STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

The standard penetration test (SPT) is an in-situ dynamic penetration test designed to provide information on the geotechnical engineering properties of soil. The test procedure is described in theBritish Standard BS EN ISO 22476-3, ASTM D1586 and Australian Standards AS 1289.6.3.1.

The SPT Sampler

Types of SPT Hammers

Purpose : A quick means to evaluate the variability of the subgrade with correlation to density of granular soils and to obtain disturbed samples. Best Suited : Sand & Silt Number of standard penetration test blows at three sites in the Everglades Nutrient Removal (ENR) project and Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA-2A), north-central Everglades, south Florida
Blows (N values) Number of samples - MP2 Number of samples MOP2 Number of samples S10C 0-4 Very loose 0 2 5 5 - 10 Loose 0 1 5 11 - 30 Medium 1 12 15 31 - 50 Dense 7 11 7 51 or more Very dense 11 15 5

Correleation between deformation modulus, Ed and SPT Nvalue for granular

ADVANTAGES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

DISADVANTAGES
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Obtain both a sample & a number Simple & rugged Suitable in many soil types Can perform in weak rocks Available throughout the U.S.

Obtain both a sample & a number* Disturbed sample (index tests only) Crude number for analysis Not applicable in soft clays & silts High variability and uncertainty (COV of N =15 to 100%)**

Standard penetration test N values from a surficial aquifer in south Florida.

Cone penetration
The cone penetration test (CPT) is an in situ testing method used to determine thegeotechnical engineering properties of soils and delineating soil stratigraphy. It was initially developed in the 1950s at the Dutch Laboratory for Soil Mechanics in Delft to investigate soft soils. Based on this history it has also been called the "Dutch cone test". Today, the CPT is one of the most used and accepted in situ test methods for soil investigation worldwide. The test method consists of pushing an instrumented cone, with the tip facing down, into the ground at a controlled rate (usually 2 centimeters/second). The resolution of the CPT in delineating stratigraphic layers is related to the size of the cone tip, with typical cone tips having a cross-sectional area of either 10 or 15 cm, corresponding to diameters of 3.6 and 4.4 cm.

Purpose: Fast, economical, and provides continuous profiling of geostratigraphy and soil properties evaluation.

Best Suited : Sand, Silt, Clay

The result of a cone penetration test: resistance and friction on the left, friction ratio (%) on the right.

ADVANTAGES
Fast and continuous profiling Economical and productive Results not operator-dependent Strong theoretical basis in interpretation 5. Particularly suitable for soft soils
1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

DISADVANTAGES
High capital investment Requires skilled operator to run Electronic drift, noise, and calibration No soil samples are obtained Unsuitable for gravel or boulder deposits*

Good reliability (COV ~ 7 - 12 %)**

CPT log in comparison to SPT data from several locations.

Peak friction angle in terms of relative density and sand gradation (relationship suggested

Comparison of measured triaxial friction angles with SPT relationship proposed