1. Motivation: In civil engineering and geotechnical engineering, dry density of soil and water content of soil are two parameters used for construction control They are usually measured using a radiation source with a known particle emission rate and a sensor placed to intercept particles traveling through the soil. Although 90% of the US market uses this technology, it is costly and hazardous. An alternate approach is to measure electrical properties (dielectric constant, conductivity, etc.) using time domain reflectometry (TDR). The soil parameters of interest are then calculated from the electrical parameters. Motivation: In civil engineering and geotechnical engineering, dry density of soil and water content of soil are two parameters used for construction control They are usually measured using a radiation source with a known particle emission rate and a sensor placed to intercept particles traveling through the soil. Although 90% of the US market uses this technology, it is costly and hazardous. An alternate approach is to measure electrical properties (dielectric constant, conductivity, etc.) using time domain reflectometry (TDR). The soil parameters of interest are then calculated from the electrical parameters. Previous generation of TDR device for soil property measurement Time Domain Reflectometry for Soil Property Estimation and Construction Control Prof. V.P. Drnevich, Prof. J. V. Krogmeier ; Members: Qi Yang, Shen Tian, Anuraag Acharya; Graduate mentors: Joon Young Kim, Alex Layton Our goal this semester is to develop a new and more efficient version of the current algorithm. Future goals: Mobile device implementation Incorporate GPS to record field test locations Incorporate Bluetooth to wirelessly transmit data Our goal this semester is to develop a new and more efficient version of the current algorithm. Future goals: Mobile device implementation Incorporate GPS to record field test locations Incorporate Bluetooth to wirelessly transmit data Previous research has shown the soil parameters are highly correlated to the shape of the trace, and has developed an algorithm using second order polynomials and arctangent functions to fit the trace and estimate the soil parameters. Currently, we are implementing and further testing the algorithm with MATLAB scripts. Previous research has shown the soil parameters are highly correlated to the shape of the trace, and has developed an algorithm using second order polynomials and arctangent functions to fit the trace and estimate the soil parameters. Currently, we are implementing and further testing the algorithm with MATLAB scripts. MATLAB result for fitting trough of the trace using arctangent model with 7 coefficients to calculate the minimum. Helpful background: ECE 201 ECE 202 ECE 311 ENGR 132 Skills you will learn/improve: Teamwork Transmission line theory MATLAB programing Data processing Helpful background: ECE 201 ECE 202 ECE 311 ENGR 132 Skills you will learn/improve: Teamwork Transmission line theory MATLAB programing Data processing TDR working mechanism A step voltage is sent through the cable down to the probe The signal will be reflected whenever an impedance mismatch occurs The dielectric constant of the soil contributes to the reflections Screenshot of current version of the program for soil parameter determination