EMPLOYER/CLIENT

PROJECT

Introduction to Cone Penetration Testing Onshore

Providing geotechnical data, geo-environmental data and unexploded ordnance clearance onshore (and offshore).

Introduction
The objective of all ground investigations is to obtain data which will adequately quantify the variability of the geotechnical
properties of the site. Sufficient data is required to assess the impact of soil variability within an appropriate time frame that
for the geotechnical design and/or construction programme. Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) provides a rapid and cost
effective means by which this objective can be achieved.
CPT units can be mobilised as road-going vehicle types or as a variety of narrow chassis and crawler undercarriages,
ideally suited to traversing soft, water-logged terrain or entering sites with limited access. Fugros development of CPT
applications has a number of advantages that combine well with boring, sampling and standard penetration tests:

Identifies soil stratigraphy in terms of general soil behaviour and, to lesser degree, soil type.
Provides a continuous (although indirect) record of ground conditions, avoiding the ground disturbance associated
with boring and sampling.
Data may be used in long-established semi-empirical design methods, for example, analysis of foundation bearing
capacity, foundation settlement, pile carrying capacity and liquefaction potential.
Ground engineering properties (cu, , Eoed, E and ID) may be derived from the data, the accuracy
of assessment increasing when a piezocone is deployed.
Piezocones (CPTU) can also be used to assess hydrostatic head, consolidation and permeability characteristics.
Yields thousands or tens of thousands of data points that can be digitally stored and transferred in real time.
Cost-effective method employing rapid probing rates to accredited test procedures.

CPT generates high value data and adapts readily to the environmental sensitivities of many investigations in favourable
types of material, generally excluding bedrock, very dense granular fill and strata containing cobbles and boulders.
The rate of penetration during all tests is kept constant at approximately 2cm per second. The cone penetrometer load cells
and pressure transducers are regularly calibrated against load and pressure transducers calibrated by an independent
authority. The cone calibration certificates for the cones used are presented with the results.
The CPTs are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as being undertaken by testing laboratory
No. 0925. This covers all Fugro's cone penetration testing activities including UXO for ground investigation sites in the UK.
The relevant UKAS schedule is presented with the results.

Cone to be pushed into the ground

Contract No: ##

CPT Rigs at the UK Fugro offices

Appendix ##

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EMPLOYER/CLIENT
PROJECT

Introduction to Cone Penetration Testing Onshore

In situ Strength cones and vanes

Soil Type & Stratification

Detailed characterisation of soil types

On-site determination of strata variations
UKAS accredited testing procedures
Continuous real-time data
Accurate depth control
Slope indicator
High production rates (>100m/day)
Up to 20 tonne thrust capacity

In situ strength can be determined

from the results of cone penetrometer tests and/or in situ vane
tests using the Geonor vane
deployed from a CPT rig.
where:
qc = measured cone resistance
fs = sleeve friction
T = measured rotational torque
Undrained shear strength (cu) may
be determined from qc using a cone
factor (Nk) and overburden pressure
(Po). Different calculation methods
may use effective overburden
pressure v' or a bearing capacity
factor (Nq) related to friction angle '

Hydraulic Behaviour Piezocone

Soil Deformation - Pressuremeter

The piezocone incorporates a

porous element in the shoulder of
the cone. An internal pressure
transducer measures the transient
pore water pressure variations
during cone penetration.
Rapid dissipation of pore water
pressure is indicative of
permeable strata and features,
whilst excess pore water
pressures are indicative of clays.
Features as thin as 1cm can be
detected.
Pore pressure dissipation with
time provides data from which
estimates of the coefficient of
consolidation of the soil can be
derived. This data can be used to
estimate soil permeability.
Pore water pressure data can be
used to estimate over
consolidation ratio in clays.

Contract No: ##

Appendix ##

Fugro Cone
Pressuremeter (CPM)
provides a reliable
measurement of the in
situ strength and load
deformation behaviour
of the soil.
Results from cone
pressuremeter tests can
be used to derive
parameters such as:
-

undrained shear strength

shear modulus
effective horizontal stress
relative density

Data from the cone

penetrometer can be
used to ensure that the
pressuremeter is
positioned within the
zone of soil interest.

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EMPLOYER/CLIENT
PROJECT

Introduction to Cone Penetration Testing Onshore

Dynamic Properties Seismic Cone

Soil Sampling and Instrumentation

The Seismic Cone

Penetration Test (SCPT)
is a reliable, cost
effective technique to
determine the in situ
seismic wave velocity.
Seismic wave velocities
give an indication of
ground characteristics
such as low strain shear
modulus and Poissons
ratio.
Data from the cone
penetrometer is used in
delineating the strata
changes identified by
seismic results.

