Abstract
Characterizing soil engineering properties and analyzing their spatial pattern has a key role in managing soils for dif- ferent land uses. A study was conducted to generate two soil engineering properties; shear strength (SS) and friction angle (FA) both related to slope stability from the database of soil agricultural indices. A total of 30 soils were analyzed in two batches of 15 for physicochemical and engineering properties. The first batch was subjected to correlation and regression analysis among properties, whilst the second was used to validate model predictions. Soil friction angle showed strong significant correlations with clay and sand percent. Further stepwise regression resulted in these two properties being the only predictors of peak and residual friction angle. None of the tested properties explained shear strength distribution among the soils. The validated model predicted friction angles for the larger database, which showed non-significant temporal differences from the present dataset used in this study. Spatially distribution of both peak and residual friction angles varied across Trinidad, higher friction angles being associated with higher slopes. Combination of this data with other spatial land attributes would greatly improve land management and slope stability prediction.
Highlights
Estimation of soil strength indices is required for the design of foundations, retaining walls, and pavements in civil engineering applications and for determining the resistance to traction and tillage tools in agricultural applications (Freudlund & Vanapali, 2002) [1]
Plastic and liquid limits ranged from 16.6 - 33.3 and 17.4% - 79.6 % respectively
A notable difference was observed between Anglais and Piarco series which are both described as clayey, kaolinitic but showed contrasting plastic index values, the latter being much higher (23.2%)
Summary
Estimation of soil strength indices is required for the design of foundations, retaining walls, and pavements in civil engineering applications and for determining the resistance to traction and tillage tools in agricultural applications (Freudlund & Vanapali, 2002) [1]. These indices are essential in assessing the stability of slopes and soil, and can be used to construe the ability of a soil to withstand stresses and strains associated with naturally occurring instances of; increased pore pressure, cracking, swelling, development of slickensides, leaching, weathering, undercutting, and cyclic loading (Duncan & Wright, 2005) [2] as well as anthropogenic changes to the landscape. The need to estimate and spatially characterize these engineering based indices for a wide range of soils using a quick and reliable method is paramount to proper planning and management
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