For soil compaction in agriculture, see soil compaction (agriculture), for natural compaction on a geologic scale, see compaction (geology); for consolidation near the surface, see consolidation (soil).
Process in geotechnical engineering to increase soil density
In geotechnical engineering, soil compaction is the process in which stress applied to a soil causes densification as air is displaced from the pores between the soil grains. When stress is applied that causes densification due to water (or other liquid) being displaced from between the soil grains, then consolidation, not compaction, has occurred. Normally, compaction is the result of heavy machinery compressing the soil, but it can also occur due to the passage of, for example, animal feet.
In soil science and agronomy, soil compaction is usually a combination of both engineering compaction and consolidation, so may occur due to a lack of water in the soil, the applied stress being internal suction due to water evaporation[1] as well as due to passage of animal feet. Affected soils become less able to absorb rainfall, thus increasing runoff and erosion. Plants have difficulty in compacted soil because the mineral grains are pressed together, leaving little space for air and water, which are essential for root growth. Burrowing animals also find it a hostile environment, because the denser soil is more difficult to penetrate. The ability of a soil to recover from this type of compaction depends on climate, mineralogy and fauna. Soils with high shrink–swell capacity, such as vertisols, recover quickly from compaction where moisture conditions are variable (dry spells shrink the soil, causing it to crack). But clays such as kaolinite, which do not crack as they dry, cannot recover from compaction on their own unless they host ground-dwelling animals such as earthworms—the Cecil soil series is an example.
Before soils can be compacted in the field, some laboratory tests are required to determine their engineering properties. Among various properties, the maximum dry density and the optimum moisture content are vital and specify the required density to be compacted in the field.[2]
A 10 tonne excavator is here equipped with a narrow sheepsfoot roller to compact the fill over newly placed sewer pipe, forming a stable support for a new road surface.A compactor/roller fitted with a sheepsfoot drum, operated by U.S. Navy SeabeesVibrating roller with plain drum as used for compacting asphalt and granular soilsVibratory rammer in action
^Soil compaction due to lack of water in soil
^Jia, Xiaoyang; Hu, Wei; Polaczyk, Pawel; Gong, Hongren; Huang, Baoshan (2019). "Comparative Evaluation of Compacting Process for Base Materials using Lab Compaction Methods". Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2673 (4): 558–567. doi:10.1177/0361198119837953. ISSN 0361-1981.
between the soil grains, then consolidation, not compaction, has occurred. Normally, compaction is the result of heavy machinery compressing the soil, but it...
Proctor compaction test; his test was later updated to create the modified Proctor compaction test. These laboratory tests generally consist of compacting soil...
of gases, soil aeration allows for water drainage and root growth. A common contributor to lack of soil aeration is soilcompaction. Soil aeration may...
secondary structures. Soil bulk density, when determined at standardized moisture conditions, is an estimate of soilcompaction. Soil porosity consists of...
Look up compaction in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Compaction may refer to: Soilcompaction, for mechanically induced compaction near the ground surface...
existing in soil. Compaction, a common problem with soils, reduces this space, preventing air and water from reaching plant roots and soil organisms. Given...
The most common use of soil conditioners is to improve soil structure. Soils tend to become compacted over time. Soilcompaction impedes root growth, decreasing...
of compaction is the equipment selection for a certain type of soil. Because it gives the project a solid functional foundation, soilcompaction is an...
removing soil to a considerable depth. Another cause of gully erosion is grazing, which often results in ground compaction. Because the soil is exposed...
by which soil changes volume due to a change in applied pressure. This broader definition encompasses the overall concept of soilcompaction, subsidence...
Dynamic compaction is a method that is used to increase the density of soils when certain subsurface constraints make other methods of soilcompaction inappropriate...
biodegradation of organic waste is also slowed. Soilcompaction Surface runoff "A Guide To Waste Compaction Equipment & Systems. SP-industries: Archived...
keep methyl bromide, both a powerful fumigant and ozone depleter, in the soil. Crops grow through slits or holes in thin plastic sheeting. Plastic mulch...
oxygen. Lawn aeration involves controlling lawn thatch and reducing soilcompaction, making grass roots multiply. Aerating either by coring or spiking...
Initial compaction of the substrate on a road project is done using a padfoot or "sheep's foot" drum roller, which achieves higher compaction density...
up and loosen soil to twice those depths. The subsoiler is a tillage tool which will improve growth in all crops where soilcompaction is a problem. In...
management practices that affect soil health include: Controlling traffic on the soil surface helps to reduce soilcompaction, which can reduce aeration and...
Retrieved 2018-02-22. Soilcompaction impact and modelling. A review Soane, B.D. (1990). "The role of organic matter in soilcompactibility: A review of some...
the soil grains (e.g., grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, compaction characteristic of soil, to determine the general lithology of soil deposits...
eutrophication and acidification. Sugarcane cultivation can also result in soilcompaction, which is caused by the use of heavy, infield machinery. Along with...
wood grade, concrete strength, etc) or construction requirements (soilcompaction, weld procedures, etc). The structural notes also provide information...
effect was to put those soils in jeopardy. The removal of the forest, the increase in destructive floods, the soilcompaction and close-cropping wrought...
soil quality", and the problem is exacerbated by uncovered soil. Compaction occurs when soil is pushed together and becomes harder, so the ability to retain...
soilcompaction Tree wells: a zone of mulch can be installed around the tree trunk to: limit root zone competition (from turf or weeds), reduce soil compaction...
The dry bulk density of a soil greatly depends on the mineral assemblage making up the soil and on its degree of compaction. The density of quartz is...
R. (2004). "Crop cover root channels may alleviate soilcompaction effects on soybean crop". Soil Science Society of America Journal. 68 (4): 1403–09...
in the past. The tree has now been fenced to protect the roots from soilcompaction. The oak was selected as one of 50 Great British Trees picked by The...
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