Chapter 1: The Building Site

Question 0

Coarse-grained soils

Answer 0

have a relatively low percentage of void spaces and are more stable as a foundation material than silt or clay. This type of soils are more permeable and drain better than fine-grained soils, and are less susceptible to frost action.

Question 1

2 broad classes of soils:

Answer 1

• coarse-grained soils: gravel, sand.

* fine-grained soils: silt, clay.

Question 2

Fine-grained soils

Answer 2

Clay soils, in particular, tend to be unstable because they shrink and swell considerably with changes in moisture content.