The pocket penetrometer is used to verify whether excavation side walls require shoring, based on OSHA cohesive soils classifications. Indicates consistency, shear strength, and approximate unconfined shear strength.
The Direct-reading scale is in in tons/sq ft, or kg/sq cm and corresponds to equivalent unconfined compressive strength.
- Range: 0 to 4.5 tons.
- High quality construction.
- Includes belt-loop style carrying case and operating instructions.
Should not replace laboratory testing or field analysis, or be used to produce foundation design data.
Operation:
The scale indicator must be fully inserted into the Penetrometer body until the "0.0" mark only is showing. The stainless steel piston (opposite end of the scale indicator) has a tip area of 0.05 square inch (0.32 sq. cm).
In use, it is pressed into the soil until the engraved line, 1/4" (6.35 mm) from the tip, reaches the soil level. A reading can now be taken from the scale indicator. The scale is calibrated in tons per square foot or kilograms per square centimeter unconfined compressive strength.
Maximum reading of the Penetrometer is 4.5 tons per square foot or 4.5 kilograms per square centimeter. Pocket Penetrometers are not individually calibrated and therefore, no calibration certificates are supplied. An error of up to 1/2 division on the scale, equivalent to 0 to 0.124 TSF, is possible with the instrument.
Accessories:
SL135-1 Adaptor Foot
Recommended when testing extremely low strength cohesive soils. 1" (25mm) dia. foot, compared to the 1/4" (6.35mm) penetrometer piston, increases the effective area measured by 16 times. Divide by 16 to obtain correct unconfined compressive strength when the reading in tons per square foot or kilograms per square centimetre is on the low-load side.
Click to view a PDF file of the User Guide
A user guide is available to download from the Impact web site www.impact-test.co.uk
