Dynamic characteristics of the soils by Cone Penetration Tests (CPT)

Abstract

A geotechnical project requires a site-specific investigation to collect data regarding the subsurface conditions. Soil explorations must be made to determine the presence and identification of underlying strata, groundwater conditions, types of geomaterials, their depths and thicknesses, and the associated engineering parameters required for geotechnical design. The Cone Penetration Test (CPT) represents one of the most widely used on-site investigation methods in geotechnical engineering. This paper presents some empirical correlations available by Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) for determining the main geotechnical characteristics of soils. Moreover it aims to evaluate the small strain shear modulus by means of empirical correlations based on penetration tests results, CPT, Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and Flat Dilatometer Marchetti Tests (DMT) or laboratory geotechnical investigations. It is aimed to achieve a better understanding of the obtained geotechnical parameters and the empirical correlations, justifying the investigation effort and enabling reliable input data for advanced dynamic analysis.