Soil Water Content and Dry Density by Time Domain Reflectometry
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 130, Issue 9
Abstract
Soil water content and dry density are two important properties for compaction quality control. This paper presents a new method for determining soil water content and dry density using a single time domain reflectometry test, which is an improvement over that designated by ASTM D6780. This new method is based on simultaneous measurement of apparent dielectric constant and bulk electrical conductivity on the same soil sample. Calibration equations correlate these two parameters with soil gravimetric water content and dry density, which are simultaneously solved after adjusting field-measured conductivity to a standard conductivity. The method compensates for temperature effects. The test process takes about 3 min and all calculations are automated. Testing may be done in situ using a special probe that provides sufficient sampling volume or in a compaction mold adapted to form a probe. Laboratory and field tests results show this one-step method is a fast, accurate, and safe method for construction quality control.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 130 • Issue 9 • September 2004
Pages: 922 - 934
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 26, 2002
Accepted: Oct 27, 2003
Published online: Aug 16, 2004
Published in print: Sep 2004
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