INFLUENCE OF INITIAL SOIL MOISTURE CONDITION ON RESISTANCE OF MACROAGGREGATES TO SLAKING AND TO WATER-DROP IMPACT

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Abstract
The influence of initial moisture condition on the resistance of aggregates to air slaking and to the energy of falling water drops was studied. Surface soil samples were more resistant to destruction by virtue of their high organic matter contents. Destruction of aggregates generally increased with decreasing initial moisture content although capillary tension seemed to lend stability to artificially formed balls of lateritic soils. The disruptive force of trapped air appeared to predominate over any softening effects of water. With aggregates having a small vol. of fine pores slaking caused less disruption than did falling water drops. Aggregate stability testing can be considered precise only when the initial soil moisture condition is clearly defined. In order to preserve aggregates in the field, extreme dryness, quick submergence in water and exposure to the impact of falling rain drops should be avoided.