A novel device and method for measuring the volume of rock and soil.

Abstract

This invention discloses a novel device and method for measuring the volume of soil and rock masses. The measuring device includes a measuring box, an ultrasonic sprayer, a water pump, a water storage tank, and a mass acquisition system. A temperature controller is installed inside the measuring box. The mass acquisition system includes a mass sensor mounted on the top of the measuring box and a suspended basket connected to the mass sensor and located inside the measuring box. The ultrasonic sprayer forms a protective layer on the surface of the soil and rock sample placed on the suspended basket, which can be heated and sublimated. The inlet of the water pump is connected to both the water storage tank and the measuring box. This novel soil and rock mass volume measuring device integrates spraying, buoyancy, and baking, enabling economical and environmentally friendly volume measurement of irregular soil and rock samples. It can also measure the dry density of the sample, clarifying the density of the soil, and has a wide range of applications. The method of this invention offers high measurement accuracy and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of geotechnical engineering analysis and testing technology, and in particular to a novel device and method for measuring the volume of soil and rock. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the volume of irregularly shaped objects is typically measured using methods such as buoyancy measurement, photographic methods, and laser scanning. The overflow method utilizes the principle of rising water levels, immersing the object in water and calculating the volume by measuring the change in water level. It is simple and easy to implement, but unsuitable for objects that are insoluble in water or easily damaged by water. The photographic method involves taking a photograph of the object, analyzing the image using image processing software, and then measuring the object's volume. It is easy to operate and applicable to objects of various shapes, but its accuracy may be affected by image resolution and processing precision. The laser scanning method uses a laser scanner to perform a high-precision three-dimensional scan of the object's surface, and then calculates the volume. It offers high accuracy, but the equipment cost is relatively high.

[0003] From the perspectives of applicability, economy, and accuracy, none of the above methods are suitable for volume measurement of irregular soil and rock samples. Firstly, due to the small sample volume, it is difficult to accurately measure using traditional measuring tools. Secondly, the sample shape is usually irregular, potentially exhibiting unevenness or protrusions, making volume measurement more complex. Furthermore, the sample may be porous or cracked, leading to inaccurate volume measurement results. Additionally, consideration must be given to measuring volume without damaging the soil and rock mass. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel device and method for measuring the volume of soil and rock masses, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a novel soil and rock volume measurement device, comprising a measuring box, an ultrasonic sprayer, a water pump, a water storage tank, a vacuum pump, and a mass acquisition system. The measuring box is equipped with a temperature controller. The mass acquisition system includes a mass sensor mounted on the top of the measuring box and a suspended basket connected to the mass sensor and located inside the measuring box. The ultrasonic sprayer is used to form a protective layer on the surface of a soil and rock sample placed on the suspended basket that can be heated and sublimated. The inlet end of the water pump is connected to the water storage tank and the measuring box. The vacuum pump is connected to the measuring box.

[0006] Furthermore, a middle partition is horizontally arranged inside the measuring chamber, and the temperature controller is located below the middle partition; a fan is provided at the bottom of the measuring chamber to accelerate the gas circulation inside the measuring chamber, and an opening is provided on the side wall of the measuring chamber for the insertion and removal of the soil and rock samples.

[0007] Furthermore, the nozzle of the ultrasonic spraying device forms an angle of 30° to 60° with the soil and rock sample. The thin film material in the ultrasonic spraying device is liquefied after being heated, and after being sprayed out through the ultrasonic nozzle, it forms a dense, transparent, and glossy micro-nano coating on the surface of the soil and rock sample. The sublimation temperature of the protective layer is above 150°C.

[0008] Furthermore, the basket is connected to the mass sensor via a chain, and the bottom of the basket has a screen structure.

