Monitoring and Mitigation of Movements Affecting Foundations on Expansive Soils in Colorado

Abstract

Foundation movements attributable to expansive clays and claystones continue to challenge the geotechnical and structural-engineering communities. This study summarizes information and data, collected over the past 25 years, associated with the investigation, monitoring, and repair of numerous structures affected by expansive soil movements in Colorado. The paper provides a brief history and description of the various foundation systems that have been used in Colorado in an effort to prevent or accommodate soil heave. From the sites included in the study, real data on the rates of movement versus time and the time to stabilization are presented. Also provided is a summary of various remedial approaches used to address foundation movements. Lastly, the subsequent performance of foundations that have stabilized without underpinning as well as those that have been proactively stabilized are described and discussed.