Contamination ROST / LIF and MIP Cones

Interpretation of CPT results

can be enhanced by the use
of site-specific correlations.
Such correlations are
obtained by performing
laboratory tests on soil
samples obtained from the
location of the CPT tests.
CPT equipment and
samplers such as the
Mostap 35/65 can be used
to obtain soil samples of
either 35mm or 65mm
diameter up to 1.5m in
length dependent upon
depth and soil conditions
encountered.
In addition the equipment can
be used to install drive-in
piezometers, either manual
reading or digital with the
benefit of having an adjacent
CPT profile to accurately
determine optimum tip depth.

Unexploded Ordnance Magnetometer Cone

The adapted CPT cone is

used for two different geoenvironmental screening
methods to detect
contaminants present in the
subsurface.

Magcone- Triaxial
Magnetometer mounted
in a piezo-cone.
Deployed from CPT rigs.

Rapid Optical Screening

Tool (ROST) using Laser
Induced Fluorescence (LIF)
Screening of hydro carbon
derived contamination in
soil and groundwater.

As rapid as standard
CPT surveys.

Membrane Interface Probe

(MIP) Direct measurement
of organic compounds and
chlorination hydrocarbons
in the soil.

Used to clear piles, CPT

and BH locations.

Up to 3m diameter of
detection gives multiple
pile clearance.

Penetrates most pile

mats and fill.

Detailed lithological
information of the subsurface
soil available from the CPT
cone.

Contract No: ##

Appendix ##

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EMPLOYER/CLIENT
PROJECT

Introduction to Cone Penetration Testing Onshore

Rig Types, UK based.

20 tonne
Heavy Truck
GB7, GB9, GB17

Typical uses Roads, hard standings, fields and natural

surfaces without steep inclines or soft areas. Paved areas,
unploughed fields, landfill.
Dimensions 7.2m long by 2.6m wide by 4.9m high when
operating. All axle six wheel drive.
Thrust Capacity 18 tonnes own weight, up to 20 tonnes with
suitable ballast.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions,
generally terminates in ground with an equivalent SPT 'N'
value between 40 and 70 which but carries 40m of rods.

22 tonne
Heavy
Crawler
GB12

Typical uses Areas where surface soils have low shear

strength such as coastal and tidal areas, peat bogs,
floodplains, landfill
Dimensions 5.3m long by 2.6m wide by 5.0m high when
operating. Ground pressure 26kPa.
Thrust Capacity 15 tonnes own weight, up to 20 tonnes with
suitable anchors.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions,
generally terminates in ground with an equivalent SPT 'N'
value between 40 and 70 but carries 40m of rods.

14 tonne
Wide-Track
Crawler
GB5

Typical uses Areas where surface soils have low shear

strength such as coastal and tidal areas, peat bogs,
floodplains, landfill.
Dimensions 5.3m long by 2.6m wide by 5.0m high when
operating. Ground pressure 20kPa approximately.
Thrust Capacity 14 tonnes own weight.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions,
generally terminates in ground with an equivalent SPT 'N'
value between 40 and 70 but carries 40m of rods.

1 tonne
Mini Crawler
GB3

Typical uses Coastal and tidal areas, peat bogs,

floodplains, embankments and bunds. Transported in 5
tonne truck.
Dimensions 3.4m long by 1.4m wide by 4.0m high when
operating. Ground pressure 15kPa.
Thrust Capacity 1 tonnes own weight, up to 10 tonnes with
suitable anchors.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions,
generally terminates in ground with an equivalent SPT 'N'
value between 20 and 30 which is less than less than about
15m but carries 30m of rods.

Typical uses limited spaces. Can be floor or wallmounted. Transported in 5 tonne truck.
Dimensions maximum 2.3m high when operating.
Thrust Capacity 1 tonnes own weight, up to 15 tonnes with
suitable anchors.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions

Basement Rig

Typical uses Offshore, nearshore and land projects.

Positions where access is typically by specialist
transportation such as railways.
Dimensions 2.0m long by 1.0m wide by 2.3m high when
operating.
Thrust Capacity 20 tonnes as own weight and that provided
by frame to which it is attached e.g. marine jack up platform
or railway truck.
Maximum penetration dependent on ground conditions,
generally terminates in ground with an equivalent SPT 'N'
value between 40 and 70 but carries 40m of rods.

20 tonne
Marine / Rail
Demountable
Rig
GB4,
GB10,
GB11,
GB19

Additional rigs with similar specification and compatible software and hardware systems are available
from a number of European Fugro offices.

Contract No: ##

Appendix ##

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