Soil response to track and wheel tractor traffic

Experiments were conducted on a Eudora silt loam to determine the effect of tracked and wheeled tractor traffic on cone penetration resistance and soil bulk density at three different soil-water content levels. Treatment plots were ripped to a depth of 0.45 m and irrigated 5 days prior to the experiment. Significant differences in penetration resistance and bulk density were observed between the treatments within the plowing depth (0.30 m). After the tractor passes, the average penetration resistance recorded was about 7.5% higher and the soil bulk density was about 3% higher in the wheel treatment plots. However, at the soil-water content level close to Proctor optimum (15% w/w), no significant difference was observed in the average penetration resistance of the two treatments.     

Vehicular traffic effects on development and yield of corn (maize)

A 52 plot experiment was performed during the growing season of 1977 in a Ste. Rosalie clay soil, using a randomized complete-block design with 13 treatments of machinery traffic within each of four blocks. Three vehicle contact pressures, four numbers of tractor passes, and a control of zero traffic were used to relate the growth and yield variables to wheel traffic and the resulting soil compaction. The number of days required for (a) plant emergence, (b) tasselling, and (c) silking were minimum in moderately compacted plots. The plant growth rate monitored at 41, 54, 68, and 105 days from the seeding time was different from plot to plot. Growth models at different times of the season were derived in terms of the wheel traffic variables, and plant and ear moisture content variation with traffic treatment was investigated. Yield and ear yield increased with increases in machine contact pressure and passes reaching a peak around 500 kPa and dropped off for further increases. The reduction in yield was over 35% in some cases, suggesting that careful traffic planning is essential to obtain better production in agricultural fields. Prediction models were obtained for all the plant growth characteristics in terms of traffic variables. A relation for yield in terms of soil bulk density was established for a dry season.     

Prediction of sinkage and rolling resistance for off-the-road vehicles considering penetration velocity

The use of plate pressure tests is common for the prediction of sinkage and rolling resistance for off-the-road vehicles. Most of these penetration tests are carried out with small penetration bodies in a quasi-static way. However, when vehicles are rolling on soft soil, the soil is charged dynamically. Consequently, this dynamic effect should be considered by the prediction of sinkage and rolling resistance. At the Institute of Automotive Engineering at Hamburg, tests were carried out with penetration bodies in sizes up to 900 cm², which is comparable to the contact area of wheels. The results confirm the influence of the penetration velocity. With a constant load, the body sinkage is smaller at a higher penetration velocity. Also shear tests with shear rings of different sizes have been carried out and an exponential equation for the shear strength, not depending on the shear ring size, was found. A dynamic pressure-sinkage relationship depending on the penetration velocity or driving speed was derived and transferred to the sinkage and rolling resistance of a rigid wheel.     

Physical and hydraulic characteristics in compacted clay soils

To determine and compare the differences in soil water suction between uncropped and cropped plots, a 52-plot experiment was used. Three average tyre to soil contact pressures of 31, 41 and 62 kPa as well as four numbers of machines passes (1, 5, 10 and 15) and control plots of zero traffic were used as pre-seeding machinery compaction treatments for the investigation. Soil dry bulk density, soil moisture content, soil suction, rainfall, water table depth and corn yield were all measured. The results showed that, with increasing tyre contact pressure, there was a corresponding increase in soil suction during the growing season in both uncropped and cropped plots. A family of curves was drawn for soil suction versus tyre contact pressure for different numbers of days and also for soil suction versus volumetric water content at varying contact pressures and times of the season. Growth performance of corn plants was best in moderately compacted plots. Dry bulk density and penetrometer resistance were related to traffic treatments.     

An empirical model to predict soil bulk density profiles in field conditions using penetration resistance, moisture content and soil depth

Cylindrical soil probes measuring 300 mm in diameter by 300 mm in height were prepared in the laboratory using samples extracted from a well drained loamy soil (FAO classification: Vertic Luvisol). These probes were compacted at different moisture contents [3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 (% w/w)] and using different compaction energies (9.81, 49.05, 98.1 and 981 J). The soil penetration resistance was determined by means of the ASAE 129 mm² base area cone and seven other different cones with base sizes of 175, 144, 124, 98, 74, 39 and 26 mm². The variability of the penetration resistance measurements increased as the size of the cone decreased. Nevertheless, the penetration resistance values proved to be independent of the cone used, as long as the size of the latter was equal to or greater than 98 mm². This confirms the possibility of using cones with areas smaller than the ASAE standard when measurements are to be carried out in dry soils with high levels of mechanical resistance. The experimental data were used to develop an empirical model, a linear additive model on a log–log plane, capable of estimating soil bulk density depending on soil penetration resistance, soil moisture content and depth. This model has provided good results under field conditions and has allowed soil bulk density profiles and accumulated water profiles to be accurately estimated.     

