Review of Collapsing Soils

Abstract

In recent years there has arisen an increasing awareness of the existence of soils that decrease in bulk volume when water is applied to them. Although this situation was recognized by Terzhagi, there has been little mention of it until after World War II. The application of water to a soil of one of the types described herein is necessary to produce the surface subsidence that is typical of the phenomenon. The following terms have been applied to this situation: collapse, collapsing soil, near surface subsidence, subsidence, hydrocompaction, and hydroconsolidation.