The effect of a flexible carcass tyre inflation pressure on some soil compaction related factors

Soil response to pressures imposed by wheel and soil engaging tools is one of the most important factors، which can cause soil compaction. This research was to investigate the effect of inflation pressure on soil compaction related factors such as rut width، rut depth، cone index and horizomtal force in different soil layers profile using a flexible carcass tyre and a soil compaction profile sensor in controlled soil bin laboratory conditions. Studies were conducted at two level of inflation pressures of 90 and 227 kPa at three replications in a randomized complete block design. F test were applied to compare the means of pressure. Variance analysis of experimental data showed that there was significant difference between the mean values of soil cone index and horizontal force at depths of 10 to 40 cm of soil. While the mean values of those parameters was not significantly different at depths of 0 to 10 cm. However، the mean of rut width and rut depth at the two inflation pressures was significantly different. Increased inflation pressure decreased values of rut width from 75 mm to 70 mm and increased values of rut depth from 41 mm to 56 mm. The amounts of cone index increased from 4% to 21% and horizontal force increased from 9% to 37% at different soil layers by increasing inflation pressure. Results also indicated that soil compaction profile sensor can be used as a research and a practical tool under field conditions to determine the effect of inflation pressure on soil compaction.