The study of military training on Army installations has focused extensively on vehicle impact, whereas foot traffic impact is not as well documented. The effects of foot traffic on soil compaction properties were assessed at the Bataan Bayonet Assault Course (BBAC), located in the training area of United States Military Academy at West Point. Foot traffic impact was mathematically modeled using three different functions (Logistical Growth, Gamma, and Weibull) and data gathered from lab and field experiments. The modeled impact response behavior of the soil was compared to the actual condition of the soil in the BBAC. The comparison indicates a moderate level of compaction for the BBAC at the end of summer training. Bulk density, mean infiltration rates and soil resistance were compared over the training period to determine the soil response to induced foot traffic. The results indicate a moderate impact on soil compaction between 900 and 3,088 passes. The average infiltration rate decreased while the bearing capacity increased during the training cycle. The results indicate that the soil recovers moderately during the subsequent freeze-thaw cycle. The resulting mathematical model has potential for greater application for predicting soil conditions.
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