Effect of multiple passes of tractor with varying normal load on subsoil compaction

A field experiment was conducted on alluvial soil with sandy loam texture, in a complete randomized design, to determine the compaction of sub-soil layers due to different passes of a test tractor with varying normal loads. The selected normal loads were 4.40, 6.40 and 8.40 kN and the number of passes 1, 6, 11 and 16. The bulk density and cone penetration resistance were measured to determine the compaction at 10 equal intervals of 5 cm down the surface. The observations were used to validate a simulation model on sub-soil compaction due to multiple passes of tractor in controlled conditions. The bulk density and penetration resistance in 0–15 cm depth zone continuously increased up to 16 passes of the test tractor, and more at higher normal loads. The compaction was less in different sub-soil layers at lower levels of loads. The impact of higher loads and larger number of passes on compaction was more effective in the soil depth less than 30 cm; for example the normal load of 8.40 kN caused the maximum bulk density of 1.53 Mg/m³ after 16 passes. In 30–45 cm depth layer also, the penetration resistance increased with the increase in loads and number of passes but to a lesser extent which further decreased in the subsoil layers below 45 cm. Overall, the study variables viz. normal load on tractor and number of passes influenced the bulk density and soil penetration resistance in soil depth in the range of 0–45 cm at 1% level of significance. However, beyond 45 cm soil depth, the influence was not significant. The R² calculated from observed and predicted values with respect to regression equations for bulk density and penetration resistance were 0.7038 and 0.76, respectively.     

Effect of subsoil compaction on rooting behavior and yields of wheat

Soil compactions are widely dispersed in the world but tend to be the most prevalent, where heavy machinery is used in agriculture. The increasing use of heavy machinery is the primary cause of soil and subsoil compaction. The impact of subsoil compaction on root growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were evaluated during 2006 and 2007. Sub-soil compactions were created by three normal loads, i.e. 4.40, 6.40 and 8.40 kg and four number of passes of tractor, i.e. 1, 6, 11 and 16. The field was divided into 39 plots including a control plot, i.e. no passes of the tractor. The size of each plot was 400 square meter. A factorial randomized block design was followed in laying out the experiment and care was taken that all the 13 treatments and their replications are included in field experiments. It was observed that for all the compaction treatments in the field experiment on the wheat crop, 51–61% of wheat roots were confined in 0–15 cm, 17–20% in 15–30 cm and the rest 22–28% is below 30 cm soil layer. Sub-soil compaction reduced the wheat crop yields to a maximum of 23%. A statistical model is developed to predict crop yield considering the root length density of the crop. Average root diameters increased with the increase of the sub-soil compaction level. In sub-soil zone, average root diameter decreased with the increase of sub-soil compaction level.     

Impact of M1A1 main battle tank disturbance on soil quality, invertebrates, and vegetation characteristics

Military training commonly results in land degradation, but protocols for assessing and predicting long-term environmental impact are lacking. An ability to assess the impact of repeated disturbance and subsequent recovery is needed to balance training requirements against environmental quality. To develop methodology for assessing soil quality, a study evaluating disturbance resulting from tank maneuvers was initiated on Fort Riley Military Installation, Kansas. The objectives were to identify and quantify soil-quality indicators on two soil types exposed to controlled tank traffic. We examined physical, chemical, and biotic indicators after treatments were applied during wet and dry soil conditions. A randomized complete-block design, with three blocks per soil type and three treatments per block, was used. Treatments consisted of disturbance created by a 63-ton M1A1 tank making five passes in a figure-8 pattern during either dry or wet soil conditions. The M1A1 was operated at a speed of approximately 8 km/h. Control plots received no tank traffic. Soil-quality indicators evaluated were soil compaction, soil penetration resistance, rut depth, soil bulk density, soil texture, soil chemical composition, plant biomass, soil microbial diversity, and nematode and earthworm taxa. Soil-quality indicators were sampled within one week after tank disturbance. Preliminary data indicate soil-texture-dependent treatment effects (p  0.05) for bulk density and porosity. Bulk density increased and porosity decreased on trafficked areas, in the silt loam soil, but showed no change in the silty clay loam soil. Disturbance during wet soil conditions raised penetrometer resistance and gravimetric water content more than disturbance during dry soil conditions (p  0.05). A significant difference in disturbance was measured between the outside and inside portion of the same track (p  0.01 and 0.001, respectively). The outside track caused the greatest amount of disturbance, as measured by the height of the disturbed soil ridge above the track bed. Tank disturbance significantly reduced total vegetative biomass (p  0.05) compared with that of un-trafficked areas. Disturbance under wet soil conditions significantly reduced grass biomass (p = 0.040), whereas disturbance under dry soil conditions significantly reduced forb biomass (p = 0.0247) compared to un-trafficked areas. Total earthworm abundance (p = 0.011) was reduced by 82% when disturbance occurred during wet soil conditions regardless of soil type.     

