Cone Penetration Testing State-of-Practice

SUMMARY

Cone penetration testing (CPT) is a fast and reliable means of conducting highway site investigations for exploring soils and soft ground for support of embankments, retaining walls, pavement subgrades, and bridge foundations. The CPT soundings can be used either as a replacement (in lieu of) or complement to conventional rotary drilling and sampling methods. In CPT, an electronic steel probe is hydraulically pushed to collect continuous readings of point load, friction, and porewater pressures with typical depths up to 30 meters (100 feet) or more reached in about 1 to 1½ hours. Data are logged directly to a field computer and can be used to evaluate the geostratigraphy, soil types, water table, and engineering parameters of the ground by the geotechnical engineer on-site, thereby offering quick and preliminary conclusions for design. With proper calibration using full-scale load testing coupled with soil borings and laboratory testing, the CPT results can be used for final design parameters and analysis.