Title: Design for a Concrete Future on Clays

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/13/2011

Abstract:
A “green” philosophical learning point is to harness and enhance natural responses to structures as part of the design and construct approach. An original engineering design system is explored that looks to the environment to identify key responses involved in placing concrete slab foundations on reactive clay soils. By identifying and accelerating features of natural stability and mimicking the presence of a larger building footprint using a moisture stabilizing membrane, the available natural stability is harnessed at considerably lower monetary (20–40%) cost and potential Australian greenhouse gas saving (ca. 3% total construction budget) compared with present stiffened raft foundation methods; and rebating up to 66% of the present cost premium of “green buildings”.