Preparation of soil specimens for SEM analysis using freeze-cut-drying

被引：9

作者：

Shi B. ^{[1
]}

Wu Z. ^{[2
]}

Inyang H. ^{[3
]}

Chen J. ^{[4
]}

Wang B. ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] ACEI, Department of Earth Sciences, Nanjing University

[2] Dept. of Urban and Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ibaraki University

[3] CEEST, Dept. of Civ. and Environ. Eng., University of Massachusetts Lowell, One University

[4] CEEST, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

来源：

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment | 1999年 / 58卷 / 1期

基金：

中国国家自然科学基金;

关键词：

Freeze-cut-drying; Image processing; SEM; Soil microstructure; Specimen preparation;

D O I：

10.1007/s100640050064

中图分类号：

学科分类号：

摘要：

A new method, freeze-cut-drying, is introduced for preparing a soil specimen for microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With this method, moisture in the specimen is removed by freeze-drying and an SEM observation surface is made by cutting the specimen at a temperature below freezing point. Tests on bentonite clay were used to compare the results from this method with those using other existing techniques such as peeling. Image processing was employed to analyse the SEM micrographs quantitatively in terms of distributions of size and orientation of particles and pores in the soil. The results indicate that this method can preserve the original soil microstructure and minimise flaws such as false voids and erroneous orientations which frequently occur in SEM images obtained from specimens prepared by other techniques. This method is particularly suitable for clay soils with high moisture contents and should find wide application in the analysis of soft clays, slurries and marine sediments.

引用

页码：1 / 7

页数：6

共 8 条

[1] Barden L., Sides G., Sample disturbance in the investigation of clay structure, Geotechnique, 21, pp. 211-222, (1971)
[2] Delage P., Tessier D., Marcel Audiguier M., Use of the Cryoscan apparatus for observation of freeze-fractured surfaces of a sensitive Quebec clay in scanning electron microscopy, Cnd Geotechn J, 19, pp. 111-114, (1982)
[3] Gillott J.E., Fabric of Leda clay investigated by optical, electron-optical and X-ray diffraction methods, Eng Geol, 4, pp. 133-153, (1970)
[4] Gillott J.E., Importance of Specimen Preparation in Microscopy: Soil Preparation for Laboratory Testing, pp. 289-307, (1976)
[5] Li S.L., Qin S.J., Bo Z.Z., Shi B., Studies on the Engineering Geology of Expansive Soils in China, (1992)
[6] Lide D.R., Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75th Ed, (1995)
[7] Mitchell J.K., Fundamentals of Soil Behaviour, 2nd Edn., pp. 131-160, (1993)
[8] Osipov V.L., Strength and Deformation of Rock and Clayey Soil, (1985)

← 1 →