1. Soil that has become compacted and hardened, typically through compression, desiccation, or cementation, making it resistant to penetration or excavation
The construction crew struggled to break through the hardened soil.
A equipe de construção teve dificuldade em penetrar o solo endurecido.
2. In geology and soil mechanics, soil material that has increased in density and strength due to natural processes or weathering
The hardened soil layer prevented water infiltration.
A camada de solo endurecido impediu a infiltração de água.