Volumetric Particle Size Distribution and Variable Granular Density Soils

Abstract

This article discusses particle size distribution (PSD) by sieving as it relates to variable granular density soils such as hemipelagic calcareous sediment and pyroclastic pumice. These soils tend to have low-density porous sand-sized particles and high-density solid silt and clay-sized particles. When mass fraction passing each sieve is used to create the gravimetric PSD, the quantity of sand-sized particles in these soils can be underestimated, because of their low density. This article presents the volumetric PSD as a new method to account for granular density variation in these unique sediments.