11. The use of continuous dynamic probing in ground investigation G. B. CARD, PhD, BSc, MICE, FGS, and D. P. ROCHE, BSc, MSe, MIMM, MIGeol, FGS, Frank Graham Geotechnical Consulting Engineers Continuous dynanic probing ts a rapid and cost-effective technique of ground investigation although as yet not a widely adopted method in the UK. It is comparable with the standard penetration test carried out in conventional borehole investigations, and a simplified quantitative correlation is presented between dynanic probing penetration resistance and standard penetration test resistance (SPT W Value). ‘This correlation is supported by results from recent investigations at four widespread locations in southern England involving adjacent paired holes in both non-cohesive deposits and chalk. INTRODUCTION 1, Whilst in the United Kingdom penetration testing has traditionally centred on the use of the standard penetration test (SPT), there has been increasing interest in other countries, over the last fifteen years or 0 in the use of other dynanic penetration test methods. In Europe dynamic penetrometers of various dimensions, weights and cones have been successfully developed and are used to an increasing extent for probing and establishing 4 continuous profile of ground conditions with depth. The German Standards Institute Specification DIN 4094 Parts T and II (ref. 1) Feconnends various dynanic penetration test methods in an attempt to standardise the use of continuous dynanic probing in ground investigation and so achieve reproduetble results. 2. Ta the UK until recently, the use of @ynamte penetration tests other than the SPT has been very restricted, and mainly limived to Light weight hand held apparatus. However the latest Department of Transport specification for ground investigation (ref. 2) provides guidance in an attenpt to standardise dynanic Probing equipuent and testing procedures for Use on highway projects in the UK. DYNAMZG PROBING EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF TESTING 3, The dynamic penetration test equipment described in this paper and used at the four Bites has been, developed by Geodrive Limited. In broad ter. © the test consists of driving Successive Im Length rods with an oversize cone {ip into the ground with repeated and fousistent hammer blows. The equipment fomprises a 50kg hanner which drops through a height of 0.5m onto an anvil which transmits he force of the blow to the rods and cone. A Petrol engine chain driven mechanism Sutonatically raises and releases the hasner at S onscant rate of 30 blows per minute; thus Welding any of the problems associated with Ranvally operated equipment. The hanmer, anvil '"d rod assembly are retained wichin a frane ‘teetion testing inthe UK, Thomas Telford, London, 1988 and guide rods which ensure vertieality of the probehole. The equipment conforms to the Geraan Standard DIN 4094 Part I (ref. 1) heavy weight dynamic penetrometer, code number $25. The dimensions and weights of the various parte of the apparatus are given in Table 1. The dianeter of the cone is designed to be oversized with respect to the rods in an attespt to minimise side friction due to sotl adhesion. Where side Friction affects the rods (eg cohesive deposits) it is likely to result in a significant over estimate in the penetration resistance of the ground. ‘The cone Ls designed to be disposable and remains in the ground facilitating extraction of the rods at the end of probing 5. The equipment as assembled and operated fn the field 18 shown in Fig 1. The Oynamic Probing Rig uwSESSION 2: DYNAMIC PROBING During operation the blow count to drive the cone and successive rods through each 100mm Interval {8 recorded as the peneteation resistance of the ground (DEN, value). After every aetre when an additional Yod 1a added, the torque required to turn the string of rods {in the ground 1s measured to provide an todteation of the magnitude of side friction, Af any, onthe rods. 6. Prom the results of the continuous aynanic probing a graphical plot 1s produced of penetration resistance, as DPN), value against Gepth, In addition, it is impdlfant that the following are recorded as part of the descriptive logging where appropriate: ~“approximate depeh to water indicated by Sampling rods being wet on extraction; sMopservations of any soil deposits of searing on rode; SNotoppages, delays ete, due to technical 7. The rate of progress using the heavy weight dynanic penetrometer is generally good, except in very difficult ground or vhere there are obstructions (eg old foundations and boulders). In chalk and non-cohesive depostts 410m deep probehole can generally be coupleted fn less than an hour, and upwards co 100 Linear metres of penetration can be achieved in a day. n addition the rig 1s portable and easily manoeuvted by hand, permitting quick and easy Access to most locations. It 18 particularly ‘ieeful where access 1¢ difficult or where there is resteicted headroom (eg inside buildings). a. In sumary, the heavy weight dynante penetroneter has been used successfully at Tunerous sites. Tt has produced satisfactory Fesults, and these have been achieved doth rapidly and cost-effectively in comparison with other conventional methods. ‘THEORETICAL COMPARISON WITH SPT 9. Based on simple dynanic pile driving formula, the ultimate penetration resistance of a soll, Qu, can be related to the penetration of a driven cone as follows qe Mea @ Tv where I = hanner energy per blow V = Volume of soil displaced by the cone per blow, a = energy lost, per blow due to heat, elastic deformations, whipping of rods ete 10. From equation (1) assuming Qu remains constant for both sets of apparatus, the energy required to drive each cone can be equated as =B) = SPT Ngo GHB, AD (2) 4 i (QR: Subscript 1 denotes dynamic penetrometer, suffix 2 denotes SPT) Expanding both sides of the equation ve can 0 DENjgg X HE, SSPE Myo x RE, = Fy + FL (3) where F, and F2 = SPT Nyoy Ay 1 % represent the energy losses in each apparatus. 