The amount of damages caused by expansive soil is tremendously high and alarming.rnThese damages are mainly dominated in light weight-engineering structures founded inrnexpansive soils. These structures include lightweight buildings, roads, runways andrnburied utilities. The problem associated with expansive soils is not yet properly solved. Itrnis important to assess buildings constructed in expansive soil areas in order to know therncause of failure. This helps in providing solutions for newly constructed buildings and tornget remedial measures for those already damaged.rnTherefore, in this study an attempt was made to assess the damage that occurred onrnbuildings that are constructed on expansive soil areas by taking ninety six randomlyrnselected houses in the city of Addis Ababa. The houses are located in Bole, Olympia,rnNifasilk, Lafto, Old Airport, Mekanisa, Gergi and Bole bulbula localities of the city. Thernstudy showed that 64 % of the houses suffered heavy damage, 8 % of the houses werernslightly damaged and 28% of the houses showed no damage.rnAnalysis was made to understand the cause, extent and type of damage that was observedrnin the houses. The damages that are observed are mainly caused by poor design,rnconstruction and non-controlled drainage.rnDetailed investigation was made for the Ethiopian Airlines maintenance hangar buildingrnwhich has shown pronounced failure in both the sub structure and the super structurernFinally, conclusion and recommendations are made.