Predicting soil swelling behaviour from specific surface area

Some geotechnical index properties, such as the liquid limit, plasticity index, clay content and cation exchange capacity, have been used to predict the swelling potential of soils. However, a literature review indicates that prediction of the swelling potential of soils using these index properties is not completely successful. At the same time, the methods used to determine swelling potential are time-consuming. Thus researchers have been investigating other methods that can predict the swelling potential of soils readily and accurately. To this end, in this study the BET (Brunauer, Emmett and Teller equation)-N₂ adsorption, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) and methylene blue (MB) measured specific surface areas (SSA) are correlated with the swell index and modified free swell index of soils. The SSA and swell index of 16 remoulded and 15 undisturbed soils consisting of a wide range of mineralogy were determined. Results indicate that the correlation between the SSA and the swelling behaviour of the clayey soils examined is significant. A linear relationship is observed between the swell index, C_s, and the MB SSA: the swell index of the soils increases as the SSA increases. The correlation coefficient between the SSA and the modified free swell index (MFSI) is 0·93, indicating that the MB SSA does exert a significant influence on the swelling behaviour of clayey soils. Based on the test results obtained, a new swelling potential classification is proposed.