Integration of Consumer Electronics into a Pocket Penetrometer

Advances in the capabilities of consumer electronics allow for high-quality sensing of physical properties. Improvements in measurement devices have been leveraged in numerous settings; this research attempts to modernize an analog replacement to the pocket soil penetrometer. The resistance of soil to penetration can provide invaluable data to geotechnical engineers when advising on the construction of foundations. Improving the pocket penetrometer by integrating additional sensor capabilities increases the information gathered from an individual sample. Furthermore, the implementation of Bluetooth communication technologies allows this new device to interface with other computationally capable computers. This combination allows for maximum time and money saved for all applications. Measurement devices continue to be modernized and refined through conversion from analog to digital, such as in the case of the pocket penetrometer. Advances in GeoTech capabilities with consumer electronics will continue to advance into the future and improve operational efficiency.