Understanding Soils and Understanding Soils and Boring ReportsBoring ReportsBoring ReportsBoring Reports

Dr. Norman HummelDr. Norman HummelHummel & Co. Inc.Hummel & Co. Inc.Hummel & Co. Inc.Hummel & Co. Inc.

(www.turfdoctor.com)(www.turfdoctor.com)

GoalsGoalsGoals:Goals:

Participants will have a better Participants will have a better understanding of soil boring reports, soil understanding of soil boring reports, soil g g p ,g g p ,testing and soil test reports.testing and soil test reports.Participants will be able to readParticipants will be able to readParticipants will be able to read, Participants will be able to read, understand, and use soil test reports.understand, and use soil test reports.

When is E plo ato Wo k UsedWhen is E plo ato Wo k UsedWhen is Exploratory Work UsedWhen is Exploratory Work Used

New ConstructionNew ConstructionEvaluate soils,Evaluate soils, subsoilssubsoils, other elements in the, other elements in theEvaluate soils, Evaluate soils, subsoilssubsoils, other elements in the , other elements in the soil profile prior to constructionsoil profile prior to constructionMay provide direction for design and May provide direction for design and y p gy p gconstruction.construction.

Existing FieldsExisting Fieldsst g e dsst g e dsDiagnose soil problems in existing fieldsDiagnose soil problems in existing fields

Info mation So ghtInfo mation So ghtInformation SoughtInformation Sought

Impenetrable layersImpenetrable layersBedrock?Bedrock?Bedrock?Bedrock?

Depth to ground waterDepth to ground waterWill subsurface drain system be needed?Will subsurface drain system be needed?Will subsurface drain system be needed?Will subsurface drain system be needed?

Soil types presentSoil types presentC i b d difi d ll i d?C i b d difi d ll i d?Can it be reused, modified, or all imported?Can it be reused, modified, or all imported?

Permeability to waterPermeability to water

Sampling Methods Sampling Methods --p gp gPreconstructionPreconstruction

Soil AugersSoil AugersHammers withHammers withHammers with Hammers with sample tubessample tubesExcavationExcavationExcavation Excavation equipmentequipment

Sampling Methods Sampling Methods –– Existing Existing ldldFieldsFields

SoilSoilSoilSoil

The unconsolidated mineral or The unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediateorganic material on the immediateorganic material on the immediate organic material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growtha natural medium for the growtha natural medium for the growth a natural medium for the growth of land plants.of land plants.

SOILSOIL

-- Has been subjected to and Has been subjected to and shows the effects of genetic andshows the effects of genetic andshows the effects of genetic and shows the effects of genetic and environmental factors of climate environmental factors of climate (water and temperature) and(water and temperature) and(water and temperature) and (water and temperature) and micro and macroorganisms, micro and macroorganisms, conditioned by relief, acting on conditioned by relief, acting on y , gy , gparent material over a period of parent material over a period of time.time.

P ope ties of SoilsP ope ties of SoilsProperties of SoilsProperties of Soils

ChemicalBiological

Physical

Soil Ph sical P ope tiesSoil Ph sical P ope tiesSoil Physical PropertiesSoil Physical Properties

TextureTextureStructureStructureDensityDensity

Influence on porosity (total, micro, macro)Influence on porosity (total, micro, macro)Influence on porosity (total, micro, macro)Influence on porosity (total, micro, macro)Soil waterSoil water

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (infiltration)Saturated hydraulic conductivity (infiltration)Saturated hydraulic conductivity (infiltration)Saturated hydraulic conductivity (infiltration)Unsaturated hydraulic conductivityUnsaturated hydraulic conductivityWater content, water retention characteristicsWater content, water retention characteristicsWater content, water retention characteristicsWater content, water retention characteristics

Soil Te t eSoil Te t eSoil TextureSoil Texture

Division of soil particles according to size: Division of soil particles according to size: sand, silt, clay.sand, silt, clay.Textural classes determined by percentage Textural classes determined by percentage of each.of each.Influences physical properties of the soil: Influences physical properties of the soil: porosity, pore space distribution, porosity, pore space distribution, compressibility, and drainage compressibility, and drainage characteristics. characteristics.

