What is the Soil Triangle?
Soil characteristics are important in agriculture and construction, as they directly influence plant growth, water management, and structural stability. Whether you’re a homeowner or builder, learning how to use the soil triangle can help safeguard your investment. This page explains the soil triangle, the signs of soil-related structural damage, and who to call when you need foundation repair.
The Soil Triangle: What is it?
The soil triangle chart classifies soil based on the clay, silt, and sand percentages within the soil particle size. It is divided into 12 sections, with horizontal and diagonal lines intersecting to represent soil texture classification, such as loam, sandy clay loam, or silty clay.
Since soil type, color, and texture vary by region, the soil triangle is a vital tool for preventing erosion, drainage issues, and foundation damage.
Why is the Soil Triangle Important?
Knowing the soil texture provides information on the permeability and water-holding capacity of the soil. These qualities impact erosion rate and plant growth. Soil texture analysis is beneficial in agriculture and construction, where soil affects plant growth and structural foundations.
How to Read a Soil Triangle
The soil triangle chart is used by following these three steps:
1. Determine Percentages: Obtain the sand, silt, and clay percentages in your soil sample and ensure they add up to 100%.
2. Locate Percentages on the Triangle:
- Sand: Find the sand percentage along the bottom axis, and from this point, draw a line upward and to the left, parallel to the left side of the triangle.
- Silt: Locate the silt percentage on the left axis. Draw a line downward to the right, parallel to the right side of the triangle.
- Clay: Identify the clay percentage on the right axis. Draw a line horizontally to the left, parallel to the triangle’s base.
3. Identify the Intersection: The intersection point where these three lines meet on the triangle indicates the textural class of the soil.
The soil triangle is essential for identifying soil textural classification before home construction and agricultural planning.
How Does Soil Affect Home Foundations?
Soil types directly affect the longevity of home foundations. Different soils influence foundation stability. Here’s how:
- Clay Soil: These soils expand when they become saturated with rain or snowmelt and contract when they become dry. This expansion and contraction causes foundation cracks and structural damage.
- Sandy Soil: These soils experience minimal volume changes with moisture variations, providing stability. However, sandy soils can be prone to erosion, potentially undermining the foundation.
- Silt Soil: These soils have fine particles and retain water, which can lead to soil compaction over time. This causes foundation settlement and can lead to uneven flooring and cracked walls.
- Loam Soil: These soils include a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay. Loam is stable and provides good support, draining well and minimizing water-related issues.
Proper construction practices minimize the chance of future foundation troubles, as builders should inspect the soil before construction begins.
Signs of Soil-Related Foundation Damage
Soil-related foundation damage is common. Here are the signed to look for:
Notice signs of foundation damage on your property? Contact Groundworks, your local foundation repair expert. We provide free inspections and tailored repair estimates to meet your needs and budget.
What to do if You Suspect Soil-Related Foundation Damage
Soil affects more than just plant growth. It also impacts your foundation. Have you noticed signs of foundation damage, such as cracks or uneven flooring? Groundworks provides free inspections and tailored solutions to address soil-related foundation damage.
Contact us today to get started.
Foundation Soil FAQs
Most soil stabilization projects can be completed in a matter of days, depending on the size and scope of the project.
Uneven settling, cracking in concrete or foundations, and poor soil compaction can indicate the need for soil stabilization.
Yes, by increasing soil density and treating expansive clays, we mitigate future risks of settlement, movement, or damage to foundations.
