58 Soil strength parameters from classification and testing

Table 5.9 Peak friction angle (adapted from correlations in BS 8002, 1994).

Description Corrected SPT – N Critical state angle of soil (φcrit ) = 30 + A + B

(blows/300 mm)
Angularity/shape (A) Grading (B)
(No )60 N’ C
Rounded Sub – Angular Angular

V. Loose ≤3 ≤10 0 30 32 34 Uniform

32 34 36 Moderate

Loose 3–8 34 36 38 Well graded

Med dense 8–25 20 2 32 34 36 Uniform

34 36 38 Moderate
36 38 40 Well graded

Dense 25–42 40 6 36 38 40 Uniform

38 40 42 Moderate
40 42 44 Well graded

V. Dense >42 60 9 39 41 43 Uniform

41 43 52 Moderate
43 45 47 Well graded

5.10 Strength parameters from DCP data

• The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) is 1/3 the energy of the SPT, but the shape
of the cone results in less friction than the Split Spoon of the SPT.
• n ∼ 1/3 (No )60 used in the Table below.
• The top 0.5 m to 1.0 m of most clay profiles can have a lower DCP value for a
given strength than shown in the Table, and is indicative of the depth of desiccation

Table 5.10 Soil and rock parameters from DCP data.

Material Description DCP – n (Blows/100 mm) Strength

Clays V. Soft 0–1 Cu = 0–12 kPa

Soft 1–2 Cu = 12–25 kPa
Firm 2–3 Cu = 25–50 kPa
Stiff 3–7 Cu = 50–100 kPa
V. Stiff 7–12 Cu = 100–200 kPa
Hard >12 Cu > 200 kPa

Sands V. Loose 0–1 φ < 30◦

Loose 1–3 φ = 30–35◦
Med dense 3–8 φ = 35–40◦
Dense 8–15 φ = 40–45◦
V. Dense >15 φ > 45◦

Gravels, Cobbles, Boulders* >10 φ = 35◦

>20 φ > 40◦
Rock >10 C = 25 kPa, φ > 30◦
>20 C > 50 kPa, φ > 30◦

* Lowest value applies, erratic and high values are common in this material.
 Soil strength parameters from classification and testing 59

cracks. Recently placed fills may also have lower values for a given strength than
shown in the Table.

5.11 CBR value from DCP data

• The DCP is often used for the determination of the in situ CBR.
• Various correlations exist depending on the soil type. Site specific correlation
should be carried out where possible.
• The correlation is not as strong for values ≥ 10 blows/100 mm (10 mm/blow), ie
CBR > 20%.

Table 5.11 Typical DCP – CBR relationship.

Blows/100 mm In situ CBR (%) mm/blow

<1 <2 >100 mm

1–2 2–4 100–50 mm
2–3 4–6 50–30 mm
3–5 6–10 30–20 mm
5–7 10–15 20–15 mm
7–10 15–25 15–10 mm
10–15 25–35 10–7 mm
15–20 35–50 7–5 mm
20–25 50–60 5–4 mm
>25 >60 <4 mm

5.12 Soil classification from cone penetration tests

• This is an ideal tool for profiling to identify lensing and thin layers.

Table 5.12 Soil classification (adapted from Meigh, 1987 and Robertson et al., 1986).

Parameter Value Non cohesive soil type Cohesive soil type

Measured cone <1.2 MPa – Normally to lightly

overconsolidated
Resistance, qc >1.2 MPa Sands Overconsolidated
Friction ratio <1.5% Non cohesive –
(FR) >3.0% – Cohesive

Pore pressure 0.0 to 0.2 Dense sand (qT > 5 MPa) Hard/stiff soil (O.C) (qT > 10 MPa)
Parameter Bq 0.0 to 0.4 Medium/loose sand Stiff clay/silt
(2 MPa < qT < 5 MPa) (1 MPa < qT < 2 MPa)
0.2 to 0.8 Firm clay/fine silt (qT < 1 MPa)
0.8 to 1.0 Soft clay (qT < 0.5 MPa)
>0.8 Very Soft clay (qT < 0.2 MPa)

Measured pore ∼0 Dense sand (qT − Po > 12 MPa)

Pressure Medium sand (qT − Po > 5 MPa)
(ud – kPa) Loose sand (qT − Po > 2 MPa)
50 to 200 kPa Silt/stiff clay (qT − Po > 1 MPa)
>100 kPa Soft to firm clay (qT − Po < 1 MPa)