SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY ...

6. Swelling Behavior Predictive Models
The evaluation of swell behavior of a soil using undisturbed samples is a difficult and
expensive process. Therefore there is a need for simple routine tests to be performed on
disturbed samples to achieve the same purpose. To facilitate this, empirical models had
been put forwarded by different researchers to predict swell behavior of a soil.
These models comprise different soil parameters in different combinations. Index
properties are the widely used parameters in these models because these properties have
significance in indicating the swelling behavior of a soil.
In general, previously developed empirical equations and equations to be developed in
the future are not to be expected to determine swelling pressure precisely and accurately
for all soils. The formation and development of soil structure has very erratic nature and
the swell potential is dependent on the geology, environmental factors, soil characteristics
and many other factors, which vary from place to place. Therefore equations developed
for soils in one place may not work at all if tested on soils of other place of the same
region. Hence specific models have to be developed for specific areas in order to give fair
evaluations.
44