Author:
Chan K. Y.,Chan K. Y.,Dexter A. R.,Dexter A. R.,McKenzie D. C.,McKenzie D. C.
Abstract
Measurements of soil aggregate strength were made using a simple crushing
(indirect tension) test. The resulting values of strength were used to examine
aspects of the internal structure of the soil aggregates. This was done using
2 methods: firstly, by studying the dependence of aggregate tensile strength
on aggregate size; and secondly, by studying the variability of strength
measurements made on aggregates of one size. Combination of the results from
the 2 methods enables some new categories of soil behaviour to be defined.
The new categories were evaluated using soil samples collected from a field
experiment in which additions of lime and gypsum were made to a sodic
Vertisol. The use of the new categories leads to the conclusion that the added
compounds resulted in larger aggregates being weaker than the smaller
aggregates. This was partly due to a greater amount of micro-cracking in the
larger aggregates, and partly due to a greater weakening of the matrix within
the larger aggregates. Both of these changes are consistent with the soil
being more friable after the additions of the calcareous amendments. It was
not possible to distinguish qualitatively between the effects of lime and
gypsum. It is suggested that the amendments did not modify the soil structure
directly, but that they increased the tendency of the soil to self-mulch in
response to wetting and drying cycles.
Subject
Earth-Surface Processes,Soil Science,Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Cited by
14 articles.
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