Suelos Expansivos en Cimentaciones

Expansive soils and practice in
foundation engineering
Jay X. Wang, Ph.D., P.E.

Programs of Civil Engineering and
Construction Engineering Programs
Louisiana Tech University
2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

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Facts about expansive soils
Cracked foundations, pavements, floors and basement
walls are typical types of damage done by swelling soils.
Every year they cause billions of dollars in damage.
The ASCE estimates that 1/4 of all homes in the United
States have some damage caused by expansive soils. In a
typical year in the United States they cause a greater
financial loss to property owners than earthquakes, floods,
hurricanes and tornadoes combined (USGS website).
60 percent of the 250,000 new homes built on expansive
soils each year in the US experience minor damage and 10
percent experience significant damage (Holtz and Hart,
1978).

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Expansive soils are not as dramatic as hurricanes or
earthquakes and they cause only property damage, not loss
of life.
Expansive soils act more slowly and the damage is spread
over wide areas rather than being concentrated in a small
locality (Coduto et al., 2015).
Swelling clays can exert uplift pressures of as much as 5,500
psf (Rogers et al.).
Liquid limits exceeding 50 percent and plasticity index over
30, usually have high inherent swelling capacity.
Expansive clay soils can be easily recognized in the dry
season by the deep cracks, in roughly polygonal patterns, in
the ground surface.

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Desiccation cracks in soil caused by
drying
(UACE)
(Rogers et al.)
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Annual Damage in the US from
expansive soils (Jones and Jones, 1987)
Category Annual Damage ($)
Highways and streets 4,550,000,000
Commercial buildings 1,440,000,000
Single family homes 1,200,000,000
Walks, drives and parking 440,000,000
areas
Buried utilities and services 400,000,000
Multi-story buildings 320,000,000
Airport installations 160,000,000
Involved in urban landslides 100,000,000
Other 390,000,000
Total annual damages (1987) 9,000,000,000

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Swelling Clays Map of the Conterminous United States" (Olive et al., 1989)

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Approximate distribution of major
montmorillonite clay deposits in the US
(Tourtelot, 1973)

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Damage cases on buildings and
pavements

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A cost of $490,000 spent to repair this and other walls, ceilings, doors and
windows, represented nearly one-third of the original cost of the six-year-
old building (Colorado Geological Survey)
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Building damage: displaced bricks and inward
deflection of foundation (UACE)
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Differential settlement due to
influence of trees (Clayton et al., 2010)

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Structural damage to house caused by end lift (Peter
Kelsey & Partners)

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Longitudinal cracks along pavement shoulders
(Sawangsuriya et al, 2011) (Sebesta, 2005)

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Longitudinal cracks in the middle of
pavements

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Linear heave ridges
(Noe, 2007) (fhwa.dot.gov)

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Differential heave from steeply dipping
expansive bedrock

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Swimming pool in expansive soils
(Rogers et al.)

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The layer of soil that has a fluctuating
moisture content
(Coduto et al., 2015)

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Depth of the active zones in selected
cities (ONeill and Poormoayed, 1980)

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Profile of expansive soils from Denver International
Airport, Denver, Colorado (CSU 2004; Chao 2007)

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Profile of expansive soils from Fort Sam Houston, San
Antonio, Texas (Nelson et al., 2015)

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Annual fluctuation in moisture content
on expansive soil (Elarabi)

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Idealized pore water pressure profile
(Nelson et al., 2015)

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Soil-water characteristic curve for ordinary curves
(Nelson et al, 2015)

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Identification, Testing and Evaluation
of Expansive Soils
Visual identification
Have significant clay content, CL or CH.
Dry expansive soils often have fissures, slickensides, or
shattering
When dry, the soils have cracks at the ground surface
Determination of degree of expansiveness
A wide variety of testing evaluation methods
available, but none of them universally or even widely
accepted.
Qualitative method; semi-quantitative method and
quantitative method (Coduto et al., 2015)

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Qualitative Methods

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Correlations of swelling potential with
common soil tests (Holtz, 1969)

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Correlations of swelling potential with
common soil tests (Chen, 1988)

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Semi-quantitative evaluations
In terms of swell potential,
measured in some kind of
loaded swell test
Usually a laterally confined
cylindrical specimen, initially dry
specimen loaded with a
surcharge, then soaked. The
specimen swells vertically.
This displacement divided by the
initial height (immediately
before soaking) is the swell
potential, usually expressed as a
percentage.

