Abstract: A device for determining soil compaction includes a control member fitted with one or more sensors that measure the response of the control member during co-action between the control member and a soil surface. In one embodiment, this response can be flexure as characterized by a measurable parameter such as strain. A measurement module in communication with the sensor or sensors determines a soil modulus for the soil based on the strain measurement from the sensor or sensors. In one arrangement, the control member includes one set of sensors that measure radial strain and another set of sensors that measures hoop strain. The device can also include a load sensor for measuring the load applied to the control member. In one embodiment the measurement module includes a processor that determines soil modulus based the strain measurements and the measured load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a test setup for determining the bearing behaviour of displacement piles. The displacement piles are produced by making a hole using a displacement head and subsequently filling the hole with a hardenable suspension, whilst leaving the displacement head in the hole. The resulting test pile is subject to the action of a test load using a loading device and the bearing behaviour is measured by a measuring device. An efficient test performance results from the fact that the displacement head is introduced into the ground by means of a metallic pile string, which forms part of the test pile.

Abstract: An instrument (“artificial athlete”) for characterizing, from the biomechanical standpoint, a treading surface, such as natural grass cover or synthetic grass flooring, is configured for: dropping a weight from a given height on the surface, producing the conversion of kinetic energy of falling of the weight into deformation energy of the surface, the deformation energy being able to be restored by the surface to the weight, bringing about its return/bouncing back upwards; and detecting at least one parameter representing the process of restitution of the deformation energy by the surface to the weight, the parameter identifying the characteristics of tread of the surface.

Abstract: For assessing ground quality, such as a condition of a racetrack, a handheld device has a shaft, a plate mounted to its bottom end, and a sensor body also mounted to the bottom of the shaft, independently of the plate. A tine tip projects below the sensor body. The sensor body has compression sensors and shear sensors. The user pushes down on the shaft. The tine tip penetrates the ground until the plate abuts the surface. Continued pushing leads to a compression reading. The user then pushes the top of the shaft so that it tilts, pivoting about an edge of the plate. Shear forces are sensed by the shear sensors. The compression and shear data pass to a data processor that computes a single value indicative of the ground quality.

Abstract: Drive hammer assembly with a drive hammer and rod is used with dynamic cone penetrometer tests. A rod end is attached to a cone penetrometer used to measure strength and density of soil. The assembly has no exterior impact zones, eliminating any chance of user injury. A casing loosely fits around a rod. A casing upper end is fitted with a top plate and lower end is fitted with an end plate through which the rod passes. Upper end of the rod is flared with a shoulder which may be welded to the top of the rod. Lower end of the rod is threaded to connect the rod to standard rod and cone assemblies. The hammer is raised to the shoulder on the upper end of the rod. The hammer slides along the rod until the top plate impacts upon the shoulder and drives the DCP cone into the ground.

Abstract: A drop test apparatus for determining the resiliency of playing surface comprising a missile for impacting the surface including a guide for providing substantially unrestricted free flight of the missile, a pair accelerometers carried by the missile for producing signals in response to impact with the surface, a converter adapted to receive the accelerometer signals, convert them into computer readable signals and a computer receiving the signals from the converter and producing a graph of the surface hardness.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for determining in situ pore fluid and soil properties at a particular subsurface location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a penetrating tip member configured to penetrate soil. The apparatus further comprises an attachment module coupled to the penetrating tip member. The attachment module includes at least one mandrel that includes a piezo sensor. An in situ measurement of pore pressure is obtained by the piezo sensor at a depth that corresponds to the location of the at least one mandrel on the attachment module.

