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built in protection against soil movement

Introduction
Claylite is a green coloured low density expanded polystyrene compressible fill board which acts to absorb movement between ground and concrete foundations to alleviate pressure on structures caused by clay
heave, shrinkage or other soil movement.

Clayllte for standard applications with ground beams and in even sided trenches.

Clay heave & Shrinkage
Clay shrinks during periods of drought and expands again after heavy rainfall. Foundations built on
shrinkable clays can normally be affected to a depth of 1m but where there are trees and hedges the depth affected increases.
 
The Building Research Establishment estimates that in situations where there are trees on shrinkable clay
soils,the surface movement can be up to l00mm.

Clay heave can impose both lateral and vertical pressureson foundations, often resulting in cracking and expensive structural damage.

While piled foundations offer more protection than conventional trench fill, both types still remain highly vulnerable to clay heave, shrinkage or soil movement.

Solution
In latter years it has become standard practice to protect building toundotlons-wlth compressible fill such
as Claylite which ispurposely designed to absorb natural contractions and expansions within clay and other
types of soil.

Claylite
Claylite isa low density expanded polystyrene board produced in a light green colour for easy identification
and developed to protect foundations of new buildings from clay heave, shrinkage or soil movement in
trench systems up to 2.5m deep. This depth can be increased by staggered concrete pours.

In ground beam and pile beam applications Claylite can be used on both faces of the beam.

Site Practice
Excavations for ground beams or foundations must be carried out in accordance with BS.6032:1981: ·Code of Practice for eartnworks", paying particular attention to safety procedures and good site practice.

All fixings should be undertaken from outside the trench. Precautions should be taken to ensure the face of the excavation does not collapse during installation of the Claylite, e.s. by bridging the trench.

If required, Kay Metzeler specialists, experienced in site practice and installation of the material, will attend the site to provide demonstrations to ensure correct installation.

Adequate supervision of the installation must be maintained. Kay Metzeler specialists must have right of access to the Site to ensure Claylite is being installed correctly. Broken pieces of compressible fill or debris must not be entrapped within the pour.

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