System and method for stabilization of structures by control of soil moisture content
OwnerRobert K. Browninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A soil stabilization system for a structure can include a stem wall and floor slab disposed within a perimeter of the stem wall. An aggregate base course (ABC) layer can be disposed within a perimeter of the stem wall and below the floor slab. A ventilation opening can extend to the ABC layer, and an air exhaust system can extend between the ABC layer and an exterior of the structure. A method of soil stabilization for a structure can include measuring a moisture content of an expansive soil below a structure, drawing dry air through the ABC layer and over a surface of an expansive soil. Moisture can be removed from the expansive soil into the dry air by evaporation to create moist air, and moist air can be evacuated at an exterior of the structure.
Claims20
A method of soil stabilization for reducing heave in a slab on grade structure, comprising:
- identifying heave of an expansive soil below a slab of the slab on grade structure by identifying movement of the slab;
- providing a ventilation opening formed in a stem wall below the slab of the slab on grade structure;
- providing an air intake pipe coupled to the ventilation opening, the air intake pipe including a minimum length (L) of 0.6 meters (m) such that airflow through an end of the intake pipe opposite the ventilation opening is offset at least 0.6 m from an edge of a footing;
- providing an air exhaust manifold;
- drawing dry air through the ventilation opening, through the air intake pipe, through an aggregate base course (ADC) layer comprising a thickness in a range of 3-6 inches, and over a surface of the expansive soil below the slab, wherein the ABC layer is in contact with the surface of the expansive soil;
- removing moisture from the expansive soil into the dry air by evaporation to reduce a volume and the heave of the expansive soil while reducing the movement of the slab and creating moist air below the slab;
- and
- moving the moist air from below the slab through the exhaust manifold and to an area outside the structure to evacuate the moist air at an exterior of the structure.
A method of soil stabilization for reducing heave in a slab on grade structure, comprising:
- identifying heave of an expansive soil below a slab of the slab on grade structure;
- providing an air intake pipe below the slab, the air intake pipe including a length (L) in a range of 0.1-1.8 meters (m) such that airflow through an end of the intake pipe is offset from an edge of a footing of the slab on grade structure;
- drawing dry air through the air intake pipe, through an aggregate base course (ABC) layer, and over a surface of the expansive soil below the slab on grade structure, wherein the ABC layer is in contact with the surface of the expansive soil;
- removing moisture from the expansive soil into the dry air by evaporation to reduce a volume and the heave of the expansive soil and create moist air;
- and
- evacuating the moist air at an exterior of the structure.
A method of soil stabilization for reducing heave in a slab on grade structure, comprising:
- identifying heave of an expansive soil below the slab of the slab on grade structure;
- drawing dry air through a ventilation opening formed below the slab of the structure, through an aggregate base course (ABC) layer, and over a surface of an expansive soil below the structure;
- removing moisture from the expansive soil into the dry air by evaporation to reduce a volume and the heave of the expansive soil and create moist air;
- and
- evacuating the moist air at an exterior of the structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.