Expansive SoilsExpansive SoilsSally BlacknerSally Blackner

What are Expansive What are Expansive Soils?Soils?

Vertisol Soils, or known as Shrink Swell SoilsVertisol Soils, or known as Shrink Swell Soils

The Soil contracts due to its clay minerals and The Soil contracts due to its clay minerals and the structure of the clay allowing water to be the structure of the clay allowing water to be imbedded in-between the clay layersimbedded in-between the clay layers

Process is reversible, and causes contraction Process is reversible, and causes contraction of the soilof the soil

Expansive Soils in the Expansive Soils in the U.SU.S

Damage Done?Damage Done?

6 BILLION DOLLARS in the U.S alone6 BILLION DOLLARS in the U.S alone

What can be done?What can be done?

Test soil before buildingTest soil before building

If expansion is greater then 10 %, it is criticalIf expansion is greater then 10 %, it is critical

Remove soilRemove soil

Mix soil with material that does not expandMix soil with material that does not expand

Keep consistent soil moistureKeep consistent soil moisture

Have strong foundations in buildings that can Have strong foundations in buildings that can handle the changes in volume.handle the changes in volume.

SourcesSources

http://www.azgs.state.az.us/GEOHAZARDS/images/http://www.azgs.state.az.us/GEOHAZARDS/images/soils_popcorn_.jpgsoils_popcorn_.jpg

http://www.aegweb.org/images/Geologichttp://www.aegweb.org/images/Geologic%2520Hazards/expansive_map.gif&imgrefurl=http://%2520Hazards/expansive_map.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.aegweb.org/www.aegweb.org/

Geology: Chernicoff and WhitneyGeology: Chernicoff and Whitney

Geology and the Environment: PipkinGeology and the Environment: Pipkin

http://geology.com/articles/soil/soil-cracks-large.jpghttp://geology.com/articles/soil/soil-cracks-large.jpg

http://www.centremapslive.co.uk/fck_files/Image/http://www.centremapslive.co.uk/fck_files/Image/BGS_Geosure/shrink.jpgBGS_Geosure/shrink.jpg

http://www.aaa-inspect.com/Plastic%20Soil.JPGhttp://www.aaa-inspect.com/Plastic%20Soil.JPG