Trafficability Predictions in Tropical Soils. Report 4. Columbia Study (july 1962-july 1963).

Trafficability Predictions in Tropical Soils. Report 4. Columbia Study (july 1962-july 1963).
Author: Alvin R. McDaniel
Publisher:
Total Pages: 77
Release: 1967
Genre:
ISBN:

Soil trafficability studies have shown that the strength of a soil is of major importance to vehicle mobility and varies principally with soil moisture; therefore, a means of predicting moisture content of a soil is essential to the forecasting of soil trafficability. The U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) soil-moisture prediction method for United States soils was applied to sites in Colombia to determine whether the method was applicable for the prediction of moisture content of tropical soils. Data were collected at four prediction development sites in the subhumid climate of the 'Sabana de Bogota' located in the Andean Mountain ranges of Colombia. Changes in soil-moisture content, soil density, and soil strength with changes in weather conditions were investigated periodically for one year. These data were analyzed and used to predict daily soil-moisture content and to establish the relation between soil-moisture content and soil strength. The results show that the WES soil-moisture prediction method is applicable to prediction of soil-moisture content at the four sites in Colombia. Data were of sufficient quantity to establish soil-moisture depletion curves for each site but not of sufficient quantity to establish accretion relations. Relations were established between soil-moisture content and soil strength at all sites. Trafficability of the soils tested, as indicated by rating cone index, was good even when the soils were at maximum moisture content. Basic data and photographs for each test site are included. (Author).

Trafficability Predictions in Tropical Soils. Report 3. Panama Study No. 2 (october 1961 - September 1963).

Trafficability Predictions in Tropical Soils. Report 3. Panama Study No. 2 (october 1961 - September 1963).
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 1966
Genre:
ISBN:

The soil-moisture prediction method for U.S. soils was applied to sites located in the the Panama Canal Zone to determine whether the method was applicable for the prediction of moisture content of tropical soils. Factors necessary for the predictions were obtained at specific sites, and analysis of data shows that the method is applicable to Panama soils. Groundwater did not have an appreciable influence on soil-moisture depletion since drainage from the 0- to 12-in. layer was rapid. An analysis of strength data showed a highly significant relation between moisture content and cone index, and a lesser degree of significance between moisture content and rating cone index. No relation was found between moisture content and remolding index. On the basis of rating cone index, the trafficability of the residual soils was considered good. Trafficability of the alluvial marshland soils was considered good during the dry season and poor during the wet season.