Penetrometers

Soil Penetrometers

Are you on the hunt for a soil penetrometer that provides quantitative data on soil analysis and geotechnical engineering? At Certified MTP, we have you covered with specialized instruments that evaluate the soil’s compaction, moisture content, and bearing capacity through soil penetration. You can complete comprehensive soil test applications using our high-grade equipment.

Our complete line also features a wide variety of different soil penetrometers to meet the needs of most soil test applications. If this serves your field of work, check out the range of products below.

Soil Penetrometer Testing Tools

A soil penetrometer is a measurement tool used for field or laboratory testing of cohesive soils in construction. By inserting the probe into the soil, you can measure properties such as unconfined compressive strength, compaction, and moisture, which is important for laboratory testing soil stability before building a solid foundation.

Our soil penetrometer testing tools for sale feature the Soil Pocket Penetrometer, a lightweight, direct-reading penetrometer that gives instant, visual classification for your soil test. The Soil Pocket Penetrometer Adapter Foot Attachment fits both pocket penetrometers and is used in soil tests that require shallow unconfined compressive strength tests of cohesive soils.

Do you also need a large dial gauge for readings? The Dial Geotester Pocket Penetrometer has a 2.5-inch large dial and can be calibrated by the user. The Geotester gives unconfined compressive strength readings for a variety of cohesive soil types like organic clay, sandy clay, clayey silt, silty clay, and clay loam.

Applications of Soil Penetrometers

Soil penetrometers are versatile tools that make reliable assessments of cohesive soils. They can help you complete non-destructive testing, which means you can measure delicate soil without disturbing its natural form. They also support precise data collection when testing every square inch of soil.

Explore the wide-ranging applications of soil penetrometers and how you can use our tools for soil testing below.

Agriculture

A soil compaction assessment is effective for crop and root growth. By determining soil moisture, you can manage the supply of water to your land. Penetration resistance will also optimize soil health to ensure crops flourish and agricultural machinery operates to the best standard.

Geotechnical Engineering

Testing the shear strength and bearing capacity of soil ensures you can construct stable foundations. Assessing soil compaction is essential for removing timber, brush, and trees from developed landscapes.

Our soil core can help you collect undisturbed soil to confirm the land is moist enough for post-construction installations.

Construction

Soil penetrometers determine whether the site is suitable for foundation design. Our reliable tools are beneficial in unconfined compressive strength testing (UCS), which measures the amount of stress soil can withstand. Understanding more about subgrade conditions allows for safe road, building, and pavement construction.

A penetrometer is also used in the excavation of side walls. Confirming that the soil can hold unsafe structures during construction, even if walls require shoring, will prevent defects in the building.

Environmental Science

At Certified MTP, we provide penetrometers that test for soil contamination. This evaluation determines whether the soil contains chemicals or pollutants due to non-organic farming. Our tools also measure water infiltration, runoff patterns, soil erosion, and the impact of land changes such as shifting river paths or forest restoration.

Civil Engineering and Infrastructure

Evaluate soil conditions when building dams, levees, and reservoirs. Monitoring the soil’s behavior can support construction without the risk of landslides or inconsistent slopes that aren’t suitable for infrastructure. With soil penetrometers being so versatile, you can also ensure soil conditions meet the standards for underground utility installations like water mains and wires.

Research and Development

Understanding more about soil for scientific research can be effective in creating innovative construction materials. Investigating the soil through penetrometer penetration is best for developing a relevant case study and sending samples to field personnel at another location.

Usage and Maintenance of Soil Penetrometers

Before choosing from our wide range of products, whether that’s soil cores or a hand penetrometer, you must know how to use one for soil test applications. We have a few guidelines for users to follow below.

1. Read our instructions on the components and operating features to ensure proper usage.

2. Choose a suitable testing site free from debris and vegetation that could affect soil penetration.

3. Record the depth of the piston area using the markings on the penetrometer. You should repeat this process in other areas to obtain representative data and check visual classification.

