CPT-based estimation of bearing and deformation indexes for TJ-1 lunar soil simulant ground

Abstract

The bearing capacity and deformation modulus of lunar ground are of great importance for the design of lander feet and foundations of future permanent lunar outposts. Plate Loading Test (PLT) is a reliable and the most adopted means to evaluate the two mechanical indexes on the Earth, but it is not directly applicable on lunar surface due to the difficulty in setting up the test equipment. Cone Penetration Test (CPT) is an alternative means mainly due to its easy operation and can be used to evaluate the two indexes indirectly by linking them with penetration resistance in CPT. In this paper, such relationships are established by carrying out PLT and CPT on a model ground constructed by TJ-1 lunar soil simulant in a soil chamber. Test results show that the representative bearing capacity and deformation modulus of the model ground can be estimated by penetration data through the same ground. The loading plate size-dependency of the two mechanical indexes is also accounted for in the proposed empirical equations. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.