[0009] This invention also provides a novel method for measuring the volume of soil and rock masses, using the aforementioned soil and rock mass volume measuring device. The method includes the following steps:

[0010] Step 1, Spraying: First, place the irregular soil and rock sample on the basket and record the mass m1 of the sample. Next, turn on the ultrasonic sprayer for preheating. After preheating, the ultrasonic sprayer sprays the soil and rock sample to form a protective film on its surface. During the spraying process, manually turn the soil and rock sample over to ensure it is completely covered by the coating. After spraying, remove the sample and increase the temperature inside the chamber to allow any residual coating material to sublimate completely. After removing the residual material, lower the chamber temperature. Once the chamber temperature returns to room temperature, place the sample back on the sieve and weigh the sample m2 after spraying.

[0011] Step 2, Buoyancy method for volume measurement: Turn on the water pump and continuously pump water into the measuring box until the water level completely submerges the entire basket. Record the mass m3 of the soil and rock sample with the surface film in the water. Remove the soil and rock sample and weigh the mass of the basket in the water. After weighing, use the water pump to completely pump the water in the measuring box back into the water storage tank.

[0012] Step 3, Sample Removal: Turn on the fan and opening to drain all the water from the measuring chamber; then raise the temperature inside the measuring chamber to above 150°C to sublimate the protective film covering the surface of the soil and rock sample until the mass measured by the mass sensor no longer changes. At this point, the protective film on the surface of the soil and rock sample is completely removed, and the final mass m4 of the soil and rock sample at high temperature is obtained.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes step 4: measuring the moisture content of the soil and rock sample after removing the protective film, and calculating the dry density of the soil and rock sample based on the measurement results.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] This invention discloses a novel method for measuring the volume of soil and rock masses. It employs a spray-film buoyancy method to measure the volume of irregular soil and rock masses. A uniform micro / nano film is sprayed onto the soil and rock sample, forming a waterproof, water-impermeable film that acts like a coating. The volume of the coated sample is then measured using the buoyancy method. After the buoyancy test, the coated sample is placed in an oven at 100°C. The film sublimates at this high temperature, completely disappearing and restoring the soil and rock sample to its original state. The sample volume is then calculated. This invention achieves this by sublimating the film off the sample surface at high temperature, restoring the sample to its original state and obtaining the sample volume without damage. The novel soil and rock mass volume measuring device integrates spray-film, buoyancy, and baking, providing an economical and environmentally friendly method for measuring the volume of irregular soil and rock samples. It can also measure the dry density of the sample, clarifying the density of the soil, and has a wide range of applications. This method offers high measurement accuracy and low cost.

[0016] In addition to the objectives, features, and advantages described above, the present invention has other objectives, features, and advantages. The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate embodiments of the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the following detailed description to explain the embodiments of the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a soil disintegration test device according to the present invention;

[0019] Among them, 1-measuring box; 2-ultrasonic sprayer; 3-water pump; 4-water storage tank; 5-intermediate partition net; 6-temperature controller; 7-mass sensor; 8-suspended basket; 9-rock and soil sample; 10-fan; 11-opening; 12-vacuum pump. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Equivalent transformations or substitutions in function, method, or structure made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Please see Figure 1This embodiment provides a novel soil and rock volume measurement device, including a measuring box 1, an ultrasonic sprayer 2, a water pump 3, a water storage tank 4, a vacuum pump 12, and a mass acquisition system. The specific structure is as follows: The measuring box 1 is a glass box, and a temperature controller 6 for adjusting the temperature inside the glass box is installed inside the measuring box 1. The mass acquisition system includes a mass sensor 7 installed on the top of the measuring box 1 and a basket 8 connected to the mass sensor 7 and located inside the measuring box 1. The ultrasonic sprayer 2 is installed on the top of the measuring box 1 and is used to form a protective layer that can be heated and sublimated on the surface of the soil and rock sample 9 placed on the basket 8. The inlet end of the water pump 3 is connected to the water storage tank 4 and the inlet end of the water pump 3 is connected to the measuring box 1. In this configuration, the nozzle of the ultrasonic sprayer 2 is at an angle of 30° to 60° to the soil sample 9. The film material in the ultrasonic sprayer 2 is liquefied after being heated, and after being sprayed out through the ultrasonic nozzle, it forms a dense, transparent, and glossy micro-nano coating on the surface of the soil sample 9. The sublimation temperature of the protective layer is 150°. The vacuum pump 12 is connected to the measuring box 1. Specifically, the nozzle of the ultrasonic sprayer 2 is set at an angle of 45° to the soil sample 9. The protective layer material is usually made of polymer materials such as polyester and polyamide, and contains a sublimation agent. After being heated in the ultrasonic sprayer 2, the protective layer material will quickly liquefy (around 50°C), and after being sprayed out through the ultrasonic nozzle, it will form a dense, transparent, and glossy micro-nano coating on the surface of the soil sample. It will sublimate directly above 150°C. Vacuum pump 12 needs to be turned on for vacuuming during sublimation.

