On the Move: Case Studies of Expansive Soils and Foundation Movement

Foundation movement has the potential to cause extensive damage to buildings and other structures. One of the most common causes of foundation movement, and specifically differential foundation movement, are expansive soils. Expansive soils can place significant stresses on foundation systems, resulting in damage to the foundation, superstructure, and additional building components. For new buildings, the challenges presented by expansive soils must be considered during project planning and pre-construction site investigation, and must be accounted for in design and during construction. This paper discusses the authors' experiences regarding foundation movement caused by expansive soils. Case studies are utilized to illustrate the destructive potential of expansive soils and the implications of failing to understand or account for this potential at a given site.