Abstract: For assessing ground quality, such as the ‘going’ of a racetrack a handheld device has a shaft (10), a plate (16) mounted to its bottom end, and a sensor body (27) also mounted to the bottom of the shaft (10), independently of the plate (16). A tine tip (20) projects below the body. The body has compression sensors (36) and shear sensors (34). The user pushes down on the shaft (10). The tine (20) penetrates the ground until the plate (16) abuts the surface. Continued pushing leads to a compression reading. The user then pushes the top of the shaft so that it tilts, pivotting about an edge of the plate. Shear forces are sensed by the shear sensors (34). The compression and shear data pass to a data processor (26) which computes a single value indicative of ‘going’.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for determining interface strength in situ. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a plurality of load cells, wherein each load cell obtains an in situ measurement of interface strength at each measurement depth that corresponds to location of each load cell on the attachment module. Each load cell obtains the in situ measurement of interface strength without using the measurement data of a penetrating tip member. In another embodiment, an apparatus for determining interface strength in situ comprises an attachment module coupled to a penetrating tip, wherein the attachment module includes a plurality of load cells. Each load cell includes a friction sleeve, which the friction sleeve of at least one load cell is configured with a different surface texture than another load cell.

Abstract: A sand penetrability gauge for golf course bunker sand, having a probe shaft for penetrating into bulk sand, a weight or spring for reproducibly applying force to advance the probe shaft into bulk sand, the probe shaft being movably connected to the weight or spring, and measuring indicia associated with the probe shaft for measuring displacement of the probe shaft, with a cross-sectional area of the probe shaft and the force of the weight or spring selected so that the measuring indicia will provide a displacement measurement when the probe is driven into golf course sand bunker sand.

Abstract: An unattended ground sensor for the monitoring of a remote area. The unattended ground sensor comprises a housing that supports a power source, a communications module, at least one sensor module and a mainframe module. Additionally, the unattended ground sensor includes a common electrical bus in electrical communication with the power source, the communications module, the at least one sensor module, and the mainframe module. The common electrical bus is operative to provide a communications pathway between the power source, the communications module, the at least one sensor, and the mainframe module. Accordingly, the mainframe module is operative to control the operation of the unattended ground sensor through the common electrical bus.

Abstract: A ground treatment device (10) is weighted to provide ground treatment by dropping the device onto the ground. The device (10) has a relatively narrow nose (12) which provides, in use, the point of first contact with the ground. The device widens away from the nose (12), over a portion (14). A clevis arrangement (16) allows the device (10) to hang from a cable (18), to allow the device (10) to be raised by a crane, before dropping. A shoulder (22) projects outwardly and allows calibrated measurement of the degree of compaction achieved in the ground. Variations of the device (10) are described, together with apparatus for use in lifting and dropping the device, and methods of using the device.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method are disclosed for testing piles for load bearing capacity. The novel means and method of the present invention include applying a static compressive force on a pile or group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity, receiving an equal and opposite reaction force on an I-beam, providing at least two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of the pile, and bracing the I-beam by the two reaction anchor assemblies to hold the I-beam stationary in counter-action against the opposite reaction force on the I-beam. In one aspect, each reaction anchor assembly has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, a pulling rod passing through the center, a pair of the swingable anchoring plates, and a frusto-cone for pivoting the swingable anchoring plates. In one aspect, the pipe column has four fins welded longitudinally along the pipe column. In one aspect, the reaction anchor assembly is preassembled for transportation to a pile test site.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method are disclosed for testing piles for load bearing capacity. The novel means and method of the present invention include applying a static compressive force on a pile or group of piles to be tested for load bearing capacity, receiving an equal and opposite reaction force on an I-beam, providing at least two reaction anchor assemblies on opposite sides of the pile, and bracing the I-beam by the two reaction anchor assemblies to hold the I-beam stationary in counter-action against the opposite reaction force on the I-beam. In one aspect, each reaction anchor assembly has an anchoring head, a pipe column, a center, a pulling rod passing through the center, a pair of the swingable anchoring plates, and a frusto-cone for pivoting the swingable anchoring plates. In one aspect, the pipe column has four fins welded longitudinally along the pipe column. In one aspect, the reaction anchor assembly is preassembled for transportation to a pile test site.

