Foundation Engineering for Expansive Soils
The practice of Foundation Engineering was first developed to address
problems associated with settlement due to saturated soils that were
prevalent in areas with soft coastal and deltaic deposits. As population
and business centers moved into areas with more arid climates,
problems with other types of soils became evident. Some soils that
were capable of supporting a load in a natural unsaturated state were
observed to either expand or collapse when wetted. These soils did
not conform to the classical theories of soil mechanics and foundation
engineering, and more research began to focus on the behavior of
unsaturated soils.
problems associated with settlement due to saturated soils that were
prevalent in areas with soft coastal and deltaic deposits. As population
and business centers moved into areas with more arid climates,
problems with other types of soils became evident. Some soils that
were capable of supporting a load in a natural unsaturated state were
observed to either expand or collapse when wetted. These soils did
not conform to the classical theories of soil mechanics and foundation
engineering, and more research began to focus on the behavior of
unsaturated soils.
Within the general category of unsaturated soils, the Expansive soils
posed the greatest problems, and created the most financial burden.
In response to major infrastructure development in the late 1950s and
1960s there was an upswing in research regarding the identification
of expansive soils and factors influencing their behavior. Engineers
became more cognizant of the need for special attention to the unique
nature of expansive soils
posed the greatest problems, and created the most financial burden.
In response to major infrastructure development in the late 1950s and
1960s there was an upswing in research regarding the identification
of expansive soils and factors influencing their behavior. Engineers
became more cognizant of the need for special attention to the unique
nature of expansive soils
