What is drought in construction?
Drought is a prolonged period of low rainfall and high evaporation that lowers the groundwater table and dries out soil, timber and building materials. In construction it matters because drought can cause settlement, pile rot and shrinkage in materials.
What damage does drought cause?
A lower groundwater level directly affects existing buildings. Older timber pile foundations are particularly vulnerable:
- Pile rot — when timber piles dry out, oxygen reaches the wood and decay begins
- Differential settlement — clay soils shrink when they dry out
- Cracks in facades — differential settlement leads to cracks in walls and ceilings
- Subsiding gardens and pavements — the ground sinks around houses on pile foundations
- Timber shrinkage — frames, doors and floors shrink and swell again
Application in construction
Drought plays a role in several decisions:
- Foundation repair — pile rot often requires a new foundation
- Building on clay or peat — extra ground investigation and settlement calculation
- Material choice — choose timber and panels with low shrinkage
- Drainage and infiltration — buffer rainwater to keep the groundwater up
- Curing concrete — protect fresh concrete from drying too fast
Points of attention
- For older buildings on clay or peat, monitor the groundwater level
- After dry summers, check regularly for new cracks in walls
- In hot, dry weather, cover fresh concrete or keep it damp
- Do not plant trees too close to the building — roots draw water from the ground
Related terms
- Foundation
- Settlement
- Absolute settlement
- Drainage
- Building moisture
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