Shrink–swell is the volume change that occurs as a result of changes in the moisture content of clay-rich soils. Swelling pressures can cause heave, or lifting of structures, whilst shrinkage can cause settlement or subsidence, which may be differential.

Here we define a quantity called Shrinkage ratio as an indicator of how much volume change is possible as changes in water content above the shrinkage limit occur.

Jan 1, 2014 · The soil shrinkage is defined as the specific volume change of soil relative to its water content and is mainly due to clay swelling properties (Haines, 1923; Stirk, 1954). It can be measured in most soils with more than 10% clay content (Boivin et al., 2006) and shows a typical S-shape (Figure 1). This process is reversible with changes in ...

Shrinkage and shrinkage cracks are caused by a reduction in soil moisture content through: Evaporation from the soil surface in dry climates. Lowering of the groundwater table. Desiccation of soil by trees during temporary dry spells in otherwise humid climates.

Jan 11, 2024 · In this paper, the drying-induced shrinkage behavior of soil is addressed and the underlying mechanisms for the soil shrinkage are explored by developing a simple constitutive model with incorporation of the intergranular stress concept.

Soils exhibiting swell-shrink characteristics manifest anisotropic shrinkage tendencies during the drying phase, with the highest vertical shrinkage rate, followed by the longitudinal shrinkage rate, and the lowest transverse shrinkage rate.

Mar 1, 2016 · Examples collected from a variety of soils show how these functions describe shrinkage of soil samples in the laboratory; quantify the relationships among soil suction, soil shrinkage, and water content using the same set of parameters; and predict sealing of soil cracks in …

Feb 15, 2013 · Six types of soil shrinkage were classified according to the presence of different shrinkage phases and depended on soil components and soil structure (e.g., soil bulk density, interaggregate pores).

The important parameters related to shrinkage limit in soil engineering are shrinkage index, shrinkage limit, volumetric shrinkage, and linear shrinkage. Each parameter is briefly explained in this article. 1. Shrinkage Index ( Is ) The numerical difference between the liquid limit ( wl ) and the shrinkage limit ( ws ) is called as shrinkage Index.

Feb 18, 2023 · Swelling and shrinking in soils occur as a result of the changes in volume of soil with the corresponding changes in the soil's water content. The magnitude of swelling and shrinking is...