SEDL / STP / STP599-EB / STP39090S

Use of Ultrasonic Energy for Disaggregation of Soil Samples

Johnson, AI
Assistant chief, Office of Water Data Coordination, U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, Va.

Mostoh, RP
District materials engineer, Colorado Division of Highways, Grand Junction, Colo.

Pages: 12    Published: Jan 1976

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Abstract

A method for faster and more nearly complete dispersion of soil samples for particle size analysis now appears feasible. Using agitation by ultrasonic energy, disaggregation and dispersion appeared to be as thorough in 10 min as by mechanical preparation through a sieve with 0.0625-mm openings. The ultrasonic agitation appeared to cause no deleterious effect on the primary particle sizes. The time and effort required to obtain high quality dispersion is much less for ultrasonic than for mechanical techniques, especially for heavy soils.