Stabilization of loess foundations of settlement-damaged buildings and structures

Abstract

1. Organized wetting is a sufficiently simple, inexpensive and reliable method of eliminating the collapse-type properties of loess foundations of settlement-damaged buildings and structures. It reduces significantly the nonuniformity of collapse-type settlement of the foundation and the internal forces in the structure's members, accumulated under the damage-causing conditions. 2. The greatest nonuniformity of the collapse-type deformations of the foundation-structure system is manifested during the transit of the infiltration front through the active zone, and can be reduced by increasing the mean value of the contact pressure. 3. Brick buildings having the structural system examined, possess sufficient stiffness for overcoming, under the organized wetting conditions, a considerable natural nonuniformity of the collapse-type properties of foundation soils, without disturbing the structural integrity of the structure.