Abstract: Sounding apparatus for pressing a sounding rod into a piece of ground in order to determine the soil properties at various depths, comprising a sounding rod which is intended to be pressed into a piece of ground; first and second clamping members for alternately clamping the sounding rod in place; first drive means for moving the first clamping member up and down in the longitudinal direction of the sounding rod; in which apparatus the first and second clamping members can be separately actuated between an open position and a closed position; second drive means are provided for moving the second clamping member up and down in the longitudinal direction of the sounding rod; and control means are provided, which are connected to the clamping members and drive means for alternately clamping in place, releasing and moving the respective clamping members up and down.

Abstract: The multi-friction sleeve penetrometer attachment provides the unique ability to obtain a plurality of sleeve friction measurements at each measurement depth within a single sounding. The attachment may also be used in conjunction with a conventional CPT to enhance the qc, u2, and ƒs, data obtained in conventional CPT soundings with measurements of sleeve friction for different sleeve surface roughnesses. Innovative characteristics of the system include the arrangement of a plurality of individual sleeve load cell sensors in series, the ability to obtain multiple simultaneous measurements for the plurality of friction sleeves at each measurement increment, and the ability to rapidly exchange friction sleeves between consecutive soundings.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the energy absorption capacity of a substrate, comprises: a probe (1); means for driving the probe (1) into the substrate so that the probe (1) penetrates the substrate; measuring means (4, 8) arranged to take a plurality of measurements of the force applied to the probe (1) and of the displacement of the probe (1) as the probe (1) penetrates the substrate; and processing means (12) arranged to integrate instantaneous readings of both said measurements to give a measurement of the energy required to drive the probe (1) into the substrate and hence determine a measurement of the energy absorbing capacity of the substrate. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for estimating the load bearing capacity of a pile using an Impact Load formula including obtaining the values of the weight of an impact mass, the stroke height of the impact mass, the length of the pile, the cross sectional area of the pile, and the Young's modulus of the pile. A preferred derived formula is P = 2 ⁢ hAEW L e Formula ⁢   ⁢ II wherein R=soil-resistance load or end-load bearing; W=the weight of hammer; h=the height of hammer stroke; Le=the length of pile; A=the cross sectional area of pile; E=the Young's modulus of pile.

Abstract: A point-contact impact method used in the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is disclosed. The method aims firstly to have the impact between the drop hammer and the anvil in the form of point contact and secondly to center the impact contact on the anvil face, such that the efficiency and the consistency of the energy transmission in the SPT greatly increase. With such a method, the ground condition of a specific site investigated by the SPT is able to be better determined. A device of the present method used in the Standard Penetration Test is a specially shaped anvil mounted on top of a rod, and the drop hammer is movably in contact with the anvil. The contact area of the anvil struck by the hammer is then limited and concentrated at the center. The impact between the hammer and the anvil is thus focused at or very near the center of the anvil, which reduces the energy loss during energy transfer from the hammer to the anvil.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the compaction, by means of a vibrator compaction device having mass Mvib and a bearing area F, of a preselected soil layer, for which a predetermined degree of compaction is desired, at a preselected depth l in a soil base having at least one layer disposed between an exterior upper surface and a hard bottom layer, thereby defining a vibrator-soil-base system, which includes the steps of: evaluating a desired volumetric mass &ggr;st of the preselected soil layer corresponding to the desired degree of compaction, which may be performed by measurement or by calculation using standard soil data; calculating a mass per unit area msoil of the preselected soil layer as a function of the desired volumetric mass; calculating the effective vibrating mass M of the vibrator-soil-base system as a function of the mass per unit area of the preselected soil layer and the mass of the vibrator; determining the natural oscillation frequency &ohgr;o of the vibrator-soil-base system when the preselected

Abstract: A piezocone for measuring the soil's resistance to penetration and pore water pressure while being advanced into the ground by a twenty ton hydraulic cone penetrometer rig. The low pressure piezocone includes a friction sleeve and a conical tip attached to the lower end of friction sleeve. The conical tip develops the cone resistance. The friction sleeve is an isolated cylindrical sleeve which measures the resistance of the soil as the sleeve passes through the soil. The pore water pressure is measured by a porous element mounted in the conical tip of the piezocone and a pressure transducer mounted in the cylindrical friction sleeve of the piezocone. The measurements including pore water pressure, cone resistance and the soil resistance are supplied to a computer which includes a Piezocone Dissipation Analysis program for processing the piezocone measurements to generate dissipation curves for each depth at which the piezocone provides hydrogeologic site characterization data.

