Effect of Traffic Frequency of Medium Power Construction Machinery on Compaction of Arable Terrains

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the soil compaction induced due to traffic frequency of construction machinery (Excavator) , 31.9 KW power and 36.4 KN weight on two types of arable terrains that is sandy clay and clay soils. The study was conducted at the Experimental site of the STEP B project of The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria. The experimental soils were subjected to six treatments of traffic frequency of the machinery plus a control. Variables measured include (PR) penetration resistance, (BD) bulk density and (RD) rut depth. The variables were monitored at the centre lines of the left (L) and right(R) footprints of the tracks of the . Results showed that means of the L and R values were not significantly different at the 5% level of significance. Mean values of the PR in the depth range of 0 to 30 cm were 1102.85, 1363.65, 1163.5, 1269.60, 1315.05 and 1428.8 kPa for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 passes respectively for sandy clay soil. PR increased with depth to a limit and then reduced in value in the range of depth considered. The maximum PR value occurred between 15 and 20 cm depth. The average PR value before the excavator passes (control) was 420 kPa which was significantly different from those after the passes. Rut depth varied from 4.6 and 14.8 cm. Greater compaction and deeper ruts were created in sandy clay soil than in clay soil in the moisture content range considered. The moisture content during the experimentation ranged from 11.5 30.5% (db) in the depth range. The results and data collected will be useful in estimating the compaction induced by such machinery in similar terrains.