Soil sample mechanism design

[thinusg]

I've been asked to design a soil sample tool as part as a special ploughing device for a soil mixing machine, and does not have much knowledge of soil streng characteristics, i.e. soil forces on a body as a function of emerging depth, shear force characteristics, etc. Can anybody give me a good reference to literature or any info on this subject. The idea is to take soil samples at a depth of 1200mm and a sample diameter of 50mm.

 

[Focht3]

A ploughing device? What are you doing this for? What kind of samples do you need?

 

[thinusg]

A ploughing device is used to plough ground for planting harvast or any argricultural substance.
The soil sample is used to determine the soil chacteristics through the depth to be ploughed before a quote is given to plough a hectar.

 

[Focht3]

Okay, I thought that's what you were talking about. But will the sampler be on a plough, or from some other piece of equipment? What kinds of tests do you plan to perform?

 

[thinusg]

The sampler can form part of any equipment, the ploughing machine or a service unit (hydraulic or electrical). The ground density, color spectrum and composite through the depth of 1200mm is tested. The tests are done by geotechnical engineers. It is my task to design the test piece that gives them a sample through the dept of 1200mm without disturbing the ground to much i.e. without compacting the sample, without using air or water to cool down the tool bit, etc. What I gues I require is a reference to or info on calculating the ground forces on a typical test piece, i.e. what is the forces on a tool bit through dept of drilling due to the displacement of the soil, as well as compacting forces due to the depth on the test piece?

 

[Focht3]

You need to find a book by M. Juul Hvorslev - dealt with sampling. It's out of print - hard to find. I'd give you the citation, but I loaned my copy to a (former) friend who lost it. Perhaps someone else has the citation?

 

[thinusg]

Thanks for the info. Will do so.

 

[BigH]

Hvorslev, M.J., 1949. Subsurface exploration and sampling of soil for civil engineering purposes: report on a research project of the Committee on Sampling and Testing Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng., Waterways Experiment Station.

Its an old book - but it is a very very good book. [fumanchu]