Relationships of field traffic and tillage to corn yields and soil properties

Esperiements were conducted during the summer of 1979 in which field plots oon s Ste. Rosalie clay soil and a Ste. Amable sandy loam soil were subjected to different levels of compaction by machinery, and subsequently treated by moldboard plowing and discing, chiselling and subsoiling by a winged tool. A silage corn crop was grown on all plots and measurements were made of soil bulk densities, penetration resistance of soils and plant yields. The results indicated that the compaction of the soil, if not subsequently loosened by a tillage operation, caused a marked reduction in plant yields. A nnarrow range of dry bulk density produced the optimum silage corn yields in the two experimental soils. The soil densities in this range were obtained by any of the three tillage treatments, as well as by the rototiller treatment, without machinery traffic.     

Soil compaction patterns caused by off-road vehicles in eastern canadian agricultural soils

The interaction between vehicles and soils of varying properties and moisture contents can cause serious compaction and soil structure problems. This situation always confronts the farmer, who has to deal with the soil effects, and should be of foremost interest to agricultural machine manufacturers and dealers as well as other off-road vehicle users in order that they may employ the best vehicle configuration for various conditions.This study is oriented towards evaluating compaction behaviour under various loads, different soil conditions, number of passes, and tire sizes. Contour plots of change in dry density compared to the original density were obtained under the tire path cross sections for different loads, number of passes and soil moisture conditions.The increase in dry density change, determined for different numbers of passes, was sharp up to five passes and levelled off for further increases in the number of passes. Increase in dry density became as great as 30 pcf (0.48 g/cm³), illustrating the detrimental effect of repeated passes of a vehicle in the field.     

Effect of wetting and drying on soil physical properties

Agricultural soils are subject to seasonal wetting and drying cycles. Effect of drying stress, as influenced by one cycle of wetting and drying, on physical properties of a clay–loam soil was investigated in the laboratory. The physical properties studied were soil bulk density, cone penetration resistance, shear strength, adhesion and aggregate size and stability. Three drying stress treatments were made by wetting air-dried soil of initial moisture content of 12% (on dry weight basis) to three different higher moisture contents, namely 27, 33 and 40%, and then drying each of them back to their original moisture content of 12%. Thus, the soil was subjected to three different degrees of drying stress. The results showed that the soil strength indicated by cone penetration resistance and cohesion, and soil aggregate size, increased with the degree of drying stress. However, the soil bulk density did not change significantly with the drying stress.     

Non-linear finite element analysis of cone penetration in layered sandy loam soil – Considering precompression stress state

Axisymmetric finite element (FE) method was developed to simulate cone penetration process in layered granular soil. The FE was modeled using ABAQUS/Explicit, a commercially available package. Soil was considered as a non-linear elastic plastic material which was modeled using variable elastic parameters of Young’s Modulus and Poisson’s ratio and Drucker–Prager criterion with yield stress dependent material hardening property. The material hardening parameters of the model were estimated from the USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory – Auburn University (NSDL-AU) soil compaction model. The stress–strain relationship in the NSDLAU compaction model was modified to account for the different soil moisture conditions and the influence of precompression stress states of the soil layers. A surface contact pair (‘slave-master’) algorithm in ABAQUS/Explicit was used to simulate the insertion of a rigid cone (RAX2 ABAQUS element) into deformable and layered soil medium (CAX4R ABAQUS element). The FE formulation was verified using cone penetration data collected on a soil chamber of Norfolk sandy loam soil which was prepared in two compaction treatments that varied in bulk density in the hardpan layer of (1) 1.64 Mg m⁻³ and (2) 1.71 Mg m⁻³. The FE model successfully simulated the trend of cone penetration in layered soils indicating the location of the sub-soil compacted (hardpan) layer and peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model to account for the actual soil moisture content and inclusion of the influence of precompression stress into the strain behavior of the NSDL-AU model improved the performance of FE in predicting the peak cone penetration resistance. Modification of the NSDL-AU model resulted in an improvement of about 42% in the finite element-predicted soil cone penetration forces compared with the FE results that used the NSDL-AU ‘virgin’ model.     

