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Every civil engineering structure is supported on soil and/or rock except those that are in space or float in water. This statement signifies the importance of geotechnical engineering in the analysis and design of any civil engineering project. Compaction of soils in the field, in one form or the other, is achieved on almost every civil engineering project. Project Geotechnical Engineer generally develops specification for the level of field compaction based on several factors including but not limited to the purpose of compaction, type of soil to be compacted and anticipated loads on the soil. Soils are compacted in the field in thin lifts. Each lift must be tested in the field at random locations in order to ensure that the project specifications are met.

Several different methods are available for quality control of compaction in the field. The most commonly used method is using a Nuclear Moisture Density Gauge. Engineers and technicians using the nuclear gauge often receive limited training on how to use the gauge without understanding how the nuclear gauge works. Most undergraduate and graduate students do not get this training primarily due to two reasons (1) most schools do not keep nuclear gauges in their lab because of stringent restriction on how to store and use the equipment and (2) faculty members teaching civil engineering (particularly geotechnical engineering) do not have suitable instructional material and sufficient training to explain the intricate details of nuclear gauge method of field testing of soils.

This on-demand seminar has been developed to bring field testing of compacted soils using nuclear gauge to your office or classroom. The course provides a rare look inside a nuclear gauge and presents detailed discussion on various components of the gauge and their significance, operation of the gauge, standardization of the gauge, field testing using the gauge, and some safety requirements for storing and transporting the gauge. This course is an excellent tool to learn about quality control of field compaction of soils using nuclear gauge and to train engineers and technicians without getting any exposure to radioactive material.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what is inside a nuclear gauge, types and sources of radiation in a gauge, and how radiations are used to measure field compaction
• Learn important steps involved in placing an engineered fill at a site
• Understand how to use a nuclear gauge in the field to measure soil compaction
• Learn importance of gauge standardization and how to perform standardization test
• Learn safety tips for storing and transporting a nuclear gauge
• Understand exposure to radiation from the use of a nuclear gauge

Who would benefit from this course:

• Engineers and technicians who work on geotechnical engineering projects or work with geotechnical engineers
• Employers practicing in the area of civil engineering
• Civil and geological engineering undergraduate and graduate students
• Faculty members teaching civil or geological engineering

Instructor Information: Sanjeev Kumar, P.E.

Course Length: 50 Minutes