Movement of the earth we build upon manifests in many different forms that are encountered in almost all areas of the globe. They can cause substantial harm to both residential and commercial properties, resulting in significant financial loss and in loss of life. Such movement goes by many names, which include settling, plate movement or earthquakes, earth drift, sinkholes, muck, vibrations through earth, expansive soils, expansion by frost and exploding volcanoes. Rather than simply not building in problematic areas, we learn all we can of what to expect, to determine what issues with moving earth we might be able to mitigate. Then we seek to implement the best solutions we can afford to soften the blow of the hammer.  If avoiding such destruction is not possible,  we must decide whether the perceived reward of building in that area is worth assuming the level of risk from the unstable terrain.  

 

After completion of the course, participants will be able to:  

  

Recognize the potential for various forms of mass movement to occur on a given site. 

  

Discuss the underlying cause of earthquakes and the damage and danger they represent.  

 

Describe the difference between debris flows and rockfalls.  

 

Recommend ways to combat slope failure.  

 

Determine the potential for naturally occurring sinkholes to occur on a site.  

 

Discuss the lateral transfer of force through earth, especially soil with high water content.  

 

Examine the pressure exerted again structures by expansive soils.  

 

Explain precautions that are useful when dealing with frost expansion.