Cone penetration testing in stiff glacial soils using a downhole cone penetrometer

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 448-455
Author(s):  
Curtis R. Treen ◽  
Peter K. Robertson ◽  
David J. Woeller

Cone penetration testing (CPT) in Canada is usually performed using locally available drilling rigs. The limited pushing capacity of most drilling rigs coupled with the risk of damage to expensive cone penetrometers has tended to restrict the CPT to generally loose or soft soils. Therefore, in regions dominated by stiff glacial soils the more rugged standard penetration test (SPT) is still the most commonly used in situ test during geotechnical investigations. However, there are many limitations with the SPT with respect to interpretation and repeatability, especially the uncertainty with the energy delivered from various SPT hammer anvil systems. A downhole cone penetration test (DCPT) has been developed by modifying the equipment and procedure of the standard electric CPT. The DCPT consists of a simple, inexpensive electric cone penetrometer attached to a 1.5 m (5 ft) length of AW drill rod. The test is performed by pushing the cone 1.5 m into the base of an open borehole to produce a continuous profile of penetration resistance Qc, over the 1.5-m interval or whatever interval penetration is possible. The test incorporates the simplicity, ruggedness, and depth capability of the SPT but is able to define a near-continuous, accurate, and repeatable cone penetration resistance profile. The equipment and procedure of the DCPT is described in detail, and results from a near-continuous DCPT and an adjacent continuous CPT are presented and compared with the results obtained from an adjacent borehole with SPT. Excellent agreement was found between the results of the DCPT and the CPT. Key words : in situ, cone penetration testing, stiff soils.

1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo H. J. Schaap ◽  
Paul M. B. Föhn

The application of the electric cone penetrometer test in snow has been investigated and compared with results from the ram penetrometer test, which is normally used for snow profiling and slope stability analysis. A special cone penetrometer system was built consisting of a sensitive 1 cm2 electric cone, depth transducer, and battery-operated chart recorder. The instruments were tested in April 1985 at three different locations in the Swiss Alps and the test results were compared with those of the ram penetrometer tests.The tests yielded repeatable results up to a depth of 4 m with a high resolution of different snow layers. The electric cone tests show more layers than found in the ram profile and snow pit analyses. In soft snow the ram resistances appear to be, on average, about 30% lower than cone resistance values. Recommendations are given for the future use of electric cone penetration testing in snow. Key words: snow, snowpack analysis, cone penetration test, ram penetrometer, cone resistance, ram resistance, ram number.


Author(s):  
Adrian B. McCallum ◽  
Andy Barwise ◽  
Roi S. Santos

A warming Arctic provides increased opportunity for infrastructure development. Although the cone penetration test is used globally for site investigation in unfrozen soils, this discussion paper investigates the use of cone penetration testing to provide in situ data in frozen geomaterials. Historical and contemporary use of cone penetration testing in permafrost, snow, terrestrial ice and sea ice is reviewed, and work conducted across alpine, Arctic and Antarctic environs is considered. Although frozen geomaterials offer challenges to any in situ media assessment, with suitable equipment, cone penetration testing in frozen geomaterials typical of the Arctic is possible.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 049-056
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Straż

This paper presents the results of attempts to identify organic soils on the basis of test results performed under in situ conditions by cone penetration testing (CPT). The results of 439 selected tests were analysed which reflected the behaviour of local organic soils of organic matter ranging from 6,3 to 17,4%. Crucial to soil investigation were values measured of cone resistance (qc) and sleeve friction (fs) and the friction ratio (Rf) estimated according to those values. To identify organic soils, selected criteria were used, proposed among others by: Mayne, Marr, Bergmann, Schmertmann, Capanella and Robertson [2,5]. An analysis showed that an identification of organic soil types in terms of the present classification of standards, in view of the criteria used, is ambiguous and does not allow to identify them precisely by CPT.


Author(s):  
Melika Sajadian ◽  
Ana Teixeira ◽  
Faraz S. Tehrani ◽  
Mathias Lemmens

Abstract. Built environments developed on compressible soils are susceptible to land deformation. The spatio-temporal monitoring and analysis of these deformations are necessary for sustainable development of cities. Techniques such as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) or predictions based on soil mechanics using in situ characterization, such as Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) can be used for assessing such land deformations. Despite the combined advantages of these two methods, the relationship between them has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the major objective of this study is to reconcile InSAR measurements and CPT measurements using machine learning techniques in an attempt to better predict land deformation.


