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SICEAS-45 Development of Cone Bearing Factor for Malaysian Clay

Conference Paper · January 2015

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 SICEAS-45
Development of Cone Bearing Factor for Malaysian Clay

Ramli Nazir*
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
ramlinazir@utm.my

Ismail A Rahman
Public Work Dept. Malaysia

Abstract
This study presented the result of Cone Penetration Test (CPT) and empirical correlations
between cone resistances (qc) with the undrained shear strength (Su) from the laboratory test.
Unconsolidated-undrained (UU) triaxial and cone penetration test results were used to
develop correlations between undrained shear strength and cone resistance for clay soil in the
study area located on alluvial clay desposits in Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. An empirical
correlation of Su with effective overburden pressure is developed and the cone bearing factor
௤೎ ିఙ ௤೎
(Nk) of 17 ± 8 is recomended using Su = ேೖ
and Nk of 28 ± 8 using Suൌ . The result
ே೎

shows that the Nk valued is in the agreement with the published correlation. It is concluded
that the correlation factors obtained in this study yet to be established for Malaysian clay due
to inedequate data base. It is expected to improve once all the data base required within the
Malaysia State can be collected incorporating with the current state of knowledge and
practice regarding behavior of Malaysian Clay.

Keywords: Cone Penetration Test, cone resistance, Malaysian Clay, Undrained Shear
Strength

1. Introduction
The cone penetration test (CPT) has been used for many years as a standard investigation tool,
mainly to determine quickly the soil profile (through the friction ratio) as well as for the
estimation of the undrained shear strength, Su, in the case of cohesive soils. Cone resistance
(qc) usually varies directly with the undrained shear strength of clay (Su). Soil strength
parameters use for design of foundation in Malaysia are mainly extract from Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) result which sometimes might lead to an erroneous conclusion. This
is due to the linearly interpolation between each SPT depth value at a minimum 1.5 m depth.

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However, in CPT the relation of soil strength is adopted at every 0.05 m depth. CPT method
is not widely used in Malaysia, therefore correlation between soil strength parameters and
CPT is still yet not well established.

.2. Cone Penetrometer

2.1 Brief History of Cone Penetrometer
The CPT was introduced in Holland in early thirties and since then it has been used
extensively in European countries. In the recent year CPT has gained popularity rapidly all
over the world because of its added advantages over other conventional test. Comprehensive
reviews of Su from CPT data have been presented by Baligh et al (1980), Jamiolkowski et al
(1982), Lunne and Kleven (1981) and Robertson et al (1986). It is noted that the undrained
shear strength of clay is not a unique parameter and depends significantly on the type of test
used, the rate of strain and the orientation of the plane failure. The first electronic cone was
introduced in 1948 and later improved in 1971 (de Ruiter, 1971). Since then numerous
designs have been developed. A cone of 10 cm2 base area with an apex angle of 60o is
generally accepted as standard and has been specified in the European and American
Standards (ISSMFE, 1977). The electric cone penetrometer consists, essentially, of two strain
gauge load cells; one being attached to the cone tip and measuring cone resistance (qc ), and
the other, connected to the side, or sleeve, of the cone penetrometer and measuring sleeve
friction (fs ). The cone resistance, qc, is defined as the total force acting on the cone tip, Fc,
divided by the cross-sectional area of the base of the cone, Ab, and is usually expressed in
units of MPa. The sleeve friction, fs, is defined as the total force on the friction sleeve, Fs,
divided by the surface area of the sleeve, As, and is usually expressed in units of kPa. A
schematic representation and terminology of the electric cone penetrometer is shown in
Figure 1.

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2.2 Application of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
When a cone is pushed into the ground the pressure exerted on the end of the cone giving
direct indication of the strength and stiffness of the soil. This is similar to the Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) but in the CPT a continuous resistance profile is available, rather than
say tests at 1.5 - 2m depth intervals. No detrimental ground water effects occurs during a CPT
compared to the SPT. As well as measuring the pressure (qc) at the end of the cone during a
test, other measurements can be made which help to identify and classify the soils. Two of the
most common measurements are:
i) The friction on a cylindrical sleeve (fs) set immediately behind the cone end.
This friction is related to the cone resistance as a ratio of friction/cone resistance (fs/qc),
known as the Friction Ratio (FR).
ii) The pore pressures are developed or induced during insertion of the cone
into a cohesive material. When a granular or more permeable soil layer is penetrated the pore
pressure drops as a result of quick drainage and sometimes to as low as the ambient
hydrostatic ground water pressure
A typical data result from Cone Penetration Testing are presented in Figure 2.