4. Analyze your data by referencing the soil type, moisture content, and compaction in a strength evaluation.

5. Regularly calibrate our penetrometers to maintain accuracy and prevent faults.

6. Wear protective equipment such as glasses and gloves when handling unstable soil.

To maintain the lifespan of our soil penetrometers, use a soft brush to remove soil from the probe. Compressed air will also preserve the strength and durability of these tools in the long term. Adhering to these guidelines for every type and model of soil penetrometer can give you the best results.

Penetrometer for Fine-Grained Soil

Fine-grained cohesive soils can be tested in the field using the Proctor Penetrometer Set. This penetration resistance is compared to similar tests observed in the lab. The Proctor Penetrometer Set also includes a variety of threaded needles for almost all shear strength tests in soil analysis.

Soil Penetrometer for Foundations and Pavement

Our Static Cone Penetrometer is the perfect choice for evaluating soil consistency, compaction, and bearing capacity of foundations and pavement subgrades. The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) provides the fastest field determination of soil shear strength up to 6 feet of depth.

Find High-Quality Soil Penetrometers at Certified MTP

Choosing a soil penetrometer can be overwhelming, but we have a specific collection of products that provide an extensive measurement range for cohesive and granular cohesive soils. These unbeatable prices represent the high-quality features, quality, and long-term value of each soil penetrometer while testing shear strength with a hand penetrometer.

Whatever the soil application, Certified Material Testing Products has the right pocket penetrometer price. All soil penetrometers for sale are in stock and ship the same day as your order, so take a look at our products now to find the best tool for your soil testing needs.

More on the Soil Pocket Penetrometer

A penetrometer is a sophisticated testing equipment designed to evaluate soil quality by measuring penetration resistance, especially in cohesive soils. It is crucial for assessing the unconfined compressive strength of soil, which can significantly impact the ease of root penetration and ultimately affect plant growth and harvest yields. By determining the penetration depth that a plunger or needle can achieve in a soil sample, the penetrometer provides invaluable data on soil consistency, compaction, and the sample's resistance to penetration.

This device is highly versatile and can be used in both field applications and laboratory settings, making it an essential tool for agronomists, farmers, and researchers alike. Its ease of use allows for efficient measurement of multiple samples, offering immediate insights into soil conditions across different areas of a farm or research plot. The measurements obtained from the penetrometer, including the depth of penetration and the resistance encountered by the needle or cone, are critical for making informed decisions about soil management and crop cultivation practices.

Penetrometers are commonly equipped with a variety of cones and needles to suit different soil types and conditions. The dimensions of these attachments and the weight applied to them can be adjusted in accordance with standardized tables to ensure accurate, consistent readings. The scale on the device helps track the penetration resistance in pounds per square inch, providing a quantitative measure of soil compaction.

Designed for ease of transport and use in the field, many penetrometer models come with a durable carrying case. This facilitates safe transportation to various testing sites and ensures that all necessary components, including additional plungers, needles, and cones, are readily available and organized. The case often includes space for recording devices or report forms, enabling users to track and document their findings easily, especially when kept in the handy carrying case.

For food products, the penetrometer can test the consistency and maturity of various items, providing valuable data for quality control processes. This underlines the device's versatility, extending its application beyond soil testing to encompass the testing of food consistency, where penetration resistance offers insight into the product's readiness for consumption or processing.

In summary, the penetrometer is an indispensable piece of testing equipment for anyone involved in soil management, agriculture, or food product quality assessment. Its ability to measure soil resistance and penetration depth with precision and efficiency makes it a key instrument for improving soil management practices, enhancing crop production, and ensuring the quality of food products.

View full line of Standard Sand and Silica for ASTM Tests and Ottawa Test Sand for Cube Molds

Browse our selection of Sand Cone Test Equipment from our variety of tools and supplies below.

Certified MTP recommends different types and styles of soil penetrometers for soil density tests:

Soil Pocket Penetrometer

Soil Pocket Penetrometer, Chrome-Plated with Engraved Scale

AMS 59032 Pocket Penetrometer

Dial Geotester Pocket Penetrometer Kit

Acme Mortar Penetrometer, Bench-Top