Abstract: A piezocone for measuring the soil's resistance to penetration and pore water pressure while being advanced into the ground by a rig. The piezocone includes a friction sleeve and a conical tip attached to the lower end of the sleeve. The conical tip develops the cone resistance. The friction sleeve is an isolated cylindrical sleeve which measures the resistance of the soil as the sleeve passes through the soil. The pore water pressure is measured by a porous element mounted in the conical tip of the piezocone and a pressure transducer mounted in the cylindrical friction sleeve of the piezocone. The measurements including pore water pressure, cone resistance and soil resistance are supplied to a computer which includes a Piezocone Dissipation Analysis program for processing data from the measurements to generate dissipation curves for each depth at which the piezocone provides hydrogeologic site characterization data. Soil classification is also provided from a data file stored within the computer.

Abstract: Equipment for non-contact measurement of the deflection of a road (2) comprises a self-propelled vehicle with a load (7) which influences at least one wheel (4), the speed of which is measured in the direction of travel. The equipment further comprises a laser device (8) from which at least one electromagnetic beam (9) is directed towards the rodway in the vicinity of the vehicle, and the Doppler frequency change in the reflection (9) is detected. An electronic circuit (10) continuously registers the results of the measurements and herewith the deflection at normal traveling speed.

Abstract: In a method for determining depth when putting in place supporting elements into a waterbed, a pressure sensor fastenable to a supporting element or a device connected to the supporting element measures a water pressure, the reading is supplied by the pressure sensor and transmitted via signal lead to an evaluating unit which determines the penetration depth of the supporting element from the reading differences which occur during the sinking of the pressure sensor on penetration of the supporting element into the waterbed.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a soil testing device and other attachments necessary for soil testing near the bottom of a borehole uses a pair of clamps with gripping teeth that interlock with similar gripping teeth in the internal wall of the auger. The lateral movements of the clamps toward the auger are controlled so that the soil testing device is maintained in a proper orientation with respect to the soil sample and to avoid uncontrolled engagements of the clamps with the auger.

Abstract: Penetrometer comprising a probe with a conical nose, a cylindrical friction casing, and means for measuring axial friction forces acting on the friction casing when the probe is advanced in an area of ground which is to be analysed.The probe furthermore has a conical casing and means for measuring the axial forces acting on the conical casing.The conicity of the conical casing is so minor that the conical casing causes a displacement of the surrounding ground which is directed substantially transverse to the axial direction of the probe.

Abstract: A compact, portable cone penetrometer for determining the shear resistance of soil measures the compressive force on the penetrometer in penetrating the ground by a load cell and the depth of penetration of the ground by an ultrasonic proximity sensor. The outputs of the load cell and the proximity sensor are stored in the memory of a data logger/processor, from which the field data may later be transferred to a digital computer for averaging and tabulating of the data.

Abstract: An agricultural planter comprises a frame with a plurality of wheels and adapted to be towed by a tractor. The planter has a plurality of row planting units mounted on the frame and carrying planting implements, and the planting units are vertically movable relative to the frame. A soil-hardness sensing unit carried on the frame produces a signal representing the hardness of the soil. A controllable biasing device is connected to the planting units for adjusting the force applied to the soil by the planting units, in response to the signal representing the hardness of the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for determining geotechnical and geoacoustic properties of seafloor sediment wherein the undrained shear strength and dynamic shear modulus of such sediments can be quantified. Features of the deceleration profile of a seafloor penetrometer are compared to a data base of known insitu properties of seafloor sediments to determine a correlation between the features of the deceleration profile, such as maximum deceleration or jerk, and the seafloor sediment undrained shear strength. The damped oscillatory portion of the penetrometer deceleration profile, which occurs after plastic deformation and further permanent penetration into the sediments ends, is analyzed to determine the dominant or resonant frequency of the oscillations. This dominant frequency can be used to determine the seafloor sediment dynamic shear modulus.