Thermal characteristics of a high heat flux micro-evaporator

Our purpose is to design a high heat flux micro-evaporator that can remove more than 100 W/cm². For this purpose a thin liquid film is evaporized. The liquid film is stabilized in micro-channels by capillary forces. The micro-channels are fabricated by chemical etching on silicon to reduce thermal resistance. For the experiments, the channel plate is heated by an ITO thin film heater deposited on the opposite side of the channel plate. Influence of heat flux, coolant flow rate, and inlet temperature on the temperature of the heater element are investigated. Water is used as working fluid. A maximal heat flux of 125 W/cm² could be achieved for water inlet temperature of 90 °C and flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The temperature of the heater element is kept constant at about 120 °C with fluctuations within 8 °C. The measured pressure drop is less than 1000 Pa.     

Soil strength as affected by tillage system and wheel traffic in wheat -corn rotation in central Anatolia

This paper discusses the loading of a typical central Anatolian soil by the most commonly used corn and wheat production agricultural equipment. It further describes the effect that loading and soil conditions have on soil strength, namely compaction, and proposes techniques for minimizing undesired soil compaction. Experiments were carried out on a typical central Anatolian medium-textured imperfectly drained clay loam soil (Cambisol). Three different tillage methods and subsequently the same field operations were used for each rotation. Shear strength, penetration resistance, bulk density and moisture variations were detected in four sampling periods at each rotation. Tillage reduced the soil strength with the mouldboard plough causing the greatest loosening. However, natural processes and the vehicular traffic caused the soil to be re-compacted to about the same values as before. In any of the cases the obtained parameters did not exceed the critical values for plant growth except the penetration resistance in the 20–30 cm depth layer during corn production.     

Changes in some mechanical properties of a loamy soil under the influence of mechanized forest exploitation in a beech forest of central Belgium

Modification of some soil mechanical properties (penetration resistance and consolidation pressure) induced by vehicle compaction during mechanized forest exploitation was studied in an acid and loamy leached forest soil of the loessic belt of central Belgium. In situ penetration tests and laboratory Bishop–Wesley cell tests were undertaken for the two main soil horizons of a beech high-forest, i.e. the eluvial E horizon (5–30 cm depth) and the underlying clay-enriched B_t horizon (30–60 cm depth). Both undisturbed and wheel-rutted soil areas were studied (E and B_t horizons vs. E_g and B_tg horizons).

Results show that: The experimental overconsolidation pressure of the eluvial reference horizon (E) is about 50 kPa higher than the value calculated from soil overburden pressure; this probably results from suction action during dry periods. The clay-enriched reference horizon (B_t) shows the same trends. In wheel-rutted areas, seven years after logging operations, the E_g horizon memorizes only 14.5% of the wheel induced stress due to forest machinery.

In the compacted B_tg horizon, the experimental overconsolidation pressure represents 96% of the exerted theoretical stresses due to harvesting actions. The good recording of the exerted stresses, after seven years, can be explained by: (1) The B_tg depth which keeps it from seasonal variations i.e. from desiccation–moistening or freeze–thaw cycling; (2) amorphous and free iron accumulation inducing a “glue” effect of the B_tg soil matrix, which could stabilize the soil structure and prevent recovery to initial conditions. These results provide clear evidence that on loessic materials, soil compaction due to logging operations leads to modifications in both physical (bulk density, total porosity) and mechanical (penetration resistance and consolidation pressure) soil properties.     

