Theory 101/Soil Science
Compaction Is a Pressure Ratio
The claim
Soil compaction is set by the ratio of axle load to tyre contact pressure rather than by axle load.
01The mechanism
Stress propagates to depth with magnitude set by contact pressure; a heavy load on a large tyre compacts less than a lighter one on a small tyre.
02Predictions
- P1Compaction should track the ratio.
- P2Load alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Compaction tracking load would remove the pressure term.