Piezocone profiling of clays for maritime site investigations

ABSTRACT: Site investigations for ports, bridges, and offshore facilities benefit from the use of piezocone tests in the field exploration program since multiple continuous readings with depth are obtained by the soundings. The interpretation of the piezocone resistances is discussed in context with geostratigraphy and the interpretation of strength parameters needed in geotechnical design. All three piezocone readings can be used to advantage in profiling site conditions and soil properties. The classical method of directly assessing undrained shear strength of clays can alternately be directed at a stress history approach using either critical state soil mechanics or normalized strength ratios which (s u /σvo `) to overconsolidation ratio (OCR). Case studies involving an offshore site and two nearshore sites with port expansions are presented in this context.