Ground heave movement evaluation in shallow foundations for expansive soils in Tunja, Colombia

A current challenge in unsaturated soil mechanics is the need to estimate ground heave and associated shallow foundation movements expansive soils due water content changes. Such estimation should be simple for geotechnical engineering practitioners provide reliable designs through quantifying risk with heave. The difficulties generalizing a method are related several variables influencing behavior, including initial final stress state condition, mineralogical composition, wetting depth, degree, profile comprising strata thickness groundwater condition. In this research, evaluation of located north-east Tunja (Colombia) performed surrogate path (SPM), content, consolidation theory-based methods. Initial suction profiles were defined quantify strains developed at each scenario partial wetting. sensitivity SPM estimated or measured value constant volume swelling pressure was corroborated. higher deformations that would able develop when subjected progressive obtained along remaining capacity profile. Finally, concluding remarks recommendations practicality applicability methods presented.