Looking for chart on soil types for ground resistance testing

[madMAX]

When doing ground resistance tests (3-point, fall-of-potential, earth resistance, etc.) I have to list the soil type on my test sheet. How can you quickly identify soil type by looking at it? I always have a hard time filling this out. Does anyone have a table or reference sheet of common soil types that will make things easier?

[ArchIsChompa]

http://www.lmrsitestandard.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/09/Appendix-B-Motorola-R56-09-01-05.pdf

Hoping this helps ya'.

[madMAX]

Great post, this PDF has a lot of really good information on making and interpreting ground resistance measurements. As far as the soil types go I was able to extract the following:


Ashes, brine, or cinders
Concrete (below ground)
Clay, gumbo, loam, or shale
Clay, gumbo, loam, or shale with varying portions of sand and gravel
Gravel, sand, or stone with little clay or loam


This helps point me in the right direction but how can I identify this stuff just by looking at it? and what the heck is gumbo?! Well, the paper does explain that one:

“Gumbo” is soil composed of fine-grain clays. When wet, the soil is highly plastic, very sticky, and has a soapy appearance. When dried, it develops large shrinkage cracks.

It would be nice to find descriptions like this for the other types listed. Thanks again for the help.

[ArchIsChompa]

Great post, this PDF has a lot of really good information on making and interpreting ground resistance measurements. As far as the soil types go I was able to extract the following:


Ashes, brine, or cinders
Concrete (below ground)
Clay, gumbo, loam, or shale
Clay, gumbo, loam, or shale with varying portions of sand and gravel
Gravel, sand, or stone with little clay or loam


This helps point me in the right direction but how can I identify this stuff just by looking at it? and what the heck is gumbo?! Well, the paper does explain that one:

“Gumbo” is soil composed of fine-grain clays. When wet, the soil is highly plastic, very sticky, and has a soapy appearance. When dried, it develops large shrinkage cracks.

It would be nice to find descriptions like this for the other types listed. Thanks again for the help.

No problem!
Here are some others I found for visual identification. (I can't seem to find any with pictures included though)
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/upload/app6.pdf
https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/validated/id194/id194.pdf
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/SoilTextureTriangle.jpg

[madMAX]

These are golden. Thank you soooo much, exactly what I was seeking! :D The first PDF shows actual tests you can do in the field to determine the soil type, very informative. Everyone who does ground testing should give them a look.

[rcb709]

found this helpful:

1. Sandy

Sandy soil has the largest particles among the different soil types. It’s dry and gritty to the touch, and because the particles have huge spaces between them, it can’t hold on to water.

2. Silty

Silty soil has much smaller particles than sandy soil so it’s smooth to the touch. When moistened, it’s soapy slick. When you roll it between your fingers, dirt is left on your skin.

3. Clay

Clay soil has the smallest particles among the three so it has good water storage qualities. It’s sticky to the touch when wet, but smooth when dry.

4. Peaty

Peaty soil is dark brown or black in color, soft, easily compressed due to its high water content, and rich in organic matter.

5. Saline Soil

The soil in extremely dry regions is usually brackish because of its high salt content.

6. Loam

Loamy soil contains a balance of all three soil materials—silt, sand and clay—plus humus. Loam is dark in color and is mealy—soft, dry and crumbly—in your hands.

http://agverra.com/blog/soil-types

[Chipperk]

http://www.lmrsitestandard.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/09/Appendix-B-Motorola-R56-09-01-05.pdf

Hoping this helps ya'.

Google soil types in your area.

[chils15]

Never had a thought about this working in our area 95% of the time the answer is Loam.