Soil physical research conducted in a laboratory involves the study and analysis of various physical properties and characteristics of soils. This type of research is focused on understanding how soils behave under different conditions, their interactions with water and air, and how they influence plant growth, water movement, and other related processes.
The Wet Sieving Apparatus is used to determine the above mentioned aggregate stability. The standard set includes a shaking machine for wet sieving method (incl. 100-240 VAc adapter), suitable for 8 sieves, stainless steel Ø 64x45 mm, sieve cans Ø 39x39 mm with sieve opening 0.250 mm and sieve surface of 10.2 cm2. Optional are sieves with various openings 2,0 - 0.045 mm. The wet aggregate stability is determined on the principle that unstable aggregates will break down more easily than stable aggregates when immerged into water.
Applying this set allows you to determine the particle size distribution of soil samples in order to be able to classify the soils on the basis of international standards. The granular composition of the representative sample obtained in this way can be determined applying an electromagnetic sieve shaker. The sieve shaker keeps the sample continuously in motion in order to obtain the best possible sieving results. The sieve shaker and the stainless steel mesh sieves (inclusive receivers and lids) are suitable for wet as well as dry sieving.
The particle-size distribution is one of the most important physical qualities of a soil. The division of soils (soil classification) is primarily based on particle-size distribution. When accurately determining the particle size in samples, in addition to the determination using sieves, other methods will need to be applied. A simple method for the determination of the particle size is the pipette method. After carbonates, organic substances and possible iron oxide have been removed (because of their binding function) the pipette method is used to determine the fractions of particles smaller then 38 µm. The method is based on the difference in sedimentation speed between small and large soil particles. The sedimentation of the particles is the result of two opposing forces: gravity and friction resulting from movement in a fluid medium
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