is dug. Coarse sand is poured into the pit and well packed. The crumbly raw materials are layered and liberally irrigated with water in each layer. Concrete is poured into the base, and walls and the base are built after it dries.

Use of sand or pebbles in the pit can help cut down on the amount of building materials needed if the soil is heaving, dry, or if underground sources are found below 2 meters. After laying formwork on the soil’s surface and pouring crumbly materials into the trench, concrete is poured.

If there are several subterranean sources of heaving soil in close proximity to one another, a sturdy structure will need to be built. Often, screws or iron piles are used, driven down to the soil’s freezing point. The columnar method is used for outbuildings, and the concrete strip method is used for houses.

Correction options

A large structure can be lifted by frozen ground because of the strong heaving force. Reducing the likelihood of base expansion is essential to avoid deformation of the foundation. It is possible to transform problematic soil into non-heaving soil using certain techniques.

Insulation

By doing this process, the foundation is shielded from the damaging effects of water and a layer of intermediate soil is created between the concrete and soil. The extra structure causes adhesion to deteriorate, allowing the soil to slide off the base’s surface and lowering pressure and heaving.

A base that is not insulated effectively transfers cold energy from the foundation to the soil. There is insulating material underneath and all around the base. The raw material’s width and the freezing point of the soil must coincide. This choice is appropriate for modest country homes and small outbuildings. Cottages must have the ground floor properly insulated to prevent the building from collapsing after a freeze.

Drainage

The drainage system lessens the harmful effects of adjacent subterranean sources. In addition to lowering the soil’s moisture content, drainage will help reroute some of the liquid. At the depth of the foundation pouring, the pipes are installed. If the structure is not within the insulation’s bounds, freezing will cause it to shatter.

Dig a ditch and insert a perforated pipe into it at an angle, 50 cm from the base. The bottom portion is taken outside the structure and placed in a different well. The sand is coarse and fills the hole. The well’s drainage holes can be spaced two meters apart from one another. By improving the fluid outflow, the process will lessen freezing in cold weather.

Weight gain

Compaction results from the weight of the massive structure pressing down on the soil. Less evidence of heaving soil is seen the heavier the structure. Replacing the building materials ensures that the structure is stable and unaffected by ground thawing and freezing. The approach has drawbacks, such as being difficult to use and increasing construction costs.

Slab and conical foundation

A monolithic foundation is appropriate for large, multi-story buildings. The building is buried, and work on creating a walled basement is underway above it. The slab is pressed by a 20 cm thick layer of frost heaving. In the winter, the soil rises, and in the spring, it settles back into place. The movements don’t negatively affect the foundation because of how large they are. High financial costs are one of this method’s drawbacks.

In cold weather, a conical base reduces stress. Installed below the frost line, the structure is shaped like a truncated geometric figure with an upper narrowing. The hardened earth rises in cold weather, but it crumbles because it doesn’t adhere well to the foundation. The concrete pours and wall curvatures are prevented from damaging the structure by the technology.

Soil replacement

Making the soil non-heaving is a labor-intensive and problematic way to fully minimize the issue. A hole is excavated beneath the foundation, with a depth that should be lower than the freezing point. After clearing out any leftover dirt, low-adhesion raw materials are added to the pit. Suitable for backfilling

• coarse sand;
• pebbles;
• crushed stone;
• rock fragments.

The material is layered, packed firmly, and then wetted down. The process has good load-bearing qualities, doesn’t hold moisture, and doesn’t freeze. The building has a drainage system installed around it, providing two lines of defense against liquid intrusion. The technology can be used to build outbuildings and low-rise homes.

The problematic part’s thickness shouldn’t be more than two meters. The load must be redistributed if the location of the heaving soil is deeper than 2.5 meters. Precise measurements of the area in the horizontal and vertical plane are made prior to the process. The house’s uneven subsidence poses a threat to the building’s collapse.

Thermal gain

In the event that the soil is not deemed non-heaving, then the qualities will be enhanced with strengthening. The foundation is strengthened down to a depth of 15 meters using this technology. Wells are excavated or pipes are put underground. The holes are filled with hot air that is pumped to a temperature of about 600 C.

Heat causes the area to harden and lose its ability to absorb and expel moisture. The troublesome area is prepared for building. The cost of reinforcement is twice as low as that of totally replacing the soil with sand or gravel.

Silication

Groundwater is located nearby, rendering the site unsuitable for construction. Without affecting the cover’s structural integrity, stabilization aids in reducing compressibility and increasing strength. A chemical is pumped into the ground to fortify the soil.

For dusty species, one mortar silication is used. Liquid glass is served in the soil, which was mixed with phosphorus or sulfuric acid. As a result of the reaction, there is a gel, filling, enveloping pores. After solidification, the site becomes more solid and stable. On the surface, it is allowed to build buildings and large structures. Two dissolving silicatization – high -speed technology for preparing the place of development, which takes place in 2 stages. First, liquid glass is pumped into the ground, then – calcium chloride. Due to the chemical reaction, silicic acid gel appears. Active hardening takes place within 24 hours, but completely ends after 2 months.

A wide radius surrounding the initial point can be strengthened by silicatization of the heaving soil. You don’t need to use complicated equipment for this procedure. This technique strengthens the pit slopes and increases the soil’s bearing capacity beneath building foundations. The expensive cost of chemical reagents is a drawback of the technology.

Type of Soil	Characteristics
Clay	High water retention, low permeability
Sandy Soil	Good drainage, low water retention
Silty Soil	Moderate drainage, retains nutrients well
Peaty Soil	High organic matter, acidic
Chalky Soil	Alkaline, free-draining
Non-heaving Soil	Stable, does not expand or contract significantly with moisture changes, ideal for building foundations

Anyone working on building or renovating projects needs to be aware of the different classifications and types of soils. Non-heaving soil is one type of soil in particular that sticks out. Non-heaving soils do not sag when the moisture content varies, in contrast to expansive soils that expand and contract.

The ability of non-heaving soils to retain a constant volume independent of moisture content is usually what distinguishes them. Because of their stability, they are perfect for supporting structures like pavements and foundations, where soil movement can eventually cause structural damage. Because non-heaving soils are predictable and dependable in preserving the integrity of built environments, engineers and builders frequently favor them.

The homogeneity of composition and density in non-heaving soils is one of their main characteristics. Because of the uniformity, there is a lower chance of differential settlement, which occurs when the properties of the soil cause different parts of a structure to settle unevenly. Non-heaving soils contribute to the stability and levelness of structures by giving them a stable foundation.

When organizing building projects, both homeowners and builders can benefit from knowing the features of non-heaving soils. They can prevent expensive repairs and make sure their investments last a long time by selecting appropriate soils that reduce the chance of ground movement. Finding non-heaving soils and using efficient building techniques require accurate site assessment and soil testing.

Understanding soil types is essential to understanding construction projects. Reliability is a notable feature of non-heaving soil, which maintains its stability even when the moisture content varies. This article examines the features of non-heaving soil, emphasizing its advantages over other soil types that are prone to swelling or shrinking and outlining how it differs from them for building foundations. Constructors can guarantee long-lasting and secure structures by understanding these distinctions and making well-informed decisions.

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