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What do you do if your soil moisture measuring tools are not producing accurate results?

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Soil moisture is a key factor in civil engineering projects, as it affects the stability, strength, and drainage of the soil. However, measuring soil moisture can be challenging, especially when the tools you use are not producing accurate results. In this article, you will learn what to do if you encounter this problem and how to prevent it from happening again.

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Bokang Sithole Pr.Eng, PMP, MBA, MSc

Professional Engineer | MBA | MSc Eng (Civil-Water) | BSc Bioresources Eng | PGD Project Management | Btech Civil Eng -…

1 Check your tools

The first step is to check your tools and make sure they are functioning properly. Depending on the type of soil moisture measuring tool you use, you may need to calibrate it, replace the batteries, clean the sensors, or adjust the settings. Refer to the manufacturer's manual for specific instructions and troubleshooting tips. If your tools are damaged or faulty, you may need to repair or replace them.

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Randy Davis

President @ Lions Clubs International | Volunteer Management, Budgeting
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I have been frustrated with the off-the-shelf moisture meters! They normally come with no protocols to standardize/normalize the instrument that result in the readings being misleading and they can be very faint on their device! Without a way to ensure the device is working properly, they end up in the round basket!

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Costel Nastac

Construction Consultant | Project Monitoring
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Check if your soil moisture measuring tools require calibration. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to calibrate the sensors properly. Calibration ensures that the measurements are accurate and reliable. Nevertheless you need to clean the sensors. Ensure that the sensors are installed correctly according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Incorrect sensor placement can lead to inaccurate readings. Check the depth and location of the sensors to ensure they are in the appropriate soil layer. Assess the soil conditions to ensure they are suitable for accurate measurements. Factors such as soil compaction, debris, or contaminants can interfere with sensor readings. Prepare the soil properly before taking measurements.

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2 Check your methods

The second step is to check your methods and make sure you are following the best practices for measuring soil moisture. It is important to avoid common errors, such as sampling the soil at the wrong depth, time, or location; mixing different types of soil; using too much or too little pressure or volume when inserting or extracting the tools; or not accounting for the soil temperature, density, or salinity. For this purpose, it is essential to adhere to standards such as ASTM D6836 or ISO 11461 for accurate soil moisture measurement in civil engineering.

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3 Check your data

The third step is to check your data and make sure you are interpreting and reporting it correctly. Mistakes can occur due to human or software errors, such as entering the wrong units, decimals, or signs; applying the wrong formulas, conversions, or corrections; using outdated or incompatible software or firmware; and not validating, verifying, or cross-checking the data. To avoid these errors, it is important to use reliable and updated software and hardware, perform quality control and assurance checks, and compare your data with other sources or methods.

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4 Check your assumptions

The fourth step is to check your assumptions and make sure you are not overestimating or underestimating the soil moisture. Though the tools and data may be accurate, the assumptions may be unrealistic or inappropriate for the specific soil or project. Common errors that can affect accuracy include assuming soil moisture is uniform across the site or layer, constant over time or season, independent of other factors, or linear with other measurements. To avoid these errors, use site-specific and time-varying soil moisture data, consider interactions and influences of other factors, and use nonlinear or complex models when necessary.

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5 Check your expectations

It's important to check your expectations when using soil moisture measuring tools to ensure they are not too high or too low. Inaccurate expectations can lead to errors, such as expecting exact or absolute values, expecting the tools to capture all variability or uncertainty, expecting the tools to replace other soil tests or analyses, and expecting the tools to solve all soil-related problems. To avoid these errors, you should understand the limitations and uncertainties of your soil moisture measuring tools, use them in conjunction with other types of soil tests or analyses, and use them as a means of support for decisions or actions, not as an end goal.

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Costel Nastac

Construction Consultant | Project Monitoring
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Conduct manual soil tests using alternative methods, such as a soil auger or a handheld moisture meter, to cross-verify the measurements obtained from the soil moisture sensors. This can help identify discrepancies and validate the accuracy of the data. Consider environmental factors that may impact soil moisture levels, such as rainfall, temperature, and irrigation practices. Monitor these conditions alongside the sensor readings to gain a comprehensive understanding of soil moisture dynamics. If the issue persists despite troubleshooting efforts, seek advice from soil science experts, agronomists, or specialists in soil moisture monitoring. They can provide insights and recommendations based on their expertise.

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6 Check your sources

The sixth step in soil moisture measurement is to check your sources and ensure that the tools, data, assumptions, and expectations are accurate and credible. It is important to use specific and tailored information and guidance that applies to your project, as well as current and updated information that reflects the latest knowledge or technology. Additionally, you should use unbiased and accurate information that represents the best evidence or practice, along with comprehensive and sufficient information that covers all aspects or issues of soil moisture measurement. Failing to do so may lead to errors in the accuracy of your sources.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Bokang Sithole Pr.Eng, PMP, MBA, MSc

Professional Engineer | MBA | MSc Eng (Civil-Water) | BSc Bioresources Eng | PGD Project Management | Btech Civil Eng - Water | Golden Key Member | CMSAICE | National SAICE FLP Vice Chairperson
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If your soil moisture measuring tools aren't giving accurate readings, you might want to check if they need calibration or if there are any factors affecting their performance, like soil composition or environmental conditions. Calibration, maintenance, and ensuring proper placement can help troubleshoot inaccurate readings.

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John Croft

Capital Project Management Executive
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get the three most qualified and reputable contractors to send us a detailed proposal with specifications. later put team together for evaluation and selection ....may want to break job in two competitive parts.

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What do you do if your soil moisture measuring tools are not producing accurate results?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check your tools

2 Check your methods

3 Check your data

4 Check your assumptions

5 Check your expectations

6 Check your sources

7 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering

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What do you do if your soil moisture measuring tools are not producing accurate results?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Check your tools

2 Check your methods

3 Check your data

4 Check your assumptions

5 Check your expectations

6 Check your sources

7 Here’s what else to consider

Civil Engineering

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