Mechanical and hydraulic resistance relations in crust-topped soils

The formation of soil surface crusts leads to increased mechanical and hydraulic resistances. In this study, changes and relationships of both resistances under simulated sprinkle irrigation (or rainfall), and sprinkle followed by flooding, were examined. Results indicated that a silt-loam soil developed a thicker surface crust than a clay soil for any given kinetic energy (KE). Crusts as thick as 3.9 and 2.6 mm formed on the silt-loam and clay soils, respectively. Mechanical resistance, R_m, increased with increasing KE, where the effect was greater in the silt-loam and was attributed to intrinsic resistance and crust thickness. Steady-state infiltration rate (i) was much lower in crusted clay than crusted silt-loam soil. Changes of both R_m, and i closely followed changes in crust thickness (z_c). Thicker crusts showed more resistance against external force than thinner crusts, due to more extended particle interlocking. Obtained functions indicated that the effect of thickness on strength was more significant in the lower range of crust thickness. The effect of z_c on i strongly followed a negative power function for both soils, with higher i in the silt-loam soil.