none 10.1144/EGSP29.8 Geological Society of London Geological Society of London 1881 116979948 65090 2024111903231200802 10.1144 2024-11-19T08:12:12Z 2020-06-09T12:20:36Z 13 Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications EGSP 0267-9914 2041-4730 06 09 2020 01 2020 29 1 Chapter 8 Swelling and shrinking soils Lee Jones British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG Vanessa Banks British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG Ian Jefferson School of Civil Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT Abstract Swelling and shrinking soils are soils that can experience large changes in volume due to changes in water content. This may be due to seasonal changes in moisture content, local site changes such as leakage from water supply pipes or drains, changes to surface drainage and landscaping, or following the planting, removal or severe pruning of trees or hedges. These soils represent a significant hazard to structural engineers across the world due to their shrink–swell behaviour, with the cost of mitigation alone running into several billion pounds annually. These soils usually contain some form of clay mineral, such as smectite or vermiculite, and can be found in humid and arid/semi-arid environments where their expansive nature can cause significant damage to properties and infrastructure. This chapter discusses the properties and costs associated with shrink–swell soils, their formation and distribution throughout the UK and the rest of the world, and their geological and geotechnical characterization. It also considers the mechanisms of shrink-swell soils and their behaviour, reviewing strategies for managing them in an engineering context, before finally outlining the problem of trees and shrink–swell soils. 06 09 2020 01 2020 223 242 10.1144/EGSP29.8 1 10.1144/crossmark-policy www.lyellcollection.org true 2020-06-09 https://doi.org/10.15223/policy-002 10.1144/EGSP29.8 https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/10.1144/EGSP29.8 https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/pdf/10.1144/EGSP29.8 https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/UrlRedirectHandler.ashx?routename=books&chapterdoi=10.1144/EGSP29.8&request=chapter 10.1201/9780203968079 Building Research Establishment Digests BRE 241 240 1993 Low-rise buildings on shrinkable clay soils BRE 1993. Low-rise buildings on shrinkable clay soils. Building Research Establishment Digests, 240, 241–242. BRAB 1968. Criteria for selection and design of residential slabs-on-ground. Building Regulations Advisory Body London. 10.1002/9780470172759 TRB 1985. 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