Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Apr 05, 2011 10:19 pm By CSIRO, our area's SOIL is HIGHLY REACTIVE/VOLATILE. We were recommended to put a 1m Border concrete surrounding the house to reduce the impact due to dry & hot weathers. We've already paid for an expensive slab footing. Is that sufficient without the concrete? Is the extra concreting necessary? Do we have any building engineer ? Kindly advise. Thanks. Re: CONCRETE & VOLATILE/REACTIVE SOILS 2Apr 06, 2011 12:46 pm Hi Revup Firstly, I wouldn't be taking advice from people who don't know your specific site conditions (i.e. on this forum). If your site has highly reactive soils, there is a very good reason why you need a concrete border. Was it your structural engineer who gave you the advice? You may think its an unnecessary expense, but would you rather have the border crack up, or your house footings? If you haven't already, have a read of this: http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/22/pid/3612.htm - homeowners guide to foundation maintenance and footing performance You could a) get your soil tested to see how reactive it really is; b) get the advice of geotechnical/structural engineers, but it's probably cheaper just to put the border in. 1m doesn't sound like much to me - could be worse! Also, make a note of the other recommendations - i.e. regarding moisture maintenance of the soil, not putting big trees/garden beds right up against the house etc. You may think its all a pain, but the guidelines are the result of a lot of research. Also, please note that my advice is not intended to be comprehensive Get professional advice from someone who can look at your site & use it. House burned down: 3 April 2010 DA approval: 15 December 2010 (Yep, it took THAT long!) Demolition of old house: 10/02/11) 1st round of concreting: 10/03/11 http://mattnlucyp.blogspot.com/ With that sort of soil type if you ask for a design to include piers then I would also include void formers. That way you should reduce the chances of settlement and heave. 7 4619 To my understanding early saw cuts are to control shrinkage cracks, so doing them now would be pointless. Control joints may reduce ugly cracking during periods of soil… 3 9799 |