Engineering geological characteristics of expansive soils in China

Expansive soils are widely distributed in China. Six types and subtypes of expansive soils are classified based on their origins and geological times in this paper. The soil samples from six representative areas in China were tested and analyzed, including their clay content, clay mineral composition, chemical constitutes, physico-chemical indices, swelling and shrinkage. In light of the test results, the engineering geological characteristics of each type of expansive soil are assessed.