Direct measurement of soil deformation using the bead-grid method

Soil compaction is the alteration of physical properties of the soil and ha s significant effect on crop production. With the introduction of larger an d heavier agriculture machinery it is now a problem throughout the world. S ignificant knowledge is still required to study and develop a model to pred ict soil compaction. Numerous theoretical models are now available but thes e are far from being able to resolve practical problems. A combination of e xperimental study and theoretical calculations may provide a solution and l ead to the development of an effective predictive model. In this study, exp eriments involving bead-grid are used to measure soil deformation under an axial compressive load. Measurement of horizontal and lateral deformations was performed using precision potentiometers and the data transferred to a computer for the plotting of deformation contours and soil deformation anal ysis. The results show that the bead-grid method provides an effective and accurate means for measuring soil deformation. (C) 2001 Silsoe Research Ins titute.