Penetrometer

A penetrometer is used in agriculture, gardening and landscaping, sports fields and golf course maintenance, for pedological and foundation report ( Capacity determinations) and to determine the needle penetration of bitumen and bituminous binders (DIN EN 1426:2007-06 ) and is a measuring means for determining the resistance to penetration of a body to another. The term is derived from the Latin root word penetrare ( = penetrate, penetrate ) and metiri (measure). The result is measured in kilograms (kg), Newton ( N), Pound (Lb ) or U.S. ounces (oz) measured. In connection with the surface of the indenting tip being used ( mandrel ), a value for the pressure in kilograms per square centimeter, in which the surface or layer tested yields.

There are analog and digital penetrometer, handheld devices and automatic resistance meter.

Fruit penetrometer used in agriculture to determine the strength of fruit used. Strength, starch and sugar are used to determine the ripeness index.

Soil penetrometer also be used to determine the Eindringungswiderstandes and thus the density of a base ( in turn a measure for determining the load capacity and the root growth ) is used. The display is in psi ( pound -force per square inch). Penetrometer be further used in conjunction with soil and construction materials testing. They also come as Rammsonden used. In the Federal Republic of Germany, among others, the DIN 4094 regulates the use of Rammsonden for ground probing ( probing pressure, etc.).

In the space research automatic space probes come (so-called penetrators ) are used, have the penetrometer or represent a remote-controlled penetrometer itself. 1973 also had the Soviet lunar rover Lunokhod 2 on the vehicle end of a penetrometer, designed as an automatic drill -like device with a conical punch as the central part. At the lower end of the cone four blades were arranged in a cross shape. A special mechanism pushed the penetrometer from time to time in the regolith of the lunar surface and then slowly turned it around its longitudinal axis. The generated during pressing and turning resistance was continuously measured and returned to Earth. Based on these data could be the mechanical properties of regolith fairly accurately determine: density, strength, consistency, sustainability, etc. This in turn provides information on the mode of origin of the soil and its geological evolution.