THE INFLUENCE OF VEGETATION ON THE SWELLING AND SHRINKAGE OF CLAY SOILS IN BRITAIN

The paper describes volume change properties of the more important British clay soils. Seasonal variations in soil moisture and the significant reductions that trees can induce are discussed. The impact of the 1975-76 drought in Britain which generated many cases of building damage is considered by the application of a damage classification, the results of which suggest that levels of damage have not generally been large. However, the large heave movements which can occur close to trees following their removal are emphasized. Recently published information on the range of influence of various tree species in clays in urban conditions is reviewed and a hierarchy of damaging trees is presented. Some consideration is given to the difficulty of detecting desiccation in clays, with some practical though limited guidance being suggested. Three short case histories are presented and to illustrate the influence of trees on both existing buildings and new construction. This paper forms part of the Fourth Geotechnique Symposium in Print on the Influence of Vegetation on the Swelling and Shrinkage of Clays. For the covering abstract of the symposium see TRIS 380289. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00168505
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Civil Engineers

  One Great George Street, Westminster
  London,   United Kingdom  SW1P 3AA
• Authors:
  • DRISCOLL, R
• Publication Date: 1983-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 93-105
• Serial:
  • GEOTECHNIQUE
  • Volume: 23
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Thomas Telford Limited
  • ISSN: 0016-8505

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building; Clay; Clay soils; Conferences; Desiccation; Loss and damage; Seasons; Shrinkage; Soils; Structures; Swelling; Swelling soils; Trees; Urban areas; Vegetation; Volume changes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Heaving
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Old TRIS Terms: Heave; Soil shrinkage; Soil swell
• ITRD Terms: 4177: Clay; 8525: Conference; 1614: Damage; 3355: Engineering structure; 2525: Season; 4743: Shrinkage; 4156: Soil; 5203: Swelling (soil); 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380290
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 1984 12:00AM