Soil Testing

Hummel & Co. offers a full range of soil physical testing. All tests include an interpretation at no additional cost to you. Below is a guide for selecting the testing services to suit your needs. Click on the green heading for current pricing information.

New Greens and Sand Based Sports Field Construction:

Particle Size Analysis: Sands or mixes used for greens and sand based sports fields must meet certain particle size specifications to perform properly. This test will determine the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in a mix, as well as the sand size distribution. The pH is included, as are the sand particle shape, the coefficient of uniformity, and the D85. The D85 is needed to determine compatibility or bridging with gravel.

Mix Development/Complete Physical Analysis of Root Zone Mixes: Regardless of your construction method, you need to know that the root zone mix is going to have physical properties desirable for turfgrass growth. Using the sand, organic matter source, and perhaps soil of your choice, we will develop and test different mixes to define the optimum mix ratio. A USGA Complete Physical Analysis will be performed, testing properties such as infiltration rate, total porosity, aeration and capillary pore space, and bulk density. The results are usually compared to the USGA Recommendations or an architect’s specification for these properties. A recipe for reproducing the mix is provided. Complete physical testing is recommended for pre-blended mixes as well.

Our complete physical analysis includes a particle size analysis.

Complete Physical Analysis with Water Release Curve: This test goes a step beyond the standard USGA Physical Analysis. We not only determine the water holding capacity of a root zone mix, but we also determine how much water is available to the plant. This information may be most valuable when an organic matter source of unknown quality or an inorganic amendment is used.

Gravel Particle Size Analysis: A particle size distribution of the under drainage gravel is needed to make sure that the gravel will drain, and to make sure that it is sized properly to prevent root zone mix migration into the gravel. The D15 and coefficient of uniformity are reported.

The LA Abrasion test is recommended where the stability of the gravel is in question.

Organic Matter Quality: The organic matter in your sand based root zone mix plays an important role in the performance of the mix. It is recommended that any organic matter source of unknown origin or quality have this test performed. Included are percent organic matter, percent ash, pH, water holding capacity, density, and organic matter yield.

Analysis for lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and carbon to nitrogen ratio are also available.

Sand Size Analysis: Routinely run as a part of our quality control testing, this is a quick, inexpensive test to determine if a sand or mix is suitable for considering for a sand based root zone mix.

Quality Control Testing: This is a quick test to determine if a root zone mix meets or conforms to an original approved mix. The test includes a particle size distribution and organic matter content of the mix. Results are often provided the same day if the sample is received before noon. Infiltration rates are offered as an option with the entire test being turned around within 24 hours in most cases.

Sand Bunkers

Bunker Sand Analysis: The performance of bunker sands depends on several factors, including sand particle size and shape. The bunker sand analysis is a thorough series of tests to investigate these. The tests include particle size analysis, sand particle shape, crusting, color, infiltration rate, and a penetrometer test to determine the sands potential to produce buried balls.

Fairway Plating Sands

Complete Physical Analysis with Low Tension Water Release Curve: In areas subject to high rainfall events, fairways are sometimes plated with sand. A complete physical analysis, including a particle size analysis are needed to determine the suitability of sands for this purpose. A water release curve is performed to determine the minimum depth for that specific sand. We also will determine the capacity of the fairway sand to remove water for a particular drain spacing.

Sports Field or Landscape Construction - Topsoil or Modified Soil Testing

Particle Size and Organic Matter Analysis: Topsoil quality is often defined by its texture and organic matter content. Selecting the particle size analysis and organic matter tests will provide this information. Nutrient testing is available through CLC Labs. Recommendations are often given on soil improvement with amendments.

Proctor Testing: Proctor testing is used to evaluate the compaction characteristics of the soil. This test determines the maximum density the soil can be compacted to, and at what moisture content the soil is most prone to compaction. Proctor testing is useful in determining how compacted a soil is in the field, and is useful in evaluating the effects of soil amendments on soil density and porosity. We offer two levels of proctor testing: the standard proctor test (ASTM D698) and a modified proctor test (ASTM D1557), the latter being a more severe compaction test.

Gmax Testing (Shock Attenuation of Synthetic Playing Surfaces) Synthetic playing surfaces should be tested when new, and on a regular basis to determine surface hardness. In fact, many manufacturers require annual testing to enforce their warranties. Hummel & Co. Inc. is available to determine this per ASTM F355 and ASTM F1936.