Systems and methods for using discarded (degraded) asphalt shingles (DAS) for stabilizing soils in building and surface constructions

A method for stabilizing otherwise expansive in-situ soils beneath a rigid structure constructed on or in the expansive soils, the method comprising the steps of:

• excavating a quantity of in-situ expansive soil to establish a below grade space for layered construction;
• recovering a quantity of discarded and/or degraded asphalt shingles of the type typically removed as old roofing material;
• layering the quantity of discarded and/or degraded asphalt shingles within the below grade space excavated within the in-situ expansive soils;
• arranging the asphalt shingles in stacked parallel layers to form a moisture barrier above the floor of the below grade excavated space;
• positioning a quantity of select fill material over the stacked parallel layers of asphalt shingles;
• and
• positioning or constructing the rigid structure over and/or within the select fill;
• wherein the rigid structure and the select fill are generally supported on the asphalt shingles and therefore are not in direct contact with expansive soils that might swell when infiltrated with moisture.