Sand ruler with 6 fractions

An important quality of a soil (in a soil profile) is the grain size distribution or texture. Agricultural soil properties are greatly determined by the texture of a soil: for example the ease of tillage, the capillary conductivity of a soil, the available moisture, the permeability of a soil, compaction, rooting possibility, etc.

A sand ruler is a disc made of transparent material with standard (specimen) samples. It is an excellent indicative help in determining the particle size distribution or to estimate the granular composition.

Method

By using the sand median, it is possible to classify the sand fraction. A representative proportion of the sample to be tested is rubbed dry with the fingers in the palm of the hand. The sample is then placed in the hollow area in the center of the ruler. The average grain size is now judged by comparing the average grain size of the sample with the specimen in the ruler.