1985 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 298-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. O. Hughes ◽  
P. K. Robertson

An alternative approach to pressuremeter testing in sand, where the pressuremeter is pushed closed-ended, is discussed. Observations from cone penetration testing in sands are used to provide a theoretical background to the expected stress conditions around a full-displacement pressuremeter probe pushed into sand. The anticipated stress paths followed during the pressure expansion phase of the test are discussed. Data from both self-boring and full-displacement pressuremeter tests in sand are presented to support some of the suggested theoretical background. Key words: pressuremeter testing, in situ testing, sand.


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 55-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brady R. Cox ◽  
Ross W. Boulanger ◽  
Kohji Tokimatsu ◽  
Clinton M. Wood ◽  
Akio Abe ◽  
...  

The 2011 MW = 9.0 Tohoku-oki earthquake generated a large number of unique soil liquefaction case histories, including cases with strong ground motion recordings on liquefiable or potentially liquefiable soils. We have compiled a list of 22 strong motion stations (SMS) where surface evidence of liquefaction was observed and 16 SMS underlain by geologically recent sediments or fills where surface evidence of liquefaction was not observed. Pre-earthquake standard penetration test data and borehole shear wave velocity ( Vs) profiles are available for some stations, but critical information, such as grain size distribution and fines plasticity, are often lacking. In the heavily damaged city of Urayasu, we performed post-earthquake cone penetration testing at seven SMS and Vs profiles, using surface wave methods at 28 additional locations to supplement existing geotechnical data. We describe the liquefaction effects in Urayasu, the available site characterization data, and our initial data interpretations.


1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 718-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Robertson ◽  
R. G. Campanella

Significant advances have been made in recent years in research, development, interpretation, and application of cone penetration testing. The addition of pore pressure measurements during cone penetration testing has added a new dimension to the interpretation of geotechnical parameters.The cone penetration test induces complex changes in stresses and strains around the cone tip. No one has yet developed a comprehensive theoretical solution to this problem. Hence, the cone penetration test provides indices which can be correlated to soil behaviour. Therefore, the interpretation of cone penetration data is made with empirical correlations to obtain required geotechnical parameters.This paper discusses the significant recent developments in cone penetration testing and presents a summarized work guide for practicing engineers for interpretation for soil classification, and parameters for drained conditions during the test such as relative density, drained shear strength, and deformation characteristics of sand. Factors that influence the interpretation are discussed and guidelines provided. The companion paper, Part II: Clay, considers undrained conditions during the test and summarizes recent developments to interpret parameters for clay soils, such as undrained shear strength, deformation characteristics of clay, stress history, consolidation characteristics, permeability, and pore pressure. The advantages and use of the piezometer cone are discussed as a separate topic in Part II: Clay. The authors' personal experiences and current recommendations are included. Keywords: static cone penetration testing, in situ, interpretation, shear strength, modulus, density, stress history, pore pressures.


Author(s):  
Pradeep U. Kurup ◽  
Mehmet T. Tumay

The electronic cone penetrometer is an important in situ investigation tool of choice for site characterization. Application of this proven concept of the cone penetration test (CPT) to highway design and construction control by miniaturization is described. A miniature cone penetrometer with a projected cone area of 2 cm2 has been developed and implemented in a continuous intrusion miniature cone penetration test system (CIMCPT). This device may be used for rapid, accurate, and economical characterization of sites and to determine engineering soil parameters needed in the design of pavements, embankments, and earth structures. The miniature cone penetration test (MCPT) gives finer details than the standard 10-cm2 cross-sectional area reference cone penetrometer. This makes the MCPT attractive for subgrade characterization, quality-control assessment, compaction control of embankments, and assessment of ground improvement effectiveness for transportation infrastructure. In situ calibration of the CIMCPT system was conducted at a highway embankment site in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. MCPT penetration profiles were compared with those obtained by using the standard cone penetrometer at the same site. The tip resistance of the MCPT was 10 percent higher than that of the reference CPT. The sleeve friction and friction ratio of the reference CPT were higher than that of the MCPT by 12 and 23 percent, respectively. Calibration was also performed to determine empirical cone factors required for estimating undrained shear strength from MCPT data.


1987 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Campanella ◽  
P. K. Robertson ◽  
D. Gillespie ◽  
N. Laing ◽  
P J Kurfurst

A study was performed in the shallow waters of the MacKenzie Delta area near Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., Canada, to evaluate equipment, test procedures, and techniques using a seismic cone penetrometer and operating on the landfast ice in winter. Seismic cone penetration testing was performed to determine the compressional and shear wave velocities of the subsurface sediments using a downhole technique. Several seismic sources and receivers were tested to evaluate their effectiveness. Typical results are presented and briefly discussed. Key words: downhole, seismic, P-wave, S-wave, velocity, in situ, measurement, shallow offshore, cone penetration test.


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