Force transmitted below the soil surface by human gait

The subsoil force and its duration were measured for different subjects at a depth up to 200 mm. The impulse in subsoil was then calculated and used in evaluating the effect of different subjects on the force transfer in soil. The results indicated that loose soil can transfer larger force to subsoil than dense soil; test results showed that heavier subjects also created larger subsoil forces than lighter ones. Whether the effect of soil depth on subsoil impulse was significant was depended on the soil conditions. For the sand with 5.5% moisture content and bulk density of 1800 kg/m3, soil depth significantly affected subsoil impulses. For the sandy loam soil, the mass of subject increased from 50 to 100 kg resulted in 100% increase in subsoil impulses at all four depths; for the sand, the mass of subject increased from 55 to 100 kg approximately. This resulted in 80% increase in subsoil impulses under all four depths regardless of moisture content and bulk density. The results of this study will helpful for designing new equipment and evaluating existing machines for neutralizing landmines.