Advantage and Disadvantage

Every methods of each design for foundation on expansive soil have its own advantage and
disadvantage. For the method of replacing the problematic soil (expansive soil) and mixing it with
the non-problematic soil (cohesionless), it will make the outcome product to be less problematic,
less costing and acceptable. Other than that, this method is an effective technique because it will
repair some hydraulic structures to stabilize uplift pressures, can achieve increase bearing capacities
compared to prewetting method. This method is also simple, easy to undertake and often quicker
than other alternatives. After the expansive soil replaced by a suitable soil and compacted properly,
proper foundation (shallow/deep) may be constructed without being worried by the structural
damages due to the heave of the expansive soil. However, this method has disadvantages which are
it is preferable to use impervious fill to prevent water ingress which can be expensive, thickness
required may be impractical, failure can occur during construction due to water ingress and
significant cost factor if the fill must be imported.

The next method is changing the nature of soil which includes Compaction Control, Chemical
Stabilization and Prewetting. These techniques are introduced to reduce the heave of expansive
soils, otherwise, eliminate it completely or else there will be a problem with the building which
builds on top of the soils in the future. Compaction control is one of the most practical and
economical method of controlling heave of expansive soil and also can be used successfully to
support structures with shallow foundations. This method is also can achieve a relatively
impermeable fill minimizing water ingress, swell potential reduce without introducing excess water
and minimize migration of water. The disadvantages are low density compaction may be detrimental
to bearing capacity, requires close and careful quality control, lower bearing capacity may not be
adequate except good for light structures (for example; single family house) and also increase cost.

Chemical Stabilization using various types of stabilizers such as lime, fly ash or cement can
reduce heave significantly. For example, lime which has been used the most can causes the plasticity
index of top soil layer to reduce, at the same time, increase the load bearing capacity. All fine
grained soils can be treated by chemical stabilizers with effective. This method is also reducing swell
potential of an expansive soil, can be used successfully to support structures with shallow
foundations and increase the load bearing capacity when uses chemical stabilization such as lime.
The limitation of this method is soil chemistry may be detrimental to chemical treatment, health and
safety needs careful consideration as chemical stabilizers carry potential risk as well as
environmental risk may also occur (for example; quick lime is particularly reactive) and reduce the
swelling potential if adequately mixed with the soil to a proper depth.

For the prewetting’s method, this method can increase the moisture content of the soil by
submerging an area in water and it achieves most of the expected heave before construction. Plus, it
also can reduce the evaporation, providing a minor surcharge, as well as making a level uniform
subgrade. Also, the top wetted soil may be mixed with lime and compacted to reduce soil’s plasticity
and increasing soil’s load bearing capacity as well. This method is the most economical. However,
this method may require several years to achieve adequate wetting, loss of strength and failure can
occur. This method is only suitable for single family homes and water redistribution can occur
causing heave after construction.
 In addition, other alternatives of methods that can be used for foundation on expansive soil
are by controlling the water content of sub-soil foundation. This method is one of the most effective
methods to control heave potential of expansive soil and also to minimize the edge wetting or drying
of subsoil foundation. Next, using of sufficiently strong structures that will remain undamaged in
spite of swelling which is by controlling direction of expansion and loading the soil to sufficient
pressure intensity to balance swell pressure. Controlling direction of expansion allowing the soil to
expand into cavities built in the foundation movements. Loading the soil to sufficient pressure
intensity to balance swell pressure was implemented by using spread footing of high-pressure
intensity or excavating several meters of expansive and backfilling with granular back fill. This
method may not be practical for one-story commercial buildings and residences because of the small
soil pressures developed. The last method which is isolating the structure from the swelling soil can
make the swell to be able to occur without causing structural damages to the buildings.