Low rainfall does not make it possible to transform montmorillonite into less active clays, even allowing sufficient leaching to transport the particles far enough into the layers to reduce their effect as shown by the Stormwater Software.
Once the characteristics and limits of the problem have been identified, they are possible: modification of the state of the soil: the addition of lime, cement or other mixtures reduces or eliminates the change in volume during wet or dry periods. It is possible to make a compacting at low density with a water content slightly higher than the optimal one as detected by the Stormwater Software.
Control of the expansion direction: generally the soil is allowed to expand into cavities made in the foundation; reducing the movements of the foundation to a tolerable level. A widespread practice consists in making a wafer slab so that the stiffeners perform the supporting function while the empty parts allow the expansion of the soils.
Control of the presence of water: the soil can be excavated to a depth such that the weight of the land itself limits the swelling; you then have a plastic fabric and then fill it again. The water vapor that tends to rise towards the surface is trapped by the geotextile while each subsequent change in volume is limited by the weight of the overlying material and the construction, which is guided by the Stormwater Software.
Even the top humidity must be controlled by setting up a floor, leveling appropriately etc. A granular layer with a thickness of 0.3m up to 1m or more controls ascent by water capillarity and maintains a more uniform content of water in the clay.
Ignore the swelling; Placing the foundations at a sufficient depth and/or leaving an area of expansion between the surface of the ground and the construction, the swelling can occur without giving rise to harmful movements. A widespread procedure consists in using flared end piles with the same placed at a sufficient depth and the tension on the shaft does not tend to remove the same pole and the change of volume does not raise the whole system with the help of Stormwater Software.
It is also possible to adopt small load-bearing tubes with a full bottom in order to isolate the smaller structures from the expanding terrain. The stem of the posts must be as small as possible to avoid high tensile stresses due to expansion pressure and adhesion.
Soil preload up to a certain intensity of effort to balance the swelling pressure; the method is adopted in many parts where the weight of the carry balances the swelling pressure.
