Examining the swelling potential of cohesive soils with high plasticity according to their index properties using GIS

As the value ranges presented in the literature with tables and graphs that feature soil index properties related to the soil swelling potential are intertwined, their interpretation may pose certain challenges. In this study, the spatial distribution maps of soil swelling potential were created using soil index data obtained from this research, and those values of ranges from the swelling potential of the study area were assessed by combining all maps, resulting in a single comprehensive map and new limit ranges in the high plasticity cohesive soils. Soils in the study area were evaluated according to the newly determined limit value ranges. The findings show that the high plasticity cohesive soils in the region should have swelling potential in all parameters of the new limit value ranges to show swelling potential. The limit values for high plasticity cohesive soils to demonstrate a high swelling potential are: % natural water content <18, % passing through #200 sieve >90, liquid limit >65, plasticity index >21, swelling pressure >240 kPa, and % swelling percentage >6.