Determination of Surface Area of Fine-Grained Soils by the Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether (EGME) Method

It is well known that surface phenomena are key factors influencing the behavior of fine-grained soils (FGSs). This paper describes a test procedure for determining the total surface area of FGSs using the ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGME) method. The test involves saturating a soil sample with EGME and then removing the excess EGME in a vacuum desiccator, until the EGME forms a monomolecular layer on the soil surface. Results of the test are expressed as specific surface area (SSA), describing the surface area/unit mass of dry soil with units of m-sup-2/g. Test results are presented demonstrating the effect of various test parameters on the results. Results for a number of different FGSs are presented. A detailed recommended test procedure is given. The proposed method uses simple, inexpensive lab equipment, is relatively simple to perform, and allows for rapid determination of SSA.