What is expansive soil?

Expansive soil, also known as bentonite and swelling-shrinkage soil, is a highly plastic clay. It gets its name because it can expand dramatically after absorbing water. It is extremely unstable and extremely harmful to houses.

What kind of soil is expansive soil

Expansive soil is a special type of soil. Its biggest characteristic is that it “swells when absorbing water and shrinks when losing water”. Its main raw materials are montmorillonite and illite. It is mostly hard in the natural environment and its properties are relatively active.

The role of expansive soil

Expansive soil can be used as fertilizer for plants, but if used in construction, it can easily cause cracking and damage to the building, resulting in serious hazards such as collapse, landslides, and ground fissures.

The advantages of expansive soil are high strength and low compressibility. It is relatively hard under natural conditions. The disadvantage is that it is unstable in nature, has great hydrophilicity and swelling and shrinkage, and its volume will change significantly when it comes into contact with water.

What is suitable for growing expansive soil?

Expanded soil can be used to grow orchids, green radish, azalea, gardenia, jasmine and other plants, but it is not recommended to use it alone. It must be mixed with other soils. It contains humic acid and can be used for a longer time after proper improvement.