Seismic cone penetration test to identify cemented sands

Abstract

Cemented sands are found in many areas of the world and one of their distinguishing characteristics is their ability to stand in steep natural slopes. Slope failures in these areas are not uncommon. They occur rapidly under gravity and/or earthquake loading which can easily lead to loss of life and property. This paper presents a method to identify cemented sands with seismic cone penetration (SCPT) test results. A correlation is developed between small strain shear modulus (Go) and large strain cone penetration resistance (qc) from which the level of cementation in cemented sands in terms of attraction parameter (a'p) can be approximated. The correlation is derived based on published data from calibration chamber tests performed on uncemented and artificially cemented sands. A procedure is also proposed to estimate relative density of cemented sands. Field evidence is used to illustrate the proposed procedures.