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A simple guide to in-situ ground testing

Part 2: Cone penetration testing

The main advantages of in-situ testing over the more
traditional ways of sampling and laboratory testing are
speed, quantity and quality. These are explained in detail
in Part 1.
A table in Cone penetration testing in geotechnical
practice lists some of the major in-situ tests and their
perceived applicability for use in difterent ground
conditions. The table shows that, of the many in-situ
devices currently available, the static cone penetrometer
(CPT) and the piezocone (CPTü -with pore water pressure
measurement) are the most versatile. (The table is also
given in Part 1of these guides and is discussed in more
detall there.)
Over the last 30 years, there has been significant
development of CPT and CPTU techniques and use.
Theoretical and experimental study, and applications to
geotechnical design, have advanced substantially. Valuable
enhancements have enabled specialised seismic,
environmental and electrical resistivity measurements.
However, there is still reluctance amongst many
practitioners to utilise the full potential of this technology,
often because of a lack of appreciation of the ability of the
devices or previous unsatisfactory experiences in the
application and interpretation of the tests. This latter point
has often arisen through poor testing specification or poor
application technique. With care and understanding,
excellent ground information can be made available.

Cone penetrationtesting: The total force acting on the cone, Qc, has been specified in the International
divided by its projected area, 4, Reference Test Procedure (IRTP)
what is it? produces the cone resistance, q, . (ICSMGE, 1999) as the reference test
Probing with rods through weak The total force acting on the friction (being the same size as the older
ground to locate a firmer stratum has sleeve, F, divided by its surface area, mechanical cone). There are other
been practised since about 1917. It A,, produces the sleeve friction, fs. sizes of cone, from mini probes of 1
was in the Netherlands in about 1932 In the CPTU, pore pressure is crn2 to larger devices of 15 and even
that the cone penetration test (CPT) measured typically at one location, but 33 cmz; of these, the 15 cm2 devices
was introduced in a form recognisable possibly two or three, as shown in are the only ones routinely used,
today. The method has been referred Figure 1. These pore pressures are especially in the UK.
to as the Static penetration test, known as uL (on the cone), up (behind
Quasistatic penetration test and Dutch the cone) and ug (behind the friction The cone is normally pushed into the
Sounding test. sleeve). Pore pressure measurement ground at a rate of 20 mm/sec. A
greatly enhances the value of the test. wide range of systems has been
In the CPT, a cone on the end of a developed over the years to carry out
string of rods is pushed into the CPT systems can
ground at a constant rate and be divided into
continuous or intermittent three main groups:
measurements are made of the mechanical cone
resistance to penetration of the oenetrometers. u3 -.
conical tip, the 'cone'. Measurements electric cone
are also made of the resistance to penetrometers and Pore Pressure
filter location
penetration of the outer surface of a piezocone
Friction Cone
s l m (the friction sleeve) placed just penetrometers. The sleeve 'penetrometer
behind the cone. In piezocone testing electrical devices
(CPW),the cone assembly includes a are most commonly
Wr element and pressure transducer used today.
which enable pore water pressures to "2
be monitored during penetration. A cone
Figure 1 shows the main components penetrometer with
and terminology of cone a 10 cm2 base
penetrometers. area cone and an
Of 'O"
apex angle Figure 1 The main components of cone penetrometers
In-$¡tu ground testing: a simple guide
the pushing operation, both on land
and at sea. On land, pushing usualÍy
consists of hydraulic jacking against
reaction systems, usuaiiy specialiy
built for the purpose; but sometimes
the pushdown of an anchored drill rig
is used. Typically, 20-tonne vehicles
are used, some are tracked, but
lightweight vehicles are also used. The
vehicle reaction generally may be
increased by the use of ground
anchors. Hydraulic jack stroke lengths
of 1- 1.2 m are typically used.
During penetration, measurements are
taken on all sensors at a
predetermined frequency to give
discreet readings for qc, ,f u and
inclination, as appropriate. Typically,
the minimum frequency is once every
second or 2 crn of penetration; faster
rates can increase the detail. In this
way nearcontinuous profiles of
measured parameters are generated.
Figure 2 shows a typical profile.
Role of CPT
The objective of any subsurface
exploration is to determine the:
O nature and sequence of the strata
(geological regime);
O groundwater conditions
(hydrogeological regime);
O physical and mechanical properties
of the subsurface strata.
For geo-environmental site
investigations, the additional
requirement is to determine the:
O distribution and composition of
contaminants
The CPT and CPTU have three main
advantages over the traditional
combination of borings, sampling and
other testing. They provide:
O continuous or nearcontinuous data;
fl repeatable and reliable results:
fl potential cost savings.
For testing potentially contaminated
land, cone penetration technology
