Carlos

Across the United States, expansive soils cause $13 billion in annual damage to buildings and infrastructure (Puppala & Cerato, 2009), and the South is not immune to this risk.  Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama all sit atop unique geological deposits…

Porters Creek Clay is a Paleocene-age clay found across the South Gulf Coastal Plain, stretching through Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and beyond. Beneath its dense, fossil-rich composition lies a serious engineering challenge: a dramatic shrink–swell cycle following changes in moisture. It's…

Yazoo Clay is a highly expansive soil formation known by several names. There's Mississippi's "Blue Yazoo," owing to its distinctive bluish-gray color, and "Gumbo," for its thick, sticky texture. But regardless of what it's called, this clay is notorious for…

From an agricultural standpoint, Blackland Prairie soil is among the most mineral-rich in the world. But that same richness comes with a caveat—its composition can exceed 60% clay, making it one of the most challenging soils to build on. Highly…

Pyritic shale may have a shimmer of gold, but when disturbed, it can become one of the most damaging soil conditions faced in construction. Found across much of North America, this mineral-rich shale can expand, crack foundations, and corrode infrastructure…