CA1152774A - Hand-held shear vane/penetrometer - Google Patents
Hand-held shear vane/penetrometerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1152774A CA1152774A CA000366380A CA366380A CA1152774A CA 1152774 A CA1152774 A CA 1152774A CA 000366380 A CA000366380 A CA 000366380A CA 366380 A CA366380 A CA 366380A CA 1152774 A CA1152774 A CA 1152774A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- soil
- handle
- penetration
- penetrometer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N3/00—Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
- G01N3/40—Investigating hardness or rebound hardness
- G01N3/42—Investigating hardness or rebound hardness by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
- E02D1/00—Investigation of foundation soil in situ
- E02D1/02—Investigation of foundation soil in situ before construction work
- E02D1/022—Investigation of foundation soil in situ before construction work by investigating mechanical properties of the soil
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Paleontology (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A portable shear-vane penetrometer is described, having a tubular body, a shaft supported over a portion thereof in said body, and a coil spring and handle. The coil spring is adapted to enable measure-ment against the predetermined characteristics of that spring of both the force needed to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil and the torque needed to enable the shaft to be rotated in the soil. First and second measuring means are provided, respectively, on the tubular body, and the handle to provide a readout of the force for penetration; and the torque for rotation.
A portable shear-vane penetrometer is described, having a tubular body, a shaft supported over a portion thereof in said body, and a coil spring and handle. The coil spring is adapted to enable measure-ment against the predetermined characteristics of that spring of both the force needed to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil and the torque needed to enable the shaft to be rotated in the soil. First and second measuring means are provided, respectively, on the tubular body, and the handle to provide a readout of the force for penetration; and the torque for rotation.
Description
~t~
~52774 This inventioll relates to a penetrometer device a~ used in the art of soil mechanics. More particularly, this invention relates to a portab]e penetrometer, that is, one which is hand-held and is more versatile tl;an many prior art devices.
In the field of soil mechanics it is often desirable to be able to make measurements, in situ of certain properties of the soil.
These properties include such things as resistance to penetration and shear.
It is to be recognized that such properties may have an influence in deciding what traffic routes or load bearing capability pertaining to vehicle mobility, ]() or evell what effects~explosive excavation techniques might have on the soil.
Present devices in this art may incorporate both the ability to mcaqtJre penetration resistance and shear resistance using a large pene-trometer on which a standard torque wrench is used to measure shear resis-tance at the blades mounted on the penetration head. However, these devices suffer from certain disadvantages, such as not being able to measure both penetration and shear rcsistance (without requiring the torque wrench);
and lacking compactness. As examples of prior art devices of the kind el-lvisaged above, tlle reader is referred to Canadian Patent Nos. 522,142
~52774 This inventioll relates to a penetrometer device a~ used in the art of soil mechanics. More particularly, this invention relates to a portab]e penetrometer, that is, one which is hand-held and is more versatile tl;an many prior art devices.
In the field of soil mechanics it is often desirable to be able to make measurements, in situ of certain properties of the soil.
These properties include such things as resistance to penetration and shear.
It is to be recognized that such properties may have an influence in deciding what traffic routes or load bearing capability pertaining to vehicle mobility, ]() or evell what effects~explosive excavation techniques might have on the soil.
Present devices in this art may incorporate both the ability to mcaqtJre penetration resistance and shear resistance using a large pene-trometer on which a standard torque wrench is used to measure shear resis-tance at the blades mounted on the penetration head. However, these devices suffer from certain disadvantages, such as not being able to measure both penetration and shear rcsistance (without requiring the torque wrench);
and lacking compactness. As examples of prior art devices of the kind el-lvisaged above, tlle reader is referred to Canadian Patent Nos. 522,142
2() and 686,807 which respectively issued on February 28, 1956 to Compagnie Internationale des Pieux Armes Frankignonl Société Anonyme, and on May 19, 1964 to A.B. Chance Company of Canada Ltd.
