Identification and Performance of Swelling Soil Types

Abstract

Many soil types, both overconsolidated and normally consolidated, in the Prairie provinces and northwestern Canada display high swelling characteristics. Experience has shown that conventional theories of soil mechanics are inadequate to predict accurately the performance of such soils in engineering practice. The paper discusses procedures for the identification of highly swelling soils and for numerically evaluating potential swelling pressures. Modifications to current design practices are suggested and the importance of swelling pressure concepts in engineering practice are discussed.