Expansive Pyritic Shale: A Geotechnical Concern
Shale is the most abundant sedimentary rock type on Earth, comprising almost three-fourths of the entire sedimentary rock mass on the planet.
Laboratory Evaluation of Expansive Soil
Clay soil that expands beneath a structure after construction can cause upward heaving of slabs and footings, resulting in buckling of foundation walls due to excessive lateral forces on the walls. Identification of expansive soil during the design phase of a project is important, so that mitigation measures may be implemented during construction to prevent future slab and foundation distress.
Common Methods for Forensic Evaluation of Concrete Structures
Concrete has been utilized for thousands of years as a building material and is now ubiquitously used in most of society’s infrastructure, including buildings, foundations, dams and levees, parking garages, bridges, water tanks, pipes and culverts, floors, sidewalks, and roads.
Mercury in Flooring
Mercury in flooring represents a concern due to the potential for emission of mercury vapor to surrounding areas of a building. Mercury is a neurotoxin and exposure can have various health effects.
Carbonation of Concrete and Oxidation of Embedded Steel
Aging concrete structures, such as parking garages or building foundations, often exhibit signs of distress. Cracking, spalling, delamination, and exposed or corroding reinforcing steel are some common examples.
Importance of Hazardous Materials Abatement Design
An accurate and comprehensive hazardous materials abatement design (Abatement Design) is a valuable component of any project involving the disturbance or potential disturbance of known or suspect hazardous materials.
