So Your Home Is Built on Expansive Soils

Prepared by the Shallow Foundations Committee of the Geotechnical Division of ASCE. This report assists 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 characteristics of expansive soils are discussed, as well as how they affect buildings. A section includes questions most frequently asked by persons who have or are building homes on expansive soils and the answers they seek.