Limits on organic matter for soil
Limits on organic matter for soil
(OP)
What is the limit of organic elements for soil to be used as subgade materials.
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Limits on organic matter for soil
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RE: Limits on organic matter for soil
RE: Limits on organic matter for soil
Can you support me with documents amd/or standards, regarding limits (ASTM, BS, ref. Books)
Thank you
RE: Limits on organic matter for soil
It was a piece of information that I retrieved from the recesses of my brain - but I'm reasonably confident I found it in the British Standards Institute, 1986, BS8004, Code of Practice for Foundations. More than being a technical document it tackles issues in a more conversational style and is therefore a fairly bulky document. Unfortunately I cannot tell you where in that document the reference is located because I can't remember! I have a feeling that there is a section on compressible soils in the document if that's any help...
Sorry!
RE: Limits on organic matter for soil
Clause 2.1.2.3.3 refers to Settlement and states that in organic soils settlement can occur indefinitely (a "secondary settlement" occurs) and this needs special consideration. I have not found any indication as how to predict the rate of consolidation in organic soils - I would venture they are too variable to predict. I would therefore again offer the view that all structural fill should have no organic content to guarantee that the bulk of the settlement will occur with in the first 6 months to a year at a magnitude we would normally expect.
Clause 2.2.2.3.4 also refers to Settlement and states that in organic soils the secondary settlement can be large and prolonged - the BS recommends specialist advice be sought if bearing on organic soils is not avoidable.
Therefore, depending upon the depth of organic material concerned, I would recommend removing and replacing with non-organic fill, or piling through the organic layer to the sub-soil, or seeking further specialist advice, depending upon which represents best value to the client.
Hope this helps,
Derek D (Scotland, UK)