[0022] In one specific embodiment, a horizontally arranged intermediate partition 5 (resistant to -20 to 200°C) is installed inside the measuring chamber 1 to reduce spraying of the coating to the lower part, and an opening is provided in the upper right part. A temperature controller 6 is located below the intermediate partition 5. A fan 10 is installed at the bottom of the measuring chamber 1 to accelerate gas circulation within the chamber. An opening 11 is provided on the side wall of the measuring chamber 1 for placing and removing soil and rock samples. A basket 8 is connected to a mass sensor 7 via a chain, and the bottom of the basket 8 has a screen structure.

[0023] The present invention also provides a novel method for measuring the volume of soil and rock, using the aforementioned soil and rock volume measuring device. The method includes the following steps:

[0024] Step 1, Spraying: First, place the irregular soil and rock sample 9 on the basket 8 and record the mass m1 of the soil and rock sample 9. Next, turn on the ultrasonic sprayer 2 for preheating. After preheating, the ultrasonic sprayer 2 sprays the soil and rock sample 9. To ensure full coverage and uniformity, after one side is sprayed, the soil and rock sample is flipped over and sprayed again to form a protective film on the surface of the soil and rock sample 9. During the spraying process, the sample is manually flipped over to ensure that the sample is completely covered by the coating. After the spraying is completed, the soil and rock sample is taken out and the temperature inside the chamber is increased to allow the coating residue inside the chamber and on the screen to completely sublimate. After the residual spraying material is sublimated and removed, the temperature of the chamber is reduced. After the temperature of the chamber returns to room temperature, the soil and rock sample is placed back on the screen, and the mass m2 of the soil and rock sample 9 after the spraying is completed is weighed. The protective film is specifically a micro-nano coating film. When in liquid state, the micro-nano coating film is immiscible with the soil and will not penetrate into the soil. After cooling, it forms a transparent and dense film with a uniform density. Therefore, multiple sprayings on the middle surface due to flipping will not affect the accuracy of volume measurement.

[0025] Step 2, Buoyancy method for volume measurement: Turn on water pump 3 and continuously pump water into measuring box 1 until the water level completely submerges the entire basket 8. Record the mass m3 of the soil and rock sample 9 with surface coating in the water. Remove the soil and rock sample 9 and weigh the mass of the basket 8 in the water. After weighing, use water pump 3 to completely pump the water in measuring box 1 back into the water storage tank 4.

[0026] Step 3, Sample Removal: Using the temperature regulator 6, adjust the temperature inside the measuring chamber 1 to 30-40℃. Turn on the fan 10 and opening 11 to completely drain the moisture from the measuring chamber 1. Then, raise the temperature inside the measuring chamber 1 to 150℃ to sublimate the protective film covering the surface of the soil and rock sample 9. Continue this process until the mass measured by the mass sensor 7 no longer changes. At this point, the protective film on the surface of the soil and rock sample 9 is completely removed, and the final mass m4 of the soil and rock sample 9 at high temperature is obtained. Simultaneously, the moisture content of the soil and rock sample 9 after removing the protective film can be measured, and the dry density of the soil and rock sample 9 can be calculated based on the measurement results.

