UNIVERSITY OF KERALA - College of Engineering, Trivandrum

08.807.2 ElectiveV FOUNDATIONS ON
EXPANSIVE SOILS
L T P/D Cr
3 0 0 3
Module I
Introduction – origin of expansive soils - distribution of expansive soils – damage caused by expansive soils –
recognition of expansive soils – mineralogical identification – single index method – classification method –
indirect measurement – direct measurement - physical properties of expansive soils.
Module II
Mechanics of swelling – moisture migration – swelling potential – swelling pressure – mechanics of pier uplift –
belled piers – friction piers – slabs on expansive soils
Module III
Moisture control – horizontal moisture barriers – vertical moisture barriers – subsurface drainage – peripheral
drains – surface drainage – soil replacement - soil stabilization – lime stabilization – chemical stabilization -
compaction control
References
1. F.H.Chen, Foundations on expansive soils - Elsevier Science; 2nd edition , 1988
2. Peck, Hansen and Thornborn, Foundation Engineering, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1947
3. Tomlinson, Foundation design and Construction – English Language Book Society, Essex, 1986
Question Paper: Duration: 3 hours
The question paper consists of Part A and Part B.
Part A is for 40 marks. There will be 8 compulsory short answer questions covering entire syllabus.
Part B is for 60 marks. There will two questions from each module. The candidate has to answer one question
of 20 marks from each module.
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