The strength/moisture relations and hydraulic conductivity of Mexican tepetate
- Univ. of Montana, Missoula (USA)
- Environmental Information Center, Helena, MT (USA)
Indurated soil material formed from volcanic-ash-flow tuff is widespread in the Pacific rim portions of Latin America. This material is called tepetate in Mexico where, in some areas, all soil overlying tepetate has been removed by erosion, leaving a barren landscape with a very slowly permeable surface that contributes to overland flow and flooding. Reclamation of this land involves ripping to break up the upper part of the tepetate or terracing to retain water so that it may infiltrate. Tepetate strength and hydraulic conductivity influence both treatments. The authors determined the change in tepetate strength with moisture. Unconfined compressive strength of eight typical samples was measured at four moisture contents. Strength declined with increasing moisture, especially in samples of high or moderate strength. These data suggest that tepetate of moderate or high strength should be reclaimed during the wet season, whereas low-strength tepetate can be reclaimed at any season. They also determined tepetate's saturated hydraulic conductivity; it varied from 1.5 {times} 10{sup {minus}7} to 36.0 {times} 10{sup {minus}7} m/s. These low values demonstrate the very slowly permeable nature of tepetate and account for the extensive erosion and flooding frequency.
- OSTI ID:
- 5479299
- Journal Information:
- Soil Science; (USA), Vol. 150:1; ISSN 0038-075X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MEXICO
SOILS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
ASH CONTENT
EROSION
FLY ASH
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
LATIN AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
AEROSOL WASTES
ASHES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
NORTH AMERICA
RESIDUES
WASTES
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)