A method for assessing the impact of load on mechanical stability and on physical properties of soils

Methods to quantify the mechanical strength of agricultural soils in order to assess the trafficability are presented. The pedotransfer functions relating the precompression stress as a measure of soil strength and the depending soil parameters are also shown. By using cohesion and angle of internal friction values, the precompression stress can be calculated using the multiple regression equations. Horizon specific values on the mechanical stability of arable soils is determined at various moisture suctions. Changes in dependence of gravel contents are also given. The stress transmission for specific soil horizons is calculated by using classified values of the concentration factor. The mechanical stability for the soil profile is then determined by comparing the actual pressures in a specific soil horizon with the corresponding value of the precompression stress. Stress dependent changes of soil physical properties only occur when applied stress exceeds the precompression stress. These changes in soil physical properties are dependent on soil suction, texture, structure and applied stress. Regression equations presented in this paper can be used to calculate the changes in soil physical and mechanical properties due to loading. The proposed method is a useful tool towards fulfilling the soil protection law in the Federal Republic of Germany. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.