Abstract

The engineering problems of swelling soil have arisen in Greece as well as in other parts of the world when a combination of unsaturated clay soils and uneven distribution of rainfall can occur. Expansive soil cause significant damage to structure and roadways by cyclic shrink-swell within the active zone of soil. This is one laboratory way to identify the shrinkage potential of clay soil in Greece. Laboratory tests were performed to examine the effectiveness of various methods in alleviating the adverse results of seasonal swelling – shrinking in connection with roads and buildings foundation, giving special attention to shrinkage limit test using the mercury apparatus, suggested by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory.

Keywords: Expansive soils; Soils engineering properties; Shrinkage limit