cracked earth under sub-base

May 24, 2008 1 Replies

I leveled up the ground for my floor slab a couple of weeks ago, so it was clay type soil awaiting a few inches of compacted MOT hardcore. With all the dry weather here, the ground has cracked a bit. If you push the cracked areas with your foot, they move slightly. If you've seen cracked ground you'll get the idea ! Which got me thinking. I intend to give the ground a good soaking every day from now until I lay the base, but are there any issues about laying a floor slab onto cracked ground ? Thanks, Simon.


Simon,

There are lots of issues with building on clay - subsidence AND heave are two of them, a large tree or trees in the close vicinity of the building are another.

You speak about "soaking the ground" - all that will do is to 'swell' the clay, which will subside again as soon as it dries out once you've stopped pouring water on it.

I don't know what you are building, but if it is any more than a garden shed, I would be rather worried at your method.

Tanner-'op

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