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Regular lab test to characterize
expansive soils
Standards for the performance of oedometer tests to measure expansion potential
are set forth ASTM D4536.
Two basic types of oedometer tests: the consolidation-swell (CS) test, and the
constant volume (CV) test.
The consolidation-swell test
Soil sample initially subjected to a prescribed vertical stress and inundated under that
constant vertical stress.
The vertical strain that occurs due to wetting is called percent swell.
After the swelling has been completed the sample may be subjected to additional vertical
load. The pressure that would be required to rescore the sample to its original height is
termed the consolidation-swell swelling pressure.
The constant volume test
Soil sample is initially subjected to a prescribed vertical stress.
During inundation the sample is confined from swelling and the stress that is required to
prevent swell is measured.
The stress is termed the constant volume swelling pressure.
Results normally plotted in the form of vertical strain as a function of the applied
stress in a logarithmic scale

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Determination of heave index CH

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ASTM Standard Loaded Swell Tests
ASTM D4546-14 provides standards for the loaded
swell test, Methods A, B and C.
Method A
A sample of fill material from the project is compacted into
a lab specimen at the field specified dry unit weight and
water content, placed in consolidometer.
The specimen is loaded to a vertical stress, equal to the
overburden stress at the depth of fill.
The specimen is inundated in water and allowed to swell
Test is repeated with new specimens each loaded to
different overburden stress.
Potential swell calculated.

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Loading steps followed in Method A

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(contd)
Method B
Performed on undisturbed field specimens, specimens
can be from fill material or natural material depending
on the project.
Specimen is placed in a consolidometer.
The specimen is loaded to a vertical stress, equal to
the overburden pressure plus the induced stress from
structural foundation loads, and its deformation is
measured.
The specimen is inundated in water and allowed to
swell, and the deformation is measured.
Potential swell calculated.

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Loading steps followed in Method B

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(contd)
Method C
A test is run after Method A or Method B.
An alternative way to determine the swell pressure,
that is the vertical stress at which the sample returns
to its original height.
After swelling has completed and the soil has reached
Point B in the figure in next slide, and then a standard
consolidation test is performed to determine the post
swelling deformation versus stress curve.
The magnitude of the swell pressure determined using
Method C will be different than that determined using
either Method A or B.

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Loading steps followed in Method C

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Summary of Test Parameters for Test Methods A, B
and C specified in ASTM D4546 (Coduto et al., 2015)

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Typical classification of soil expansiveness based
on loaded swell test, results at in-situ
overburden stress (Snethen, 1984)

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Expansion Index Test (ASTM D4829-11)
A soil specimen is remolded into a standard 102 mm (4.01 in)
diameter, 24.5 mm (1 in) tall ring at a degree of saturation of about
50 percent.
A surcharge load of 6.9 kPa (1 lb/in2) is applied, and then the
specimen is saturated and allowed to stand until the rate of swelling
reaches a certain value or for 24 h.
The percentage of free swell may be expressed as % =

(100)

The amount of swell is expressed in terms of the expansion index,
EI

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Interpretation of Expansion Index Test Results
(ASTM D4829-11)

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Empirical correlations between swell potential and different
combinations of basic engineering properties (Vijayvergiya and
Ghazzaly, 1973)

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The free surface swell relationship
developed by ONeill and Poormoayed
(1980)
= 0.0033 %

