Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

"The clamped cubic spline method for graphing particle size distributions involves fitting a clamped cubic spline to cumulative data, resulting in a continuous and smooth cumulative distribution curve (CDC) that honors the cumulative data. The ends of the CDC are clamped at zero slope. The CDC is easily differentiated, yielding a continuous and smooth probability density curve (PDC).

Under conditions encountered typically in practical particle size analysis, clamped cubic spline method curves (1) provide detailed textural fingerprints that are easy to compare visually, (2) are not affected by random error, (3) allow accurate estimations of principal mode and median, (4) permit very accurate determinations of moment mean and moment standard deviation, (5) resolve accurately the polymodes of mixture distributions, and (6) facilitate determination of the number of component subpopulations in mixture distributions and their basis parameters.

Based largely on application of the clamped cubic spline method to the Exeter Sandstone and Sheep Pen Sandstone in the Dry Cimarron Valley of northeastern New Mexico, it is proposed that the approximate lower one-half of the Exeter type section correlates with the Sheep Pen. This correlation reveals an angular unconformity at the base of the Sheep Pen. The Exeter, as redefined, is coarser grained and much better sorted than the Sheep Pen"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Grant, S. Kerry
Laudon, Robert C.

Committee Member(s)

Anderson, Neil L. (Neil Lennart), 1954-
Bolter, Ernst
Hagni, Richard D.
Rockaway, John D.

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Geology and Geophysics

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1996

Pagination

xxix, 385 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 378-384).

Geographic Coverage

New Mexico

Rights

© 1996 Patrick Searle Mulvany, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 7114

Print OCLC #

35751458

Electronic OCLC #

1030960511

Link to Catalog Record

Electronic access to the full-text of this document is restricted to Missouri S&T users. Otherwise, request this publication directly from Missouri S&T Library or contact your local library.

http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu/record=b3075927~S5

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