Engineering Properties of Expansive Clays

Expansive clay soils have been encountered at the sites of structures throughout the western United States. Inasmuch as most of these structures are hydraulic, the normal difficulties encountered when expansive clays are present in the subgrade foundation are greatly magnified. As a result of some of the difficulties that have been experienced, considerable research testing has been undertaken so ·that expansive clays can be recognized and their potential swelling properties anticipated.