What Causes Expansion in Expansive Clay Soil?

Expansive clay soils can jeopardize the stability and longevity of buildings constructed on them. Whether it’s the foundation, concrete slabs, or other structural additions, this soil type can wreak havoc, leading to misalignments, costly delays, cracks, and other forms of damage. The shrinking and swelling of clay soils push and pull on whatever is built upon them, leaving land developers, builders, and contractors with issues later down the road. In this article, we’ll explore why expansion occurs in clay soils and how it can be stopped with expansive clay mitigation.

Why Expansion Happens in Clay Soils

Clay soils expand for one primary reason: water absorption. Certain clay minerals, especially those found throughout the southern and central United States, can take in and hold large amounts of water. When it rains, these soils soak up moisture like a sponge, causing the soil particles to swell and push upward. During periods of dry weather or drought, the opposite occurs. As clay soils lose moisture, they shrink, creating gaps and downward movement in the ground.
This cycle of expansion and contraction doesn’t always happen uniformly across a property, either. Variations such as shade, drainage, landscaping, or leaking utilities may cause some areas to stay wet longer while others dry out faster. This can lead to differential movement, the primary driver of cracks and uneven settlement in structures. The constant changing soil conditions can result in damage, even to brand new, well-built constructions.

Expansive Clay Soil Mitigation from Groundworks

The problems caused by expansive clay soils can be mitigated with an Eco-Soil treatment from Groundworks. This treatment stabilizes clay soils from expansion and movement for the long-term, ensuring stability for new or existing constructions.
The treatment works through injection directly into the soil. Our Eco-Soil solution saturates and balances out the alkalinity of the clay soils, negating its ability to absorb and hold water.
When performed before land development, new construction projects, or additions being added to a property, this treatment can protect the long-term stability of foundation soils. The process ensures parcels meet the demands required of them, reduces the risk of structural damage to buildings, and can help prevent construction schedule disruptions.

Why Groundworks?

Groundworks has a proven track record of over 50 years offering geotechnical solutions across multiple sectors. Perfect for a variety of industries, such as government, industrial, and commercial, our team can deliver a trusted solution for the tough geotechnical challenges presented by these kinds of soils. We can help you avoid the problems caused by expansive clay soils before they begin. Contact us today to plan your Eco-Soil treatment.