Mechanical Characterization of Shallow Soils with Varying Clay Content Under Confined Compression

This study examines the confined compression behavior of soils with varying clay content under controlled boundary conditions. A carefully designed experimental setup was utilized, maintaining constant parameters including the soil thickness-to-plate diameter ratio (H/D), initial bulk density (ρ), and plate diameter (D). This controlled framework enabled the isolated investigation of the effects of clay content on soil compression behavior. A systematic range of soil textures, characterized by increasing clay content, was tested to observe trends and establish relationships between clay content and confined compression response. The evaluation involved the calculation of key parameters relevant to terrain–vehicle systems, such as the load-bearing capacity factor (k) and vertical soil pressure (p). By analyzing the variation in these parameters in relation to clay content, the study aims to clarify how clay proportion and associated soil characteristics, such as plasticity and cohesion, affect load-bearing capacity under confined conditions. Furthermore, the influence of moisture content on the load-bearing capacity factor was investigated within the same boundary conditions, providing additional insight into the interaction between moisture, clay content, and soil strength. The findings of this research will enhance the understanding of soil mechanical behavior under confined compression, with particular relevance to terrain–vehicle interactions and the optimization of off-road mobility.