PREDICTION OF ACTUAL CRACKING AND SUBSIDENCE IN CLAY SOILS

Abstract

Numerous methods have been developed to estimate potential swelling and shrinkage of soils. In practice, however, one is usually interested in the actual magnitude of these processes. This paper describes a procedures developed to predict actual swelling and shrinkage in clay soils. The procedure consists of calculating cracking and subsidence with the computer model FLOCR, using 30-yr weather data. The procedure was applied to quantify the influence of installing tile drains in a poorly drained heavy clay soil on swelling and shrinkage. It appeared that both magnitude and frequency of swelling and shrinkage of the soil matrix would strongly increase, especially in the subsoil. Consequently, buildings, pavements, and other constructions on this clay soil have an increased risk of damage. Agricultural users of the soil will profit from a water regime that is more adapted to their needs and, in the long run, also from an improvement in the soil structure.