Effects of soil compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution

• Thesis title in Czech: Effects of soil compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution
• Thesis title in English: Effects of soil compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution
• Academic year of topic announcement: 2023/2024
• Thesis type: Bachelor's thesis
• Thesis language: angličtina
• Department: Institute of Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology and Applied Geophysics (31-450)
• Supervisor: Soheil Safari Anarkouli, M.Sc.

Preliminary scope of work

Several natural and human-induced processes such as the use of farm machinery in agricultural operations, grazing activities, raindrop impact, timber harvesting in forests, fire, and various geotechnical engineering projects can lead to soil compaction. Soil compaction alters pore spaces and consequently affects the bulk density, porosity, and strength. Despite available theories and evidence on the nature of soil compaction, efforts to capture the temporal dynamics of soil pore size distribution (PSD) in modeling studies are quite rare. In this thesis, the literature on the effects of soil compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution will be reviewed.
Depending on the student's interest, the work may also include numerical modeling using discrete element method (DEM). We will use this method to generate a packing of idealized particles for a certain porosity and particle size distribution, and simulate the movement of grains during the compaction process. Then, its pore structure will be extracted using available software and effects of compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution, will be investigated.

Preliminary scope of work in English

Several natural and human-induced processes such as the use of farm machinery in agricultural operations, grazing activities, raindrop impact, timber harvesting in forests, fire, and various geotechnical engineering projects can lead to soil compaction. Soil compaction alters pore spaces and consequently affects the bulk density, porosity, and strength. Despite available theories and evidence on the nature of soil compaction, efforts to capture the temporal dynamics of soil pore size distribution (PSD) in modeling studies are quite rare. In this thesis, the literature on the effects of soil compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution will be reviewed.
Depending on the student's interest, the work may also include numerical modeling using discrete element method (DEM). We will use this method to generate a packing of idealized particles for a certain porosity and particle size distribution, and simulate the movement of grains during the compaction process. Then, its pore structure will be extracted using available software and effects of compaction on pore structure, in particular the pore size distribution, will be investigated.