Abstract: A portable frame that includes a movable support for supporting a cutting tool used for engaging a rock sample, and upon relative movement between the rock sample and the cutter, the cutter will make a constant depth cut at a constant velocity. During the cut, the forces parallel to the direction of displacement and perpendicular to the direction are measured, and both cohesion and internal friction angle, which are parameters characterizing the rock strength, the internal friction angle, which is a true measure of the rock strength, can be determined.

Abstract: A dynamic cone penetration device for determining denseness of soil has reduced friction to provide more accurate testing. The device comprises a cone rod having a soil penetrating cone at one end and an anvil at the other end. The cone has a larger diameter than the cone rod, and the anvil has a striking surface for striking with a predetermined force. A rotation system containing a motor rotates the cone rod at a sufficient speed to reduce friction between the cone rod and the soil as the striking surface is struck.

Abstract: The dynamic pyrotechnical penetrometer enables to determine the features of the soils by continuous detection and measurement of penetration of a probe rod (1) using the pressure created by a pyrotechnical gas generator (5). A standard probe rod (1) mounted on a piston (2) is placed in an amagnetic tube equipped with solenoids. This probe rod accommodates a magnet (3) on the one hand and a recoiling mass (4) on the other, which balances the amount of movement of the rod created by the gases of a pyrotechnical generator (5) contained in this recoiling mass. A unit for acquiring and processing the movement of the standard rod enables to calculate the resistance of the soil to the penetration of the rod.

Abstract: A pile bearing capacity determination system which allows the pile driver operator to determine the bearing capacity of a pile while it is being driven without interrupting the driving operation to perform a dead load test. Force sensors are cast in the pile at the head, toe and mid-portion and also an acceleration sensor is cast in the head of the pile. An ultra-fast sensor produces a detailed profile of the force exerted by each hammer blow on the pile. The hammer force at which the pile breaks loose from surrounding soil and begins to move during a hammer blow correlates quite well with bearing capacity of the pile determined by dead load tests. Points on the acceleration curve help verify transition points on the force profile. The force and acceleration curves are indicated simultaneously on an oscilloscope and plotter.

Abstract: Relative permeability of subsurface earthen materials is measured by advancing a probe into the earthen material at a constant rate while simultaneously injecting a fluid sealant/lubricant, or vapor, or liquid, from the probe to the earthen material. The relative permeability of the earthen material is determined by measuring either changes in flow rate or pressure of the injected vapors or fluids. The prescribed method of operation of the probe seals the probe hole allowing collection of discrete vapor samples and also greatly facilitates advancement of the probe.

Abstract: A selectively configurable penetrometer device for impact testing the physical characteristics of the sea floor includes a hollow cylindrical housing which is formed with a recess. A hemispherical nose is engageable with one end of the housing and a removable fin assembly is selectively engageable with the opposite end of the housing. A transponder is engageable in a fluid tight seal with the end of the housing opposite the hemispherical nose to hold the electronic components in the recess of the housing. In the operation of the penetrometer, the transmitter emits a signal of precisely controlled constant frequency, and a remote receiver detects variations in signal receptions during impact of the penetrometer with the sea floor to determine the physical characteristics of the surface of the sea floor. The device can also include weighted spacers which can be selectively inserted into the device between the housing and the hemispherical nose.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a signal indicative of the hardness of soil. The apparatus has a frame to be moved relative to soil on which a hardness analysis is to be conducted and a sensing element mounted to the frame so that the sensing element engages soil relative to which the frame is moved and structure associated therewith generates a) a first signal as the sensing element encounters soil of a first hardness and b) a second signal as the sensing element encounters soil of a second hardness.

