M AT R I C S U C T I O N , W H AT I S I T ?

Matric suction is the pressure dry soil exerts on the surrounding soils to equalise the moisture content in the overall block of soil. Matric suction conditions in the soil profile were obtained through steady state unsaturated seepage analyses. The initial matric suction profile is the same as suction varied from 409 kPa at tree root to 49 kPa at lower boundary of the soil domain. The contours of changes in matric suction are presented in Fig. 11. The closer to the tree, the more change in suction is observed. The results of e0stress-deformation = 1.0 Cm = 0.2 analysis are shown in Fig 14 as contours of vertical = 0.3 3/day Root uptake 0.5 displacement. Ammaximum foundation settlement of 80mm ks = 5 mm/day andGround-water minimum table settlement of 25 mm was observed. A maxi 15 m mum settlement in the soil profile took place at tree location and decrease with horizontal distance and depth.
Root uptake 0.5 m3/day Ground-water table 15 m

e0 = Cm = = ks =

1.0 0.2 0.3 5 mm/day

0 2 250 4 200 150 6 8 Root uptake 0.5 m3/day 10 table 15 8 m Ground-water 0 4

400 350 300

Depth (m)

150 100 kPa Cm = 0.2

e0 = 1.0

= 0.3 ks = 5 mm/day
12 16 20

Distance from trees (m) Figure 10. Illustration of Example 2

400 350 300

0 2 4 6 8 10 0

Depth (m)

150

100 kPa

Depth (m)

Depth (m)

250 200

150

12

16

20

0 0 -120 2 2 -100 250 -80 200 -60 150 4 4 -40 6 -20 mm 6 8 8 10 10 0 0 4 4 8

400 350 300

150 100 kPa

0
8

12 12

16 16

20 20

Distance from trees (m)

Figure 11. Contours of Final Matric Suction (kPa)

Distance trees Distance fromfrom trees (m) (m) Figure 14. Contours of vertical displacements (mm)

Includes Extracts of Proceedings of Geo-institute Shallow Foundations and Soil Properties Committee sessions at the ASCE 2001 Civil Engineering Conference. (2001). Expansive Clay Soils and Vegetative Influence on Shallow Foundations (pp. 36 - 37). Houston: American Society of Civil Engineers.

0 0 -120-100 -120-100 2 2 -80 -80 -60 -60 4 4 is locally produced to suit Australian conditions,6stock and available. -40 Barrier -40 is on hand -20 mm -20 mm 6 Root 8 8 0 Good make work an enjoyable place to be.0 10 service, good prices, sound advice and a happy disposition10 0 4 8 12 16 20 0 4 8 12 16

Depth (m)

Depth (m)

20

Distance from trees (m)

Distance from trees (m)

HOW DO WE MINIMISE THE S H R I N K A G E O F R E A C T I V E C L AY ? By placing a 1.5 to 2 metre root proof and waterproof wall around the structure that we wish to protect. This will create a island effect and keep the change in moisture content to a minimum. Root barrier will effectively disconnect the tree from the moisture under the slab. ROOT BARRIER is a flexible waterproof cutoff wall which will achieve both goals of stabilising the clay an keeping the tree roots away.

ROOT BARRIER help line 1300 136 644 (Australia Only) International Tel +61 7 3861 0141 Download design typicals at www.rootbarrier.com.au

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