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ARE PA > Soils > Flashcards

Soils Flashcards

1
Q

Factors that determine soil strength

A
  1. Water content
  2. Depth of soil
  3. Foundation type
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2
Q

Soil permeability

A

“Well graded” means few air gaps and water cannot drain easily but is better for bearing. “Poorly-graded” means many air gaps and water can drain easily but may have higher compression. Mix of soils is best to diminish permeability because the small particles fill in the gaps of the larger particles.

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3
Q

Hardpan

A

Mix of clay, gravel and sand. Good for bearing.

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4
Q

Retention Pond

A

Retains water all the time. Has overflow drain at the top to either storm sewer or natural water source.

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5
Q

Detention Pond

A

Detains water temporarily. Has overflow drain at the bottom to storm sewer.

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6
Q

Catch basin

A

Temporarily detains water to delay release of water to storm sewer and catch debris. If clogged with debris, leads to street flooding.

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7
Q

5 stormwater management systems

A
  1. Retention pond
  2. Detention pond
  3. Catch basin
  4. Cistern
  5. Bioswale
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8
Q

Cistern

A

Collects rainwater for reuse

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9
Q

Bioswale

A

Directs and filters water to underground aquifer through use of native plants.

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10
Q

Liquefaction

A

Soil liquefaction, also called earthquake liquefaction, is ground failure or loss of strength that causes otherwise solid soil to behave temporarily as a viscous liquid. The greater the soil density, the lower the liquefaction risk. Clay content of 15% or more is good protection. Usuallly found with fine to medium grained sands/silts in loosely packed layers but also found in quick clays.

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11
Q

The Unified Soil Classification System

A

5 broad categories, 15 classifications based on particle-size characteristics, liquid limit, and plasticity index.

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12
Q

Hydrology considerations

A
  • Presence and drainage
  • Identify wetlands, flood plains, riparian zones, springs and seeps
  • Consider off-site hydrology/run-off
  • Protection of watershed
  • Sensitivity to development (erosion, sedimentation)
  • Total max daily loads of stormwater
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13
Q

Expansive soil

A

Clay soils vulnerable to expansion and contraction that can cause pavement and foundation cracking. Must use deep foundations with this type of soil. Ex. bentonite clay.

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14
Q

Land Development Regulations

A

Local street design, open space, lighting, subdivision standards, minimum landscaping. Can be waived by local officials unlike zoning which requires variance hearing.

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15
Q

Assessing “fit” for a site

A
  • zoning
  • local development plan
  • physical features
  • neighborhood
  • region
  • community
  • accessibility
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16
Q

Ecological Services Analysis

A

Understand and measure landscape characteristics in terms of environmental quality and economic value.

17
Q

Environmental Services Assessment

A

Buyers, development and lenders require risk assessment to avoid/limit liability for environmental contamination.

18
Q

Environmental Transaction Screen

A

Performed by a person generally knowledgable about land and real estate. Adequate for average home buyer. Best for undeveloped site.

19
Q

Phase I ESA

A
  • Performed by a professional
  • Must follow ASTM E-1527
  • Cost-effective analysis based on observation and snythesis of existing studies and maps (no collection or testing of samples
  • Standard by which to minimize risk and also evaluate final design product
20
Q

Brownfield

A

A former industrial or commercial site where future use is affected by real or perceived environmental contamination. We can no longer assume that a site is healthy.

21
Q

3 Types of Pavers

A

Type I: high traffic areas such as driveways or entrances
Type II: walkways and areas of moderate traffic
Type III: low traffic areas like patios

22
Q

3 Grades of Brick for pavers

A

SX: Resistant to frost/freeze and thaw. Used for pavers. High installation cost.
MX: Only used for paving in dry or well-drained areas.
NX: Not suitable for paving

23
Q

Soil bulk density

A

Weight per volume of any unti of soil. The higher the bulk density, the greater support it can provide for a foundation.

24
Q

Liquid Limit

A

The moisture content at which a soil tends to flow and will not retain its shape.
Atterberg limits test: Cup is filled with soil, V-shaped groove is dug, and cup is dropped until soil gap is closed.