Abstract: A gauge for measuring the relative resiliency of golf greens including a barrel shaped device with a base having foot pads to hold the instrument on the green and a calibrated spring to drive a measuring tip into the turf and a scale indicator attached to the barrel for providing the information indicative of the condition of the green.

Abstract: A signal processing system for determining sea floor composition based on the frequency waveform and Doppler shift transmitted from an acoustic penetrometer includes a hydrophone for receiving the penetrometer waveform. The hydrophone output is digitized and passed to a general purpose computer where it is analyzed by a signal processing program. The signal processing program performs various signal transformations to increase the quality of the input waveform and isolates a penetration event. Additionally, the input signal is converted to an equivalent velocity waveform. A curve fitting algorithm is then used to determine the points within the velocity waveform that mark the initiation and termination of the penetration event that corresponds to the impact of the penetrometer with the sea floor. Once the initiation and termination of the penetration event are known, the velocity waveform is numerically integrated between those two points.

Abstract: A acoustic-penetrometer probe and method for determining the presence of materials in a region proximate the penetrometer probe through measurement of reflected acoustic waves, with the probe having a driving head on one end to permit forcing the driving head into the soil, with the probe including an acoustic generator mounted in the probe for generating a below-ground acoustic wave that normally travels away from the acoustic generator, and an acoustic detector located in the probe to measure acoustic waves reflected from objects or materials located proximate the probe to thereby provide a user with information on the presence of materials proximate a radial region located around the probe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining whether soil is satisfactorily compacted. An operator delivers impact energy to the soil, and the amount of impact energy transmitted through the soil is repeatedly sensed and stored. A modelling formula, which approximates the variation of the stored amounts of impact energy, is used to generate current and target values for the level of compaction; if the current value equals or exceeds the target value, the soil is considered to be satisfactorily compacted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a probe assembly (1) adapted to penetrate and travel in a mass of material, comprising:a hull,a front striking zone (3) and/or a rear striking zone (4) axially opposite, for transmitting pulses to the hull,a striking piston (2) anda pneumatic motor for setting in motion the striking piston (2) so as to project it against a striking zone (3, 4) integral with the hull, a compressed-air supply for the motor, characterized by the fact that the friction of the hull and any guiding elements rigidly connected to the hull in a pulverulent mass is between a lower value f insufficient to assure the holding of the probe upon the recoil of the striking piston (2) and a higher value F preventing the probe from advancing upon the impact of the striking piston (2) on the striking zone (3, 4) so as to permit the advancement of the probe in the pulverulent material.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved self-contained, environmentally isolated, multi-parametric measuring apparatus and method for sampling and determining the dynamic loading characteristics of a soil bed. The apparatus is specially adapted to withstand the extreme pressures of deep water applications. In operation, a drill string presses the apparatus of the invention into a soil bed at an uncontrolled rate resulting in a variable penetration rate. The apparatus has a self-contained data acquisition system that measures and records, as a function of time, the force exerted on the sampling apparatus and the depth of penetration as the drill string presses the sampling apparatus into the soil bed. Data is provided that enables the user to determine the static soil characteristics (e.g., shear strength and stress-strain characteristics) and the dynamic loading characteristics of the soil bed. The apparatus captures a sample of the soil for laboratory analysis.