Detailed heat transfer measurements inside straight and tapered two-pass channels with rib turbulators

Most of the studies on gas turbine blade internal channels have focused on constant cross-sectional areas from entrance to turn. Gas turbine blades are typically tapered from hub to tip to reduce thermal loading. These channels exist inside high-performance turbine blades for providing effective cooling to the blade external surface, which is exposed to high-temperature gas flow. Heat transfer measurements are presented for both the straight and tapered square channels including the turn region with and without rib turbulators. The straight channels will have a uniform square cross-section area of 5.08×5.08 cm². For the tapered channels, the square cross-sectional area reduces from entrance into the first pass (5.08×5.08 cm²) to the 180° turn (2.54×2.54 cm²) and then expands from turn to exit in the second pass (5.08×5.08 cm²). The heat transfer results for tapered channels are compared with results for straight channels. Results show that heat transfer in tapered smooth channels is enhanced significantly due to flow acceleration in the first pass, a combination of taper and turn and flow deceleration in the second pass. Overall, the tapered channels significantly produce higher heat transfer enhancements compared to the Dittus–Boelter correlation for fully developed flow especially in the after-turn region. Based on the results from this study, the heat transfer inside tapered channels in the after-turn region cannot be predicted by calculating local Reynolds numbers and using straight channel heat transfer correlations. However, the first pass Nusselt number enhancement distributions are similar for both straight and tapered channels when normalized using the local Nusselt number based on local Reynolds number. The difference in the after-turn region between the straight and tapered channels is reduced with the addition of rib turbulators.     

Soil stress and compaction effects for four tractor tyres

Compaction effects and soil stresses were examined for four tractor tyres under three inflation pressures: 67, 100 and 150% of the recommended pressure. The four tyres were 18.4 R 38, 520/70 R 38, 600/65 R 38 and 650/60-38 and they carried a wheel load of 2590 kg. The 650/60-38 was a bias-ply tyre while the other three were radial tyres. Increased inflation pressure significantly increased all measured parameters: rut depth, penetration resistance and soil stress at 20 and 40 cm depth. The 18.4 R 38 caused a greater rut depth and penetration resistance than the other tyres, which did not differ significantly from each other. The soil stress was highest for the 18.4 R 38, followed by the 650/60-38. The low-profile tyres decreased compaction compared with the 18.4–38 tyre, mainly by allowing a lower inflation pressure. The use of low-profile tyres did not reduce compaction if not used at a lower inflation pressure. The bias-ply tyre caused a higher stress in the soil than the radial tyres when used with the same inflation pressure, but the compaction effects in terms of rut depth and penetration resistance were not greater for this tyre than for the radial low-profile tyres.     

Soil compaction in an orchard of Southern Quebec

Recent plans to increase the numbers of fruit trees per acre in apple orchards have necessitated the acquisition of more information on orchard soil compaction caused by repeated passes of heavy machinery operating under various soil moisture conditions.An orchard was studied where traffic had occured regularly for forty years, and in which deep ruts in many locations have caused traction problems during machinery operation. A gamma ray density probe was used to measure the degree of soil compaction in these areas, and the results show the presence of highly compact ground near certain of the vehicle tracks. Laboratory tests were also performed to classify the soil types present in the orchard.     

Ability of clay fill to support construction plant

Good ground conditions are required for the operation of modern earthmoving plants due to the higher contact pressures imposed by them on the supporting surface. The maximum allowable contact pressure has been arrived at by a simplified theory based on the bearing capacity of clay soils. From these considerations it appears that standards earthmoving tyres with inflation pressures of greater than 50 lb/in² should be used only on stiff or strong clays, but for firm clays it is necessary to reduce the inflation pressures to between 25 and 50 lb/in², depending on the shear strength of the soil. It would also seem desirable to replace the standard wheels on a particular plant with larger wheels capable of carrying the load under lower inflation pressures.     

Ground-based skidder traffic changes chemical soil properties in a mountainous Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest in Iran

Increased soil compaction following harvest traffic is an inroad for adverse changes in soil biological properties and processes, soil microbial activity, bacterial communities, and growth and development of plant roots. This study investigated the impacts of three levels of traffic intensity (3–6, 7–14, and 15+ passes) of a Timberjack 450C skidder on changes in several chemical soil properties at two levels of skid trail slope gradients (gentle =<20% and steep >20% inclination) in the Hyrcanian forest. Skidding increased soil bulk density between 19% and 39% and, averaged over both slope gradients, reduced amounts of soil organic carbon (33–67%), concentrations of nitrogen (51–80%), phosphorous (0–17%), potassium (11–36%), and hydrogen ions (78–98%) compared to undisturbed areas. Most soil damage occurred after a few skidder passes, particularly on steep slopes that generally experienced the highest level of soil deterioration. The primary mechanism that induced immediate chemical soil changes was an uplift and exposure of deeper soil layers in response to compression and displacement of the former soil surface. Skidding can jeopardize the sustainability of forest ecosystems by creating unfavorable changes in soil characteristics and nutrient status.