Abstract
Conditions in arid and semi-arid climates favor the formation of the most problematic collapsible soils. The mechanisms that account for almost all naturally occurring collapsible soil deposits are debris flows, rapid alluvial depositions, and wind-blown deposits (loess). Collapsible soils are moisture sensitive in that increase in moisture content is the primary triggering mechanism for the volume reduction of these soils. One result of urbanization in arid regions is an increase in soil moisture content. Therefore, the impact of development-induced changes in surface and groundwater regimes on the engineering performance of moisture sensitive arid soils, including collapsible soils, becomes a critical issue for continued sustainable population expansion into arid regions.
In practicing collapsible soils engineering, geotechnical engineers are faced with (1) identification and characterization of collapsible soil sites, (2) estimation of the extent and degree of wetting, (3) estimation of collapse strains and collapse settlements, and (4) selection of design/mitigation alternatives. Estimation of the extent and degree of wetting is the most difficult of these tasks, followed by selection of the best mitigation alternative.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bally, R. and Oltulescu, D. (1980) Settlement of Deep Collapsible Loessial Strata Under Structures Using Controlled In¢ltration. In Proceedings of the 6th Danube-European Conference, SMFE, Varna.
Beckwith, G. (1995) Foundation Design Practices for Collapsing Soils in the Western United States in Unsaturated Soils. In Proceedings of the First International Conference onUnsaturated Soils, E.E. Alonso and P. Delage (eds), Vol. 2, Paris, September 6 8. Balkema, Rotterdam.
Bell. F.G. (1992) Engineering Properties of Soils and Rocks, 3rd edition. Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd., Oxford.
Clemence, S. and Finbarr, A. (1981) Design Considerations for Collapsible Soils, J. Geotech. Engr., ASCE, 107(3).
Conciani, W., Futai, M.M. and Soares, M.M. (1998) Plate Load Tests with Suction Measurements, in Problematic Soils, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Problematic Soils, E. Yanagisawa, N. Moroto, and T. Mitachi (eds), Vol. 1., Is-Tohoku, Japan, 28-30 October, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 301-304.
Evstatiev, D. (1995) Design and Treatment of Loess Bases in Bulgaria.. Genesis and properties of collapsible soils. NATO ASI Series C: Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Vol. 468, Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands.
Ferreira, S.R.M. and Lacerda, W.A. (1998) Volume Change Measurements in Collapsible Soils in Pernambuco Using Laboratory and Field Tests, in Problematic Soils. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Problematic Soils, E. Yanagisawa, N. Moroto, and T. Mitachi (eds), Vol. 1., Is-Tohoku, Japan, 28-30, October. A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 289–292.
Fookes, P.G. and Parry, R.H.G., eds. (1994) Engineering Characteristics of Arid Soils, In Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Engineering Characteristics of Arid Soils, London, U.K., July 6-7, 1993, A. A. Balkema, Brookfield, VT.
Fredlund, D.G. and Xing, A. (1994) Equations for the soil-water characteristic curve, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 31, 521–532.
Fredlund, M., Wilson, G.W. and Fredlund, D.G. (1998) Estimation of Hydraulic Properties of an Unsaturated Soil Using a Knowledge-Based System, In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, Vol. 1, Beijing, International Academic Publisher, Beijing.
Govil, S. (1992) Characterization of Dynamic Shear Strength of Soils. PhD Dissertation, Arizona State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tempe, AZ.
Houston, S., Houston, W. and Spadola, D. (1988) Prediction of Field Collapse of Soils due to Wetting, J. of Geot. Engineering Division, ASCE, 1, pp. 40–58.
Houston, S. and El-Ehwany, M. (1991) Sample Disturbance of Cemented Collapsible Soils. J. of Geot. Division, ASCE, 117(5), 731–752.
Houston, S.L. (1996) State of the Art Report on Foundations on Unsaturated Soils. Part One: Collapsible Soils, in Unsaturated Soils, Proceedings of the First International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, E.E. Alonso and P. Delage (eds), Vol. 3, Paris, Sept. 6-8, Balkema Press.
Houston, S.L. and Houston, W.N. (1989) State-of-the-practice Mitigation measures for Collapsible Soil sites. In Proceedings of the Foundation Engineering Congress, ASCE, Evanston, Ill., June 25-29.
Houston, S.L. and Houston, W.N. (1997) Collapsible Soil Engineering. Unsaturated Soil Engineering Practice, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 68, ASCE, (edited by Houston and Fredlund).
Houston, S.L., Houston, W.N., Febres, E. and Chen, Chunlin (1999) Site Variability for Collapsible Soil Deposits. J. of Geotech. and Geoenvironmental Engr., ASCE, submitted.
Houston, S.L., Mahmoud, H. and Houston, W.N. (1995) Down-hole Collapse Test System. J. of Geotech. Engr., ASCE, 121(4).
Lin, Z. (1995) Variation in Collapsibility and Strength of Loess with Age. Genesis and properties of collapsible soils. NATO ASI Series C: Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 468, Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands.
Mahmoud, H., Houston, W. and Houston, S.L. (1995) Apparatus and Procedure for an In-situ Collapse Test. ASTM Geot. Testing J., 121(4).
Mitchell, J.K. and W. Houston (1969) Properties and Interrelationships in Sensitive Clays, Journal Soil Mechanics and Foundations Div., ASCE, 95(SM4), July.
Pengelly, A., Boehm, D., Rector, E. and Welsh, J. (1997) Engineering Experience with in Situ Modi¢cation of Collapsible and Expansive Soils. Unsaturated Soil Engineering, ASCE, Special Geotechnical Publication.
Rampino, C., Mancuso, C. and Vinale, F. (1998) Swelling/Collapse Behaviour of a Dynamically Compacted Silty Sand, in Problematic Soils. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Problematic Soils, E. Yanagisawa, N. Moroto and T. Mitachi (eds), Vol. 1., Is-Tohoku, Japan, 28-30 October, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 321–324.
Rollins, K. and Rogers, G.W. (1994) MitigationMeasures for Small Structures on Collapsible Alluvial Soils, J. Geot. Engr., ASCE, 120(9).
Turnbull, W. (1968) Construction Problem Experiences With Loess Soils, Hwy. Research Record, No. 212.
Zapata, C.E. (1999) Uncertainty in Soil-Water Characteristic Curve and Impacts on Unsaturated Shear Strength Predictions. Ph.D. Dissertation, Arizona State University, Tempe, United States.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Houston, S.L., Houston, W.N., Zapata, C.E. et al. Geotechnical engineering practice for collapsible soils. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering 19, 333–355 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013178226615
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013178226615