Soil Classification S stemsSoil Classification S stemsSoil Classification SystemsSoil Classification Systems

Unified Soil Classification SystemUnified Soil Classification SystemASTM D2487, test basedASTM D2487, test basedASTM D2487, test basedASTM D2487, test basedTextural analysis, plasticity indexTextural analysis, plasticity index

Visual/Manual Description of SoilsVisual/Manual Description of SoilsVisual/Manual Description of SoilsVisual/Manual Description of SoilsASTM D2488, visual basedASTM D2488, visual based

U d i il f i iU d i il f i iUsed primarily for engineering purposesUsed primarily for engineering purposesVery comprehensive, definitiveVery comprehensive, definitive

LL LL –– liquid limitliquid limitCL CL –– Sandy lean claySandy lean clayML ML -- gravelly silt with sand gravelly silt with sand

d bbld bbland cobblesand cobbles

Sie esSie es AASTOAASTOSieves Sieves –– AASTO AASTO

Sieve Number Sieve Size

#4 4.75 mm Coarser is gravel

#8 2 28 mm#8 2.28 mm

#16 1.19 mm

#30 0.6 mm

#50 0.3 mm

#100 0.15 mm

#200 0.075 mm Separates sand from silt pand clay

Soil Classification Systems Soil Classification Systems --yyUSDAUSDA

12 soil textural classes12 soil textural classesUsed primarily in description of plantingUsed primarily in description of plantingUsed primarily in description of planting Used primarily in description of planting soils.soils.

Sie esSie es USDAUSDASieves Sieves –– USDA USDA

Sieve Number Sieve Size

#10 2 mm Coarser is gravel

#18 1 mm#18 1 mm

#35 0.5 mm

#60 0.25 mm

#140 0.1 mm

#270 0.05 mm Separates sand from silt and clay

Can we amend soils to Can we amend soils to change soil texture?change soil texture?change soil texture?change soil texture?

Yes!Yes!

Considerations in Amending Soils Considerations in Amending Soils ggwith Sandwith Sand

Sand particle size distributionSand particle size distributionAmount of sand to addAmount of sand to addAmount of sand to addAmount of sand to addComposition of sand (calcareous vs. silica)Composition of sand (calcareous vs. silica)S d ti l hS d ti l hSand particle shapeSand particle shape

Recommendations Recommendations –– Based on Based on Ohio State ResearchOhio State Research

ASTM CASTM C--33 concrete sand with Cu 33 concrete sand with Cu << 4 and 4 and fineness modulus of 2.5 to 3.2.fineness modulus of 2.5 to 3.2.Sand content of about Sand content of about 65 65 –– 75%75%Organic matter content ofOrganic matter content of 44 8% by8% byOrganic matter content of Organic matter content of 4 4 –– 8% by 8% by weight.weight.

ASTM CASTM C 33 Conc ete Sand33 Conc ete SandASTM CASTM C--33 Concrete Sand33 Concrete Sand

Sand SizeSand Size % Passing% Passing

4.75 mm (No. 4)4.75 mm (No. 4) 9595 –– 100%100%4.75 mm (No. 4)4.75 mm (No. 4) 95 95 100%100%

2.36 mm (No. 8)2.36 mm (No. 8) 80 80 –– 100%100%

1 18 (N 16)1 18 (N 16) 5050 85%85%1.18 mm (No. 16)1.18 mm (No. 16) 50 50 –– 85%85%

0.60 mm (No. 30)0.60 mm (No. 30) 25 25 –– 30%30%

0.30 mm (No. 50)0.30 mm (No. 50) 5 5 –– 30%30%

0.15 mm (No. 100)0.15 mm (No. 100) 00 –– 10%10%0.15 mm (No. 100)0.15 mm (No. 100) 0 0 10%10%

Soil B lk DensitSoil B lk DensitSoil Bulk DensitySoil Bulk Density

Unit weight of dry soil (g/cc, Unit weight of dry soil (g/cc, pcfpcf))Influenced by soil textureInfluenced by soil texture –– sandy soilssandy soilsInfluenced by soil texture Influenced by soil texture sandy soils sandy soils higher than fine textured soils.higher than fine textured soils.Decreases with increasing organic matterDecreases with increasing organic matterDecreases with increasing organic matter.Decreases with increasing organic matter.Directly related to porosity. Directly Directly related to porosity. Directly ff t d iff t d iaffects drainage.affects drainage.

Reported in lb/cu ft or g/cc. Reported in lb/cu ft or g/cc. Conversion (g/cc x 62.4 = lb./cu. ft.)Conversion (g/cc x 62.4 = lb./cu. ft.)

