Fractal modelling, characterization and simulation of particle-size distributions in soil

A modelling of particle–size distribution in soil (PSD) by means of the fractal mass distribution is presented. The model is based on a new interpretation of the invariance of PSD with respect to the scale.It is shown that the modelized PSD can be mathematically determined from soil textural data. Combining some well–founded theoretical results from fractal geometry, the model allows us to simulate the PSD of a given soil and its characterization by means of the entropy dimension. The scaling behaviour of mass–size (or particle–number) distribution empirically shown by different authors, is obtained from the model as a theoretical result.The model allows the testing of the degree of self–similarity of soil PSDs and can be used for predicting soil properties related to the PSD, as well as the characterization of soil textures.