1, For simplicity, assuming that the energy losses in both sets of apparatus are equal, ie Fy =F. Then equation (3) may be re-written DPNy99 SSPE N gpg WE, Vy (4D a Substituting the equipment parameters Suemarised in Table 1 into equation (4), the following simplified theoretical correlation ts obtained: DPN;g9= 145 SPT Nyog “> 12, Alsernatively, this relationship can be expressed as 4 SPT Nyoo value corresponding directly with a DPN Wlue for a test Lengeh of 200mm, oF with twice the DPN value for a test Tengeh of 100m, DPN yo9 © SPT N59 = 2x DPM Gg om SPT Ryo PIELD CORRELATION WOT S2T 13. The correlation of dynamic probing DPNo, valucs and SPT Nyoq Values ts supported by the results obtained fon recent ground Envestigations where continuous dynaaic probing was undertaken in conjunction with conventional boreholes. To establish direct correlation, adjacent pairs of exploratory holes were formed fat cach of the sites,SPTN 300 VALUE SPTN 200 VALUE PAPER 11: CARD AND ROCHE “0 se 35 yt 4 » : ~ et et ” . 25 a y 20 ae s _— 10 * SITE AT ERITH, KENT = (© STE AT ST MARGARETS, ee 5 = Be aiiennnoe 1 Beane ¢ $8 € @ & wee es 0 Fla. 3. Plot of SPT Nagy and OPlygy values for chalk to - we ee 3 ~ ye aoa Z ve 30 so 23 20 7 's 10 r SITE Ar eRITH KEW - (© SITE AT ST MARGARETS, eee 5 mo * Benen 0 $8 8 ww sage OPN 300 VALUE Fig. 4, Plot of SPT Ngpq and OPNygy values for non-cohesive denosits 11SESSION 2: DYNAMIC PROBING. Table 1. Comparison of dynamic probing and SPT equipment er Reo sroS Notstion bod unit Conpansan OF RQUTPHENT eight of Hammer Wha rap Hesght Ho cone angle segtees Ccone/Spoon Diameter Damm cross Sectional area Ra? od iameter om cone Dianeter: p7a ratio Red Dianetes conPanrsow OF DANHICS: Hamer Enecay. IE Joules/tlow (oo We 381) ‘rest. Energy TE soules (ie x 80 of blows) ‘rect Langth Lm Volume of soit ve Displaced (A x 1) Uitinate Penetration — Qu Joules/n® Resistance (TE + V) Dog An example of the data obtained is shown in Fig. 2. At each site the dynamic probing was successful and provided a valuable source of quantitative data to supplement the borehole findings. 14, The field correlation is based upon data obtained from four sites at widespread geographical locations acrosa southern England, namely? = Brith, Kent = St Margarets, Hertfordshire = Hermitage, Berkshire = Tolpuddle, Dorset. 15. Ac each site data was obtained for both non-cohesive deposits and chal, and from both above and below the watertable.” Results of corresponding DPN, 4, and SPT Njoo tests are plotted in Fige 3°Gnd 4. The Pesults are considered to exhibit a reasonable degree of consistency, and an overall trend which conforns to equation (5). 16. Nevertheless, a large degree of scatter of the results ts clearly shown in both Figs 3 and 4. This acatter can be attributed to several factors including; = "The proportion of the ultimate penetration resistance carried in side Friction on the cone is different for both sets of apparatus. = In loose deposits, collapse of the probehole and build up of eide Friction on the rods can be expected. This can be seen in Figs 2 and 4 where for SPT Nyog values typically less than 190 5, equivalent DBR’ 599 values are greater than Be 17. Further work 1a therefore required, both in more detailed analysis of the data to hand, 12 pawae PENETRATION PeEIRoMeTn «= TST nef. 1) (Ref. 3) 50 6 00 760 90 oo ot so as x0? 1.96 x 10° 2 30 to 50 1.365 Lton7 us 245 DPso9 5X SPF N99 300 300 0.45 x 103 0.6 x10 5.45 x 10S 0.23 x 10° ESET Rigg and in obtaining further data from a greater breadth of sites and ground conditions. It poseible that further refinement will identi Aistince trends, for example above and below watertable, in weathered and unweathered cha cohesive and non-cohesive deposits etc. The relationships are currently being developed will be discussed in further papers, along Case studies describing applications in engineering project: SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS 18. Dynamic probing ie a rapid and cost effective method of investigation and comparable with che standard penetration tes Based on a simplified theoretical .compartson the equipment used in each test, the dynamic probing penetration resistance can be shown eorrelate with standard penetration resistan multiplied by 1.5. Field data obtained from four widespread sites denonstrates that BPW oq sPororinately correlates with 1.5 SP ‘300 REFERENCES 1, German Standard: Subsoll Dynamic and Static Penetroneters DIN 4094 Part 1. Dimensions of Apparatus and Method of Operation; Part II Application and Evaluatio 2, Department of Transport. Specification and Nethod of Measurement. for Ground Investigation. iSO August 1987 3, British Standard Institution. Methods est for Soils for Civil Engineering Purpose BS1377, 1975. Me