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Ground heave prediction equations (adapted
from Azam and Chowdhury, 2013)
Method Equation Material Parameter Description
Fredlund et al. Final stress state,
= Corrected swelling pressure
1 + 0
H Thickness of soil layer
e0 initial void ratio
Cs Swelling index
Vanapalli and
= 0.019 0.0343

Lu = = 0.0039 0.64()
1 + 0
10
Ip Plasticity index
Cw - Suction modulus ratio
Change in water content
Briaud et al. = = /
Thickness of expansive soil layer
Shrinkage-swell modulus
Dhowian Specific gravity
=
1 + 0 Volume compressibility factor
Water content change
Snethen = /100
= 0 + Suction index
1 + 0
0 Initial water content
A Y-intercept of gravimetric SWCC
B Slope of gravimetric SWCC
Final matric suction
Compressibility factor
Final applied pressure

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Summary of Empirical Heave Prediction (Nelson et al., 2015)

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Contours plot of
Swelling Potential in
Louisiana (1)
SP = 0.00216IP2.44
Swelling potential %
Percentage of soil swell from
optimum moisture content to the
saturated moisture content
IP = Plasticity index

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Contours plot of Swelling Potential in
Louisiana (2)

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Characterization of expansive soils in
Northern Louisiana

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Soil Sampling
2833 Viking Dr,

Bossier City, LA 71111
First United
Pentecostal Church

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Boring log from adjacent area
(Ben Fernandez, LA DOTD, 08/15)

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Soil Compaction Lab Tests
Liquid limit Plastic Limit Plasticity Activity
(LL) (PL) Index (PI) (Ac)
77 28 49 1.23
1.55
d(max) = 1.48 gm/cm3

Dry density, d (gm/cm)
1.50
1.45
1.40
1.35
Dry unit weight vs moisture content
1.30
Zero air void unit weight standard proctor test
1.25
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Moisture content, w(%)

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WP4-T test for dry side of SWCC
Undisturbed soil sample (left), soil getting saturated before

introducing to pressure plate (middle), saturated soil inside the
pressure plate extractor (right)

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SWCC curve for Moreland clay in
Northern Louisiana
60
50 Gravimetric Moisture (%)
40
Moisture (%)
30 Volumetric moisture (%)
20
10
0
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000
Suction (kPa)

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Consolidation test
Swelling pressure Ps = 170

kPa, The compression index
Cc = 0.36, and the swelling
index Cs = 0.11.
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Prediction of soil heave

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Case history of a slab-on-grade floor on Regina
clay, Canada (Vu and Fredlund, 2004)
Investigation of volume change problems associated with the heave of a floor
slab of a light industrial building in north-central Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Construction of the building and instrumentation took place during the

month of August 1961.
Instrumentation installed at the site included a deep benchmark, vertical
movement gauges, and a neutron moisture meter access tube.
Vertical ground movement was monitored at depths of 0.58, 0.85, and 2.39 m
below original ground level.
The building owner noticed heave and cracking of the floor slab in early
August 1962, about a year after construction.
The owner also noticed an unexpected increase in water consumption of
approximately 35 000 L. The loss of water was traced to a leak in a hot-water
line beneath the floor slab, which was subsequently repaired.
The location of the cracking and contours of heave for the floor slab are
shown in next slide.
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Geometry and boundary conditions
(Vu and Fredlund, 2004)

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Seepage analysis model
(Vadose/W)
Vadose/W model for seepage analysis.
Suction based initial condition has been used with 888 kPa
at surface and 12 kPa at bottom. A linear interpolation has
been adopted to specify conditions along the depth profile.
q= 3.12 X 10-9 ms-1

Uw = -888 kPa q= 0 Uw = -888 kPa
q= 0
q= 0 q= 0
Uw = -12 kPa

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Calibration/Validation
Pore water pressure profile for various times with depth
3
2.5
Model has been 2

0 sec Initial
Elevation (m)
calibrated by 432000 sec 5 days
1.5
comparing results with 1728000 sec 20 days

Vu and Fredlund et al. 1
4320000 sec 50 days

(2004) findings. 0.5
Suction along depth at 0

-900 -800 -700 -600 -500 -400 -300 -200 -100 0
various times obtained

Pore-Water Pressure (kPa)
from Vadose/W
analysis (top) shows
close approximation
with FlexPDE results
(bottom).

