The Movement Of Soil Moisture Under A Government Subsidy House

Abstract

The South African government's attempts to provide affordable, subsidised housing for the very poor has suffered from a large number of structural failures, many due to heaving foundations. These houses are particularly susceptible to damage by heaving clay because they are exceptionally light and clay can lift them very easily. Rational design requires knowledge of the pattern of heave which will occur under the foundation. The pattern of heave depends on the pattern of moisture movement. Currently available methods of rational design rely on assumptions about the shape of the mound which will develop due to moisture movement under the foundation. The shape assumed is largely guided by measurements made on test foundations. Instrumentation has been installed under a Government Subsidy house in the Free State and moisture movement is being monitored. The actual pattern of moisture movement observed is substantially different to what is normally assumed and could point to more reliable estimates of the heave which needs to be designed for.