Soil B lk DensitiesSoil B lk DensitiesSoil Bulk DensitiesSoil Bulk Densities

Sandy soils Sandy soils –– 1.4 to 1.7 g/cc1.4 to 1.7 g/ccFine textured soilsFine textured soils –– 1 2 to 1 6 g/cc1 2 to 1 6 g/ccFine textured soils Fine textured soils 1.2 to 1.6 g/cc1.2 to 1.6 g/ccAlso heavily influenced by organic contentAlso heavily influenced by organic contentS h t i d ( t d)?S h t i d ( t d)?So what is dense (compacted)?So what is dense (compacted)?

P octo TestingP octo TestingProctor TestingProctor Testing

Moisture Density of gravelly sandy loam soil (5.8% OM)Moisture Density of gravelly sandy loam soil (5.8% OM)

96

95

95.5

/cu

ft)

94

94.5

sity

(lb

93

93.5

94

Den

s

930% 5% 10% 15% 20%

Soil moisture content (%)Soil moisture content (%)

Moisture Density Relationship of Sand Based Structural Soil (Lab ID No. 16603 1)16603-1)

107.5

106.5

107

u. ft

.)

105 5

106

106.5

ity (l

b/cu

105

105.5

Den

s

104.50% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20%

Soil Water Content (%)Soil Water Content (%)

Othe Test Pa amete sOthe Test Pa amete sOther Test ParametersOther Test Parameters

Saturated Hydraulic ConductivitySaturated Hydraulic ConductivityPorosityPorosityPorosityPorosity

Air filledAir filledWater filledWater filledWater filledWater filled

DensityDensity

Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity y yy y(Infiltration rate) (Infiltration rate) –– rate at which soil rate at which soil

core conducts water.core conducts water.

PorosityPorosity –– voids existing between sand andvoids existing between sand andPorosity Porosity voids existing between sand and voids existing between sand and soil particles, or within soil aggregates.soil particles, or within soil aggregates.

Macroporosity (aeration) Macroporosity (aeration) –– larger pores larger pores p y ( )p y ( ) g pg pthat conduct water under saturated that conduct water under saturated conditions, filled with air when evacuated.conditions, filled with air when evacuated.,,Microporosity (capillary) Microporosity (capillary) –– smaller pores smaller pores that hold water against gravitationalthat hold water against gravitationalthat hold water against gravitational that hold water against gravitational forces.forces.

O ganic MatteO ganic MatteOrganic MatterOrganic Matter

Increases soil cation exchange capacityIncreases soil cation exchange capacityIncreases microbial populations and Increases microbial populations and p pp pactivityactivityImproves soil physical conditionsImproves soil physical conditionsp p yp p y

Lower density, increased porosityLower density, increased porosityImproved structureImproved structureppIncreased infiltrationIncreased infiltrationIncreased water holding capacityIncreased water holding capacity

C t Q lit f A di S ilC t Q lit f A di S ilCompost Quality for Amending SoilsCompost Quality for Amending Soils

Color Color –– brown to blackbrown to blackScreened to ½ inchScreened to ½ inchScreened to ½ inchScreened to ½ inchOrganic matter content > 30%Organic matter content > 30%M i t t t 30M i t t t 30 60%60%Moisture content 30 Moisture content 30 –– 60%60%C/N ratio 15:1 to 30:1C/N ratio 15:1 to 30:1

C t Q lit f A di S ilC t Q lit f A di S ilCompost Quality for Amending SoilsCompost Quality for Amending Soils

Solvita Maturity Index 5 to 8Solvita Maturity Index 5 to 8pH of 6 to 8pH of 6 to 8pH of 6 to 8pH of 6 to 8Meet EPA or state guidelinesMeet EPA or state guidelinesEC f 4 0 dSEC f 4 0 dSEC of < 4.0 dSEC of < 4.0 dS

Chemical TestingChemical TestingChemical TestingChemical Testing

Sample soil to be used as Sample soil to be used as topsoil (ontopsoil (on--site, stockpile)site, stockpile)p (p ( , p ), p )Use lab you are familiar Use lab you are familiar with.with.U l b h idU l b h idUse lab that provides Use lab that provides recommendationsrecommendations

Chemical Testing Chemical Testing –– What’s What’s ggImportantImportant

pH, pH bufferpH, pH bufferPhosphorus potassiumPhosphorus potassiumPhosphorus, potassiumPhosphorus, potassiumCalcium, magnesium, sodiumCalcium, magnesium, sodiumMi t i tMi t i tMicronutrientsMicronutrientsNitrogen?Nitrogen?