RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND PROTOTYPE PRODUCTION OF AN ULTRAVIOLET SENSING SOIL MOISTURE METER.
Abstract
A research program was conducted to determine feasibility of measuring moisture content of soils by measuring the amount of ultravilet light transmission through moisture contained in a soil analog encased in a quartz-granule wafer emplaced in the soil. Results obtained from many combinations of soil analogs and system geometry indicate that the concept is operationally impractical. Selected instrumentation developed for the program was reapplied to pursue investigation of promising variations of the initial concept. One variation involved critical angle refractometry. Under laboratory conditions, refractometer-type systems repeatedly yielded signal outputs directly correlative with the percent (moisture) saturation of all soil samples provided. This performance was achieved independent of soil temperature and variations in index of refraction of the soil moisture. Field testing of critical angle refractometers is necessary for establishing the performance of, and specifications for, any operational units. A promising configuration for field test units was prepared. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0837529
Entities
People
- Jerald B. Cohen
Organizations
- Geotech Instruments (United States)