Patent ID: 6215317
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of installing an apparatus for measuring a dielectric constant of an in-place soil sample, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a template having a central hole therethrough and a plurality of peripheral holes therethrough, the plurality of peripheral holes being substantially equidistant from the central hole;(b) laying the template on a surface of the in-place soil sample;(c) driving a plurality of conductive spikes into the soil through the central hole and each of the peripheral holes of the template;(d) removing the template;(e) providing a probe head, comprising:an annular conductive body;a plurality of conductive peripheral studs mounted to a bottom surface of the body;a conductive central stud; andan annular non-conductive insert coupling the body to the central stud;wherein a first spacing between the central stud and the peripheral studs is substantially the same as a second spacing between the central hole and the peripheral holes, such that each stud is aligned with a respective spike when the probe head is placed over the spikes after they have been driven into the soil sample; and(f) placing the probe head onto the conductive spikes, such that each stud is aligned with a respective spike.