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Soil Properties Influencing Strength of Canfield and Geeburg Soils
Author(s) -
McCormack D. E.,
Wilding L. P.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1979.03615995004300010032x
Subject(s) - shear strength (soil) , soil water , geotechnical engineering , direct shear test , water content , shear (geology) , bulk density , geology , soil test , triaxial shear test , soil science , clay soil , environmental science , petrology
This study was conducted to determine the relationships between in situ shear strength and soil properties in two contrasting soil series. Shear strength was measured using a vane forced into the soil by a truck‐mounted hydraulic sampler. Selected horizons at five sites of each soil series were tested. Vane shear tests were performed both in the fall and in the spring; 144 tests were performed. Soil moisture content, bulk density, and clay content were found to be of most influence on vane shear strength. Multiple regression analysis showed that coarse clay content is positively correlated with shear strength and fine clay content is negatively correlated. These four variables explain 83% of the variation in vane shear strength. Remolded shear strength in the Bt horizons of both soils is < 0.15 kg/cm 2 . The soil properties that explain most of the variation in shear strength are used in the classification of soil series, or are directly associated with these properties. Determination of soil strength using the vane shear test is quick and inexpensive. The high correlation between the test results and soil properties suggests that further study of the potential use of the vane shear test in the soil survey is warranted.