The present invention, on the other hand, will overcome a number of the disadvantages noted above. Moreover, the present invention is easy to use and reliable. Accordingly, there is provided by this inven-tion a portable penetrometer apparatus for measuring both the penetration and shear properties of soil, comprising a tubular body; an elongated shaft adapted to be supported over a portion thereof in the body, the shaft being moveable longitudinally thereof in response to a force tending to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil; first measuring means on the body to provide a measurement of the force causing penetration; a coil spring .~$
~lS2774 .
of predetermined characteristics supported so as to be operatively connected at one end to both the shaft and to a handle; and second measuring means on the handle for providing a measurement of torque required to rotate the shaft in the soil, the coil spring being calibrated so as to enab]e measure-ment of both the amount of the force causing penetration and the torque needed to rotate the shaft in the soil. In a more preferred form of this invention the first measuring means includes a scale and slider assembly, the scale being calibrated with respect to the coil spring and the slider being moveable in response to movement of the shaft, to give a reading of the force at which penetration of~the soil occurs. In another preferred form, the second measuring means includes a calibrated dial, the dial and handle being rotatable relative to one another, such that the dial gives a reading of the torque needed to rotate the shaft in the soil.
These and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below. That descrip-tion is to be read Ln conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example only, a portable penetrometer apparatus shown in perspective and embodying this invention.
The penetrometer apparatus is shown overall at lO, and includes 20 a tubular body 12, attached to a lower shaft 14, an upper shaft 15, and a dual functioning coil spring 16. The upper shaft 15 is of larger diameter than shaft 14, and is carried within the coil spring 16. A bit 18 of con-ventional design is attached to one end of the lower shaft 14, and a handle 20 is moveably mounted on one end of the upper shaft 15.
The tubular body 12 is adapted to support the shaft 15 over a portion of its length in a manner which allows for movement of the shaft axially of the same. The tubular body 12 includes a diametrically enlarged sleeve portion 22 which is of a size to closely receive one end of the spring 16. A suitable locking or restraining means is provided in the sleeve portion 22 to prevent rotation of the spring 16 therein, in at MR/
.
llSZ7'74 least one of a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. The tubular body 12 is further provided with first measuring means in the form of a slot and a calibrated scale 24, in which slot and over which scale a plug slider 26 is moveable. The plug slider 26 is moveable in response to movement oE
the shaft 15 relative to the body 12, as occurs when a user attempts to push the tip or bit 18 into the soil or ground.
The other end of the spring 16 is connected to the handle 20 in a manner which provides for relative rotational movement between the handle 20 and upper shaft 15. Such movement will typically be unidirectional for the following reason. In accordance with the present invention, the coil spring 16 is dual functioning, both to provide a calibrated resistance enabling a measur-ing of the force needed to enable the bit 18 to penetrate the soil, as well as for providing a measure of the torque needed to rotate the bit 18 in that soil.
The coil spring 16 has inherent spring characteristics. These are predetermined, although they can be varied by design when choosing the type of metal, the coil diameter, the wire diameter and so on when manufacturing the spring 16. The handle 20 is tubular in cross-section, and formed with a shoulder or stop interiorly thereof (not shown). This stop will engage the free end of the wire making up the coil spring 16, such that rotation of the handle 20 with the stop butting against the free end of the spring 16 will enable the spring to deliver a measurable amount of torque to the tubular body 12, shaft 14 and bit 18 when attempting to rotate the latter in the soil. The upper end of the shaft 15 carries a calibrated dial 28, i.e., the dial being marked with graduations calibrated with respect to the torsional properties of the spring. An appropriate marker 30 is provided on the handle 20, such that rotation of that handle against resistance of the bit 18 in the soil will be indicated by the marker 30 read against the dial 28. The marker 30 will advance against the dial 28 until such time as the torque has reached a value at which the soil resistance breaks down allowing the bit 18 to rotate. It clearly is preferable that marker 30 would constitute a pointer, supported so as to be advanced upon rotation of the handle as torque increased, but ,~ , 115~774 remaining at the point of greatest ~dvancement when the torque backed off due to shearing of the soil. Such a pointer would need resetting to a datum (zero) after each shear measurement was taken.
