What is a cone

penetration test (CPT)?

FACT SHEET

A cone penetration test is used to determine geotechnical

properties of soils.
The cone penetration test has become internationally one
of the most widely used and accepted test methods for
determining geotechnical soil properties. In Canterbury
the data gained from a cone penetration test can be used
to assess whether soil layers are likely to liquefy under
different levels of earthquake shaking.

How is a cone penetration test undertaken?

The cone penetration test can be completed from the
ground surface.
Cone penetration test rigs vary in size from small portable
rigs to large truck-mounted rigs. Each rig has benefits
and limitations but they all conduct the same test. A cone
penetration test rig pushes a steel cone (about 32mm
wide) into the ground, generally up to 20m below the
surface or until the cone reaches a hard layer. The steel
cone contains an electronic measuring system that records
tip resistance and sleeve friction.
As the cone is pushed into the ground, the soil responds
with differing degrees of resistance. This resistance is
recorded using force sensors in the tip.
A cone penetration test
At the same time as the sensors are recording resistance
at the cone tip, sensors in the friction sleeve are recording
sleeve friction along a 100mm length. Some cones also
have a pore water transducer, which records water
pressure in the soil. These readings can be used to
determine ground water responses as the cone is pushed
through the soils.
A cone penetration test typically takes between 30 minutes
and three hours. As the cone goes into the ground,
measurements are constantly sent back to the rig and
recorded on computer.
Friction
Tip

A penetrometer cone

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 CPT_2676_Rep02.pdf 1 20/10/15 5:02 pm

WHAT IS A CONE PENETRATION TEST?

Project: Christchurch TC3 Geotechnical Investigations Page: 1 of 1 NNB-POD12-CPT96
Test Date: 15-Jun-2012 Suburb: North New Brighton Operator: McMillan
Pre-Drill: 0.6m Assumed GWL: 2mBGL Located By: Survey GPS
Position: 2487010.08mE 5746665.62mN 4mRL Coord. System: NZMG
Address: 14 Pegasus Ave Comments:

This data gives a profile of the subsoil layers, often called 0 2

Cone

4 6 8
Sleeve

10
Cone Resistance (MPa)
12 14 16 18 20 0
Friction Ratio (%)
1 2 3 4 5 6 0
Pore Pressure (kPa)
100 200 300
0 0
a trace. Examples are shown to the right.

What do the test results tell us? 2 2

Cone penetration test results are used by geotechnical

engineering specialists to understand the soil properties 4 4

(the relative density of the soil and the soil behaviour type,
both of which are calculated from the cone penetration 6 6

test cone tip resistance and sleeve friction) and how

the ground is likely to behave under different levels of 8 8

earthquake shaking. This information can help in the design

Depth below existing ground surface( m)

of foundations and ground improvements.
10 10

In Canterbury, cone penetration test results are commonly 12 12

used to determine the liquefaction-triggering resistance

of each soil layer. These assessments commonly use 14 14

computer software to determine if soil layers are predicted

to liquefy for different levels of earthquake shaking. 16 16

By doing a test before and after ground improvement

works, cone penetration test results can also be used to 18 18

determine how much strength a soil has gained following

ground improvement works. 20
0 40 80 120 160 200 240 280 320 360 400
20
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 100 200 300
Sleeve Friction (kPa)
T+T Ref: 52003.2000 Printed: 17/07/2012 4:44 p.m. Template: CPT Graph Template TC3.xls

An example of cone penetration test measurements

The cone penetration test is internationally one of the most

widely used and accepted test methods for liquefaction
assessment

48