Page |1

METHODOLOGY FOR STANDARD PENETRATION TEST FOR SOILS

As Per IS 2131 : 1981 RA 2021

The standard penetration test is an in situ test that is coming under the category of
penetrometer tests. The standard penetration tests are carried out in foundation area
or borehole. The test will measure the resistance of the soil strata to the penetration
undergone. A penetration empirical correlation is derived between the soil properties
and the penetration resistance.
The test is extremely useful for determining the relative density and the angle of
shearing resistance of cohesion less soils. It can also be used to determine the
unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils.

Tools for Standard Penetration Test

The requirements to conduct SPT are:
1. Standard Split Spoon Sampler
2. Drop Hammer weighing 63.5kg
3. Guiding rod
5. Driving head (anvil).

Procedure for Standard

Penetration Test
The test is conducted in a Excavated Foundation Level by means of a standard split
spoon Sampler.
Once the excavation is done to the desired depth, and the sampler is placed inside
the excavated surface area.
 Page |2

By means of a drop hammer of 63.5kg mass falling through a height of 750mm atthe
rate of 30 blows per minute, the sampler is driven into the soil. This is as per IS-
2131:1963.
The number of blows of hammer required to drive a depth of 150mm is counted.Further
it is driven by 150 mm and the blows are counted.
Similarly, the sampler is once again further driven by 150mm and the number of blows
recorded. The number of blows recorded for the first 150mm not taken into
consideration. The number of blows recorded for last two 150mm intervals are added
to give the standard penetration number (N). In other words,
N = No: of blows required for 150mm penetration beyond seating drive of 150mm.If
the number of blows for 150mm drive exceeds 50, it is taken as refusal and the test is
discontinued. The standard penetration number is corrected for dilatancy correction
and overburden correction.
 Page |3

Corrections in Standard Penetration Test

Before the SPT values are used in empirical correlations and in design charts, thefield
'N' value have to be corrected as per IS 2131 - 1981. The corrections are:

1. Dilatancy Correction
2. Overburden Pressure Correction

1. Dilatancy Correction
Silty fine sands and fine sands below the water table develop pore water
pressure which is not easily dissipated. The pore pressure increases the resistance of the
soil and hence the penetration number (N).

Terzaghi and Peck (1967) recommend the following correction in the case of siltyfine
sands when the observed value is N exceeds 15.
The corrected penetration number,Nc = 15 + 0.5 (NR-15)
Where NR is the recorded value and NC is the corrected value.If NR less than or equal
to 15, then NC = NR

2. Overburden Pressure Correction

From several investigations, it is proven that the penetration resistance or the valueof
Nis dependent on the overburden pressure. If there are two granular soils with relative
density same, higher 'N' value will be shown by the soil with higher confining pressure.
With the increase in the depth of the soil, the confining pressure also increases. Sothe
value of 'N' at shallow depth and larger depths are underestimated and overestimated

respectively.

Hence, to account this the value of 'N' obtained from the test are corrected to astandard
effective overburden pressure.

DT: 23-Nov-2022
 Page |4

The corrected value of 'N IsNc = CNN

Here CN is the correction factor for the overburden pressure.

Precautions taken for Standard Penetration Test

1. Split spoon sampler must be in good condition.
2. The cutting shoe must be free from wear and tear
3. The height of fall must be 750mm. Any change from this will affect the 'N'value.
4. The drill rods used must be in standard condition. Bent drill rods are not used.
5. Before conducting the test, the bottom of the borehole must be cleaned.

Advantages of Standard Penetration Test

The advantages of standard penetration test are:
1. The test is simple and economical
2. The test provides representative samples for visual inspection, classification tests
and for moisture content.
3. Actual soil behavior is obtained through SPT values 4. The method helps to
penetrate dense layers and fills
4. Test can be applied for variety of soil conditions

Disadvantages of Standard Penetration Test

The limitations of standard penetration tests are:
1. The results will vary due to any mechanical or operator variability or drilling
disturbances.
2. Test is costly and time consuming.
3. The samples retrieved for testing is disturbed.
4. The Test Results from SPT Cannot be Re produced.
5. The application of SPT in gravels, cobbles and cohesive soils are limited

DT: 23-Nov-2022
 Page |5

METHODOLOGY FOR THIN WALLED TUBE SAMPLING OF SOILS

(UNDISTURBED SOILS)
As Per IS 2132 : 1986 RA 2021
Undisturbed samples of soil are required for a number of soil test, such as Shear
Parameters – (unconfined compression test, triaxial compression test and Direct Shear),
consolidation test, permeability test.

This describes the method for obtaining relatively undisturbed cohesive and C-Ø soil
samples suitable for laboratory tests, using a thin walled metal tube.

EQUIPMENT
The requirements to Collect Undisturbed Sample are:
1. Drilling Equipment
2. Sampler Head
3. Thin Walled Tubes
4. Sealing Material
5. Miscellaneous Items
PROCEDURE
1. Driving the Casing:
• The Casing shall not be driven below the sampling level so that the casing should
not disturb the soil to be sampled.

2. Cleaning the Hole:

• The Hole Shall be cleaned in such a way that the sample is not disturbed. In
saturated sandy and silty soils, the drilling equipment shall be withdrawn slowly
to prevent loosening of soil around Hole.
• The water level in the hole should be maintained at or above the ground water
level, especially in soils that might be disturbed by the flow of ground water
into the drill hole such as sandy and silty soils.

DT: 23-Nov-2022
 Page |6

3. Obtaining Soil Sample:

• Depth of bottom of bore hole below ground level.
• Amount of penetration of the sampling tube into the soil, under the combined
weight of the tube and the rods.
• Water level in the bore hole.
• Sampling shall be done as soon as possible after the clean-out operation and shall
not be done after an interval like leaving overnight.
• The sampling tube shall then be pushed into the soil by a continuous and rapid
motion. In no case the tube shall be pushed farther than the length provided for
the sample. A clearance of 10 to 20 mm shall be allowed below the sampled head
in the tube.
• The depth of penetration of the tube shall also be noted. Before pulling out the
tube, at least 5 min shall be allowed to elapse after pushing the tube after which
the tube shall be turned at least for two revolutions to shear the sample off at the
bottom.
• Samples shall be taken, by repeating the sampling procedures, at every change in
stratum or at intervals not more than 1.5m, whichever is less.
• The intervals be increased to 3 m if in between vane shear test or SPT is
performed.

4. Preparation of Sample Shipment:

• Upon removal of the sampling tube, the length of the sample in the tube and the
length between the top of the tube and the top of the sample in the tube shall be
measured.
• The disturbed material in the upper end of the tube shall be completely removed
before applying wax for sealing. The length and type of the sample so removed
should be recorded.
• The soil at the lower end of the tube shall be reamed to a distance of about 20
mm. After cleaning both ends shall be sealed with wax applied in a way that will
prevent wax from entering the sample. Wax used for sealing should not be heated
to more than a few degrees above its melting temperature. The empty space in
the samplers, if any, should be filled with moist soil, saw dust etc, and the ends
covered with tight fitting caps.

DT: 23-Nov-2022
 Page |7

5. Labelling & Shipping:

Labels shall be affixed to tubes are listed below:
• Tube Number
• Sample Location
• Boring Number
• Sample Number
• Depth
• Penetration
• Gross recovery ratio.

DT: 23-Nov-2022