Abstract

Accurate measurements of soil stress are needed to evaluate the impact of traffic on soil properties and prevent soil compaction. Four types of transducer commonly used to measure vertical stress were calibrated in realistic traffic conditions in the field. The four transducer types differed in shape and dimensions, which are important factors influencing stress. Deviation of measured stress from true stress ranged from 15% underestimation to 18% overestimation, with transducer thickness to width ratio being the most important shape factor influencing the stress recorded. Changes in physical conditions in the soil above the transducers due to their installation did not influence the accuracy of vertical stress measurements. The results of this calibration are valid for correcting stress measurements in topsoil, but should be used with caution for vertical stress measurements in subsoil. All stress transducers should be calibrated in field conditions before use. More research is needed to characterise the stress distribution in the measuring face of transducers and better predict interactions between transducer and soil during loading. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Soil mechanics; In situ soil stress measurements; Soil compaction; Soil-transducer interaction

Published in

Soil and Tillage Research
2015, Volume: 145, pages: 72-77
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Keller, Thomas

  • Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Agroscope

UKÄ Subject classification

Soil Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.08.011

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/69584