US4015432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilizing subsoil moisture under light structures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-26
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1994-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a foundation structure supported on a soil moistened to its plastic limit. A moisture-controlling barrier is formed adjacent to and around the periphery of the foundation structure. The moisture controlling barrier inhibits the movement of the moisture from under the foundation by providing a capillary barrier prohibiting moisture movement by capillary action therethrough. The barrier permits moisture movement by percolation therethrough to establish and maintain the soil under the foundation at the plastic limit.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry F. Ball
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:52
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02D; E02D31/00; E02D31/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
In a method of constructing a light structure on a high shrink-swell soil having the steps of preparing the soil for pouring of a slab-type foundation; constructing a form for the foundation, placing sand within the form to provide a cushion for supporting the slab; placing structural steel within the form; pouring concrete material into the form and allowing the concrete material to harden to construct a slab; erecting a structure on the slab; and the improvement which comprises the steps of: adding selective quantities of water to the soil until the moisture content is at least equal to the plastic limit in the area over which the slab is to be constructed; and constructing a moisture-controlling barrier of a predetermined width and depth in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab whereby capillary movement of moisture from under the slab soil surrounding the slab is inhibited and whereby movement of water by percolation into the soil under the slab is permitted, the step of constructing the moisture-controlling barrier comprising forming a trench abutting the periphery of the slab; filling the trench with aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in excess of 1/4 of an inch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a method of constructing a light structure on a high shrink-swell soil having the steps of preparing the soil for pouring of a slab-type foundation; constructing a form for the foundation, placing sand within the form to provide a cushion for supporting the slab; placing structural steel within the form; pouring concrete material into the form and allowing the concrete material to harden to construct a slab; erecting a structure on the slab; and the improvement which comprises the steps of: adding selective quantities of water to the soil until the moisture content is at least equal to the plastic limit in the area over which the slab is to be constructed; and constructing a moisture-controlling barrier of a predetermined width and depth in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab whereby capillary movement of moisture from under the slab soil surrounding the slab is inhibited and whereby movement of water by percolation into the soil under the slab is permitted, the step of constructing the moisture-controlling barrier comprising forming a trench abutting the periphery of the slab; filling the trench with aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in excess of 1/4 of an inch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of forming a trench comprises forming a first leg of said trench extending vertically downward a sufficient distance to inhibit capillary movement of water thereacross thereby limiting loss of moisture from beneath the foundation and forming a second leg extending horizontally between the first leg and the slab for permitting percolation of water therethrough while inhibiting capillary movement of moisture across the second leg to maintain the moisture level in soil under the slab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 additionally comprising the step of forming a third leg extending horizontally from the first leg in a direction away from the slab.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of forming the trench comprises forming a first leg extending horizontally from the periphery of the slab out away from the slab and forming a second leg extending from the first leg in a direction down and away from the slab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of forming the trench comprises forming a trench having a leg extending from the foundation in a direction down and away from the slab.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of forming the trench comprises forming a leg extending horizontally out away from the foundation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
171 words
A structure for reducing damage to a slab due to shrinking and swelling of soil by stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising a moisture controlling barrier at the periphery of the slab; and the improvement which comprises said moisture controlling barrier comprising a trench of a predetermined width and depth abutting the periphery of the slab for inhibiting capillary movement of moisture from under the slab to the soil surrounding the slab and for permitting percolation of a moisture down through the barrier and into the soil under the periphery of the slab, aggregate materials in said trench of a sufficient quantity and size to permit the flow of water by percolation across said trench and to inhibit the flow of moisture by capillary migration across said trench, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in access of 1/4 of an inch whereby said barrier maintains the moisture content of the soil under the periphery of the slab at a desired level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A structure for reducing damage to a slab due to shrinking and swelling of soil by stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising a moisture controlling barrier at the periphery of the slab; and the improvement which comprises said moisture controlling barrier comprising a trench of a predetermined width and depth abutting the periphery of the slab for inhibiting capillary movement of moisture from under the slab to the soil surrounding the slab and for permitting percolation of a moisture down through the barrier and into the soil under the periphery of the slab, aggregate materials in said trench of a sufficient quantity and size to permit the flow of water by percolation across said trench and to inhibit the flow of moisture by capillary migration across said trench, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in access of 1/4 of an inch whereby said barrier maintains the moisture content of the soil under the periphery of the slab at a desired level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said trench comprising a first leg extending vertically downward a sufficient distance to inhibit capillary movement of water thereacross thereby limiting loss of moisture from beneath the slab and a second leg extending horizontally between the first leg and the slab for permitting percolation of water therethrough while inhibiting capillary movement of moisture across the second leg to maintain a moisture level in the soil under the slab.