Non-destructive measurement of soil clod volume using hexane displacement

Abstract

A non-destructive method of measuring soil clod volume is described. Clods, suspended in a sling, are weighed in air, in hexane and in air again after excess hexane has been drained at 25 mm hexane suction. Measurements were made to test the accuracy of the method and to compare it with the kerosene saturation technique. It was found to be faster, more accurate and more convenient than the kerosene method. An illustration is given of its use for monitoring the change in porosity with water content of a swelling soil.