Abstract: A measuring instrument includes first and second rigid, elongate measuring elements which are interconnected by a flexible element. The measuring elements are supported in a measuring tube inserted in the foundation soil. Whenever a displacement occurs in the foundation soil or construction, the measuring tube is deformed and the second measuring element is pivoted with respect to the first measuring element. The curvature or bending which thereby occurs in the flexible element of suitable dimensioning or configuration is preferably determined by at least one wire strain gage fitted to the flexible element in the plane of deformation, the elongations being converted, for example by use of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, into proportional electrical current or voltage signals. Preferably, wire strain gages are disposed on all four mutually perpendicular outer sides of the flexible element, in order to allow for the detection of displacements in mutually perpendicular planes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compacting a material sample, such as soil or paving material, including a mold for receiving the material sample and a ram mounted for movement into a first open end of the mold to provide an axial compressire force thereto. The compacting apparatus also includes a base for supporting a second end of the mold. In operation, the mold is gyrated simultaneously with the application of the axial compressire force by the ram. Gyration is provided by tilting the mold from an initial neutral position in which the center longitudinal axis of the mold is collinear with the axis of compression to a tilted operative position in which the central longitudinal axis of the mold is angularly offset from the axis of compression. The base is thereinafter rotated relative to the mold so as to revolve the center of the second end of the mold about the axis of compression, thus, gyrating the axially compressed material sample.

Abstract: A resiliency and relative hardness of a golf green is tested by the apparatus having a support base mounting a measuring rod orthogonally oriented relative to the support base and coaxially aligned with a support base bore. A golf ball sphere slidably directed through the bore and its resistance effected by contact with an underlying golf green is measured by relative projection of the sphere within the golf green and simultaneous deflection of a dial indicator foot measuring projection of the golf ball sphere into the golf green.

Abstract: An air or gaseous fluid lubricated penetrometer reduces friction between the soil and the push rod string. Air is pumped into the interior of the string and is directed by exit ports into the annular space between the soil and the outer walls of the string. Without damaging the soil, the air prevents the soil from adhering to the sides of the string and thereby reduces frictional forces that restrict the downward movement thereof. The exit ports in the string are located above the instrument housing so that accurate measurements can be made on the soil properties.

Abstract: A method assures the quantitative or semiquantitative assessment of analytes in soils by in situ optical methods. A determination is made of the optical chemical response factors for chemicals of interest which are added in known amounts to discrete soil matrices (types) and conditions (moisture content) under controlled laboratory conditions to provide predetermined reference signals. A combination probe is provided with an optical chemical sensing device that produces chemical concentration signals representative of the concentration of a chemical of interest in a soil sample and further is provided with a strain gauge sensing device that produces strain gauge signals representative of soil type and optionally, condition of the soil sample. The combination probe is inserted into the soil sample and the optical chemical sensing device produces the chemical concentration signals and the optical strain gauge sensing device, simultaneously and in parallel, produces the optical strain gauge signals.

Abstract: The invention is a dynamic cone penetrometer for measuring soil shear strength which includes an elongated cylindrical rod having a tip end and a handle end. An anvil portion is mounted to the rod at a selected distance from the handle and a penetrometer tip having a conical free end is secured to the tip end of the rod for engaging the soil or sample. A two weight drop hammer having a cylindrical through bore is slidably mountable on the rod at the handle end for striking the anvil with a selected force when released from a fixed distance from said anvil. The drop hammer is formed in two parts including a cylindrical core portion of a first diameter, and a cylindrical support portion extending from the core portion to a second diameter. The second weight has a through bore and is sleevable over the core for engaging and resting upon the support portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a friction reducing device for an elongate member. The device comprises a friction reducing sleeve removably positionable on a first longitudinal segment of the elongate member. The present invention also provides a method of inserting an elongate assembly into the ground. The method comprises the step of incorporating the inventive friction reducing device in the elongate assembly.

Abstract: A module model pile tool in situ testing of soils. The tool has an upper instrument section, a lower anchor section, and an axial slip joint located between the instrument section and the anchor section. The anchor section may be configured to model either open-end or closed-end piles. In the open-end configuration, a vent and vent valve are provided to vent trapped fluid during the initial stages of installation by remaining open only to a predetermined depth so as to permit formation of an undisturbed soil plug and to close in order to prevent fluids from being vented into the actual soil to be tested. The instrument section includes instrumentation for measuring axial loads, axial accelerations, pore water pressure, and total lateral pressure. Instrumentation for measuring axial displacement are included in the slip joint. The tool is rugged enough to permit installation by pile driving, and the instrumentation may be monitored both during and after installation.