Investigation of Foundation Isolation Tube Performance

膨胀土对住宅和轻型商业的破坏发生在美国的许多地区，据估计每年造成的损失约为600万至700万美元。该项目将测试一种名为基础隔离管的装置的实验室模型和全尺寸原型，该装置旨在大大减少膨胀土对结构基础造成的破坏。在这两组测试中，在土壤湿度变化期间，将监测有和没有基础隔离管的仪表钻孔井的性能。这些竖井的性能比较将验证这种缓解技术在减少由于膨胀土的垂直运动引起的轴向载荷方面的有效性。本研究的结果将有助于更好地理解钻孔竖井基础附近地下水分迁移的性质。将制定使用该技术的指导方针，使岩土工程师能够在膨胀土场地设计更可靠和更经济的基础。

Expansive soils damage to residential and light commercial occur in many parts of the United States and it has been estimated to cause annual losses on the order of $6-7 million. The project will test laboratory models and full- scale prototypes of a device called foundation isolation tube which is intended to greatly reduce damage to structure foundations caused by expansive soils. In both sets of tests, the performance of instrumented drilled shafts constructed both, with and without foundation isolation tubes will be monitored during periods of soil moisture variation. Comparison of the performance of these shafts will verify the effectiveness of this mitigation technique in reducing axial loads due to the vertical movement of expansive soils. The results of this research will provide an improved understanding of the nature of subsurface moisture migration in the vicinity of drilled shaft foundations. Guidelines for the use of this technique will be developed allowing geotechnical engineers to design more reliable and economical foundations in expansive soils sites.