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Relationships between Rigidity and Particle Size Distribution
Author(s) -
Grossman Robert B.,
Cline Marlin G.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1957.03615995002100030019x
Subject(s) - loam , rigidity (electromagnetism) , silt , geology , particle size distribution , geotechnical engineering , particle size , mineralogy , materials science , soil science , composite material , soil water , geomorphology , paleontology
Twenty‐four fragipan horizons were studied to determine the relationships between rigidity and particle size distribution. Objective consistence measurements, using relatively unaltered clods, were related to various textural components. Fourteen of the horizons were relatively sandy (sandy loams and light loams) and 10 were silty (silt loams). The measurement of consistence involved: (1) shaping clods by hand into rough cylinders approximately 40 mm. long and 25 mm. in diameter; (2) encasing the upper and lower surfaces of each clod in plaster of paris to form smooth, parallel bearing surfaces; and (3) crushing the clods by the slow application of an axial stress and recording the maximum stress withstood per unit of crosssectional area over which the stress was applied. Mean values of 25 to 40 clods from each horizon were used in analyses of the data. Rigidity was found to be highly correlated with percent total clay. It was concluded that clay was a principle bonding agent among primary particles, that very fine sand or silt may be equally effective as a matrix within which such clay bonding may occur, and that clay may act either as a bonding agent or as an agent of structural development and consequent weakness, depending upon its amount and distribution within the soil mass. The data do not suggest a special role for ultra‐fine clay.