Soil is a dynamic porous media in which its structure plays a key role in controlling soil functionality. As many functions are related to the transport and storage of fluids, we often focus our research in soil physics on the pore space itself ignoring the delicate yet dynamic structure of interconnected solid particles. In this session we aim to look at the mechanical properties and processes that lead to soil structure formation, stabilisation and degradation on various scales ranging from interparticle to bulk/pedon-scale including the assessment of mechanical soil properties on field to regional-scale. We are looking for contributions addressing topics like:

- root/fauna-soil bioturbation mechanical processes and the energic inputs required to generate biopore spaces/structures
- stabilising mechanisms in the rhizosphere and mechanical reinforcement of soil by root networks, rhizodeposition, or microbial extracellular polymeric substances
- the role of pore water pressures and matric potential on soil deformation
- Mineral (grain-grain) / organic-mineral interactions and how they are controlled by the chemistry of pore water and surface charges
- Soil compaction assessment in forestry (skidding tracks) and agricultural soil management including new approaches to model/estimate spatial distribution of (sub)soil compaction
- The effects of compounds, colloids, or microplastics on soil aggregate stability and mechanical behaviour
- Modern and emerging techniques like rheometry, digital image correlation, diffraction stress measurements, aggregation and deformation modelling as well as geophysical approaches to assess soil compaction from the profile to the field scale