Part 5Part 5

Ascertaining Ascertaining Depth of Depth of

Seasonal Fluctuation Seasonal Fluctuation andand

Depth of Desiccation Depth of Desiccation

The The depth of desiccationdepth of desiccation is typically estimated from examination is typically estimated from examination of soil moisture content with depth (shown at left)of soil moisture content with depth (shown at left)

The The depth of seasonal soil moisturedepth of seasonal soil moisture content fluctuation is content fluctuation is usually much less, also shown at left. usually much less, also shown at left.

Inserting meter stick into desiccation crack

Drainage improvementsDrainage improvements, like these concrete-, like these concrete-lined drainage interceptor ditches, can be lined drainage interceptor ditches, can be difficult to maintain when constructed upon difficult to maintain when constructed upon expansive soilsexpansive soils

This is because these soils are prone to This is because these soils are prone to seasonal slope creep, differential heave, and seasonal slope creep, differential heave, and desiccation, as shown here desiccation, as shown here