25
Q

Plastic Limit

A

The moisture content at which a soil deforms plastically. Atterberg limits test: Soil is rolled into long threads and point at which it crumbles is measured.

26
Q

Plasticity Index

A

(PI) The numerical difference between the PL and LL. A PI over 15 is a good indicator of expansive soils.

27
Q

Grading standards

A

Included in local ordinances. Grades established with concerns for safety, comfort, drainage, access, ice, etc. Provides a minimum, preferred and maximum grade (%).
Lawns: 2-8%
Athletic fields: 1%
Mowed slopes: 10%
Planted slopes: 5%
Longitudinal slope of parking lots: 2-3%
Longitudinal slope of roads: 10% max (also consider climate)

28
Q

Most common environmental impact of disturbed sites

A

The temporary influence of storm water runoff in the forms of erosion, sedimentation, loss of soil and degradation of downstream water. When brush is removed, the soils are more prone to erosion. You must think about short term effects in addition to long term design.

29
Q

Ways to minimize disturbed site area

A
  1. Make roads parallel to contours
  2. Cluster built areas
  3. Leave vegetative strips between disturbed ares
30
Q

Angle of repose

A

The steepest angle of descent or dip relative to the horizontal plane to which a material can be piled without slumping. At this angle, the material on the slope face is on the verge of sliding. The angle of repose can range from 0° to 90°. The morphology of the material affects the angle of repose; smooth, rounded sand grains cannot be piled as steeply as can rough, interlocking sands.
Gravel: 45
Dry clay: 40
Dry sand: 35

31
Q

Methods of soil stabilization

A
  1. Retaining walls: interlocking block, cantilevered concrete
  2. 3D geosynthetic materials
  3. Buttresses and caissons
32
Q

5 categories of USCS

A
  1. Gravels: course, unconsolidate, large grain, best for
    foundations
  2. Sands: finer than gravel, when compacted can be
    a good foundation, but susceptible to movement
    when saturated. More course sand is better for a
    foundation because course soil is better than fine
    soil.
  3. Silts & Clays (Liquid Limit below 50%): Silts are finer
    than sand, inorganic, found in at the bottom of
    water. Not good for foundations.
  4. Silts & Clays (Liquid Limit above 50%): Clay is even
    finer, very cohesive and plastic. Can sometimes be
    used to bear weight, but not preferable, rated more
    poorly than all the above.
  5. Organic Soils: Not good for anything. Can not be
    used to support a foundation.
33
Q

Coarse-grained vs fine-grained soils

A

Coarse: 50% or more of material is larger than no. 200 sieve.
Fine: 50% of more pass through the no. 200 sieve

34
Q

Bentonite clay

A

Assembly of clay inside kraft paper packages or plastic liners in panel form. Bentonite expands with moisture and prevents water from getting past. Often combined with geotextiles and can be used on both blind side and positive side waterproofing.

35
Q

Waterproofing, 3 locations and 4 types

A

Control of moisture and water that is subject to hydrostatic pressure.
Positive side (outside of foundation wall)
Negative side (inside of foundation wall)
Blind side (applied before the wall is in place against the shoring)
1. Sheet membranes (positive side)
2. Fluid applied systems (positive side)
3. Cementitious systems (positive side + neg for backup)
4. Bentonite systems (positive or blind side)

36
Q

Dampproofing, location and 5 types

A

Control of moisture and water that is NOT subject to hydrostatic pressure (not below water table). Always install on positive side.

  1. Admixtures: salts or powdered iron added to concrete mixture reduce strength but make less permeable).
  2. Bituminous coatings: Asphalt or coal tar pitch. Cannot seal cracks that develop.
  3. Cementitious coatings: Portland cement mortar troweled over rough surface to provide smooth surface as base for other dampproofing or used on its own.
  4. Membranes: Built-up layers of hot or cold-applied asphalt felts. High cost and difficult to install so usually used for waterproofing.
  5. Plastics: Silicone and polyurethane coatings. Usually used above grade.

ARE PA (7 decks)

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