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 3. Empirical Correlation Cone Resistance with Undrained Shear Strength
The empirical approaches available for interpretation of Su from CPT results can be grouped
under three main categories as follows:
a) Su estimation using “total” cone resistance.
b) Su estimation using “effective” cone resistance.
c) Su estimation using excess pore pressure.
In this study only empirical correlation using “total” cone resistance have been considered in
determine correlation with undrained shear strength. Estimation of Su from CPT using cone
resistance is made from the following equation:-

qc  V
Su Equation (1)
Nk

Where
Su = undrained shear strength
qc = cone resistance
σ = in-situ total overburden pressure
Nk = cone bearing factor

Some people have had good experience using the relationship

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 qc
Su Equation (2)
Nc

The contribution of the total overburden pressure (σ) has been interpreted as either the in-situ
vertical stress (σv), or the in-situ horizontal stress (σh), or the in-situ mean stress. The
overburden pressure (σ) is usually taken as the in-situ total vertical stress (σv) since the in-situ
horizontal stress is usually not known. Theoretical solutions for Nk have been based on
bearing capacity theories (Meyerhof, 1956) and more recently by use of cavity expansion
theories (Ladanyi and Eden, 1969, and Vesic, 1972). Baligh (1975) combined these two
approaches in approximate form. The solutions involve several simplifying assumptions, such
as neglect of undrained strength anisotropy and strain softening behavior. The latter can be
adequately approximated by using the average of the vertical and horizontal strengths.
Ladanyi and Eden (1969) reported that by neglecting strain-softening, on the other hand, can
lead to a serious error for sensitive clays. Other factors such as cone type and rate of
penetration may significantly affect the penetration resistance. Nk is generally obtained from
empirical correlations. The reference Su should be measured from field vane tests or direct
simple shear tests. Some established correlation cone resistance with undrained shear
strength is presented below.

3.2 Established Correlation Value of Cone Bearing Factor

Over the years, a large number of studies have been performed, many of them resulting in N k
factor of about 15 – 20. However this method of determining Su may vary from one study
to another. In general, corrected total cone resistance (qt) is the most frequent used empirical
approach to estimate the undrained shear strength of saturated clay. Table 1.0 shows an
established values of Nk obtained by various researchers.

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Generally, the most frequent used empirical approach to estimate undrained shear strength in
Malaysia is by using corrected total cone resistance (qt). Gue and Tan (2000) recommended
using an Nkt value of 15 to estimate a lower bound for the undrained shear strength at new
site. The results shown in Figure 3 is reasonable to use an average value of Nkt = 15 to
estimate the undrained shear strength for Klang Clay. The cone resistance has been corrected
for the effects of water pressure on the back of the cone.

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 4. Tests Results and Discussions
Data were collected from field and laboratory test results of the soil investigation result for
project Pusat Angkasa Negara in Sg Lang, Banting Selangor. The focus of the report was to
determine the correlation between cone resistances with undrained shear strength. Results
from the tests were analyzed and compared to the published correlation. Nineteen numbers
(19) of Cone Penetration Test Data were extract from the site. The sample result extract from
one CPT point shows the results of cone resistance with depth up to 1.0 meter presented in
Table 2.

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Detail results has been reported elsewhere by Ismail A.R (2007). The undrained shear strength
(Su) were collected, summarized and averaged based on one meter different in depth from the
laboratory result carried out in the project. The average value of bulk density within the
average depth of the soil profile also been summarized in order to calculate the overburden
pressure (σ) which will be used to calculate the net cone resistance, (qc - σ). Figure 4 shows
the averaged value of undrained shear strength (Su) and bulk density compare with the
averaged depth of the soil profile. The undrained shear strength (Su) of soil under study
increases almost linearly with depth with regression of 80.5 %. The undrained shear strength
result from UU test obtained from laboratory test will then be plotted against cone resistance
and net cone resistance from CPT data. Correlation equations were developed based on the
best fit line to predict cone bearing factor value (Nk) values for the soil under study. Results
comparison will evaluate the appropriateness of the correlations for the type of soils in
Malaysia.

227
A series of Nk values obtained from empirical correlation between cone resistances with
undrained shear strength as shown in Table 3. The cone bearing factor, N k varied between 9
and 23 computed by Equation (1) and Nk varied between 10 and 33 computed by Equation (2).
These values based on field and laboratory data are quite similar to the values suggested by the
more theoretical methods as shown in Table 1. However the Nk values obtained does not
take into account the pore pressure effects which employ the cone resistance corrected for pore
water pressure effect, qt.

228
An average relationship between cone resistances with undrained shear strength for a CPT
presented with best fitted line was presented in Figure 5(a) and (b). The proposed cone factors
according to Equation 1 and 2 are presented in Table 4. Therefore it can be summarized that
undrained shear strength (Su) of clay soil under study can be assessed and evaluated by both
correlations.

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For the clays being considered the Nk values obtained by means of empirical approaches from
Equation 1 which is 17 ± 8 is agreed with those given by Lunne et al, 1976, Baligh et al, 1980
and Kjekstad et al 1978. Experience has shown that no simple unique relationship exists
between CPT data and undrained shear strength (Su) for all clay type soils. The value of Nk
decreases if over burden pressure (σ) being taken into consideration. With local experience,
individual correlations for Nk should be determined for specific clays shear strength and also
it should be standardized as well as the penetration procedure.

5. Conclusion
There are much more field area and correlation to be studied relating to Cone Penetration
Testing data. Due to the smaller size of the data base, the proposed correlations can be
considered as low reliable for Malaysian clay soil. Soil data from other project sites in
different states within Peninsular Malaysia as well as East Malaysia should be collected and
analysed to confirm the finding of the study find the correlation with undrained shear strength
that can be used in Malaysia. The relationship between CPT and soil strength parameters is

230
yet to be established in Malaysia. Further investigation and study is recommended for the
behavior and correlation of CPT data with other parameter in Malaysia clay.

6. Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the Research Management Centre of Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM) for providing financial support through research vote:
Q.J130000.2522.06H52 for this research.

References
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Report R75-56, Dept. of Civil Engg., MIT, Cambridge, 141p.
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