Experimental Characterization of Physio-chemical, Hydrdynamic and Mechanical Properties of Two Typical Egyptian Soils

In this research work, conducted in Egypt between December 2006 and April 2007, physiochemical, hydrodynamic and mechanical characteristics were evaluated for two prominent Egyptian agricultural soils. These are the ancient delta clayey soil (Itai El Baroud, western Nile Delta) and the newly reclaimed sandy soil of the Egyptian desert (West Nubaria). They represent the most important agricultural soil types in the country. Results showed major discrepancies between the two soils. Nubaria soils contained merely about 1.0% clay, whereas the Delta soil had about 54% clay. This was reflected in the moisture-retention characteristic curves, as well as the hydrodynamic functions, soil porosity, hydraulic conductivity, susceptibility to densification and compression,. Also, the two soils displayed wide differences in their chemical properties