Soil Science Society of America Journal · 1977 · 111 citations · 0 references
AgricultureEarth SciencesSoil SciencesSoil MechanicsSoil PhysicsSoil ScienceRainfall ErosivityShear StrengthShear Strength Of SoilsSoil DensitySoil ErodibilitySoil Hydraulic PropertiesBulk DensityMatric PotentialRain SplashingRaindrop ImpactSoil DetachmentSoil Matric PotentialSplashSplash Detachment
Abstract Soil strength was altered in three different ways to test the hypothesis that soil splash from raindrop impact is related to soil strength parameters. Bulk density changes were used to alter direct solid particle‐to‐particle contact; changes in matric potential were used to change contact relationships between solid particles and liquid films; and additions of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) provided a direct bonding mechanism between solid particles. The amount of soil detached by a single simulated 4.8‐mm raindrop falling from a height of 177 cm was closely correlated with the shearing strength as measured by a triaxial compression test.