provides the additional advantage that
it avoids direct human contact with
hazardous substances.
Three main applications of the CPT
have been developed to:
O determine stratigraphy and identiíy
materials present;
fl estimate geotechnical parameters;
fl provide results for direct
geotechnical design.
These applications may need
supplementing by limited borings or
other tests, either in situ or in the
laboratory.
Where the geology is uniform and well
understood, and where CPT ground
determination has already been
verified and correlated with foundation
performance, the CPT can be used
alone for design information. Even in
these circumstances, though, it can
be an advantage to supplement CPT
data with limited borehole sampling
and laboratory testing, for one or
more of the following reasons:
D to clarify identification of soil type;
O to verify local correlations;
O to provide complementary
information where interpretation of
CPT data is difficult due to partial
drainage conditions or problem soils;
fl to evaluate the effects of (future)
changes in soil loading, for staged
construction say, the CPT can only be
used to relate to current properties.
The CPT greatly increases the amount and procedures. Many factors can
of information available for the same
cost as a more traditional
investigation, or even less where
supplementary, traditional investigation specified and used correctly (as per
is not required. With the greater
amount of information available, both
laterally and vertically, potential
problem areas within the ground can
be identified; they can then be
targeted for more detailed
investigation.
CPTs can be undertaken in any
deposits that can be penetrated by
the available capacities of the
penetrometers and pushing
equipment. Friction build up on the
pushing rods is usually the biggest
restriction. Gravel layers and boulders, depends on how the results of the test
heavily cemented zones and dense
sand layers can restrict the
penetration severely and deflect and
damage cones and rods, especially if
the overlying soils are too soft to
prevent rod buckling. Testing from the
bottom of a borehole can overcome
these problems, provided support is
given to the rods. In this way,
CPT/CPTU data can be obtained to
greater depths. In soft soils, cone
penetration from ground level to
depths in excess of 100 rn may be
achieved provided verticality is
maintained.
Specifying and procuring CPT
To obtain reliable information from the
CPT, two aspects must be considered:
17the test data must be accurate and
representative of the ground
conditions;
n sound and proven principles of
interpretation into ground properties
and other information must be applied
to the test data.
The first depends crucially on the
specification, and the subsequent
quality, of the testing. Provided
documents such as the IRTP are
adhered to, quality data can be
gathered. The nature of the test
means that specialist contractors are
required and their guidance can be
sought when deciding on equipment
affect the results but commercial
equipment that can produce quality
information is available provided it is
the IRTP). There is a need to
appreciate what the results are to be
used for and the level of accuracy
required from the results. The IRTP
details CPT testing by accuracy
classes and intended use, and this
document should be followed when
specifying testing; additional guidance
can be found in Cone penetration testing
in geotechnical practice and the BRE
pamphlet on CPT tests.
Table 1 shows the accuracy classes
detailed in the new IRTP. The accuracy
class required for a certain project
are to be used:
Class 3 and 4: Results should be
used for general stratification and only
 Cone penetration testing
Table 1Accuracy classes for parameter evaluations in very stiff
Test c b r Measured Allowable Maximum length or dense soils;
parameter minimum between Class 2: Results can be used for
accuracy measurements stratification and soil type and may be
acceptable for parameter
1 Cone resistance 50 kPa or 3% 20 mm
Sleeve friction 10 kPa or 10% interpretation in stiff clays and sands;
Pore pressure 5 kPa or 2% Class 1: Situations where results will
Inclination 2" be used for precise evaluations of
Penetrated depth 0.1 m or 1% stratification and soil type as well as
2 Cone resistance 200 kPa or 3% 20 mm parameter interpretation in profiles
Sleeve friction 25 kPa or 10% including soft or loose soils.
Pore pressure 25 kPa or 2%
Inclination 2"
Penetrated depth 0.2 m or 2% Interpretation of the CPT?
3 Cone resistance 400 kPa or 5% 50 mm It is not appropriate to detail the
Sleeve friction 50 kPa or 15% interpretation methods for the CPT but
Pore pressure 50 kPa or 5% to discuss what can be done.
Inclination 5"
Penetrated depth 0.2 m or 2% Experience can play a vital role in
detailed interpretation of CPT
4 Cone resistance 500 kPa or 5% 100 mm information.
Sleeve friction 50 kPa or 20%
Penetrated i e n a 0.1 m or 1%
Interpretations of the test data are
Note The allowable minimum accuracy of the measured parameter required in the three main applications
is the larger value of the two quoted. of CPT/CPTU.
Determining the stratographic
profile Changes in test
measurements will identify obvious
lithological type changes, as shown in
Figure 2, but can also delineate
between lithological units within one
type and even down to facies changes
within those units. Soil types can be
identified through available charts.

