Evaluation of soil expansion index from routinely determined geotechnical parameters

F.A. Yitagesu*, F.D. van der Meer, H.M.A. van der Werff, H. Seged

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
13 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Correlations are essential to obtain information on soil geotechnical parameters, which are costly and time consuming to measure directly, such as expansion potential. A common procedure for evaluating and rating soil expansion potential is the expansion index (EI) test. The purpose in this study was to establish a multivariate regression model to predict soil EI, thereby classify and rate soil expansiveness. Soil samples were collected from the newly planned expressway connecting the city of Addis Ababa with the town of Nazret in Ethiopia. A regression equation was established from liquid limit (LL), plasticity index (PI), and soil fine fraction (percentage of material passing the ASTM 0.075-mm sieve aperture), using a partial least squares (PLS) multivariate calibration method. A coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.92 accompanied with a root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 9.87, standard error of performance (SEP) of 9.91, offset of 5.31 and bias of 0.04 was obtained. Response surface models showing three-way relationships among the predictors (Atterberg limits and fine fraction) and response variable (EI) may serve as classification systems for evaluating soil expansion potential. Apart from its basic scientific value as a simple method for estimating and rating soil expansiveness, the approach has the advantage of employing easily and routinely determined soil properties, to get information on soil expansion potential at minimal cost and time requirements.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1641-1651
JournalSoil Science Society of America journal
Volume75
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Keywords

  • ITC-ISI-JOURNAL-ARTICLE
  • 2024 OA procedure

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of soil expansion index from routinely determined geotechnical parameters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this