Fractal descriptors of vertisol cracking [Descriptores fractales del agrietamiento de un vertisol]
Por:
Torres-Argüelles V., Ventura-Ramos Jr. E., Oleschko K., Parrot J.F., Vásquez-Méndez R. del C.
Publicada:
1 ene 2007
Resumen:
Soil cracking in Vertisols is due to alternate volumetric expansion and contraction, which occurs as a result of soil moisture change, accelerating air, and water fluxes throughout the soil profile. Surface application of gypsum provides a high electrolyte concentration to the soil solution when dissolved with rainwater, promoting flocculation and diminishing dispersion of expansible clays. This study shows a characterization of the pattern of cracks in a Vertisol in the 2D space by means of digital images using nine fractal descriptors. Among these are the Hurst (H) exponent and the measures of the different multi-scale and dynamic attributes of the pattern of cracks in the Vertisol. Each of the selected descriptors can be used both as a qualitative indicator of an attribute of interest for the cracking pattern (by means of visual comparison of images or maps) or as a quantitative measurement. Both the quantitative and qualitative descriptors studied supported a statistically significant benefit of applying Gypsum as a soil structure amendment, as observed by the increasing surface roughness measured by means of the Hurst exponent, which corresponded to a significant reduction of soil cracking.
Filiaciones:
Torres-Argüelles V.:
Laboratorio de Hidráulica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas s/n, 76010 Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
Ventura-Ramos Jr. E.:
Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, 76010 Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
Oleschko K.:
Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
Parrot J.F.:
Instituto de Geografía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior, 04510 Mécixo D.F., Mexico
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