Effect of velocity, wheel load and multipass on soil compaction

Vehicle imposed soil compaction is one of the serious concerns in agriculture and environmental problems that requires accurate studies. We were inspired to launch an investigation for soil compaction determination at three levels of wheel load (1, 2 and 3 kN), three levels of velocity (0.5, 0.75 and 1 m/s) and at 1, 2 and 3 passages of wheel with three replications on clay-loam soil. Experiments were conducted utilizing a single wheel-tester inside a soil bin. Penetration resistance and soil sinkage were determined as soil compaction indices. Data were examined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) at.%1 significance level. Results indicated that the highest penetration resistance of 260 kPa occurred at a depth of 210 mm, third pass, wheel load of 3 kN and velocity of 0.5 m/s. The lowest penetration resistance of 121 kPa was at 1 kN wheel load, first pass and at a velocity of 1 m/s. The greatest soil sinkage obtained was 62.91 mm for wheel load of 3 kN, at 0.5 m/s and at the third passage of wheel while the lowest soil sinkage was 18.04 mm for wheel load of 1 kN, at a velocity of 1 m/s and at first pass. Findings disclosed that augmentation of wheel load and multiple pass increased soil compaction while the increase of velocity had a reverse effect. Two models were proposed for penetration resistance and soil sinkage with coefficient of determination of 0.9375 and 0.9731, respectively.