In use, therefore, a person would grasp the penetrometer 10 and push downwards on the soil whose properties were to be examined. Push-ing downwards causes the spring 16 to compress somewhat until such time as the downwardly directed force equalled the resistance to penetration of the soil. Compressing of the coil spring 16 is accompanied by downward move-ment of shaft 15 relative to the body 12, thus causing the plug/slider 26 to advance over the scale 24. This yields a reading of force needed to penetrate the soil.
To measure the shear properties of the soil, the user now grasps the handle and turns it. The stop within the handle engages the end of coil spring 16, which begins to resist the turning force. As the latter is increased, the marker 30 advances against the dial 28 until a torque is developed which equals or just overcomes the resistance of the soil to shear. The bit 18 will then rotate in the soil, and no further advancement of the marker 30 occurs.
It i8 to be aeen that a series of coil springs 16 could be supplied with each apparatus 10. Each spring would have predetermined spring characteristics which could be interchanged to give added accuracy/
sensitivity in obtaining the penetration and shear characteristics of the soil.
Further yet, the specific structure of the measuring means shown herein at 24/26 and 28/30 can vary, so long as their operation is compatible with operation of the penetrometer apparatus described herein.
The foregoing has described a preferred ernbodiment of a pene-trometer apparatus according to the present invention. Some modifications have also been suggested. It is intended herein to encompass all such variations as would be evident to practioners skilled in this art, and which fall within the scope of the claims below.
MR/
The present invention, on the other hand, will overcome a number of the disadvantages noted above. Moreover, the present invention is easy to use and reliable. Accordingly, there is provided by this inven-tion a portable penetrometer apparatus for measuring both the penetration and shear properties of soil, comprising a tubular body; an elongated shaft adapted to be supported over a portion thereof in the body, the shaft being moveable longitudinally thereof in response to a force tending to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil; first measuring means on the body to provide a measurement of the force causing penetration; a coil spring .~$
~lS2774 .
of predetermined characteristics supported so as to be operatively connected at one end to both the shaft and to a handle; and second measuring means on the handle for providing a measurement of torque required to rotate the shaft in the soil, the coil spring being calibrated so as to enab]e measure-ment of both the amount of the force causing penetration and the torque needed to rotate the shaft in the soil. In a more preferred form of this invention the first measuring means includes a scale and slider assembly, the scale being calibrated with respect to the coil spring and the slider being moveable in response to movement of the shaft, to give a reading of the force at which penetration of~the soil occurs. In another preferred form, the second measuring means includes a calibrated dial, the dial and handle being rotatable relative to one another, such that the dial gives a reading of the torque needed to rotate the shaft in the soil.
These and other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below. That descrip-tion is to be read Ln conjunction with the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example only, a portable penetrometer apparatus shown in perspective and embodying this invention.
The penetrometer apparatus is shown overall at lO, and includes 20 a tubular body 12, attached to a lower shaft 14, an upper shaft 15, and a dual functioning coil spring 16. The upper shaft 15 is of larger diameter than shaft 14, and is carried within the coil spring 16. A bit 18 of con-ventional design is attached to one end of the lower shaft 14, and a handle 20 is moveably mounted on one end of the upper shaft 15.
The tubular body 12 is adapted to support the shaft 15 over a portion of its length in a manner which allows for movement of the shaft axially of the same. The tubular body 12 includes a diametrically enlarged sleeve portion 22 which is of a size to closely receive one end of the spring 16. A suitable locking or restraining means is provided in the sleeve portion 22 to prevent rotation of the spring 16 therein, in at MR/
.
llSZ7'74 least one of a counterclockwise or clockwise direction. The tubular body 12 is further provided with first measuring means in the form of a slot and a calibrated scale 24, in which slot and over which scale a plug slider 26 is moveable. The plug slider 26 is moveable in response to movement oE
the shaft 15 relative to the body 12, as occurs when a user attempts to push the tip or bit 18 into the soil or ground.
