A refined representation method of the particle size distribution curve based on grading entropy

Abstract

The particle size distribution (PSD) curve is an important expression of the basic properties of the soil. The characteristic parameters such as median particle size D50, effective particle size D10, and some combinations of characteristic parameters can only represent some points of the PSD curve, failing to represent all information of the PSD curve. In this paper, a fraction characteristic parameter F that could reflect the fraction size variation of the PSD curve was introduced based on grading entropy. And a new presentation method of the A-B-F three parameters was proposed for a refined representation of the PSD curve. It was found that the newly constructed model not only better represents the differences in the width of PSD curves but also has a higher sensitivity than the A-B two-parameter model proposed by Lőrincz. For PSD curves with similar distributions, the new presentation method has a higher degree of discrimination than that of the D50-Cu-Cc three-parameter or the four-parameter combination Gc proposed by Arshad. Finally, the application of this new method in describing the spatial nonuniformity distribution of depositions and predicting the soil hydraulic conductivity was discussed. The research results can provide a reference for the refined representation of PSD curves.