Abstract: A method of performing a cementing operation with an expandable cement deployable into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The method involves determining design parameters of a wellsite, determining at least one estimated eigenstrain of the expandable cement based on the design parameters, selecting the expandable cement based on the estimated eigenstrain, and validating the selected expandable cement by comparing the estimated eigenstrain with the empirical eigenstrain. The design parameters includes a minimum pre-stress of the wellbore sufficient to prevent creation of a microannulus in the wellbore. The estimated eigenstrain is sufficient to generate the determined minimum pre-stress.