Foundation Construction On Expansive Soils

Problematic Soils
Contents
• Introduction
• Composition
• Identification
• Properties
• Associated Problems
• Mitigation
• Case Studies
• Conclusion

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EXPANSIVE SOILS
• Soils which expand when they gain water
and shrink when they loose water
• Also called shrink-swell soils
• Found in arid & semi arid areas
• In Pakistan this soil is found in D.G Khan,
Gujranwalla, Sialkot and Khairpur
(Sindh).

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EXPANSIVE SOILS

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EXPANSIVE SOILS
• They are also commonly known as expansive, or montmorillinitic
soils.

• Soil volume may expand 10 percent or more as the clay becomes wet.

• The powerful force of expansion is capable of exerting pressures of

20,000 psf or greater on foundations, slabs or other confining
structures.

• Generally their color is reddish brown to brown, but may vary from
blackish brown to grey.

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Composition
The soils rich in montmorillonite minerals are generally expansive

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Swelling Process

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Identification
Direct Observation Cracks & Popcorn
Texture

Survey Maps
Soil Survey Maps Developed By
Different Agencies
Identification

Mineralogical
Identification

Single Index Method

Laboratory Testing
(Indirect Method)

Consolidometer Test
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(Direct Method)
Properties of Expansive Soils

COLOUR BROWN & RED

LIQUID LIMIT 45-70%

PLASTIC LIMIT 30-50%

SHRINKAGE LIMIT 8-28%

SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.67-2.8

CLAY CONTENT 35-100%

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Associated Problems
• Misaligned doors and windows
• Sticking of Doors and windows
• Sloping of the floor
• Cracks in the floor or tile
• Gaps around the doors and windows
• Cracks in the foundation
• Differential movement under the same construction
• Change of soil level in the same place from up to down according to
seasonal changes of moisture content and water table levels
• Doming Of Soil and Cupping Of Soil
• Ruptured pipelines
• Heaving and cracking of side walks, roads, floor slabs and walls.
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Associated Problems

Cracking due to differential settlement Damages due to swelling soil

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Associated Problems

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Associated Problems

House built on swelling soil Cracks in exterior walls, as a result of

upward clay expansion

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Associated Problems
Mitigation Measures
• Avoidance
• Alter the soil.
• All forms of drainage control
• Limit the foundation depth if swelling soil is at some depth
• Extend building foundations beneath the zone of water content
fluctuation
• Load the soil to sufficient pressure intensity to balance swell pressures
• Chemical treatments
• Limit surface infiltration during the rainy winter months
• Pre-wetting
• Enclosure of Foundation
• Deep Foundations
• Proper Drainage System 15