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Heave Analysis Model
Horizontal
q= 3.12 X 10-9 ms-1 displacement= 0
Heave Analysis model
without slab load. Uw = -888 kPa Uw = -888 kPa
Same initial and q= 0
q= 0 q= 0
q= 0
boundary conditions as Uw = -12 kPa
seepage analysis have Vertical displacement= 0
been used. Structural
support has also been
used to ensure no
horizontal or vertical
movement.

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Heave Analysis Result
Occurred heave
Resulted heave dominated
near the leak location.
Leak water line
The contour is showing the
heave.

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Heaves at different times after leak
Heave at surface (without slab load)
0.05
0.04
Heave/ vertical-Displacement (m)
Initial
0 sec
0.03
0.02
5 days
43200 sec
20 days
1728000 sec
0.01
50 days
4320000 sec
0
-0.01
5 10 15
Distance (m)

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Verification of Prediction models on the field
performance of Geosynthetic Reinforced
Pavements over Expansive Clay Subgrades
Brief descriptions of the field investigation program

Field investigation -- A comprehensive field program involving 32
pavement test sections with various combinations of reinforcements.
Texas Farm-to-Market Road No.2 (FM 2), located in the Grimes
County, southeast part of Texas.
The field testing program included unreinforced and reinforced
sections. The reinforced section further consisted of one of the three
types of geosynthetic reinforcements i.e., geogrid type 1 (G1) or
geogrid type 2 (G2) or a geotextile (G3).
The field program includes moisture sensor profiles, which were
installed in both horizontal and vertical direction below the
pavement during its construction.
(Zornberg, et al. 2010)
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Moisture sensor (a) Horizontal profile (b) Vertical
profile below the pavement

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Seepage analysis model
(Vadose/W)
Vadose/W model for
seepage analysis.
Climate boundary
Suction based initial
condition has been Unit flux = 3.935e-8 m/s Climate boundary
used. Suction value at Unit flux = 3.935e-8 m/s
surface to 4m depth
with a 0.5m interval
obtained from q= 0
Zornberg et al. paper q= 0
used as initial q= 0 q= 0 q= 0
condition.
Hydraulic boundary
has been forced by
time dependent
climate data and unit
flux of 3.935e-8 m/s at
two ditches. At all
other locations no flux
boundary condition
has been used.

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Gravimetric Water Content Profile (Station 199)
Water Content
result(Ongoing research):
Gravimetric water Content
The purpose of this 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
study is to validate the 0.5

January
measured gravimetric 1
Depth (m)
August
water content at various 1.5
2
depth at field with
2.5
numerical simulation by 3
Vadose/W.
The top and bottom
parts of numerical
simulations result
closely validate with
field data.
The validation for rest of
the curve is under
current research. Gravimetric water content profiles from the boreholes: Station 199

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Development of a Mechanistic-based
Design Method for Geosynthetic-
Reinforced Pavement on Expansive
Soils

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Heave-vertical load relationship

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Suelos Expansivos en Cimentaciones

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Suelos Expansivos en Cimentaciones

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Expansive soils and practice in

Jay X. Wang, Ph.D., P.E.

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

(Sawangsuriya et al, 2011) (Sebesta, 2005)

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

(Noe, 2007) (fhwa.dot.gov)

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

(Coduto et al., 2015)

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2833 Viking Dr,

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

d(max) = 1.48 gm/cm3

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

Undisturbed soil sample (left), soil getting saturated before

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

50 Gravimetric Moisture (%)

30 Volumetric moisture (%)

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

Swelling pressure Ps = 170

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

Construction of the building and instrumentation took place during the

2016 Louisiana Transportation Conference

q= 3.12 X 10-9 ms-1