INTRODUCTION
Excessive settlements of shallow foundations associated with water infiltration are commonly associated with collapsible soils. However, data on settlements associated with chemical action of inorganic fluids percolating through in non-collapsible soils are seldom found in technical literature. These percolating fluids can be due to leakages of buried tanks and pipes or to accidental spills. The settlements occur due to a structural collapse of the soil associated with loss of
cementation or aggregation between particles or with chemical alteration of the material- This paper presents a case history in which settlements occurring in foundations of industrial buildings were probably due to leakages or spills of inorganic fluids used in the industrial process.