Vacuum method for field installation of pipes and casings in sandy soils

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 UTC 2000 · Soil Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-200003000-00009· OSTI ID:20067686

Ulery, A L; Stewart, S; Reid, D A; Shouse, P J

Soil moisture-monitoring equipment is difficult to install in poorly consolidated sand or sediments using hand tools because the loose material tends to collapse. The technique described herein uses a 5.5-hp wet/dry vacuum cleaner, powered by a portable gasoline generator, to remove the soil while an operator pushes a conductor pipe or casing into the profile. After initiating the hole using a hand bucket auger, an open-ended metal pipe or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing is inserted vertically into the shallow hole. A smaller tube, or stinger, attached to a wet/dry vacuum is inserted into the pipe to extract loose material while downward pressure is applied on the pipe. Once the casing is installed, instrumentation such as lysimeters, gypsum blocks, or tensiometers can be placed at the desired depth and backfilled with native soil. The casing is then raised and the soil allowed to collapse around the equipment, or the pipe can be left in place for neutron probe access. Measurements of soil water content after an infiltration experiment demonstrates uniform downward movement with minimal preferential flow or soil disturbance as a result of the vacuum installation of gypsum blocks and a neutron access tube.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM (US)
• OSTI ID: 20067686
• Journal Information: Soil Science, Journal Name: Soil Science Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 165; ISSN SOSCAK; ISSN 0038-075X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
INSTALLATION
MOISTURE
MONITORING
PIPES
SOILS