Effect of moisture content on rubber, steel and tetrafluoroethylene materials sliding on textured soils

Abstract

There is the need to evaluate soil parameters of Nigerian soil that are necessary in the design of suitable and appropriate soil engaging implements. Laboratory investigations were carried out to evaluate angle of soil/material friction (or coefficient of soil/material friction) necessary in the design of soil-engaging implements. Facility used in the investigation was soil-material friction device or sliding shear apparatus. The soils investigated were loamy sand (IGLS), sandy loam (H3) and clay (H2) soils. The materials tested were rubber (RUB), steel (SST), galvanized steel (GAS) and Teflon (TEF). Results showed that coefficient of soil/material friction increased with moisture content to a maximum and thereafter decreased. The value ranged from 0.13 to 0.85 in the three soil textures and the trend can be described by polynomial equations for the purpose of prediction. Rubber had the highest coefficient of soil/interface friction while Teflon had the least.