The behavior of swelling soil predicted through an Odometer test combined with innovative numerical analysis | ||||
| The Egyptian International Journal of Engineering Sciences and Technology | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 June 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/eijest.2025.382028.1336 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Ahmed Abd ellatief  1; Waleed Elkamash2; Ahmed Elattar1
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| 1Civil Engineering Dept., The High Technological Institute, 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt | ||||
| 2Civil Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Expansive soils pose significant challenges to structural stability due to their tendency to swell and shrink with moisture variation. Among the various mitigation strategies, replacing expansive soil with non-expansive material is the most commonly adopted method. However, this approach relies heavily on laboratory testing, which can be inconsistent, time-consuming, and costly, particularly for large-scale applications. Additionally, current guidelines often lack rational methods for determining the optimal thickness of the replacement layer. This study investigates the influence of expansive soil properties and sand replacement thickness on heave beneath square footings. Finite element analysis using ABAQUS was employed to simulate heave of two different expansive. The numerical model was validated using odometer test data and a case study involving a slab-on-grade foundation over expansive clay. Parametric analyses were performed using models of 22 × 22 × 20 m to minimize boundary effects, and a footing size of 2 × 2 × 0.5 m was used. The study evaluated the effects of swelling index, expansive soil depth, and replacement thickness on heave and swelling pressure. Numerical results showed strong agreement, confirming that swelling pressure increases with the swelling index. Sand replacement at depths of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 m significantly reduced surface heave. However, exceeding 0.5 m in replacement depth may lead to settlement rather than further mitigation of heave. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| vast soils; parametric studies; Regina clay | ||||
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