66 Handbook of Geotechnical Investigation and Design Tables

5.13 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. A site specific correlation
should be carried out where possible.
• The correlation is not as strong for values ≥ 10 blows/100 mm (10 mm/blow),
i.e. CBR > 20%.
Table 5.13 Typical DCP–CBR relationship.

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

<1 >100 mm <2%

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

◦ For clays CBR ≤ 10%.

◦ This a generalisation often used for a typical soil. Specific soil types shown
below.

5.14 CBR values from DCP data specific to soil type

• General soils – Log(CBR) = 2.465 – 1.12(Log(DCP)) – Webster et al. (1992)
• For various soils types Webster et al. (1994) suggests
– Gravel, sand, and silt – CBR = 292/(DPI)1.12 . This is similar to Austroads.
– High plasticity clays CBR = 1/0.002871 DCP. CBR values above 25% not
shown in table.
– Low plasticity clays – CBR = 1/(0.017 DCP)2 .

Table 5.14 DCP–CBR relationships for varying soil types (Webster et al. (1992).

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

Austroads General Gravel, sand, Low High
and silt plasticity clay plasticity clay

<1 >100 mm <2% <1% <2% <1% <3%

1–2 100–50 mm 2–4% 1–3% 2–4% ∼1% 3–7%
2–3 50–30 mm 4–6% 3–4% 4–6% 1–3% 7–10%
3–5 30–20 mm 6–10% 4–8% 6–10% 3–9% 10–15%
5–7 20–15 mm 10–15% 8–11% 10–15% 9–17% 15%
7–10 15–10 mm 15–25% 11–20% 15–25% 17–25% 15%
10–15 10–7 mm 25–35% 20–30% 25–35% 25% 15%
15–20 7–5 mm 35–50% 30–40% 35–50% 25% 15%
>20 <5 mm >50% >40% >50% 25% 15%
 Soil strength parameters from classification and testing 67

◦ For subgrades CBR ≤ 25% and 15% for low and high plasticity clays,
respectively. Hence upper limit despite above equations.
◦ Webster’s work is based on the 8 kg cone as per Figure 4.3 while Austroads
is the 9 kg cone. The energy is similar but cone tip is different.

5.15 Allowable bearing capacity from DCP tests

• The DCP may be used as in the field assessment of allowable bearing capacity for
shallow footings.
• Indicative values will vary with soil type.
• Factor of safety of 3 used in Table.

Table 5.15 Allowable bearing capacity from DCP.

Blows/100 mm Allowable bearing capacity (kPa) Typical material

≤1 ≤50 kPa Very soft to soft clays, very loose sands

1–2 50–100 kPa Firm clays, loose sands
2–5 100–200 kPa Stiff clays, medium dense sands
6–9 200–400 kPa Very stiff clays, medium dense to dense sands
≥10 >400 kPa Hard clays, dense to very dense sands

◦ For high and low plasticity clays the allowable bearing capacity may be lower
and higher, respectively.

5.16 Soil classification from cone penetration tests

• This is an ideal tool for profiling to identify lensing and thin layers.
• It is most useful in alluvial areas.
• The table shows simplified interpretative approach. The actual classification and
strength is based on the combination of both the friction ratio and the measured
cone resistance, and cross checked with pore pressure parameters.

Table 5.16 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 over consolidated

resistance, qc >1.2 MPa Sands Over consolidated
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)
(Continued)