The Shrink Swell Test
Fityus, SG
The School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia, 2308

Cameron, DA
University of South Australia, School of Natural and Buitl Environments, The Levels, South Australia

Walsh, PF
The School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia, 2308

(Received 26 November 2003; accepted 23 June 2004)

Abstract
Although the assessment of the expansive potential of clay soils has been the subject of active research for the past 40 years, its treatment in routine geotechnical practice around the world remains inconsistent. This paper describes the shrink swell test, which is used routinely in Australian geotechnical practice as the principal method for the experimental assessment of the expansive potential of clay soils. The test procedure and its underlying assumptions are described and discussed in the context of the historical development of the test and its routine application. It is shown that the shrink swell test is a simple and economical means of assessing soil expansiveness, which is achieved largely through the adoption of several simplifying assumptions that effectively circumvent the measurement of soil suction. The significance of these assumptions is discussed, and it is concluded that the shrink swell test can be conveniently and reliably employed to guide the routine design of foundations in expansive soils.

Keywords:
expansive soil, ground movement, shrink, shrinkage index, soil, swell

Paper ID: GTJ12327
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ12327

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Author Fityus, SG Affiliation The School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia, 2308 Author Cameron, DA Affiliation University of South Australia, School of Natural and Buitl Environments, The Levels, South Australia Author Walsh, PF Affiliation The School of Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia, 2308 Author Fityus SG, Cameron DA, Walsh PF Title The Shrink Swell Test Symposium , Committee on