Construction of slabs and foundations on expansive soil have gone largely from conventional slabs and foundations with rebar and wire mesh to integrated post-tensioned slab and foundation systems.

Description. Post-tensioned systems incorporate high strength cables running through the foundations and slabs. Following adequate strength gain in the concrete, the cables are tensioned and locked off. The post-tensioned cable systems compress the slab and foundation systems. The compression is intended to produce a benefit analogous to one’s ability to pick up a line of books from a table by compressing each end and creating a beam effect.

Information submitted by Gregory Axten of American Geotechnical.