A Review of Collapsible Soils Behavior and Prediction

Abstract

Collapsible soils are present in arid and semi-arid regions in an unsaturated state and are considered to be one of the problematic soils that face engineering and geotechnical challenges. They are regarded as sensitive soils where their structure and engineering properties change upon wetting (leaching or soaking). The wetting leads to a break in the bonds between the soil particles (salts or clay) and a decrease in the suction power that binds the soil particles together. Large settlement occurs and thus causing problems for the buildings and facilities constructed on them. Recognizing the properties and characteristics of collapsible soils is very important in order to know how to deal with them to avoid unnecessary financial losses and problems. This paper gives an overview of collapsible soils behavior and prediction in many aspects.

Effect of Matric Suction on Deformation of Gypseous Sand Using Modified Oedometer

“…Table 3 displays the collapse potential (CP) for each level of the net normal stress and the matric suction, according to Jennings & Knight modified method [18,28]. Obviously, the highest CP (0.677) is under the net normal stress of 221 kPa, and the highest part (0.639) of the CP is due to wetting progress at matric suction of 20 kPa.…”

“…The unsaturated state always presents in collapsible soils where large collapse occurs with a decrease in the matric suction (𝑢𝑎−𝑢𝑤) [18]. During wetting in the sand, a sudden reduction in volume occurs, as observed by means of granulometry, porosimetry, permeability, optical and ESEM-EDS microscopy, thermogravimetry and XR diffractometry, electric conductivity, and ionic chromatography [19].…”

“…This collapse depends on many factors, such as the wetting process [8][9][10][11], higher gypsum content, void ratio, permeability [12], initial degree of saturation [13,14] and soil time-based wetting prior loading [15][16][17]. Gypseous soils experience numerous changes in their physical and mechanical characteristics due to their exposure to continuous mass loss [18]. The soils' bearing capacity is decreased by about 50% due to the soaking process [19].…”

Utilização do sistema de informação geográfica para identificar solos colapsíveis na região do semiárido brasileiro

“…Solos colapsíveis são encontrados em muitas partes do mundo, Estados Unidos da América, Brasil, Argentina, Uruguai, Espanha, Austrália, Kuwait, Egito, Irã, Sul África e China, particularmente em áreas áridas e semiáridas dessas regiões (Dudley, 1970). A maioria das ocorrências em solo naturais colapsíveis são areias em depositados eólicos (Aitchison, 1973;Jennings & Knigth, 1975;Clemence & Finbarr, 1981;Ferreira, 1995;Rafie, Moayed, & Esmaeli, 2008;Ayadat & Hanna, 2012;Mahmood & Abrahim, 2021;Opukumo et al, 2022).…”

Numerical Evaluation of Slope Stability for Construction and Seismic Loads: Case Study

“…The soil's shear strength can be enhanced by the long term soaking method [13]. The risk of collapse in all soil groups rises due to a drop in soil matric suction [14][15][16].…”