Laboratory Modelling of Soil Collapsibility

Collapsible soils covers naturally over 10% of the earth¿s surface. This makes it a global problem and it is essential that engineers identify and control collapsibility prior to construction. Hence in this book, a study on identification, evaluation and control of soil collapsibility is undertaken. The major causes of collapsibility of soil and the geomorphological processes that gives the pedogenesis of collapsible soils, is highlighted and great emphasis is placed on the adverse effect of collapsible soils. The experimental results from particle size distribution, Atterberg, compaction, triaxial and double oedometer tests showed that the soil¿s percentage fine with the fines material (silt or clay), coefficient of uniformity, optimum moisture content, Atterberg limits, and stress-strain properties affect the metastability of the soils and they can be compared to the soil¿s collapse potential when pressures and moisture content are applied on the soils. The most interesting results were obtained from the oedometer test. Results of the critical pressure varied with each soil and their compactive variable; Most of the soils at their ¿dry OMC¿ had the highest collapse potential