Open AccessThe validity of laser diffraction system to reproduce hydrometer results for grain size analysis in geotechnical applications
Author(s) -
Hamzah M. Beakawi Al-Hashemi,
Omar S. Baghabra AlAmoudi,
Zain H. Yamani,
Yassir Mubarak Hussein Mustafa,
Habib Ur-Rehman
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0245452
Subject(s) - particle size distribution , sieve analysis , grain size , particle size , materials science , fractal dimension , diffraction , mineralogy , fractal analysis , atterberg limits , texture (cosmology) , fractal , optics , composite material , mathematics , soil science , geology , soil water , physics , nanotechnology , computer science , image (mathematics) , mathematical analysis , paleontology , artificial intelligence
The grain size analysis plays a significant role in any geotechnical study. The grain size analysis, by means of sieving, is usually used for coarse material of particle size > 75 μm. For the fine material; the sedimentation methods are frequently adopted (e.g., hydrometers). Other methods also exist such as electron microscopy, digital image analysis and laser diffraction. The fine geomaterials commonly undergo agglomeration which makes the recognition of individual grain size using digital image analysis or electron microscopy challenging. To facilitate and enhance the grain-size analysis, this study was conducted using the Laser Diffraction System (LDS). Seven samples with different nature (composition and texture) and sources were analyzed by hydrometer and LDS. For LDS, various factors were studied such as air pressure, sonication, dilution, refractive index, and distribution method (volume or number). The results were compared qualitatively and quantitatively based on soil classification systems, fractal dimensions, and other parameters. Furthermore, this study provided a novel criterion to determine which LDS distribution method (volume or number) is to be used depending on the Liquid Limit. A combined sieve-LDS system is recommended to obtain the entire grain size distribution. It is concluded that the LDS is a viable technique that can replace the time-consuming hydrometer method to assess the grain-size distribution.