NTL Record

Title An Evaluation of Expedient Methodology for Identification of Potentially Expansive Soils
Record ID 55861
Personal Name
Creator
Snethen, Donald R.; Johnson, Lawrence D.; Patrick, D. M.
Corporate Creator United States. Army Engineering Waterways Experiment Station. Soils and Pavements Laboratory
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Research, Development, and Technology
Publisher United States. Federal HIghway Administration. Office of Research and Development
Publication Date 19770600
Language English
Abstract This report concludes an evaluation of expedient methodology for identifying and qualitatively classifying potentially expansive soils. Seventeen published techniques used for identification/classification purposes were reviewed and evaluated using data collected from an extensive laboratory testing program. A definition of potential swell that is more consistent with field simulation requirements and more representative of in situ volume change behavior is presented. The results of the evaluation of published techniques reveal that the best techniques and thus the best indicators of potential swell are the liquid limit and plasticity index. Other significant indicator properties ranked in descending order are: liquid limit and natural water content combined; shrinkage limit and plasticity index; and shrinkage limit and linear shrinkage. The results of the statistical analysis of the laboratory data confirm the findings of the evaluation of the published techniques. A classification system more consistent with the definition of potential swell and using the liquid limit, plasticity index, and natural soil suction was developed and is presented. Guidelines for the recommended usage of the classification system are given.
Rosap ID dot:37844
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/37844
TRT Terms Linear elasticity; Liquid limits; Plasticity index; Reviews; Shrinkage; Shrinkage limit; Soil tests; Soil types; Soil water; Swelling; Swelling soils; Tests
General Subjects Linear shrinkage; Soil classification; Swell; Geotechnology; Highways; Expansive soils; Soil identification
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
185258
Contract Number PO 4-l-0195
Report Number FHWA-RD-77-94
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/55000/55800/55861/FHWA-RD-77-94.PDF
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository