14 BULLETIN 1419, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
the bearing capacity of peat layers under concentrated loads. Figure 
4 is instructive in showing the depth of penetration of a load and the 
compression and change in position of layers resulting from an over- 
oy 
TT ee 
E755] PAVEMENT 
COARSE GRA. 
FETE] FINE GRAY 
E57] PULPY PEAT 
hE aee 
SEE == 
S251 REED A PULPY 
SS] REED PEAT 
HE WOODY PEAT 
li Se 
= = ———e—= 
Ex 
Ee == 
Es =m 
= JE Sse es 
E=i= pp TE aT Te Lee aan ERE es Th SHANI HHA] 
Eee esa EET mee a i 
a TET WRN SATE 
TY 
Ea ee 
Bae hos Ae em a, 
A OS Sl say ebay Tx 
Ss BARS Ne Tas gt 0 Ses 
RE i DS ADA oo NE RSAC DL EF 
ALLA p oy pip LY Sep Bee Aral oa, 
Be I BIG SA a SE yg 2 UE BET oi SEE 
A LR Cs ARE fe so Be DBI tra, EE DF Ee 
A AO en ee Beata Re ESS ES A a! 
ee ea, 
PAS 
dS pe ano 
LEE rg, 
EERE 
FE Bb STD hh 
CEERI al At SE? 
BERG CG eg Ca PA 
RED DBAs hs 
= ar ry Ee neta 
iH 
ot 
Fig. 4.—Displacement of peat layers under heavy road beds. Compare with Plate 7. (Courtesy 
of Michigan State Hichwav Department) 
ourden of fill used in the construction of highways. The areas under 
pressure yield gradually by plastic flow and may cause the sinking of a 
roadbed, as well as a lateral expansion and upheaval of adjacent 
peat lavers. Engineering literature contains hardly a single descrip-