Diagnostic Geotechnical Study of Cracks Experienced by Residential Compound: A Case Study

Abstract:

Swelling soil is a type of problematic soils. It always causes different types of failures such as cracks experienced by structures founded on this soil due to swelling. A residential compound has been built as one-story houses in Sargalu (Kurdistan region, Iraq) experienced cracks. These failures appear in different shapes of cracks mainly diagonal in walls under the window openings and hair cracks in walkways. The soil of site is clay soil with moderate to high plasticity and swelling potential. This classification of the soil was investigated by taking specimens form pits so closed to the foundation of the structures. The soil properties were studied: soil grain size distribution, plasticity indices, unconfined compression strength, and water content. The diagnose gives the cause of the deterioration to the houses, which is as a result of swelling potential of the clay soil due to the seasonal variation of moisture content.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 857)
• Pages: 394-398
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.857.394
• Online since: August 2020
• Authors: Taghreed Kh. Mohammed Ali, Hussein M. Ashour Al.Khuzaie*, Basim Jabbar Abbas, Muayad B.A. Allous, Balen Z. Abdulsamad
• Keywords: Bearing Capacity, Cracks, Diagnostic Study, Swelling Potential, Swelling Soil

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