Previous swell related modeling studies have not incorporated the combined effects from soil suction and clay mineralogy attributes to predict swell behavior.

Eight natural expansive soils were collected and their swell strains were measured under different conditions. Clay mineralogy and soil suction properties of expansive soils were determined.

A new parameter, mechanical-hydro-chemical parameter (MHCP) is used, that accounts for both matric suction and clay mineralogy characteristic.

The slope of the path traversed by the soil specimen on a matric suction and void ratio plot (α) is a unique representation of the hydro mechanical change undergoing by the specimen during swelling.

MHC model accurately predicted swelling behavior of expansive clays for their unique inherent properties.