The other end of the spring 16 is connected to the handle 20 in a manner which provides for relative rotational movement between the handle 20 and upper shaft 15. Such movement will typically be unidirectional for the following reason. In accordance with the present invention, the coil spring 16 is dual functioning, both to provide a calibrated resistance enabling a measur-ing of the force needed to enable the bit 18 to penetrate the soil, as well as for providing a measure of the torque needed to rotate the bit 18 in that soil.
The coil spring 16 has inherent spring characteristics. These are predetermined, although they can be varied by design when choosing the type of metal, the coil diameter, the wire diameter and so on when manufacturing the spring 16. The handle 20 is tubular in cross-section, and formed with a shoulder or stop interiorly thereof (not shown). This stop will engage the free end of the wire making up the coil spring 16, such that rotation of the handle 20 with the stop butting against the free end of the spring 16 will enable the spring to deliver a measurable amount of torque to the tubular body 12, shaft 14 and bit 18 when attempting to rotate the latter in the soil. The upper end of the shaft 15 carries a calibrated dial 28, i.e., the dial being marked with graduations calibrated with respect to the torsional properties of the spring. An appropriate marker 30 is provided on the handle 20, such that rotation of that handle against resistance of the bit 18 in the soil will be indicated by the marker 30 read against the dial 28. The marker 30 will advance against the dial 28 until such time as the torque has reached a value at which the soil resistance breaks down allowing the bit 18 to rotate. It clearly is preferable that marker 30 would constitute a pointer, supported so as to be advanced upon rotation of the handle as torque increased, but ,~ , 115~774 remaining at the point of greatest ~dvancement when the torque backed off due to shearing of the soil. Such a pointer would need resetting to a datum (zero) after each shear measurement was taken.
In use, therefore, a person would grasp the penetrometer 10 and push downwards on the soil whose properties were to be examined. Push-ing downwards causes the spring 16 to compress somewhat until such time as the downwardly directed force equalled the resistance to penetration of the soil. Compressing of the coil spring 16 is accompanied by downward move-ment of shaft 15 relative to the body 12, thus causing the plug/slider 26 to advance over the scale 24. This yields a reading of force needed to penetrate the soil.
To measure the shear properties of the soil, the user now grasps the handle and turns it. The stop within the handle engages the end of coil spring 16, which begins to resist the turning force. As the latter is increased, the marker 30 advances against the dial 28 until a torque is developed which equals or just overcomes the resistance of the soil to shear. The bit 18 will then rotate in the soil, and no further advancement of the marker 30 occurs.
It i8 to be aeen that a series of coil springs 16 could be supplied with each apparatus 10. Each spring would have predetermined spring characteristics which could be interchanged to give added accuracy/
sensitivity in obtaining the penetration and shear characteristics of the soil.
Further yet, the specific structure of the measuring means shown herein at 24/26 and 28/30 can vary, so long as their operation is compatible with operation of the penetrometer apparatus described herein.
The foregoing has described a preferred ernbodiment of a pene-trometer apparatus according to the present invention. Some modifications have also been suggested. It is intended herein to encompass all such variations as would be evident to practioners skilled in this art, and which fall within the scope of the claims below.
MR/
Claims (4)
IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A portable penetrometer apparatus for measuring both the penetration and shear properties of soil, comprising:
an elongated tubular body attached to a penetrating shaft at one end thereof and having a diametrically enlarged sleeve portion at the other end thereof;
a radially larger upper shaft adapted to be supported over one end portion thereof in said body, said shaft being moveable longitudinally thereof in response to a force tending to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil;
a handle mounted on said upper shaft on a second end portion thereof;
first measuring means on the body to provide a measurement of the force causing penetration;
second measuring means on said handle for providing a measurement of torque required to rotate said shaft in the soil; and a dual functioning coil spring having supper and lower ends, and being of predetermined characteristics, mounted on the upper shaft, said spring being locked into the diametrically enlarged sleeve at its lower end and the handle at its upper end, the coil spring being calibrated so as to enable measurement of both the amount of force causing penetration and the torque needed to rotate said shaft in the soil.
