high water table 4

[johnhan76]

My client wants to build a residential subdivision in an area with a high groundwater table (12" depth) I am concerned with the construction and long term stability of the road. It wont have a large volume of traffic. My design will have 6" of graded aggregate base. I dont know if this rock will have any capillary action that could possibly endanger the integrity of the road. Thanks for any insight and possible solutions.

 

[SBudd]

johnjan76,

I have done a reasonable amount of work in Florida and the southeast and agree with others that fill is the way to go given the high groundwater.

You had mentioned that your client is concearned about the costs of fill. It may actually be cheaper in the long run to eliminate the curb and gutter and underdrain system and just bring in dirt and use swales.

 

[johnhan76]

You are right - cheaper in the long run. But a developer is worried about the short run because once they build out the municipality owns it. For the last 15 years developers around here have used underdrain systems and they are still working. The fact that they still work hampers my arguments to them regarding fill. THey always cite specific projects when shooting down my arguments. Thanks for the advice.