Method dependency of relationships between specific surface area and soil physicochemical properties

It is postulated that the behavior of fine-grained soils may be explained by the relationship between surface area and other geotechnical properties. To this end, there are several studies correlating geotechnical indexes with specific surface area (SSA). However, there is no universally accepted specific surface area determining method as several methods are available. Depending on the method employed, the measured specific surface area may show variations for a given soil. This is because the predictive power of each method depends on the type of minerals and organic matter that are present in the soil. Thus, different SSA determination methods yield widely different estimates of index properties and regression equations. To examine the role of method on SSA of soils, the SSAs of 32 soils with different mineralogies were determined using BET-N2, EGME, MB-titration, and MB-spot test methods. The measured SSA of soils was correlated with their respective geotechnical index properties. Further, the data obtained in this study and those reported by previous researchers were compared. The results suggest that correlations between geotechnical index properties and SSA using different methods may not be comparable. Accurate prediction, however, is provided only if the relationship is calibrated using soils having similar physical and chemical characters.

Research Highlights
► Depending on the method employed, the measured specific surface area may show variations.
► Polar liquid adsorption SSA determination methods can be used for swelling and non-swelling soils.
► The estimated SSA from regression equations using different methods may not be comparable.
► The MB-spot test is a superior method, because it is easily applied compared to the other methods.