FIBERGLASS ENCASEMENT OF LARGE, UNDISTURBED, WEAKLY COHESIVE SOIL SAMPLES

Abstract

We have developed a method for packaging large, undisturbed samples of fragile soil. Polyester resin and fiberglass cloth were used to coat a carved pedestal of soil and to affix it to a wooden pallet for handling and transport. The resin and cloth mixture dried fast and hard and weighed very little. The opened sample showed no damage or alteration due to packaging or transport to the laboratory. Measurements made at the time of sampling and the time of initial laboratory analysis showed little decrease in soil moisture for many samples stored for up to a year. Losses were drastic, however, in some duplicate samples stored for 4 years. Other samples, with more flawless coatings of resin, showed very little moisture loss even with prolonged storage.