CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT FOR STRUCTURES ON EXPANSIVE SOILS BY THE PATTERN LANGUAGE DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Abstract : The purpose of this project is two-fold: (1) to assemble information and data useful during the preliminary design phase of structure built on expansive soil; and (2) to organize and structure the information into a framework (pattern language) to focus the designer's attention on the applicable design information and data at the proper point in the design process. Development of the pattern language for this purpose produced 15 basic relationships (patterns) specifically related to the solution of design problems associated with construction on expansive soils. The basic patterns were organized into a (logic diagram-type) cascade to provide designers with a system which displays the interconnection among the patterns and enables them to preserve a view of the entire design process. For use in the preliminary design of structure on expansive soils, the pattern language design method is very instructive. It can be used to apprise and educate designers about the problems associated with designing buildings in expansive soils areas.