Effect of Particle Optical Properties on Size Distribution of Soils Obtained by Laser Diffraction

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2010 Effect of Particle Optical Properties on Size Distribution of Soils Obtained by Laser Diffraction MUSTAFA ÖZER; MUSTAFA ÖZER 1Construction Department, Technical Education Faculty, Gazi University06500 Beşevler, Ankara Turkey Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MEHMET ORHAN; MEHMET ORHAN 1Construction Department, Technical Education Faculty, Gazi University06500 Beşevler, Ankara Turkey Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar NIHAT S IŞIK NIHAT S IŞIK 1Construction Department, Technical Education Faculty, Gazi University06500 Beşevler, Ankara Turkey Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2010) 16 (2): 163–173. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.16.2.163 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation MUSTAFA ÖZER, MEHMET ORHAN, NIHAT S IŞIK; Effect of Particle Optical Properties on Size Distribution of Soils Obtained by Laser Diffraction. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2010;; 16 (2): 163–173. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.16.2.163 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract Particle size distribution (PSD) is essential information for those in the fields of engineering and environmental geosciences, sedimentology, and pedology. The PSD can be determined by conventional sieve, hydrometer, and pipette methods. However, since the 1980s, the PSD of soils has also been determined via the laser diffraction method, which is more reliable and faster and which can be used repeatedly. With this method there are two optical theories commonly used for the determination of PSD: the Mie and the Fraunhofer theories. The main difference between these theories is that the Mie theory requires the refractive index (RI) and absorption coefficient (AC) values of the particles and the RI value of the suspending medium, whereas the Fraunhofer theory does not. Although the Mie theory is more appropriate for soil samples, especially for the determination of clay-size fraction, there are not yet agreed-upon values of RI and AC for soils samples that can be used by researchers and practitioners. In this study, acceptable values for RI and AC were investigated extensively by analyzing 35 natural soil samples that were mainly of sedimentary origin. Based on the results obtained, the values of 1.55 and 0.1 for RI and AC, respectively, are suggested for laser diffraction analysis of naturally occurring sedimentary soil samples with respect to geotechnical practices. Furthermore, in order to demonstrate the pitfalls of using the Fraunhofer theory for the analysis of soil samples, especially for clay-size particles, the PSDs and clay-size fractions obtained from the Mie and Fraunhofer theories were also compared by setting different RI and AC values for the Mie theory. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.