Effect of Different Mulches on Some Physical and Mechanical Properties of Aeolian Soil

The use of environmentally friendly mulch is one of the methods used to reduce wind erosion and stabilize the sand. To prepare the bed for the treatments in the laboratory, windy sand of the Kashan desert was used. For experiments, metal trays with dimensions of 2 × 30 × 100 cm and for spraying bentonite clay, zeolite, molasses, and lignocellulose treatments were used. Complete randomized examinations were performed. Finally, based on the experimental results and after creating a regression model between the mixed design variables and the response, the optimal value of each mulch in the Design of Expert software was obtained. According to the obtained results, the presence of zeolite, lignocellulose, and molasses as a combination in each mulch creates a significant difference in terms of compressive, shear, impact, abrasion and ridge formation characteristics with other mulches and control samples. The study performed in the maximum and medium state showed that the amount of bentonite and molasses are equal to each other (15 g) and differ in the amount of zeolite and lignocellulose, so that the amount of zeolite and lignocellulose in the maximum state is 5 and 15 g. And in the middle state are 15 and 0 grams. Each material alone shows different responses to different resistances, but what the results of this study show us that the combination of these materials together has improved soil stability indices. So that the amount of compressive strength is 3.2 kg/cm2, the shear strength is 7.9 N/cm2, the impact is 0.8, the wear is 45 and the thickness is 20 mm. Increased compared to the control sample.