Ascertaining Depth of Seasonal Fluctuation and Depth of Desiccation

1
Part 5

• Ascertaining Depth of Seasonal Fluctuation
  andDepth of Desiccation

2
Inserting meter stick into desiccation crack

• The depth of desiccation is typically estimated
  from examination of soil moisture content with
  depth (shown at left)
• The depth of seasonal soil moisture content
  fluctuation is usually much less, also shown at
  left.

3

• Drainage improvements, like these concrete-lined
  drainage interceptor ditches, can be difficult to
  maintain when constructed upon expansive soils
• This is because these soils are prone to seasonal
  slope creep, differential heave, and desiccation,
  as shown here