DEEP SEATED SWELL IN THE EAGLE FORD SHALE CAUSED BY WATER LINE LEAKAGE
Mark J. Farrow, P.E. & Michael D. Roland, P.E.
This paper addresses the cause of large upward slab movement caused by deep seated swelling of the Eagle Ford Shale Formation. Upward slab movements of over 2.5 inches occurred as a result of soil swelling between depths of 11 to 15 feet within 4 years after construction. The potential existed for additional 6-inches of upward movement if the free water source causing the deep seated swelling was not identified and eliminated. The movement occurred at a site where a 12-inch cap was placed over 1 Q-feet of water injected soil that had been inspected and tested with borings and swell test verification that the soil swell had been reduced to 1-inch. The free water source causing the deep swelling was a fire protection water line that had corroded along the outside of the pipe due to soil corrosion and along the inside of the pipe due to an unusual micro-organism occurrence. This paper addresses the specific details of the documented deep seated swelling as well as specific details associated with the pipe corrosion.