Performance of Swelling Soil in Arid Areas by Applying Enhanced Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Swelling soils include clays and fine silts which swell while getting wet and shrink if they are dry out. Egypt is regarded one of the countries which has new huge developments under constructions on many urban regions containing swelling soils. The structures constructed on these swelling soils may be exposed to high damage if any significant change in the moisture content of these swelling soils occurs, so the presence of such swelling soils represents a significant hazard. This thesis presents intensive review on swelling soil including its origin, major clay minerals classifications as well as the swelling mechanism. Furthermore, the main characteristics and mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil have been discussed for well-understanding swelling soil behavior. Also, all identification methods for swelling soil are reviewed as well as defining all relevant swell characteristics with explaining for the different Oedometer test methods which commonly used in their determination.