A Novel Index (RI) to Evaluate the Relative Stability of Soils Using Ultrasonic Agitation

As soil stability is a complex phenomenon, various methods and indexes were introduced to assess the strength of soils. Because limitations different (including wet sieving-based), we aimed presents relative index (RI) that was based on estimated components overall disruptive characteristic curve (SODC): (1) disruption constant (Ki, upon dispersion energy soils); (2) resulting change in mean weight diameter (ΔMWD). To evaluate effectiveness RI as well compare it with classical (MWD) geometric (GMD). Ultrasonic agitation (UA) along sieving method (followed by dry sieving) applied against four soils named basis sample location, Qingling (QL), Guanzhong (GZ), Ansai (AS), Jingbian (JB). at energies (increase sonication duration usually resulted increased input temperature soil–water suspension), subjected six durations (0, 30, 60, 120, 210, 300 s) fixed (and exact) initial amplitude temperature. Output calculated suspension, vessel, system. The most abrupt maximum aggregates observed level 0–200 J g−1. MWD value surface subsurface ranged between 0.58 0.15 mm 0.37 0.17 mm, respectively, while GMD from 0.14 0.33 overall. results for showed similar trend. more strong associations physicochemical characteristics than RI. A non-significant correlation found MWD/GMD. Contrary GMD, significantly positively correlated sand content; this finding indicated influential role assessing soil’s strength. JB possessed least but proved be relatively stable because having highest value.