Soil which expand when they

gain water and shrink when

they loose water
(desiccation)

Soils are composed of a variety of

materials, most of which do not
expand in the presence of moisture.
However, a number of clay minerals
are expansive. These include:
Smectite,
Bentonite,
Chlorite.
Beidellite
Vermiculite,

Attapulgite,
Nontronite,
illite

Montmorillonite,

There are also some sulfate

salts that will expand with
changes in temperature.

CLAY: Particles exhibit a net

negative charge

As the water is adsorbed, it pushes the

clay particles apart, causing an
expansion or swelling of the clay.

The most obvious way in

which expansive soils can
damage foundations is by
uplift as they swell with
moisture increases.

Swelling pressure from expensive soil

can exceed 30,000psf(F.H CHEN 2000)
More typical value of swell pressure are
2000 to 4000psf
A single pound of montmorillonite can
have a surface area of 800 acres
Soil pressure is important if the structure
is to be designed to resist the uplift due
to heave

Polygonal pattern of
surface cracks in the
dry season. These
cracks are
approximately one
inch wide at the top.
Note sewer manhole
in background.

This crack is at least

32 inches deep. The
yardstick was easily
inserted to this
depth; narrower, less
straight cracks may
extend much deeper.

At the
beginning of
the rainy
season, the
piers are still
supported by
friction with
the soil.
When it
begins to
rain, water
enters deep
into the soil
through the
cracks.

After 5 to 10
large storms,
the soil swells,
lifting the
house and
piers.

In the dry season, the

groundwater table falls
and the soil dries and
contracts. As tension
cracks grow around the
pier, the skin friction is
reduced and the
effective stress of the
soil increases (due to
drying). When the
building load exceeds
the remaining skin
friction, or the effective
stress of the soil
increases to an all-time
high, adhesion is

Plastic index (PI)can be used as a

reasonable surrogate to indicate
expansive soil

PI>20 considered expansive

PI>40 considered highly expansive
Expansion index considered effect of clay
mineral

Widely used properties for soil

Plastic limit(PI) is the moisture
content(MC) at which the soil behavior
change from semi solid to plastic
Liquid limit is the moisture content at
which the soil change from plastic to
liquid

Transition from solid to semi solid

behavior
Defined as the water content at which
saturated specimen ceases to shrink
when dried
Generally below the plastic limit
Commonly calculated as a function of
liquid limit and plastic limit index using
casagrande chart

The plasticity index is the mathematical

difference between the PL and LL.
PI =LL -PL
Most soil expansion occur as the moisture
content move from the PL to LL
The higher the PL, more the water that
can be absorbed during expansion, and
hence the greater the potential
movement of soil.

Clay mineral type

Amount of clay
heave
Soil structure and fabric
Depth of active zone
Potential for change in moisture content

For a given structure, there are five ways

to control shrinkage swell
Control heave
Replace the expansive soil with nonexpansive soil(select fill)
Control change in moisture content
Isolate the structure from the soil
Chemical soil treatment

Three general types of foundations can be

considered in expansive soils. They are
1. Structures that can be kept isolated from
the swelling effects of the soils
2. Designing of foundations that will remain
undamaged in spite of swelling
3. Elimination of swelling potential of soil.

Provide granular fill around the

foundation

Provide air gap

RCC plinth beam

PREWETTING

COMPACTION

CHEMICAL STABILIZATION OF SOIL

Increase the moisture content of soil by

ponding.
4 to 5% hydrated lime may be added to
the top layer of the soil to make it less
plastic and more workable .
Achieve most of the heave before
construction.
This technique is time consuming
because the seepage of water through
highly plastic soil is slow

Heave of expansive soils known to

decrease substantially when the soil is
compacted to a lower unit weight on high
side of optimum moisture content
(possibly 3 to 4% above the optimum
moisture content)