So Your Home Is Built on Expansive Soils

This committee report was prepared by the Shallow Foundation Committee of the Geotechnical Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The purpose of this book is to assist homeowners in understanding why expansive soils shrink and heave and how excessive shrinking and heaving can be moderated. It also attempts to define the difference between cosmetic damage and structural damage resulting from expansive soil movement. The information is presented in two parts. Part one discusses the characteristics of expansive soils and how they affect buildings while the second part includes the questions most frequently asked by persons who have, or are building, homes on expansive soils and the answers they seek.