Patent · US Expired

Method for controlling moisture-expansive clay supporting building foundations

US4508472A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1982
Grant dateApr 2, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE02D31/10
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method for preventing or greatly reducing damage to building foundations resulting from the swelling of moisture-expansive clay beneath and about such foundations. The method includes the steps of first forming a trench about the foundation, the trench extending well below the basement or on-grade floor slab of that foundation, and then substantially filling the trench with an extrudable plastic mass of hydrated lime and water to help stabilize the moisture-expansive clay and to provide a yieldable buffer capable of being displaced upwardly to accommodate horizontal expansion of the clay beneath and about the foundation, thereby relieving lateral stresses and reducing upward forces against the floor slab.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.