Materials and Assemblies for the Envelope Flashcards
What are two most common types of soil tests for bearing capacity?
- borings
2. test pits
What is the most common type of borehole test?
Standard Penetration Test = A type of borehole test that measures the density of granular soils and some clays.
A 2 in. diam. sampler is driven into the bottom of the borehole by a 140 lbm hammer falling 30 in. The number of blows (N) is recorded to drive the cylinder 12 in. Samples are tested in the lab.
What are Test pits?
A type of soil test that uses trenches dug on site to allow visual inspection of the soil strata and direct collection of undisturbed samples. Practical limit on depth is 10 ft
What are wash borings?
A type of soil test in which samples are gathered via 2 in to 4 in pipe through which water jet is forced to push up soil. Most useful for soils too hard for an auger test. Can extend to 100 ft or more.
What are auger borings?
A type of soil test in which an auger is used to pull up soil samples. Best used in sand or clay for shallow or intermediate depths since the auger cannot penetrate hard obstructions like bedrock or hardpan soil.
What are soil load tests?
a platform is built on site and incremental loads are placed on it. The amount of settlement during a given period is observed until settlement becomes regular after repeated loading.
What is a Karst?
Karst = landscape in which soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum have dissolved and formed caves/voids below the surface, which can cause sinkholes.
What are 8 methods to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
- Drainage
- Fill
- Proctor test
- Compaction
- Densification
- Surcharging
- Mixing
- Geotextiles
How can drainage help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
draining water from soil can increase soil strength and prevent hydrostatic pressure
How can fill help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
removing poor soil and replacing with fill. Fill needs to be compacted
How can a Proctor test help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
determines standards for compaction
How can compaction help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
compacting existing soil makes it stronger
How can densification help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
type of on-site compaction involving vibration, dropping heavy weights, pounding piles into the ground and filling voids with sand.
How can surcharging help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
preloading the ground with fill material to cause consolidation and settlement before building. Often costly and takes time.
How can mixing help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
mixing a layer of sand or gravel with existing less stable soil.
How can geotextiles help to increase bearing capacity and/or decrease settlement of the soil?
used to stabilize engineered fill below footings, stabilizing marginal soils under paving, and erosion control
Where should building footings be located in relation to the frost line?
footings should be located below the frost line to prevent the structure from lifting up.
When should you use a mat slab (raft) foundation?
when soil bearing is low or where loads are heavy in relation to soil pressures.
When should you use pile footings?
When soil near grade level is unsuitable for spread footings. They transmit building loads through the unsuitable soil to a more secure bearing with end bearing or side friction.
When should you use grade beam foundation?
Where expansive soils or clay (such as bentonite) are encountered near the surface
What is the difference between a pile and a pier?
pile = timber, steel, or precast concrete that are driven into the ground with hammers piers = drilled hole that is filled with concrete
What is grading? What is the difference between rough grading and finish grading?
Grading = the modification of contours of the site according to the grading plane.
Rough grading = the moving of soil prior to construction to approximate levels of final grades. Also includes adding or removing soil after construction to the approximate final grades, within 6”-12”.
Finish grading = the final moving of soil prior to landscaping or paving, where level of earth is brought to within 1” of desired grades
What are two common methods of excavation if excavation is too deep for a slope cut? What is the main difference between the two?
- shoring (soldier piles)
- braced excavation
Shoring with soldier piles uses wide flange and breast boards to hold up the earth. The wales are reinforced with tiebacks into the earth.
Braced excavation uses wood or steel sheathing to hold up the earth. The wales are reinforced with diagonal rakers that are anchored to the bottom of excavation.
What is underpinning?
a method to temporarily support existing foundations while they are being repaired or strengthened or when they are being extended to a lower level. Uses needle beams supported by adjacent grade and hydraulic jacks to support the building.