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said trench comprises a leg extending horizontally out away from the slab.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 7 wherein said barrier extends completely around the periphery of the slab.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method for stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of a structure comprising the steps of: constructing a moisture controlling barrier at the exterior of existing structure supported from the soil, the step of constructing the moisture controlling barrier comprising excavating a trench of a predetermined width and depth in the soil and abutting the periphery of the structure; and placing in said trench a sufficient quantity of aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in excess of 1/4 of an inch whereby capillary movement of moisture from under the slab to the soil surrounding the slab is inhibited and whereby movement of water by percolation into the soil under the slab is permitted.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a method for stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of a structure comprising the steps of: constructing a moisture controlling barrier at the exterior of existing structure supported from the soil, the step of constructing the moisture controlling barrier comprising excavating a trench of a predetermined width and depth in the soil and abutting the periphery of the structure; and placing in said trench a sufficient quantity of aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension in excess of 1/4 of an inch whereby capillary movement of moisture from under the slab to the soil surrounding the slab is inhibited and whereby movement of water by percolation into the soil under the slab is permitted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of forming a trench comprises forming a first leg of said trench extending vertically downward a sufficient distance to inhibit capillary movement of water thereacross thereby limiting loss of moisture from beneath the foundation and forming a second leg extending horizontally between the first leg and the slab for permitting percolation of water therethrough while inhibiting capillary movement of moisture across the second leg to maintain the moisture level in soil under the slab.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of forming the trench comprises forming a leg extending horizontally out away from the foundation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of constructing the moisture controlling barrier comprises excavating said trench completely around the structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
A moisture controlling barrier for reducing the damage to a slab due to shrinking and swelling of soil because of moisture variations in the soil at the periphery of the slab by stablilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising: a moisture controlling barrier of aggregate material in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension of 1/4 of an inch, said barrier being of a sufficient size and width to prevent the capillary migration of moisture across the barrier whereby the loss of moisture from under the slab is reduced and to permit percolation of moisture across the barrier whereby moisture may be added to the soil under the foundation whereby the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab is maintained.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
A moisture controlling barrier for reducing the damage to a slab due to shrinking and swelling of soil because of moisture variations in the soil at the periphery of the slab by stablilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising: a moisture controlling barrier of aggregate material in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension of 1/4 of an inch, said barrier being of a sufficient size and width to prevent the capillary migration of moisture across the barrier whereby the loss of moisture from under the slab is reduced and to permit percolation of moisture across the barrier whereby moisture may be added to the soil under the foundation whereby the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab is maintained.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A moisture controlling barrier as defined in claim 15 wherein said barrier extends completely around said slab.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a slab foundation construction for use in high shrink-swell soils to reduce damage due to shrinking and swelling of the soil by stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising a slab supported by the soil, and a moisture controlling barrier in the soil at the periphery of the slab, the improvement which comprises said barrier comprising a moisture controlling barrier of aggregate material in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension of 1/4 of an inch, said barrier being of a sufficient size and width to prevent the capillary migration of moisture across the barrier whereby the loss of moisture from under the slab is reduced and to permit percolation of moisture across the barrier whereby moisture may be added to the soil under the foundation whereby the moisture content at the periphery of the slab is maintained.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a slab foundation construction for use in high shrink-swell soils to reduce damage due to shrinking and swelling of the soil by stabilizing the moisture content of the soil at the periphery of the slab, comprising a slab supported by the soil, and a moisture controlling barrier in the soil at the periphery of the slab, the improvement which comprises said barrier comprising a moisture controlling barrier of aggregate material in the soil and abutting the periphery of the slab, said aggregate material having a minimum particle dimension of 1/4 of an inch, said barrier being of a sufficient size and width to prevent the capillary migration of moisture across the barrier whereby the loss of moisture from under the slab is reduced and to permit percolation of moisture across the barrier whereby moisture may be added to the soil under the foundation whereby the moisture content at the periphery of the slab is maintained.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |