A refined representation method of the particle size distribution curve based on grading entropy--颗粒学报PARTICUOLOGY

Li, X., Chen, Q., Liu, Z., Zhou, C., Wang, C., & Chen, C. (2024). A refined representation method of the particle size distribution curve based on grading entropy. Particuology, 88, 302-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.partic.2023.09.020

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

Xing Li, Qun Chen ^*, Zhaozhao Liu, Cheng Zhou, Chen Wang, Chen Chen

State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, College of Water Resource and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

10.1016/j.partic.2023.09.020

Volume 88, May 2024, Pages 302-311

Received 16 July 2023, Revised 9 September 2023, Accepted 25 September 2023, Available online 20 October 2023, Version of Record 13 November 2023.

E-mail: chenqun@scu.edu.cn

Highlights

• Grading entropy characterizing the particle size distribution (PSD) curve.

• Effect of PSD curve width.

• Distinctness and sensitivity analysis.

• Applications of nonuniformity characterization and hydraulic conductivity prediction.

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-C_u-C_c three-parameter or the four-parameter combination G_c 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.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Grading entropy; Particle size distribution curve; Refined representation

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