A Laboratory Approach for Understanding the Formation and Behavior of Hydrophobic Soil Layers under Wildfire Conditions
Babu Bastola, Pawan
Babu Bastola, Pawan
Citations
Altmetric:
License
License
Abstract
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide, and their effects often persist long after the flames are extinguished. These fires may cause substantial thermal, hydrological, and mechanical changes in soil properties, with post-fire landslides being among the most significant consequences. A primary contributing factor is the formation of a hydrophobic soil layer, which reduces stability and increases erosion risk. This study presents a laboratory method for recreating and examining the hydrophobic layer. Unburned soil samples were heated in a muffle furnace at temperatures up to 650?�C using a heat-resistant refractory tray having low thermal conductivity lined with a ceramic blanket to minimize heat loss. Heat movement was modeled using a one-dimensional heat diffusion equation, and temperature chalks monitored temperature changes at different depths. Water droplet and ethanol tests were used to assess the depth and intensity of hydrophobicity within a 15?cm soil profile. Results show that temperature, heating time, and soil moisture all influence how this layer develops. A deeper hydrophobic layer increases surface susceptibility to erosion and slope failure. This laboratory approach provides a repeatable setting to study post-wildfire soil behavior and its implications for slope instability.
Description
Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Graduate Student
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type of presentation
Poster
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
DOI
Advisor(s)
Department
Program/Major
Civil Engineering
College/School
College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences
Organization
Research Category
Engineering