TECHNICAL PAPERS
Feb 23, 2009

Prediction of Soil Properties from the Concepts of Energy Transfer in Dynamic Penetration Tests

Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 8

Abstract

Results from dynamic penetration tests are traditionally interpreted on the basis of empirical correlations, this being a frequent criticism to these tests. An alternative rational method of interpretation is proposed in this paper from which the energy delivered to the composition of rods is used to calculate a dynamic force that represents the reaction of the soil to the penetration of the sampler (Fd) . Interpretation of soil properties both in sand and clay is based on this calculated dynamic force from which the internal friction angle and the undrained shear strength can be estimated. This is achieved from a simple combination of limit equilibrium analysis and cavity expansion theory. Case studies gathered from the Brazilian experience are reported in this paper to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach.

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Acknowledgments

The writers wish to express their gratitude to the Brazilian Research Council CNPq for the financial granted for this research project (46.1373/00-9), as well as for Geoforma Geotechnical Engineering Ltd. for workmanship and equipments used in the case studies.

References

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Published In

Go to Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 135Issue 8August 2009
Pages: 1092 - 1100

History

Received: Jul 19, 2007
Accepted: Dec 15, 2008
Published online: Feb 23, 2009
Published in print: Aug 2009

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Authors

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Fernando Schnaid
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Edgar Odebrecht
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Estate University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Marcelo Maia Rocha
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
George de Paula Bernardes
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, São Paulo State University, Brazil.

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