What is a notched soil probe?
A notched soil probe is a rod with notches that you use to examine the ground by bringing small soil samples to the surface. In Dutch it is called a visiteerijzer. The name comes from the Dutch verb visiteren, related to visitation: to inspect. To use it, you twist and push the rod into the ground. Soil enters the notches and stays in them when the rod is pulled back up. From these samples an experienced person can read the composition of the soil.
How does it work?
- Push and twist: the rod is pushed into the ground by hand. Twisting it fills the notches with soil.
- Pull out: as the rod is withdrawn, each notch brings up a little soil from the depth at which it sat.
- Assess: from the colour, grain and moisture of the soil in the notches you can tell whether you are dealing with sand, clay, peat or another soil type, and where layers change.
Application
- Quick reconnaissance: a first impression of the soil profile on a plot or in a garden, before more extensive investigation is carried out.
- Supplement to hand augering and cone penetration tests: as a quick check between borehole locations.
- Gardens and earthworks: to find where a clay or peat layer begins, for example when planning infiltration or planting.
Tips
- It does not replace a soil investigation: foundation advice requires cone penetration tests and boreholes with a report. A notched soil probe only gives an indication.
- Experience counts: recognising soil types from a small amount of soil takes practice. Compare your findings with a soil auger at the same spot.
- Watch out for cables and pipes: find out beforehand where cables and pipes run, and do not probe blindly near them.
- Clean the notches: remove the soil from the notches after every probe, otherwise you mix samples from different locations.
Related terms
- Soil investigation
- Hand cone penetration test
- Cone penetration test
- Soil auger
- Soil type
- Sampling method
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