Development and validation of portable electronic sensor to detect the soil moisture for geotechnical investigations
Paper Details
Development and validation of portable electronic sensor to detect the soil moisture for geotechnical investigations
Abstract
The aim of this study is to develop and validate the Portable Electronic Instant Soil Moisture Sensor for the measurement of soil moisture, which is a basic step towards the soil characterization and used frequently as part of geotechnical investigations. In laboratory, soil moisture is determined by the oven-dry method and in the field generally by speedy moisture tester. The development of Portable Electronic Instant Soil Moisture Sensor is motivated to find soil moisture instantly without using any chemicals or split arrangements in the laboratory as well as in the field. The basic methodology and principle behind the moisture determination with this sensor is the application of electrical capacitance. The moisture content of 1200 soil samples from a north-east region of Pakistan (Lahore, Punjab) were determined by Portable Electronic Instant Soil Moisture Sensor and correspondingly laboratory Oven Dry Method results according to the standard American Society for Testing Materials to validate the sensor by comparison of results conducted by both methods. The comparison was made on various soil types and varying degree of moisture salinity. The results show that it has the accuracy level up to ± 2.5% to 3.0% as compared with the conducted results of Oven Dry Method, and it may be used with confidence in the field and laboratory for instant moisture determination.
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