What is an "Expansive Soil"? Expansive soils contain minerals such as smectite clays that are capable of absorbing water. When they absorb water, they increase in volume. The more water they absorb, the more their volume increases. Expansions of ten percent or …

Map showing the geographic distribution of expansive soils in the conterminous United States.

Jan 23, 2018 · Expansive soils, also known as soils with high shrink-swell potential, are common in various geographic regions, especially the central portion of North America. These soils are fine-grained clay minerals comprised of illites, kaolinites, or montmorillonites.

Expansive soils, also known as swell-shrink soils, are one of the most problematic soils in highway construction and exhibit significant volume changes by swelling and shrinking while wet and dry, respectively. These changes in soil cause cracks, heaves, differential settlements, and damages to the overlying pavements leading to high ...

Expansive soils in many parts of the United States pose a significant hazard to foundations for light buildings. Swelling clays derived from residual soils can exert uplift pressures of as much as 5,500 PSF, which can do considerable damage to lightly-loaded wood-frame structures.

Expansive soil is clay, silt, loam, or any soil that is particularly prone to expansion or shrinkage in direct variation with the water table. In short, expansive soils swell when water is present and shrink as the water evaporates.

Feb 15, 2019 · After all, the clay soil around your Oklahoma home affects the stability and structural integrity of its foundation. So it pays to understand how Oklahoma’s soil impacts a home, why it expands and contracts so much, and how you can protect your home’s foundation for years to come.

Jan 1, 2012 · Key aspects that need identification when dealing with expansive soils include: soil properties, suction/water conditions, water content variations temporal and spatial, e.g. generated by...

Expansive soils, also known as shrink-swell soils, are soils that expand when they absorb moisture and contract as they dry. This swelling and shrinking cycle can cause significant damage to structures built on these soils, leading to foundation movement, cracks, and …

Mar 18, 2022 · In geotechnical engineering, expansive soils are defined as clayey soils that undergo excessive volumetric changes as a result of seasonal moisture fluctuations. Expansive soils are also sometimes referred to as heavy clay or fat clay soils.