Plastic sandy loam is a loose soil, which is dominated by sandy or dusty fragments. In this case, the composition may contain pelitic, clay or silt particles in a volume of 3-10%. Sandy loam has a less plastic texture than loam. This substance differs in areas of application. It can be used in construction and agriculture.
What is it, where and how is it mined?
Sandy loam is a type of rock characterized by a high degree of looseness. According to this characteristic, the soil resembles sand.By definition, the form of occurrence of sandy loam soil is always or almost always distinguished by clear layers that are delimited from other rocks. This type of soil layers and rocks is found quite often and is distinguished by standard markings, which are strictly fixed in GOST.
Special quarries are considered to be the source of most of the sandy loam. If a relatively small amount of a substance is required, it can be obtained even on a construction site. During mining, it is necessary to separate the extracted mass from organic matter and large stones. Light sandy loam has a higher cost compared to the heavy type. This is due to the material meeting higher technical requirements.
In addition to quarries, trenches and pits are used. This is mainly done in situations where a large volume of production is not needed. Builders often refer to sandy loam as pit sand.
There are deposits of sandy loam rocks in almost all regions of Russia and other countries. They mainly differ in size. The maximum concentration of deposits in Russia is observed in the European part of Russia and Western Siberia.
How is it different from loam?
Sandy loam and loamy soil have certain differences. Loam contains much more clay particles. Their concentration reaches 50%. As a result, water filtration becomes much more difficult - it stagnates much more.
With regard to low density and looseness, it is quite possible to solve the problem.When properly compacted, the material will have almost the same load-bearing properties as loam. When moistened, its properties will deteriorate slightly. Another advantage is the lower tendency of sandy loam to frost heave.
Agricultural experts have long established that loamy soil is considered a more fertile substrate compared to sandy loam.
Properties and varieties
Sandy loam is the least plastic variety of all clay soils, since it contains a large proportion of sand and a smaller amount of clay fragments. Its plasticity parameters are 1-7. In this case, porosity reaches 0.5-0.7, which affects the ability to contain less moisture compared to other clay soils.
On average, the density of sandy loam in its natural occurrence is 1600-1750 kilograms per 1 cubic meter. The strength characteristics of clay soils, including sandy loam, are primarily determined by the adhesion between their fragments and the density of the soil. Cohesive forces increase as the volume of the clay component increases. But as moisture accumulates, these connections decrease. As a result, the strength of soils changes.
Humidity affects the consistency of the soil. It indicates the level of its resistance in its natural state under the influence of load.
Sandy loams are divided into several varieties - hard, plastic and fluid. In dry form, the substance is a high-quality base. It is even classified as a conditionally non-fuzzy category.
In the classification used among geologists and builders, silty sandy loam occupies a special place. A light variety of soil includes 3-6% clay, a heavy one - 6-10%.
Where is it used?
The use of plastic sandy loam is justified in various fields. It is mainly used in construction and gardening.
In construction
This is one of the most widespread areas of use of sandy loam rocks. It is worth considering that plastic sandy loam cannot be used for important work. The percentage of clay content is of particular importance, since swelling and frost heaving pose a great danger.
Builders prefer to use sandy loam to level and raise areas. The substance is also suitable for backfilling foundations.
Sometimes sandy loam is used in the following situations:
- arrangement of foundations for a dirt road;
- creation of embankments;
- roadside filling.
In gardening and landscaping
Sandy loam soil is perfect for arranging any lawn or flower bed. It can be used for filling under plantings. The substance is also suitable for filling a trench or pit. The material is also used in the following situations:
- reclamation;
- weakening of ice;
- arrangement of the lower part of the path in the garden.
The use of sandy loam for reclamation is due to the fact that this material is affordable and is a good substrate for fertile soil. When peat is added, such a substrate itself transforms into a plant substrate.
Fertilizer methods
Such soil is considered not too fertile. To compensate for the deficiency of useful elements, a soil mixture is used instead of ordinary sandy loam.It is permissible to use vegetable humus as an additive. Sometimes garden and turf soil or black soil are used instead.
Lamellar sandy loam is a unique material that has found wide application in construction and agriculture. This is due to the special properties of the substance.
