Patent ID: 7047134

Claim:
A method of selecting in real time a soil stabilizing protocol for clay-bearing soils occurring in construction sites, comprising the steps of: obtaining and logging soil conductivity data values at selected locations within a defined site without disturbing the surface of the soil thereof; correlating the soil conductivity data values with corresponding estimates of soluble sulfate levels; recommending a calcium-based soil stabilizing protocol if the estimated level of soluble sulfates is less than a predetermined threshold; performing a laboratory analysis of soil samples from selected portions of the defined site wherein the estimated soluble sulfate concentration equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold; and wherein the step of obtaining comprises the steps of: scanning the defined site, without disturbing the surface of the soil, with a portable magnetometer to provide a plurality of soil conductivity data values, each at one of a plurality of respective selected surface locations in the defined site; and logging the soil conductivity data values at the selected surface locations in the defined site into a predetermined storage device.