Construction on Expansive Soils in Sudan

Expansive soils prevail over a large area of Sudan and have caused significant damages to irrigation systems, water lines, sewer lines, buildings, roads and other structures located on these soils. Damage caused by expansive soils is estimated by the writers to exceed $6,000,000 (8,000,000 Sudanese pounds) annually. The paper summarizes typical damages to show the type, extent and causes of damages and provides information on current design methods being used in Sudan to reduce potential damages. Based on soil surveys and soil properties collected from more than 30 sites, over one‐third of Sudan's 2,600,000?km2 area may have potentially expansive soils. It is recommended that all potential construction sites in the Clay Plain be evaluated for expansive soils.