Because of the volume change actions, swelling soils are considered highly problematic soil. There are many methodologies available to combat the problems that the swelling soils pose. Recently, expanded polystyrene (EPS geofoam) blocks have been used as a lightweight fill material in many applications, such as in landscaping over underground parking garages, around and above underground basements, as subgrade and fill material under flexible pavements, as lightweight embankment fills under roads, and even for bridge approaches. This paper presents the results of experimental research conducted to understand the efficacy of the geofoam layer system as a new technique for controlling upward movement of lightweight structures over swelling soils. Performance under the footing of the geofoam layer, due to the flat and shaped geofoam layer with various thicknesses and positions, was studied; their effectiveness was investigated and compared. Test results showed that there is considerable reduction in heave by using geofoam layer with sand above swelling soil