Device for taking soil samples

A method of retrieving a soil sample to determine a void ratio of said soil sample, comprising:

• providing a sampling device;
• driving the sampling device into a target soil to a pre-determined target depth;
• rotating a sampling unit from an open position into a closed position to seal a retrieved sample in the-a volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber;
• and
• retrieving the sampling device from the target soil.

A kit of parts for assembling a sampling device, the kit comprising:

• a housing, arranged to be coupled to a drive system, the housing defining a distal section and a proximal section, the distal section of the housing having an open end arranged to receive soil as the sampling device is driven into the soil;
• a sampling unit arranged to be provided in a space defined by the housing, the space extending into the housing from the open end of the distal section, the sampling unit comprising a volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber, the volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber extending at least partly through the sampling unit, such that the volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber defines at least one opening in the sampling unit, wherein the sampling unit is arranged to be rotatably connected to the housing such that it can rotate between:
• a closed position wherein an opening defined by the volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber faces away from the open end of the distal section of the housing, and wherein the at least one opening in the sampling unit is sealed, and
• an open position wherein the opening defined by the volumetrically calibrated sampling chamber faces the open end of the distal section of the housing;
• and
• an actuation mechanism, arranged to rotate the sampling unit between the closed position and the open position.