an elongated tubular body attached to a penetrating shaft at one end thereof and having a diametrically enlarged sleeve portion at the other end thereof;
a radially larger upper shaft adapted to be supported over one end portion thereof in said body, said shaft being moveable longitudinally thereof in response to a force tending to cause the shaft to penetrate the soil;
a handle mounted on said upper shaft on a second end portion thereof;
first measuring means on the body to provide a measurement of the force causing penetration;
second measuring means on said handle for providing a measurement of torque required to rotate said shaft in the soil; and a dual functioning coil spring having supper and lower ends, and being of predetermined characteristics, mounted on the upper shaft, said spring being locked into the diametrically enlarged sleeve at its lower end and the handle at its upper end, the coil spring being calibrated so as to enable measurement of both the amount of force causing penetration and the torque needed to rotate said shaft in the soil.
2. The penetrometer apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said shaft is provided with a bit at the other end of the same, said bit being adapted for penetration of and rotation in said soil.
3. The penetrometer apparatus defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said first measuring means includes a scale and slider assembly, the scale being calibrated with respect to said coil spring and said slider being moveable in response to movement of the shaft, to give a reading of the force at which penetration of the soil occurs.
4. The penetrometer apparatus defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein said second measuring means comprises a calibrated dial, the dial and handle being rotatable relative to one another, such that the dial gives a reading of the torque needed to rotate said shaft in the soil.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000366380A CA1152774A (en) | 1980-12-09 | 1980-12-09 | Hand-held shear vane/penetrometer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000366380A CA1152774A (en) | 1980-12-09 | 1980-12-09 | Hand-held shear vane/penetrometer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1152774A true CA1152774A (en) | 1983-08-30 |
Family
ID=4118663
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000366380A Expired CA1152774A (en) | 1980-12-09 | 1980-12-09 | Hand-held shear vane/penetrometer |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1152774A (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2576417A1 (en) * | 1985-01-22 | 1986-07-25 | W F G Kamm | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EXAMINING THE STATE OF THE INTERIOR OF A TREE OR WOOD BUILDING ELEMENT |
| ES2283169A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2007-10-16 | Centro De Estudios E Investigaciones Tecnicas De Guipuzcoa (Ceitg) | Nano-indenter device for measuring elastic modules of young, has combination of indentation with penetrator of combined pyramidal end has torsion, apart from measuring penetration |
| EP2189780A3 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2014-12-03 | Helmut Fischer GmbH | Device and method for measuring mechanical characteristics of materials |
| CN113513964A (en) * | 2021-07-20 | 2021-10-19 | 淮北市平远软岩支护工程技术有限公司 | Depth detection device suitable for soft rock mass replacement of rock burst roadway |
-
1980
- 1980-12-09 CA CA000366380A patent/CA1152774A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2576417A1 (en) * | 1985-01-22 | 1986-07-25 | W F G Kamm | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EXAMINING THE STATE OF THE INTERIOR OF A TREE OR WOOD BUILDING ELEMENT |
| ES2283169A1 (en) * | 2004-10-28 | 2007-10-16 | Centro De Estudios E Investigaciones Tecnicas De Guipuzcoa (Ceitg) | Nano-indenter device for measuring elastic modules of young, has combination of indentation with penetrator of combined pyramidal end has torsion, apart from measuring penetration |
| EP2189780A3 (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2014-12-03 | Helmut Fischer GmbH | Device and method for measuring mechanical characteristics of materials |
| CN113513964A (en) * | 2021-07-20 | 2021-10-19 | 淮北市平远软岩支护工程技术有限公司 | Depth detection device suitable for soft rock mass replacement of rock burst roadway |
| CN113513964B (en) * | 2021-07-20 | 2023-03-17 | 淮北市平远软岩支护工程技术有限公司 | Depth detection device suitable for soft rock mass replacement of rock burst roadway |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |