A different clay question

   / A different clay question #1  

gwallace@usa.net

New member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Messages
1
I have a different clay problem. I had to dig a huge hole (18'x15'x8') for my septic system. Now I have all this dirt which is mostly gray clay in chunks. I am going to build a shop adjacent to the pile but I need to build the area up at least a foot to bring it to the proper grade. My question is whether I can use this pile of clay dirt for fill and compact it or would rock be better?
 
   / A different clay question #2  
I have somewhat the same problem, when I built my new shop. I had to fill an area (red clay) at a depth of up to 4' in places. My experience with the clay is that it tends to move with changes in moisture. After letting the fill settle for a few weeks, I went in with about 24" of chert over the clay fill. I let this settle for a few weeks more, then went in with a 6" layer of crushed rock. My shop building has been up about 4 months now, and so far the concrete slab has no cracks.
 
   / A different clay question #3  
It should work as long as :D the topsoil is removed and the fill is compated properly.
 
   / A different clay question #4  
I think you will be fine. Take the top soil off 1st and the use your clay fill and the restore the top soil. If the ground was all ready perfect that is what you would have anyway. I would however set in what ever rain drainage at this time while the ground was open
 
   / A different clay question #5  
I would use it. Just make sure to spread it thin and drive over it allot to help compact the clay. I find that using the box blade and dragging the soil and building that way verses the bucket your alway driving and compacting.
Phil
 
   / A different clay question #6  
Rent a plate compactor and run over every square inch of the area after each 4-6" thick layer added. Keep at that layer/compact/layer/compact until you are up where you want to be, then add fabric and stone on top.

If you are in cold areas, put in a 4-6" layer of pink foam under the slab to keep it warm. If you are in hot areas and don't want the slab to sweat, do the same thing. If you ever want to have even floor heat, put the pex in now. It's so much cheaper to do these things before the cement is hard...

jb
 
   / A different clay question #7  
You will be fine with using the clay as a base for a slab on grade. I agree with JB on the compactor. I would level out clay compacting every 2-3 inches. I don't think I would use the foam for the whole thing, its gets expensive. I would do 4' perimeter though!!! Plastic will keep the slab from sweating.
 
   / A different clay question #8  
A jumping jack is much, much better at compacting clay materials. The plate compactor might look like it's doing something, but in reality, it's just smoothing out the surface of it and doing very little towards actual compaction.

Clay needs to be built up in lifts "AND" mixed together. Think of a sheeps foot roller to get an idea of the best way to compact clay. The tires of tractor are also very good at getting clay compacted.

Moisture content is also a big deal when compacting any soil material. Too much and you have mush. Too little and it's just powder that will fall apart. Get it just right and it will dryout totally solid.

The plate compactor is more for hardscaping type work.

Eddie
 
   / A different clay question #9  
Don't know what part of the country you're from. If in the North where you will get any frost in the winter, Clay is an enemy of concrete slabs, actually it is water that is the enemy, clay just holds water. In a cold environment You don't want clay/water within the frost line. Here in Maine it could get as low as 4'.

David
 

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