Homogenität, Inhomogenität und Gleichheit von Bodenkörpern

Abstract

Homogeneity, inhomogeneity and equality of soil bodiesAn attempt is made at defining homogeneity, inhomogeneity and equality of soil bodies. A body of soil is called homogeneous if — when separated into partial units smaller than the smallest analytically assessable unit of volume — there is agreement in all properties. Any differences of properties between these partial units signify inhomogeneity. Natural soils are inhomogeneous per se. Inhomogeneity is an inherent property with specific differences between soils. In accordance to this definition it is not very meaningful to test for homogeneity, but rather to quantify the extent of inhomogeneity.Inhomogeneity can be evaluated by the following parameters:1. Variability: The variance between partial units of a body of soil. Variance is specific to the property evaluated and to the soil under investigation and is closely dependent on the volume of the partial units.2. The deviation from the ideally statistical arrangement (AviA): Partial units may, in respect to their local connection, be combined to larger volume units, which possess more similar properties within than between each other. These fields of similarity in turn form superior units in form, volume and pattern, which are called pattern complexes. Several such pattern complexes are superimposed in soil bodies.Soil investigations can only assess a limited section of the total inhomogeneity. Volume of sample, intensity of sampling and method of selection must be adequate to the type of research.Partial units of soil bodies are equal (or comparable) if their inhomogeneity does not exceed a preset limit specific to the objectives of the investigation.