CPT measurements must

correlated to geotechnical
parameters The confidence level for
any one parameter depends on soil
type and experience: The following
soil properties may, with the proper
Ssnd interpretation, be derived from
CPT/CPTU results:
11 density and relative density;
n coefficient of earth pressure;
11overconsolidation ratio;
11 sensitivity;
11 undrained and drained strength
parameters;
!lsoil stiffness;
11 consolidation parameters

These properties may be derived from

testing in many different soil types,
including clay, silt, and sand, as well
as more difficult material, such as
peat and chalk. Figure 3 shows the
Figure 2 A typical profile shear strengths derived for a soft clay
 lground testing: a simple guide
and their relationship to results from
sampling and laboratory testing. The
CPT can be used to extrapolate
information from, say, laboratory tests
between boreholes based on local
correlations to borehole information,
Seek guidance when interpreting CPT
information for the first time.
CPT/CPTU results may be used
directly in the design of foundations,
without first deriving soil properties
and using them in conventional design
methods. Direct design application
has been developed for:
h Deep foundations:
axial capacity;
settlement;
skirt penetration resistance;
7 Shallow foundations:
1
bearing capacity;
settlement;
liquefaction.
The versatility of the CPT/CPTU has
been extended considerably by the
addition of other sensors in the
equipment. Measurements can now be
made to determine lateral stress,
shear wave velocity, resistivity etc. as
well as for geoenvironmental
assessments covering sampling,
logging devices, etc.
The CPT is one of the most effective.
comprehensive in-situ testing devices
available. Unless hindered by strong
layers, it is an excellent profiling tool.
A wide range of correlations to
standard and advanced geotechnical
parameters is now available and test
data may be used directly in the
design of foundations.

More information Shear S t r e n g t h (kPa)

Cone penetration testing in O 20 40 60 80
geotechnical practice. Lunne T, 7 - 1 - 1
Robertson PK, and Powell JJM. ~

SponPress, London, 1997.

2 --
International Society of Soil Mechanics -
and Geotechnical Engineering.
Test procedure for the Cone 4 -
penetration test (CPT) and the Cone
penetration test with pore pressure
6 -
(CPTU). Report of the ISSMGE
-
Technical Committee 16 on Ground
property characterisation from in-situ
testing. Proc of the twelfth European --
E
a-
conference on Soil mechanics and
-
geotechnical engineering, Amsterdam, 5 10
P
1999. Edited by Barends et al. Vol 3, a3
pp. 2195 - 2222. D
-
12
lnsitu ground tests: specifying, -
interpreting and using. BRE, 2003 (to 14 -
be published). -
16 -
-
Your cornmenis
We would welcome any comments that you
may have on this set of guides; 18 -
for example, how useful do you find them? -
Please email your comments to:
powellj@bre.co.uk 20 -

Figure 3 Shear strengths from CPT and laboratory tests