Report of Excavation Observations

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FREEZING WEATHER EFFECTS ON BUILDING CONSTRUCTION GENERAL Because water expands upon freezing and soils contain water, soils which are allowed to freeze will heave and lose density. Upon thawing, these soils will not regain their original strength and density. The extent of heave and density/ strength loss depends on the soil type and moisture condition. Heave is greater in soils with higher percentages of fines (silts/clays). High silt content soils are most susceptible, due to their high capillary rise potential which can create ice lenses. Fine grained soils generally heave about 1/4" to 3/8" for each foot of frost penetration. This can translate to 1" to 2" of total frost heave. This total amount can be significantly greater if ice lensing occurs. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Clayey and silty soils can be used as perimeter backfill, although the effect of their poor drainage and frost properties should be considered. Basement areas will have special drainage and lateral load requirements which are not discussed here. Frost heave may be critical in doorway areas. Stoops or sidewalks adjacent to doorways could be designed as structural slabs supported on frost footings with void spaces below. With this design, movements may then occur between the structural slab and the adjacent on-grade slabs. Non-frost susceptible sands (with less than 12% passing a #200 sieve) can be used below such areas. Depending on the function of surrounding areas, the sand layer may need a thickness transition away from the area where movement is critical. With sand placement over slower draining soils, subsurface drainage would be needed for the sand layer. High density extruded insulation could be used within the sand to reduce frost penetration, thereby reducing the sand thickness needed. We caution that insulation placed near the surface can increase the potential for ice glazing of the surface. The possible effects of adfreezing should be considered if clayey or silty soils are used as backfill. Adfreezing occurs when backfill adheres to rough surfaced foundation walls and lifts the wall as it freezes and heaves. This occurrence is most common with masonry block walls, unheated or poorly heated building situations and clay backfill. The potential is also increased where backfill soils are poorly compacted and become saturated. The risk of adfreezing can be decreased by placing a low friction separating layer between the wall and backfill. Adfreezing can occur on exterior piers (such as deck, fence or other similar pier footings), even if a smooth surface is provided. This is more likely in poor drainage situations where soils become saturated. Additional footing embedment and/or widened footings below the frost zones (which includes tensile reinforcement) can be used to resist uplift forces. Specific designs would require individual analysis. CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS Foundations, slabs and other improvements which may be affected by frost movements should be insulated from frost penetration during freezing weather. If filling takes place during freezing weather, all frozen soils, snow and ice should be stripped from areas to be filled prior to new fill placement. The new fill should not be allowed to freeze during transit,placement or compaction.This should be considered in the project scheduling,budgeting and quantity estimating. It is usually beneficial to perform cold weather earthwork operations in small areas where grade can be attained quickly rather than working larger areas where a greater amount of frost stripping may be needed. If slab subgrade areas freeze, we recommend the subgrade be thawed prior to floor slab placement. The frost action may also require reworking and recompaction of the thawed subgrade. 01REP015(2/01) AMERICAN ENGINEERING TESTING, INC.