[0027] Example

[0028] To measure an irregular clay sample about the size of a fist, first use a fine brush to remove any loose, not fully adhered particles from the sample surface. Place the sample on a hanging basket and weigh it, obtaining a mass m1 = 319.96 g. Then, perform a film spraying treatment on the sample. After the spraying treatment, the sample mass m2 = 466.13 g, and the density of the hydrocarbon film is 1.1 g / cm³. 3After the mass measurement of the coated sample was completed, a buoyancy test was conducted. The mass of the sample submerged in water was m3 = 140.46 g. The above mass results have already excluded the mass of the cage. The water was drained, the glass box was dried, and the film material was removed by sublimation at high temperature. The final mass of the sample at high temperature was m4 = 278.23 g.

[0029] Calculate the volume:

[0030]

[0031] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A novel device for measuring the volume of soil and rock, characterized in that, The system includes a measuring box (1), an ultrasonic sprayer (2), a water pump (3), a water storage tank (4), a vacuum pump (12), and a mass acquisition system. The measuring box (1) is equipped with a temperature controller (6), and a horizontally arranged intermediate partition (5) is installed inside the measuring box (1). The temperature controller (6) is located below the intermediate partition (5). A fan (10) is installed at the bottom of the measuring box (1) to accelerate gas circulation within the measuring box (1). An opening (11) is provided on the side wall of the measuring box (1) for placing and removing soil and rock samples (9). The mass acquisition system includes... The device includes a mass sensor (7) mounted on the top of the measuring box (1) and a basket (8) connected to the mass sensor (7) and located inside the measuring box (1). The ultrasonic sprayer (2) is used to form a protective layer that can be sublimated by heating on the surface of the soil and rock sample (9) placed on the basket (8). The inlet end of the water pump (3) is connected to the water storage tank (4) and the inlet end of the water pump (3) is connected to the measuring box (1). The vacuum pump (12) is connected to the measuring box (1). The measurement method of the soil and rock volume measuring device includes the following steps: Step 1, Spraying: First, place the irregular soil and rock sample (9) on the basket (8) and record the mass m1 of the soil and rock sample (9); then, turn on the ultrasonic sprayer (2) for preheating. After preheating, the ultrasonic sprayer (2) sprays the soil and rock sample (9) to form a protective film on the surface of the soil and rock sample (9); during the spraying process, manually turn the soil and rock sample (9) over to ensure that the sample is completely covered by the coating; after the spraying is completed, take out the soil and rock sample (9) after spraying, increase the temperature inside the box to make the coating residue inside the box and on the screen completely sublimate; after the residual spraying material is sublimated and removed, lower the temperature of the box. After the temperature of the box returns to room temperature, put the sample back on the screen and weigh the mass m2 of the soil and rock sample (9) after the spraying is completed. Step 2, Buoyancy method for volume measurement: Turn on the water pump (3) and continuously pump water into the measuring box (1) until the water level completely submerges the entire basket (8). Record the mass m3 of the soil and rock sample (9) with surface coating in the water. Remove the soil and rock sample (9) and weigh the mass of the basket (8) in the water. After weighing, use the water pump (3) to completely pump the water in the measuring box (1) back into the water storage tank (4). Step 3, Sample removal: Turn on the fan (10) and the opening (11) to drain all the water from the measuring box (1); then raise the temperature inside the measuring box (1) to above 150°C so that the protective film covering the surface of the soil sample (9) sublimates until the mass measured by the mass sensor (7) no longer changes. Then the protective film on the surface of the soil sample (9) is completely removed, and the final mass m4 of the soil sample (9) at high temperature is obtained.

2. The soil and rock volume measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle of the ultrasonic sprayer (2) forms an angle of 30° to 60° with the soil and rock sample (9). The thin film material in the ultrasonic sprayer (2) is liquefied after being heated and sprayed out through the ultrasonic nozzle to form a dense, transparent and glossy micro-nano coating on the surface of the soil and rock sample (9). The sublimation temperature of the protective layer is above 150°C.

3. The soil and rock volume measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The basket (8) is connected to the mass sensor (7) via a chain, and the bottom of the basket (8) is a screen structure.

4. The rock and soil volume measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement method further includes step 4: measuring the moisture content of the soil sample (9) after removing the protective film, and calculating the dry density of the soil sample (9) based on the measurement results.

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