X-ray particle size analysis of fine-grained soils

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

X-ray based particle size analysis of fine-grained soils, for example clayey silts, provides a rapid technique to establish the range of particle sizes, typically within minutes. It also enables testing of soils samples that are relatively small in size. In contrast "standard" techniques require a long period of time - typically days - and significantly larger samples.Use of an X-ray based analyzer therefore allows for a more detailed examination of the spatial variation in particle size within a soil sample, because significantly more tests can be performed with relative ease. This yields a greatly improved insight to the natural fabric of an "undisturbed" soil and, importantly, the ability to make a detailed forensic examination of particles lost as a result of "disturbance."Examples of disturbance include seepage-induced erosion, such as that believed to have triggered sinkholes in some of Canada's earth dams, and that which may have caused undermining of flood protection works at New Orleans.