VOLUME 2 PART 15

GROUND INVESTIGATION AND ASPECTS OF GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN GUIDE

In most cases, it is desirable that a CPT investigation be supplemented by exploratory

holes, sampling, and testing in order to accomplish the following:

• Provide correlations and verifications of soil type

• Provide complementary information where interpretation of CPT data are difficult
• Evaluate the effect of future changes in soil loading that cannot be assessed from
the CPT

The International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering published
the International Reference Test Procedure for Cone Penetration Test (CPT) that
describes the principles constituting acceptable test procedures for the CPT from
which the results are comparable (ISSMFE, 1989). Only equipment and procedures
that comply with the reference test procedure, as described in international
standards such as Geotechnical Investigation and Testing—Field Testing—Part 2:
Dynamic Probing (BS EN 1997-2:2007) and Standard Test Method for Electronic
Friction Cone and Piezocone Penetration Testing of Soils (ASTM D5778-12) should be
used for CPT investigations.

The CPT consists of pushing a cone attached to the end of a series of rods into the
ground at a constant rate of penetration. During the test, continuous or intermittent
measurements are made of the resistance to penetration of the cone. Measurements
are also made of either the combined resistance to penetration of the cone and outer
surface of a friction sleeve or the resistance of the surface friction sleeve itself. The
standard CPT cone has a 60-degree apex angle and a diameter of 35.7 mm providing a
10 square centimeters (cm2) cross-sectional base area and 150 cm2 friction sleeve
located above the cone, as shown in Figure 7.1. In addition, CPT cones of 15 cm2
cross-sectional base are used, especially where additional sensors are incorporated
into the equipment. International Reference Test Procedure for Cone Penetration Test
(CPT) (ISSMFE, 1989) advises that immediately behind the cone (position u2 in
Figure 7.1) is the preferred location for the filter for the measurement of pore
pressure. Some equipment, however, has the filter on the cone (position u1 in
Figure 7.1 or behind the friction sleeve (position u3).

Electrical strain gauge load cells within the cone penetrometer measure the cone
resistance (qc) and the sleeve friction (fs) of the soils being tested as the cone is
pushed into the ground.

PAGE 74 VOLUME 2