Introduction

The Electrical Density Gauge (EDG) is a nuclear-free alternative for determining the moisture and density of compacted soils used in road beds and foundations.

The EDG is a portable, battery-powered instrument capable of being used anywhere without the concerns and regulations associated with nuclear safety.

Its user-friendly, step-by-step menu guides the user through each step of the testing procedure and cautions the user when values do not correspond to established curves for the material being tested.

Easy-to-use, the EDG can be used as a construction aid to monitor day-to-day compaction operations by providing performance and measurement results highly comparable to those achieved with traditional methods, including the nuclear gauge and/or a sand-cone and oven moisture test combination.

When conducting a test, the EDG measures and displays the results for wet and dry density, gravimetric moisture content and percent compaction.

Components

1. EDG Console/Computer

The EDG unit contains a computer that applies mathematical formulas to determine the physical characteristics of the soil. The computer also contains memory that remains intact after the EDG has been powered off. This memory is used to save Soil Models and Job Site data. See Appendix A for information on EDG memory capacity. The EDG console has an LCD display which is used to provide visual information to the user and a keypad that allows the user to key information into the EDG unit.

2. Electric Soil Measurement Sensor

The Soil Sensor gathers electrical information about the soil under test and transfers the information to the EDG computer.

3. Dart Template

4. Temperature Probe

When performing EDG testing, the temperature probe should be placed into the soil. The soil temperature is an important variable in accurate EDG testing.

5. Calibration Check Unit

6. Soil Darts

To get electrical data from the soil, 4 Soil Darts are pounded into the ground by a hammer. A template is provided to accurately position the Soil Darts. The Soil Darts are machined by stainless steel and are expected to last many years.

7. Battery Charger

The Battery Charger that is provided with EDG will charge the battery in approximately 12 hours.

8. Hammer

9. Cables/Clips for Soil Measurement Sensor

10.Safety Glasses

11.Break-Out Cable

12.SR-4500 Manual

13.Software