Erosion Resistance of Cohesive Soils

An experimental study is described that concerned the surface erosion of an illitic silty clay (Grundite) at selected salinities and water contents; the study was designed to test the applicability of rate process and double layer theories. Both velocity increment and temperature increment tests were run in a refrigerated water tunnel. Experimental activation energies and flow volumes were computer from test results. Values for experimental activation energies range from 14 to 32 kcal/mole, suggesting that interparticle contacts are essentially solid to solid as for soil deformation at higher stress levels. The mechanisms controlling resistance to surface erosion are fundamentally similar to the mechanisms controlling soil strength.