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Concrete Decks in Expansive Soils

Minimizing Lifting and Cracking of Concrete Decking in Expansive Soils

By Ron Lacher, P.E.

Pool Engineering, Inc.

It is well known that expansive soils and poor drainage are a potentially
damaging combination. Poor drainage results in standing water, which can
penetrate into the ground causing various problems to structures (such as
concrete pool decking) supported on and in the ground.
It is imperative that adequate yard drainage be provided as soon as
possible after (or before) installation of the concrete flat work. Delay may
result in moisture migration into the pool concrete deck sub-grade with
the consequence of damage in the form of lifted pool decking. Most
standard swimming pool contracts require that the owner is responsible
for yard drainage away from the pool site.

In addition to establishing and maintaining proper yard

drainage, the following is highly recommended to minimize
lifting of concrete pool decking:

1. Pre-
saturation

The most important practice in reducing the potential for

lifting of concrete decks due to expansive soil is the
pre-saturation of the soil prior to pouring concrete. A
common specification used by soils engineers is to attain a
110% to 120% of optimum moisture content to a depth of at
least 18". This moisture penetration should be verified by
test holes prior to the pouring of concrete. Of course,
without the installation of crushed rock as discussed in No. 2
below, pre-saturation will create a muddy sub-grade making
it extremely difficult to place and finish the concrete.

Water migrates very slowly through most expansive soil,

therefore, obtaining the recommended pre-saturation is
often a tedious process. Experienced decking contractors
often spread an ample amount of a surfactant such as
laundry detergent on the ground during pre-saturation to
aid in obtaining the recommended moisture penetration.
Another technique is to utilize a post hole auger to create a
grid of small diameter holes (2 to 4 inches in diameter), 2
to 2 ½ feet deep that would be filled with crushed rock (see
No. 2 below). These holes fill with water during
pre-saturation to further aid in obtaining the recommended
moisture penetration. As an added benefit, expansive soil
could expand latterly into the augured void helping to
relieve upward soil expansion pressure.

2. Crushed Rock

Crushed rock can be installed (at additional cost to the pool

purchaser) under the concrete pool deck to retard the
heaving of concrete pool decking. A minimum of four to six inches of crushed rock is highly recommended as a cushion (the
expanding soil will partially push in between the voids between the rocks) and also to permit pre-saturation of the of the deck
sub-grade soils without creating a muddy sub-grade.

3. Perimeter Footings

Perimeter footings can be installed (at additional cost to the pool purchaser) at the perimeter of all slabs exposed to planters
or other sources of moisture. Perimeter footings will slow the infiltration of moisture into the concrete decking sub-grade and
retard the soil expansion and resultant heaving of the concrete pool decking.

4. Cut off of Water Following Plumbing Trenches

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Water, normally, is very slow to penetrate or flow under compacted expansive soils. Pool plumbing and drain line trenches
frequently run under concrete swimming pool decking and these trenches are usually not properly compacted when back
filled. Surface water from outside the deck area usually finds these loosely compacted trenches and will follow them back
under the pool deck where the water can penetrate into the expansive soil and be a cause lifted decking. A cut off wall of
properly compacted expansive soil can be placed at the point where the trenches extend under the pool decking. This cut off
wall will stop surface water from following the plumbing trenches under the pool deck, which will decrease the potential for
lifted pool decking. Carefully attention should also be given to properly sealing the drain lines extending under the pool deck.

5. Reinforcing Steel

The addition of reinforcing steel in the concrete pool deck would minimize cracking but would not stop lifting of the concrete
slab due to water infiltration into expansive sub grade soil. With regard to the addition of reinforcing steel in concrete flat
work, a frequent recommendation in soil reports prepared for pool and landscape construction in expansive soil areas is the
installation of #3 re-bar at 12 to 24 inches on center in each direction or 6x6-W2.9xW2.9 welded wire fabric.

6. Control Joints

Cracking in concrete flatwork is unavoidable due to shrinkage upon drying and expansion and contraction due to temperature
change. However, joints are installed in concrete flatwork in an effort to limit cracking and to control the crack locations.
Experience and proper trade practice dictates the location of joints to minimize cracking in concrete flatwork.

Guidance on proper trade practices can be found in the American Concrete Institute Manual, "Slabs on Grade". I highly
recommend that contractors involved in installing concrete slabs on grade obtain a copy and follow this manual. The following
is a brief summary of the recommendations in this manual:

Contraction Joints

To avoid random cracks, contraction joints are used to create straight-line planes of weakness in the slab. As the slab shrinks
and tends to curl, the joints open slightly and cracks occur at the predetermined locations instead of randomly over the slab.
The planes of weakness may be established by jointing tools, by insertion of joint forming strips while the concrete is still
plastic, or by sawing after the concrete has been finished.

Where to put contraction joints

Contraction joints should be placed between joints at 24 to 36 times the slab thickness. The resulting panels should be as
nearly square as practical, dividing a large floor area into relatively small panels. Avoid elongated and L-shape panels. Never
make the long side more than 1½ times as long as the short side. All contraction joints should be continuous, not staggered
or offset. Diagrams depicting contraction joint locations are shown below.

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7. Owners Maintenance Responsibilities

Maintaince of Joints

Contraction joints, when cracked and open, may allow moisture to flow through the crack and penetrate into the sub-grade
soil. If these joints open, it would usually occur well after the project is complete. The owner should be informed of the
possible consequences (lifted and cracked concrete flatwork) of leaving these joints unsealed. Sealing of contraction joints as
well as maintaining the seal on the joint between the brick coping and the concrete pool decking is an ongoing maintenance
responsibility of the owner.

Maintaince of Proper Yard Drainage

The proper yard drainage established at the time of concrete installation is frequently modified during landscape installation
or is simply not maintained over time. The owner should be informed of the possible consequences of not maintaining proper
yard drainage.

Following these recommended practices will minimize concrete lifting and cracking and will provide quality results. If you
have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Copyright © 2012, Pool Engineering, Inc.

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