Construction of Foundations in Expansive Soils: A Review

The construction challenges encountered at various sites are diverse and often site-specific. One prevalent issue is the presence of expansive soil, which can significantly impact structures built upon them due to their propensity for shrinkage and swelling in response to seasonal moisture variations. Proper identification and comprehension of these soil types are imperative to safeguard both existing and future constructions. Additionally, the differential movement of structure foundations is a common concern in problematic soil conditions, attributable to fluctuations in soil moisture beneath the foundation. This paper endeavors to shed light on the general issues associated with foundation construction and proposes improvement techniques to facilitate the safe design of foundations in problematic soils, including expansive soils and soft soils. The paper begins by presenting the general characteristics of expansive soils and outlines methods for identification. Furthermore, it delves into the damage potential of expansive soils concerning various civil engineering constructions, elucidated through pertinent illustrations, while also discussing the underlying causes of soil volume changes. Moreover, the paper addresses laboratory procedures available for determining soil swell pressure. It then explores diverse techniques aimed at minimizing soil swelling and offers alternative options for foundation installation.