Penetrometer Testing: Effect of Partial Consolidation on Subsequent Dissipation Response
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 6
Abstract
Partial drainage during a penetration test increases the penetration resistance, and also affects the excess pore pressures generated and the form of any subsequent dissipation test. This complicates interpretation of such tests, particularly in soils of intermediate consolidation characteristics, because it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the coefficient of consolidation from which to assess the degree of consolidation during penetration. The effect of partial consolidation during penetration on subsequent dissipation tests is investigated here through a number of model piezocone and piezoball tests conducted in a single soil sample under centrifuge conditions. Backbone curves of penetration resistance and excess pore pressure are devised, and comparisons are made of the form of the dissipation response for the two types of penetrometers and for two different pore pressure monitoring positions on the piezoball. Different methods are proposed for assessing the degree of consolidation during the penetration phase, thus allowing the consolidation coefficient to be estimated with reasonable accuracy. Advantages of monitoring pore pressure at two different locations on the piezoball are argued.
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Acknowledgments
This work forms part of the activities of the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) at the University of Western Australia, currently supported as a node of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering, and by The Lloyd’s Register Foundation. The first author is grateful for support from an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and University Postgraduate Award from the University of Western Australia and Benthic Geotech PhD Scholarship from Benthic Geotech Pty Ltd.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 6 • June 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 3, 2013
Accepted: Feb 13, 2014
Published online: Mar 18, 2014
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Aug 18, 2014
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