ᐅ Soil composed of loess and trace plates. What are the implications for house construction?
Created on: 13 May 2009 18:52
M
meli28Hello Melanie,
Loess is a silt soil that is cemented together by a certain amount of lime content.
Silt itself is a mixture of fine sand particles, transported by water and wind (erosion), with little or no presence of clay soil.
When loess weathers and the lime content is leached out, loess loam is formed.
Such soils tend to become quite slippery when wet.
By the term terrace slabs, I understand you mean paving slabs for the terrace. Or did you perhaps mean "tarras"?
Tarras is a green silty clay (a mixture of fine sand and clay) from the Lower Tertiary period.
At what depth is the groundwater level?
All in all, I hope this plot is not on a slope, and I suggest wearing rubber boots with a robust sole here.
Loess is a silt soil that is cemented together by a certain amount of lime content.
Silt itself is a mixture of fine sand particles, transported by water and wind (erosion), with little or no presence of clay soil.
When loess weathers and the lime content is leached out, loess loam is formed.
Such soils tend to become quite slippery when wet.
By the term terrace slabs, I understand you mean paving slabs for the terrace. Or did you perhaps mean "tarras"?
Tarras is a green silty clay (a mixture of fine sand and clay) from the Lower Tertiary period.
At what depth is the groundwater level?
All in all, I hope this plot is not on a slope, and I suggest wearing rubber boots with a robust sole here.
Hello Danton!
The plot is not on a slope; it is a large field that is planned to be developed soon. The zoning plan is currently being processed by the city. In the explanatory text of the development plan, it mentions terrace slabs, but this might be a typo—I will investigate further.
We also do not know the groundwater level yet.
Could there be any structural challenges with the soil, aside from the groundwater level and the fact that it might become muddy when it rains?
Melanie
The plot is not on a slope; it is a large field that is planned to be developed soon. The zoning plan is currently being processed by the city. In the explanatory text of the development plan, it mentions terrace slabs, but this might be a typo—I will investigate further.
We also do not know the groundwater level yet.
Could there be any structural challenges with the soil, aside from the groundwater level and the fact that it might become muddy when it rains?
Melanie
Hello Melanie,
Based on a remote assessment, there do not appear to be any major construction challenges.
However, if the new house will have a basement, I would recommend paying special attention to the basement’s waterproofing, as this type of soil retains moisture longer than coarser soils such as sand.
For the garden plants, this might actually be beneficial, provided there is a good layer of topsoil above. This is usually the case with fields or farmland.
If you have any further questions, just let me know.
Based on a remote assessment, there do not appear to be any major construction challenges.
However, if the new house will have a basement, I would recommend paying special attention to the basement’s waterproofing, as this type of soil retains moisture longer than coarser soils such as sand.
For the garden plants, this might actually be beneficial, provided there is a good layer of topsoil above. This is usually the case with fields or farmland.
If you have any further questions, just let me know.
Plot of Land Hello Thomas!
You recently replied to me regarding the topic of loess soil. I have now found out that the soil is loess and the groundwater level is at 73/75. Could you tell me what that means?
Kind regards
Melanie
Hello Melanie,
I took the liberty of copying your private message here, as this might also be of interest to other users.
I have already explained what loess soil is.
If the groundwater level is given as 73/75, this likely means that the groundwater is about 3/4 meter (2.5 feet) below the surface level.
This can easily be determined with a spade.
This means that if you want to build a house with a basement here, dewatering will definitely be necessary during the initial construction phase (until the basement ceiling is completed), and the basement should be constructed as a “white tank” (watertight reinforced concrete with appropriate detailing).
If you plan a house without a basement, it is best to start excavating the foundation trenches shortly after a dry period.
In both cases, careful waterproofing against rising damp is essential.
May I ask in which region of Germany you plan to build?
You recently replied to me regarding the topic of loess soil. I have now found out that the soil is loess and the groundwater level is at 73/75. Could you tell me what that means?
Kind regards
Melanie
Hello Melanie,
I took the liberty of copying your private message here, as this might also be of interest to other users.
I have already explained what loess soil is.
If the groundwater level is given as 73/75, this likely means that the groundwater is about 3/4 meter (2.5 feet) below the surface level.
This can easily be determined with a spade.
This means that if you want to build a house with a basement here, dewatering will definitely be necessary during the initial construction phase (until the basement ceiling is completed), and the basement should be constructed as a “white tank” (watertight reinforced concrete with appropriate detailing).
If you plan a house without a basement, it is best to start excavating the foundation trenches shortly after a dry period.
In both cases, careful waterproofing against rising damp is essential.
May I ask in which region of Germany you plan to build?
Similar topics