Some mechanical properties of aggregates of top soils from the IJsselmeer polders. 2. Remoulded soil aggregates and the effects of wetting and drying cycles.

Abstract

The mechanical properties of remoulded samples of eight soils from the IJsselmeer polders were investigated. The Atterberg (Plastic and Liquid) Limits were positively correlated with the soil clay content, but were not significantly correlated with the organic matter content. Artificial aggregates of the remoulded soil age-hardened when moist. The tensile strength of artificial aggregates was positively correlated with the soil clay content and negatively correlated with the porosity. Friability of the dried, remoulded soil was much lower than that of natural, undisturbed soil. Factors affecting the rates of wetting and drying of aggregates in the laboratory were examined in detail. Wetting resulted in mellowing (or softening) of artificial aggregates. Mellowing was investigated as a function of the potential of the source of water causing the wetting. Multiple wetting and drying cycles may result in increased mellowing or in no mellowing depending on the water potential. New terminology is introduced to facilitate discussion of these phenomena. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)