The use of a laser diffractometer to analyse the particle size distribution of selected organic soils

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of determining the particle size distribution of selected organic soils from the vicinity of Rzeszów (Poland), using a laser diffractometer method, the knowledge of which will allow to determine the degree of differentiation or similarity of the tested organic soils in this aspect. The HELOS Laser Diffractometer manufactured by Sympatec GmbH was used for the tests. For proper analysis, the researches results in the form of graphs were grouped according to the content of organic substances in accordance with the standard classification. The conducted research was primarily aimed at presenting the grain differentiation and particle size distribution in terms of the applied method and comparing the test results of samples of selected, different organic soils, prepared using the same dispersion procedure and carried out in exactly the same test conditions, generated using capabilities of a diffractometer. Summing up, the laser diffractometer method presented in the article, although not fully verified in the case of organic soils, seems to be a the perspective method with capabilities allowing it to be nominated as an exceptionally useful method for the investigations of soft soils, including organic soils.

Keywords

• laser diffraction
• particle size distribution
• organic soils
• soft soils