Dr.

Abbagana Mohammed,
Civil Engineering Programme,
ATBU, Bauchi
 Soils which expand when the moisture content
of the soils is increased.
 The clay mineral montmorillonite mainly
responsible for expansive characteristic of the
soil.
 Expansive soils are also called swelling soils or
black cotton soils.

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 When the water content of the soil is
increased it expands
 As the water content reduces, it shrinks and
cracks develop
 These cracks may travel deep into the
ground
 Depth of the expansive soil in which periodic
changes of moisture content occur to cause
swelling and shrinkage is known as active
zone
 Soil below active zone is not affected by
moisture content change

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 Expansion and Contraction
is related to the PI
(plasticity index). The
Code defines expansive as
soils with a “Plasticity
Index (PI) of 15 or greater,
determined in accordance
with ASTM D 4318.”
 Expansive soils require a
design professional or
foundation specialist.
 A common field test is to
take a sample of soil from
the bottom of the footing
and wet it. Then, roll it into
a ball.

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 If the ball crumbles apart
then the soil has low
plasticity and will not
expand or contract with
changes in moisture.

 If the ball stays together;

drop it to the ground. If is
falls apart then the soil is
questionable and a specialist
should be consulted.

 If the ball stays together

when it is dropped then the
soil is expansive and will
require a specialist input for 1m
design.

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 Another test is to roll
the wet soil into a
pencil shape about ¼”
diameter.
 If the pencil can be
formed without
breaking then consult
a specialist.

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 Atterberg Limits.

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 Swelling Potential. This is defined as the percentage of
swell of a laterally confined sample in an oedometer
test which is soaked under a surcharge load of 7 kPa
after being compacted to maximum dry density at
optimum moisture content according to the AASHTO
compaction test.

 Swelling Pressure. This is the pressure required for

preventing volume expansion in soil in contact with
water. It should be noted here that the swelling
pressure measured in a laboratory oedometer is
different from that in the field. The actual field
swelling pressure is always less than the one measured
in the laboratory.

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 Free swell, Sf is defined as

 According to Holtz and Gibbs (1956), 10 cm3 (Vi) of dry soil

passing thorough a No. 40 sieve is poured into a 100 cm3
graduated cylinder filled with water. The volume of settled
soil is measured after 24 hours which gives the value of Vf .
 The free swell value increases with plasticity index. Holtz
and Gibbs suggested that soils having a free-swell value as
low as 100 %can cause considerable damage to lightly
loaded structures and soils heaving a free swell value below
50 % seldom exhibit appreciable volume change even under
light loadings.

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 Due to change in water table
 Due to landscaping and irrigation of lawns
around buildings
 Defective surface drainage around a building
 Removal of vegetation around a building will
stop transpiration and increase soil moisture
 Seasonal variation in climate if there is a large
change in temperature

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 The supply of water (depends on rainfall,
irrigation, and surface drainage).
 Evaporation and transpiration (depends on climate
and vegetation; large trees can extract large
quantities of water from the soil through their
roots).
 The presence of fissures in the soil (water will flow
through the fissures much more easily than
through the soil).
 The presence of sand or gravel lenses (helps water
penetrate the soil).
 The soil's affinity for water (its suction).
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 Removal of vegetation brings an end to
transpiration.
 Placement of slab-on-grade floors, pavements,
or other impervious materials on the ground
stops both evaporation and the direct
infiltration of rain water.
 Irrigation of landscaping introduces much
more water into the ground.
 Placement of aggressive trees can enhance
desiccation.
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 Damage to ground floor slabs ( it is bent up due to
swelling and thus cracking ensures)
 Footing wall is pushed outward due to swelling
resulting in the cracking of the end walls
 Cracks develop at the junctions between the wall
and the floor slabs and between the wall and the
roof
 Cracking at the corners of window and door
openings because of diagonal cracking of walls
 Utilities buried in the soil such as water pipes etc
may be damaged because of cracking

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There are many ways to prevent damage to structures
from expansive soils. These methods can be classified
as follows:
a. Controlling water’s access to the soil;
b. Modifying the soil properties; and
c. Altering the method of construction to mitigate
movements in the structure.

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 The ground surface should slope away from the
structure, .It is also important to install gutters or
other means of collecting rainwater from the roof
and discharging it away from the foundation.
 Landscaping-Irrigation near the structure can
introduce large quantities of water into the soil and
is a common cause of swelling.
 Avoid placing plants and irrigation systems
immediately adjacent to the structure.
 It is best to avoid planting large trees near the
structure.
 Using flexible pipe materials (i.e., PVC or ABS
instead of clay or concrete pipe).

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 Replacement of the expansive soil with a non
expansive soil, could be expensive.
 Lime treatment reduces the swelling potential,
increases the shear strength, and reduces the
moisture content of the expansive soil.
Normally used for highway works.
 Prewetting also called ponding, presoaking, or
presaturation involves of covering the site with
water before construction in an attempt to
increase the moisture content of the soil, thus
preswelling it.

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 Compaction of the
expansive soil slightly
above the optimum
moisture content also
reduces its swelling
potential.
 Installation of moisture
barriers around the
perimeter of the
building considerably
reduces the differential
heave of the soil.

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Bypassing the expansive
clay
 Deepened footings:
Achieved by
deepening the strip
foundation to a depth
of not less than 1.0m
below the ground
level

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Mitigating movements
 Strong and rigid
structures. The
foundation is made
strong and rigid to
withstand heave in
order to ensure uniform
settlements, e.g. rafts.
 Flexible structures. The
foundation system is
made flexible so that
differential movements
can be accommodated.

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1. Information regarding the nature of the superstructure and the
probable loading is required, at least in a general way.

2. The approximate subsurface conditions or soil profile is to be

ascertained.

3. Each of the customary types of foundation is considered briefly to

judge whether it is suitable under the existing conditions from the
point of view of the criteria for stability—bearing capacity and
settlement. The obviously unsuitable types may be eliminated, thus
narrowing down the choice.

4. More detailed studies, including tentative designs, of the more

promising types are made in the next phase.

5. Final selection of the type of foundation is made based on the cost—the

most acceptable compromise between cost and performance.

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