Abstract
The present structure estimation methods are rather long-termed and expensive; moreover, they are sometimes impossible to use in reason of difficulty of sampling large sized specimens. The soil structure estimation in SEM enabling to obtain quick and reliable quantitative structure characteristics of small size samples (≈0,5 cm3) are becoming very important at present. SEM investigation of identical areas on both conjugated surfaces of sample fracture, total binary SEM image with real structure of undisturbed sample, discrimination and digitization of the image and its processing by computer with specially designed algorithms is the core of this method. The quantitative structure analysis is made practically instantly and the following data may be obtained: the number of pores and particles, average perimeter, square and radius of pores and particles, porosity, specific surface, pore shape index, the number of contacts between particles, pore and particle distribution according to the sizes. The quickness and reliability of the results obtained as well as the application which enables to cover all kinds of soils is an evident advantage of the method. The most important factor is the tracing of soil genesis and the nature of the strengths.
Résumé
Les méthodes actuelles d'étude des structures de sols sont longues et coûteuses; il est de plus parfois impossible de les appliquer en raison, de la difficulté à se procurer des échantillons de dimensions importantes. L'étude de la structure de sols au MEB permet par contre d'obtenir des estimations quantitatives rapides et fiables même sur des échantillons de petite taille (∼0,5 cm3). Cette méthode conjugue l'étude au MEB, sur des surfaces de cassures et sur échantillons non remaniés, la discrimination et la digitalisation de l'image, ainsi que son traitement par ordinateur à l'aide d'algorithmes calculés spécialement. L'analyse quantitative de la structure est pratiquement instantanée et on peut ainsi obtenir les données suivantes: le nombre de vides et de particules, le périmètre moyen, la surface et le rayon des vides et particules, la surface spécifique, l'indice de forme des vides, le nombre de contacts entre particules, la distribution des vides et des particules en fonction de leurs dimensions. La rapidité et la fiabilité des résultats obtenus, ainsi que le fait que ces études peuvent s'appliquer à n'importe quel sol, sont des avantages évidents. Le point le plus important est qu'elles permettent de reconstituer la genèse des sols et d'identifier la nature des contraintes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
IVANITSKY G.P., LITINSKAYA L.P., SHIKHMATOVA V.L. (1967): Automatic microsample analysis. M.-L.,Energia, p. 224.
Practical raster electron microscopy (1978). Edited by J. Goldstain, H. Jakovits. M., Mir, P.H., p. 656.
PRETT W. (1982): Image digitization. v. 1, Mir, P.h., M.
SERGEYEV J.M., SPIVAK G.V., OSIPOV V.I., RAU Y.I., SOKOLOV V.N., PHILIPPOV M.N. (1980): The application of raster electron microscopy in soil and rock analysis.Ingzenernaya Geologia, M., N4, p. 92–102.
SOKOLOV V.N., DEMENTJEVA O.V., SASOV A.J.: The application of REM microcomputer complex for a quantitative surface and structure microsample analysis.
GRAY S.B.: Local Properties of Binary Images in Two Dimensions.IEEE Transactions of computers, C-20, N5, 1971, pp. 551–558.
KIMOTO S. (1972): Scanning Electron Microscope as a System.Geol News, v. 10 e, N2, pp. 59–61.
SOKOLOV V.N., OSIPOV V.I., TOLKACHEV M.D. (1980): Electron Microscopic Studies of Pore Space of Solids by a Method of Conjugate Surfaces.J. Microscopy, v. 120, Pt. 3, pp. 363–366.
UNITT B.M. (1975): A digital computer method for revealing directional information in images. J. Phys. E. Scientific Instruments 8, pp. 423–425.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sergeyev, J.M., Osipov, V.I. & Sokolov, V.N. Quantitative analysis of soil structure with the microcomputer system. Bulletin of the International Association of Engineering Geology 31, 131–136 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02594756
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02594756