City Council March 1 - Expansive Soils
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Transcript of City Council March 1 - Expansive Soils
City CouncilCity CouncilMarch 1, 2011March 1, 2011
Expansive Soils Expansive Soils UpdateUpdate
March 1, 2011March 1, 2011
Expansive Soils
• Expansive Soils are soils that expand when water is added, and shrink when they dry out. This continuous change in soil volume can cause homes built on this soil to move unevenly and crack.
Building CodeInternational Residential Code
R 401.4, Where quantifiable data created by accepted soil science methodologies indicate expansive, compressible, shifting or other questionable soil characteristics are likely to be present, the building official shall determine whether to require a soil test to determine the soil’s characteristics at a particular location. This test shall be done by an approved agency using an approved method.
Soils Investigation
Permit Process
• Required documents – none unless evidence already exists
• Soils determination – USDA maps and Engineering street testing requirements
• Inspection process
Soils Investigation
USDA maps
http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
(Link also available through the COSA GIS website)
Provides soils data for the United States.
Soils Investigation
Soils InvestigationUSDA Map
Small dwellings and small commercial
ToA: Very limited shrink swell (1.0)TuB: Somewhat limited (0.5)KmC: Somewhat limited (0.5)TuA: Somewhat limited (0.5)
Soils InvestigationInspection Process
• Contractor obtains a permit• Plan Review process• Contractor calls for inspection• Inspector reviews for minimum
compliance• Inspector leaves prior to concrete
placement
Soils Investigation
Changes
• USDA Maps• Engineering soils reports• Random concrete pour observations
Soils InvestigationOptions:
• Continue “as is”, use USDA maps and heavily rely on Contractors to protect themselves.
• Require soils testing on all or some properties.
• Require homeowner/contractor to provide engineered foundations on all projects. COSA would do no foundation inspections.
City CouncilCity CouncilMarch 1, 2011March 1, 2011