Humboldt -Testing Equipment for Construction Materials

The Electrical Density Gauge (EDG) is a non-nuclear alternative for determining the moisture and density of compacted soils used in road beds and foundations. The EDG is a portable, battery-powered instrument capable of being used anywhere without the concerns and regulations associated with nuclear safety. Its user-friendly, step-by-step menu guides the user through each step of the testing procedure and cautions the user when values do not correspond to established curves for the material being tested.

Easy-to-use, the EDG can be used as a construction aid to monitor day-to-day compaction operations by providing performance and measurement results highly comparable to those achieved with traditional methods, including the nuclear gauge and/or a sand-cone and oven moisture test combination. When conducting a test, the EDG measures and displays the results for wet and dry density, gravimetric moisture content and percent compaction.

For the contractor the advantages of using the EDG are:

• it does not require a highly-trained or licensed technician
• it does not require special handling for shipping or regulatory compliance for hazardous materials
• it is easy to learn and easy to use with its step-by-step menu
• It is accurate and repeatable with results that mirror known testing methods

The EDG measures the electrical dielectric properties and moisture levels of compacted soil using high, radio frequency traveling between darts driven into the soil being tested. The dart's depth of penetration positively determines the depth of measurement.

Using the EDG

The EDG, with its step-by-step menu is easy and fast to use. The technician need only follow the instructions displayed on the unit as it guides him through each test. The operator would begin by opening a new "jobsite" in the EDG and associating an appropriate soil model to it. The operator would then place the unit on the ground and connect the darts and temperature probe. Next, the dart template provided would be placed on the soil and darts hammered into the ground in the corresponding holes of the template. The electrodes would then be attached to the four darts in sequence as detailed on the unit's screen and readings taken. Once the measurement sequence is done, the unit will display the representative density and moisture content.

The dart's depth of penetration positively determines the depth of measurement. Darts are available in 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12" lengths. In addition, the dart's have been designed with a taper, which ensures a continual positive contact with the soil for accurate measurements.

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