An Improved Moistening Technique for Aggregate Stability Measurement

Abstract

An ultrasonic nebulization technique has been used for uniform wetting of soil by introduction of an aerosol. Values obtained for aggregate stability of air‐dried soils were greater when this technique was used than with conventional wetting techniques, apparently because of reduced slaking effect.

Aggregate Stability and Size Distribution

“…Much less disintegration takes place when samples are wet under vacuum than when they are wet under atmospheric pressure (Kemper & Koch, 1966). Mubarak et al (1978) used an ultrasonic nebulization technique to produce an aerosol, which was passed over the aggregates. This wetted the aggregates slowly, resulting in little disintegration, and the stability measurement was more reproducible than when vacuum wetting was used.…”