Strength of Compacted Amarillo Fine Sandy Loam as Influenced by Moisture, Clay Content, and Exchangeable Cation

Abstract

Abstract Unconfined compression strength of Amarillo fine sandy loam was affected by water content (at molding and at time of strength test) bulk density, clay content, and saturating cation. When dried after molding, briquettes of Amarillo fine sandy loam attained maximum strength at 3 to 6% water depending on clay content. Maximum strength was attained at approximately one monolayer of water on the total surface area suggesting that H‐bonding of water molecules contibutes to soil strength. As additional water was lost, strength decreased to a minimum at onehalf monolayer and increased again as complete dryness was approached. Shapes of the drying curves were similar regardless of the percent molding water, bulk density, clay content, or exchangeable cations. Na‐saturated soils had greater dry strength than Ca‐ or Al‐saturated soils.