Static and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Tests for Babolsar Sand Parameters via Physical Modeling

Abstract

Field tests are the most suitable method to determine geotechnical parameters. Owing to some restrictions in field tests, physical modeling has been widely accepted as a proper method to define mathematical correlations among geotechnical parameters. This study investigates correlations between parameters derived from cone penetrometer tests. The tests were performed in a cylindrical chamber with a height and diameter of 1000 mm to minimize the boundary effect. Coastal poorly graded sand sampled from the Babolsar region, adjacent to the Caspian Sea, was used. Some correlations among geotechnical parameters, including cone resistance, dynamic cone resistance, dynamic penetration index, modulus of elasticity, internal friction angle, and relative density, are presented. All correlations were categorized into three main categories: soil stiffness, penetration strength, and geotechnical parameters. The results had reasonable accuracy and precision. The average R2 value of the obtained results was approximately 94. The investigations into the inherent CPT also indicated that the strength parameter had more accuracy than stiffness and other sand parameters. Specifically, the R2 value for the correlation between the results of various penetration tests, considered strength parameters, averaged 97. In contrast, the R2 value for the correlation between the elasticity modulus and cone penetration test results was 86.