Soil mechanics

Last changed: 20 June 2024

In this topic, we perform research into fundamental understanding of soil mechanical processes (soil compaction, soil tillage), and investigate effects of soil compaction on soil structure, transport of water and gases through soil, and crop development.

In our soil compaction research, we combine laboratory experiments (e.g. measurements for characterization of soil mechanical properties) and field experiments including in-situ stress and displacement measurements, and modelling to advance our knowledge on soil mechanical processes and our understanding of the impact of compaction on soil functions. Our research includes investigation of appropriate methods to minimize the risk of subsoil compaction and development of decision support tools for risk assessment of soil compaction due to agricultural field traffic.  

Our research in soil tillage includes studies on draught requirement, and on soil disturbance and soil fragmentation (soil breakup) during tillage.

Current research projects:

  • Persistent effects of subsoil compaction on soil ecological services and functions (POSEIDON). Brochure about POSEIDON. Funding: Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences & Spatial Planning (Formas)
  • Impact of soil compaction on losses of particle-bound phosphorus from arable land . Funding: Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA)

Publications in peer-reviewed journals (last 5 years)

Keller T., Lamandé M., Peth S., Berli M., Delenne J.-Y., Baumgarten W., Rabbel W., Radjaï F., Rajchenbach J., Selvadurai A.P.S. & Or D. 2013. An interdisciplinary approach towards improved understanding of soil deformation during compaction. Soil & Tillage Research, 128, 61-80.

Berisso F.E., Schjønning P., Keller T., Lamandé M., Simojoki A., Iversen B.V., Alakukku L. & Forkman J. 2013. Gas transport and subsoil pore characteristics: Anisotropy and long-term effects of compaction. Geoderma, 195-196, 184-191.

Naderi-Boldaji M., Alimardani R., Sharifi A., Hemmat A., Keyhani A., Loonstra E., Weisskopf P., Stettler M. & Keller T. 2013. Use of a triple-sensor fusion system for on-the-go measurement of soil compaction. Soil & Tillage Research, 128, 44-53.

Etana A., Larsbo M., Keller T., Arvidsson J., Schjønning P., Forkman J. & Jarvis N. 2013. Persistent subsoil compaction and its effects on preferential flow patterns in a loamy till soil. Geoderma, 192, 430-436.

Keller T., Arvidsson J., Schjønning P., Lamandé M., Stettler M. & Weisskopf P. 2012. In situ subsoil stress-strain behavior in relation to soil precompression stress. Soil Science, 177, 490-497.

Schjønning P., Lamandé M., Keller T., Pedersen J. & Stettler M. 2012. Rules of thumb for minimizing subsoil compaction. Soil Use and Management, 28, 378-393.

Naderi-Boldaji M., Alimardani R., Hemmat A., Sharifi A., Keyhani A., Dolatsha N. & Keller T. 2012. Improvement and field test of a combined horizontal penetrometer for on-the-go measurement of soil water content and mechanical resistance. Soil & Tillage Research 123, 1-10.

Berisso F.E., Schjønning P., Keller T., Lamandé M., Etana A., de Jonge L.W., Iversen B.V., Arvidsson J. & Forkman J. 2012. Persistent effects of subsoil compaction on pore characteristics and functions in a loamy soil. Soil & Tillage Research 122, 42-51.

Keller T. & Dexter A.R. 2012. Plastic limits of agricultural soils as functions of soil texture and organic matter content. Soil Research 50, 7-17.

Keller T., Lamandé M., Schjønning P. & Dexter A.R. 2011. Analysis of soil compression curves from uniaxial confined compression tests. Geoderma, 163, 13-23.

Arvidsson J., Westlin H., Keller T. & Gillberg M. 2011. Rubber track systems for conventional tractors – effects on soil compaction and traction. Soil & Tillage Research 117, 103-109.

Arvidsson J. & Keller T. 2011. Draught requirement during mouldboard ploughing as a function of soil strength. Soil & Tillage Research 111, 219-223.

Keller T. & Lamandé M. 2010. Challenges in the development of analytical soil compaction models. Soil & Tillage Research 111, 54-64.

Cavalieri K.M.V., Arvidsson J., da Silva A.P. & Keller T. 2008. Determination of precompression stress from uniaxial compression tests. Soil & Tillage Research 98, 17-26.

Schjønning P., Lamandé M., Tøgersen F.A., Arvidsson J. & Keller T. 2008. Modelling effects of tyre inflation pressure on the stress distribution near the soil-tyre interface. Biosystems Engineering 99, 119-133.

Simulation models

  • Terranimo® – A web-based tool for assessment of the risk of soil compaction due to agricultural field traffic (Stettler et al. 2010, Proc. Int. Conf. AgEng 2010, REF384: 7 pp.).
  • SoilFlex – A model for prediction of soil stresses and soil compaction due to agricultural field traffic (Keller et al. 2007, Soil & Tillage Research 93: 391-411)
  • FRIDA – A model for the prediction of the contact area and the distribution of vertical stress below agricultural tyres from readily-available tyre parameters (Keller 2005, Biosystems Engineering 92: 85-96; Schjønning et al. 2008, Biosystems Engineering 99: 119-133).
  • TIM– A simple model for assessment of soil compaction under an agricultural wheel (Keller & Stettler, unpublished)