Review of methods for predicting in situ volume change movement of expansive soil over time

Abstract

The soil movement information over time is required for the design of foundations placed in expansive soils. This information is also helpful for the assessment of pre-wetting and controlled wetting mitigation alternatives for expansive soils. Several researchers during the past fifteen years have proposed different methods for the prediction of the soil movements over time. The available methods can be categorised into (i) consolidation theory-based methods, (ii) water content-based methods, and (iii) suction-based methods. In this paper, a state-of-the-art of the prediction methods is succinctly summarized. The methods are critically reviewed in terms of their predictive capacity along with their strengths and limitations. The review highlights the need for prediction methods that are conceptually simple yet efficient for use in conventional engineering practice for different types of expansive soils.

Shrinkage Module of Soil Samples with Different Cement Content

“…The soil moisture varies due to environmental changes or, other factors have a significant influence on the soil movement changes with time [18]. For this reason, information related to the soil movement over time is of practical interest for both the reliable design of foundations for structures on expansive soils and the assessment of pre wetting and controlled wetting mitigation alternatives for expansive soils [2].…”

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Hybrid Geosynthetic Reinforcement System to Mitigate Swelling Distresses on Flexible Pavement Due to Expansive Subgrades

“…To evaluate the volume change behavior, moisture or suction variation ranges over time and constitutive laws that linked with soil behaviors must be defined (Briaud et al 2003). In an attempt to state the methods for volume change movement, Adem and Vanapalli (2015) categorized three approaches based on the variables that influence the swell-shrink behavior of soil. They are-…”

“…Volumetric movement of unsaturated soil is illustrated by the volume change of soil structure as well as moisture variation with time (Adem and Vanapalli 2015).…”

“…Based on the elastic and plastic characteristic of the soil, volumetric constitutive relations can be grouped as elastic constitutive model-based methods and elastoplastic constitutive model based methods (Adem and Vanapalli 2015). Elastic approaches correlate the volumetric movement with net stress and matric suction (Fredlund and Morgenstern 1978;Vu and Fredlund 2004;Zhang 2005;Vu and Fredlund 2006).…”

“…It can be predicted using the oedometer method (Nelson and Miller 1992). This method is applicable for homogenous soil profiles with minimal macroscale fracturing or cracking and can predict the time rate of the migration of the wetting front and the resulting time rate of soil heave realistically (Adem and Vanapalli 2015). However, this method is time-consuming and no indication of shrinkage effect.…”