Outer case test



Outer Case Shape Design Decisions

After running experiments with many different shapes and designs we ended up going with the dig and place method for ground installation. There were faster installation times during our experiments from the pound in wedge shape and the screw shape. However, neither of these designs seemed like they would work well. The screw shapes main issue was turning up the soil around the case which wouldn't work well for the probes going into normally packed untouched soil. The wedge shape’s main issue was isolating the internal components from the force of being pounded in. After pounding in a wooden analogue to the case we realized that we were going to have to hit it too hard to keep from breaking it. Another issue with the wedge was not knowing how it affected the soil around it after it was pounded into the ground.

With the dig and place method chosen for the method of installation we then decided that the round cylinder shape for the outer case was the logical choice. With this choice the user would be able to use an auger or a post-hole digger to make a round hole to easily install the probe. Also, using a round digger with a non-round hole would make probe installation difficult.