Soil Swell Prediction Using Experimental Data from Large-Scale Soil Column Tests

Abstract This paper investigates the swelling behaviour of expansive soil mass with various initial dry densities and water content in a series of long-term soil column tests with different water influx. The experimental data revealed that for all tests, the swell amount depended on the initial soil properties and water influx. The swell predominantly occurred in the upper part of the soil column, while the lower part at a depth of 600 mm experienced minor downward movements. Comparisons of the laboratory data with existing methods of swell prediction produced mixed results, with relatively close estimates being obtained for certain initial conditions. The discrepancy was attributed to factors such as the complexity of soil mass behaviour, the thickness of the swell zone, and the constraints of the laboratory setup.