Details of Hand Sampling Tool for Taking Undisturbed Soil Cores

Abstract

In many soil moisture investigations it is necessary to know something of the soil structure, such as the distribution of pore space, the stability of the soil, its ability to accept rainfall or similar physical properties of the soil. To study these parameters in the laboratory, samples of the soil, with its structure disturbed as little as possible, are needed (Pereira, 1955). In most soil research problems samples must be replicated several times and the large number of samples required makes carving out rectangular blocks of undisturbed soil a tedious task: a simple method is needed. To this end, a convenient hand sampler has been developed that cuts cylindrical cores of undisturbed soil. 4 in. in diameter and 3 in. high. This note presents a working drawing and description of this core sampler in response to several requests from research workers who wish to carry out volumetric soil moisture studies. No great originality is claimed for the design of the sampler which has had incorporated in it the better points of several existing designs (Coile, 1936), (Lutz, 1947), (Dortignac, 1950), (Swanson. 1950). However, it could be claimed that it is more convenient to operate than its predecessors and cuts a large core which is an important factor in reducing the variability in bulk soil parameters.