Recent content by Stego1

You can run swelling pressure tests on U100 samples in the lab. You may also want to have a look at the desiccation state of the clay, and what the swelling/heave potential is. BRE 412 covers this kind of thing. Also if you can get hold of 'Correlations of Soil Properties" by Carter and...

Sorry I probably didn't make my point clear. I meant that when describing the soil, you don't call it a clay on account of the <425 fraction having plasticity. You call it a clay if the material as a whole behaves as a clay when you poke a finger in it or throw a lump at an excavator bucket. If...

Don't forget that the Atterbergs are only carried out on the fraction that is less that 425 microns. So the PI you mention doesnt describe the behaviour of the material as a whole. You've probably had 60% of it seived out. Aren't we meant to be using the Eurocodes now anyway? ;oD

Is this paper downloadable from anywhere as I would be interested to read it? I've tried university library searches here in the UK but no joy!

The BRE document should be available for download with online technical indices such as IHS dot com. Do an advanced search with BRE as publisher and 424 as document number. I just checked and found it!

We used to do a lot of landfill work and used a digital terrain modelling program called LSS which could calculate the difference in volume of two models.... - Model 1 is the uncapped but full landfill. - Model 2 is the final levels following capping works Subtract Model 1 from Model 2 and you...

Hi It would probably be better to underpin the existing footings to carry the loads down to a more suitable stratum. You would have all sorts of issues to consider if you widened the existing pads such as additional settlement, uneven settlement, tie in problems etc etc. Although I suppose it...

Temperature or presence of water may be a problem, especially if you're working around the frost line. Does the manufacturer's info say anything about working temperatures?

Would you be able to dewater before excavation? Or maybe stockpile it and let it drain before moving it in dumpers?

If you're in the UK try BS1377 or BRE 365 for falling head tests and soakaways respectively.

Hi We use FEA quite a lot for various jobs, from large highways embankments to small footings and retaining walls. It's a useful tool but like most things it depends on the quality of data you put in and the knowledge of the operator. Most of our staff have had training but only one of us uses...

I meant static cone penetration testing in the post above! Can you edit posts once posted?

Why not back up the boreholes with a day's worth of dynamic cone testing? You can get quite a few down in a day and the results would reinforce (or otherwise) the SPT data. It's not too expensive either. The problem with NOT engaging an experienced geotech/engineering geologist to log the...

Do a Google search on "P45 slope climbing rig". This is quite a good bit of kit from what I hear!

You can measure their rate of growth both across the crack and in depth. Also if there is evidence of water ingress or the potential for water ingress. If they look dodgy remember to stand upslope of them ;o) Regarding trees etc, I agree that creep can affect these in the long term however they...