So Your Home Is Built on Expansive Soils: A Discussion of How Expansive Soils Affect Buildings

How does a homeowner determine whether or not his/her home is constructed on expansive soils? What are expansive soils, and what causes these soils to shrink or swell? Does the type of foundation affect the performance of a house constructed on such soil? How does lot drainage affect the performance of a house? ASCE's So Your Home is Built on Expansive Soils provides answers to these questions and more, as chapters review the characteristics of expansive soil behavior and a myriad of questions frequently asked by construction industry professionals, engineers, and homeowners alike.
In clear, easy to understand terms, this committee report defines the difference between cosmetic and structural damage resulting from expansive soil management; examines the influence of climate, vegetation, and irrigation; and explores the subsequent impact on structures supported over expansive soils. Guidelines for owner maintenance, as well as various preventive and remedial measures are provided. Additional topics include the cost of building on expansive soils; causes of exterior and interior cracking in buildings; and how to hire an engineer. Numerous photographs, cutaway sketches, and figures illustrate key points of the text.