USCS CALIBRATED BASELINE SOIL KIT ™
By Midwest GeoSciences Group

Master Your Soil Classification Skills and
Improve the Reliability of Your Soil Boring Logs!

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A one-of-a-kind collection of calibrated soil samples designed to help test your soil classification and texturing analysis in the field using:

-  Unified Soil Classification System
-  USDA Soil Textures

This kit is the most powerful tool ever designed for learning how to classify soil with accuracy and confidence! This unique collection of soil samples is classified using not only the USDA and USCS, but includes instructions and helpful hints for simplifying classification procedures in the field.

What's included:

• 5 Soil Samples, 200+ ml each.
• Lab Summary Sheet showing particle size curve data and Atterberg Limits.
• Sample Summary that describes both the USCS lab and field classification for each sample, plus a comparison of between samples that explains how each may be differentiated from the other according to both USCS and USDA; also includes a description of the source and preparation for each sample.
• USDA triangle showing textural results.
• Field Guide for Soil and Stratigraphic Analysis.
• USDA Soil Texturing Field Flow Chart.
• Exercise Sheet for USCS classification.
• Exercise Sheet for USDA textures.
• 3 double-sided laminated field sheets of 'Helpful Hints'.
• Plastic jar containers with lids and labels.

( click-on image to enlarge )

What makes this soil kit so beneficial?

Natural soils can occur as every conceivable mix of sand, silt, clay, and gravel. Classifying them in the USCS and determining their texture in the USDA classification is easier if you're familiar with the end member, or baseline, classification.

Easily practice and calibrate your familiarity with baseline soil classifications. Plus you can quickly compare which end member classification most closely resembles the natural soil. The USCS Calibrated Baseline Soil Kit provides these important end member samples.

Spectrum of Benefits:

• See and feel the primary baseline USCS soil classifications.
• Feel the contrast between SILT (ML), LEAN CLAY (CL) and FAT CLAY (CH).
• See and feel each fine grained sample without interference from secondary sand fractions.
• Learn to differentiate WELL GRADED SAND (SW) from POORLY GRADED SAND (SP) in the field.
• Practice classifying soil accurately, efficiently and with reproducible results.
• See and feel soil samples that plot "on the corners" of the USDA triangle.
• Improve the reliability of your USDA soil texturing skills.
• Learn the contrasting differences between soil texturing and soil classification procedures.
• Stop over-relying and mis-using on the USCS classification of "Silty Clay" and discover how to identify the accurate classification using standard procedures.
• Discover the differences between USCS lab and field classifications.
• Create field efficiencies through practicing your soil classification skills.
• Improve your project profitability while raising reliability of your work, and lowering the risk of a wrong soil classification.
• Test yourself and your colleagues.

What makes this soil kit so different?

The clay sample exceeds 90 percent clay and the silt sample exceeds 90 silt. How long do you think it took to find soil sources that would repeatedly reproduce those test results?

Each fine grained soil sample yields less than 10 percent coarse-grained fraction so you can feel each baseline sample without interference from coarse-grained sediments.

The two sand samples are washed and designed at the precise grain-size to yield contrasting Well Graded Sand and Poorly Graded Sand. Plus, each sample relates differently to their USDA counterpart for an exquisite teaching example.

Use the soil kit in our course:

Taking the Mystery Out of the Subsurface 2.0 has open enrollment so you can go beyond just learning to classify soil, but give those classifications geologic context and create Conceptual Site Models that have geologic meaning, built from soil boring logs that are accurate and complete.

Terms and Conditions related to this item:

• Orders are on a first come, first served basis.
• Purchase Orders are acceptable, but payment must be received before the item is released to the buyer.
• Orders must be placed online. Phone orders not accepted.
• International buyers are responsible for any customs declarations and related international shipping fees. Midwest GeoSciences Group cannot guarantee final schedule or delivery past arrival at destination of customs inspection point.
• Orders may be cancelled, but orders purchased with a credit card are subject to a 10 percent fee.
• Each sample batch is tested in a professional soils lab, however natural variation can occur therefore precise sample percentages are not guaranteed.
• Midwest GeoSciences Group warranties condition of item at time of shipment. If buyer receives items in damaged condition due to shipping, MidwestGeo will replace either specimens or entire item. Buyer must contact MidwestGeo within 2 days of delivery confirmation to claim damaged items. MidwestGeo reserves the right to warranty specimens or entire item.
• Do not put soil samples in your mouth and do not eat the samples. It might seem crazy that we need to say that, but we've learned it's worth noting. More about it here