Abstract:
In Mila Province, Algeria (a.k.a Mila Wilaya), sensitive clays presenting shrinkage-
swelling phenomena are widespread, covering large areas. Due to this, constructions and
infrastructures sustainability built on such soils is questionable. Such clays sensitivity is
amplified by seasonal rainfall deficits which reaches extreme magnitudes. In order to develop
disasters’ prevention measures, we present in this work, areas mapping susceptible to shrinkage-
swelling phenomenon by adopting a French method developed by B R G M. This method takes
into account three measurable characteristics: i.e. lithological, mineralogical and geotechnical, of
clayey formations identified in the studied sector. Based on these characteristics, three scores are
attributed for each formation. Then, the susceptibility index is the obtained score average for each
clayey formation.
The susceptibility map is established on this index basis with three classes: low, medium, high.
