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Building on clay

Stone Conversations : Archive 11 : Message 00195

From: RPG <inittab@zzzzzzzz>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 15:43:25 -0500
Subject: Building on clay

I've built a few retaining walls in climates where the ground gets
considerable freezing in the winter. My formula for long lasting wall
that doesn't move (too much) with the freeze/thaw is drainage, drainage,
drainage. I accomplish this using a base of 3/4" crushed stone and 4"
perforated pipe that is laid the length of the wall. My hearting or
backfill is also 3/4" crushed stone protected from the soil with a
landscapers cloth. While I've never built on clay I think drainage and
a good base would still be important. My recommendation would be to
remove the topsoil then dig a 12" deep trench the length of your wall
and fill it with a good crushed stone as a base. The clay will become
spongy if it gets water logged so getting the water away from the wall
site is probably your best bet. Good luck!

charles.hazard@---------- wrote:

Quoted text begins.The gound on which it will sit consists of around 6 inch of soil, 2
inch of sub-soil and then about 7 ft of clay, at least.
End of quote.


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