Soil compaction is frequently overlooked
on residential building projects.
Yet much good effort and quality
workmanship on framing and finishing
a building can be offset when a slab or
foundation settles. The resulting cracks
and distortion may reflect serious
structural problems, or they may simply
be an eyesore and an inconvenience.
But one thing is certain: The unhappy
owner will be calling you to discuss
repairs and compensation.
You can avoid this outcome by
understanding a few basic principles
of soil behavior and by developing a
healthy respect for the consequences
of not getting it right. Poorly compacted
fill will compress and settle
over a period of time, often with disastrous
results. By contrast, properly
compacted soil should be worry-free.
In