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Whether you are just learning about geotechnical engineering and its related fields or you are a veteran looking at current materials, these resources outline the basics. Geotechnical engineering focuses on the soil beneath our feet. The structural properties of the ground can affect what types of buildings can be built. Additionally, geotechnical engineers can conduct tests on soil and concrete properties. Covered in this section are a variety of articles about Cone Penetration Tests, drilling, different types of augers and more.

CPT Testing, the Piezocone and Measuring Soil Moisture

When you think of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) you may tend to focus on the soil being tested, which makes sense since soil testing and analysis is largely what CPT is all about. But let’s not forget another equally important aspect of soil testing: moisture. While measuring soil moisture levels isn't necessarily important in every investigation, it is often valuable information to have for your data set. When designing underground electrical equipment or digging tunnels, for example, knowing soil moisture conditions at certain depths is crucial. Measuring Moisture with a ‘Piezocone’ Measuring the moisture content of soil is a crucial aspect of CPT that is performed by a type of cone known as a ‘Piezocone.’ The Piezocone is a core component of many CPT systems; in fact, it’s actually a type of CPT cone. Able to measure the presence of groundwater, the Piezocone is fitted with a device that measures in-situ pore pressure. As such, when the cone penetrates into soils, water pressure is exerted on and measured by the Piezocone. Pore pressure data is recorded automatically during the testing process. As with any standard Cone Penetration Test, the Piezocone also measures pore pressure tip resistance, sleeve friction to provide a picture of the soil behavior being tested. Due to its relatively specialized nature, the Piezocone is typically used when soil conditions are expected to be fairly wet. The Piezocone is a standard configuration of most CPT cones while adding the ability to measure a greater breadth of information. If you found today's post interesting, subscribe to our blog for even more on the CPT business!

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What is a CPT DataPack?

Your average Cone Penetration Testing Rig is a fairly complex piece of machinery, but it can’t do its job alone. Indeed, every CPT Rig needs a DataPack, or data acquisition and analysis package (DAS), to properly measure and document soil information gathered from digital CPT cones and other sensors. But what exactly is a DataPack? Typically, CPT DataPacks like the VTK DataPack offer a simple “all-in-one” solution to commercial CPT service providers. The DataPack is most often designed to be field portable as it operates onsite during the CPT Testing process. As such, most DataPacks are best used with any commercial, off-the-shelf laptop for optimal portability. The Benefits of Automated Data Collection While sensor-specific data, such as calibration factors, serial numbers and sensor type, are in fact stored in each sensor module in the cone, that data is also automatically transmitted to the DataPack with each penetration. This automated collection of data offers a number of advantages. For starters, with the DataPack handling all the data collection, even a technician with minimal training can operate the system with relative ease. Automated data collection and analysis also reduces operator error or bias, while further speeding up the CPT Testing process as reporting is instant. This in turn allows for increased productivity and profit for the operator as many more soundings can be performed in a shift. Perhaps most importantly, the DataPack can also present information immediately in the form of a client-ready visual report. Again, this saves field engineers time as they don’t have to crunch the data manually. Since CPT is still a fairly new field, this makes it easier for technicians to make the shift to CPT from related vocations. The added confidence the DataPack offers technicians in turn helps ease the way for new entrants into the CPT [...]

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Cone Penetration Testing Glossary of Terms

This brief glossary contains some of the most frequently used terms related to CPT/CPTU. These are presented in alphabetical order. CPT: Cone Prenetration Test or the act of Cone Penetration Testing. CPTU: Cone Penetration Test with pore water pressure measurement - a piezocone test. Cone: The part of the Cone penetrometer on which the end bearing is developed. Cone penetrometer: The assembly containing the cone, friction sleeve, any other sensors and measuring systems, as well as the connections to the push rods. Cone resistance: The total force acting on the cone, divided by the projected area of the cone. Corrected cone resistance: The cone resistance corrected for pore water pressure effects. Corrected sleeve friction: The sleeve friction corrected for pore water pressure effects on the ends of the friction sleeve. Data acquisition system: The system used to measure and record the measurements made by the cone penetrometer. Dissipation test: A test when the decay of the pore water pressure is monitored during a pause in penetration. Filter element: The porous element inserted into the cone penetrometer to allow transmission of the pore water pressure to the pore pressure sensor, while maintaining the correct profile of the cone penetrometer. Friction ratio: The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the sleeve friction, to the cone resistance, both measured at the same depth. Friction reducer: A local enlargement on the push-rod surface, placed at a distance above the cone penetrometer, and provided to reduce the friction on the push rods. Friction sleeve: The section of the cone penetrometer upon which the sleeve friction is measured. Normalized cone resistance: The cone resistance expressed in a non dimensional form and taking account of stress changes in situ. Net cone resistance: The corrected cone resistance minus the vertical total stress. Net pore pressure: The meausured pore [...]

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10 Essentials of Construction Testing and Engineering

Testing construction material is an important step in the building process, as the outcome of testing, as well as the processes used, will ultimately affect the safety and longevity of the final building site. While the reality on most building sites is that the accuracy of testing and cost effectiveness are often balanced, these days it's pretty easy to ensure a high degree of accuracy while still keeping costs at a minimum. Regardless, the overall goal is to establish the foundation for assisting design engineers in making good, informed decisions while meeting building code requirements. By testing construction materials, along with ensuring proper geotechnical analysis, it's possible to guarantee buildings will meet regulatory requirements and last over time. Overall, construction materials, engineering and testing (CoMET) are used to ensure quality control and construction quality assurance. However, construction testing and engineering can only go so far without some key essentials. 10 Essentials of Construction Testing and Engineering: Observation, testing and evaluation of building materials Observation, testing and evaluation of quality construction methods and processes Observation, testing and evaluation of building outcomes Meeting building code compliance Site grading and subsurface prep Soil testing and analysis; evaluation of subsurface materials Cost-effective geotechnical sliutions and materials used Safe application of contaminated subsurface materials Proper recycling of excavated materials and debris Assurance of ground stability, especially in areas common to environmental disaster such as earthquakes, flooding, etc. By making sure to follow each of these 10 essential steps, you're ensuring that every aspect of inspection is covered, in turn ensuring a stable, up-to-code building for the long run. That said, there are a couple more important points to note: CoMET services must be performed during the early stages of a project and processes must be hands-on to ensure each step is given complete attention. Getting [...]

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What is Triaxial Testing and is it the Best Method for Testing Soil?

Those familiar with soil testing probably already know that there are a number of ways to test soil. One of the most common methods is the Standard Penetration Test, which is best known for its simplicity and versatility, but is held back by its lack of accuracy compared to more advanced options. More advanced methods include, of course, Cone Penetration Testing and Mud Rotary Drilling, both of which are common. Another common method is Triaxial Testing. What is Triaxial Testing? In order to conduct Triaxial Testing, you need a Triaxial Apparatus, which is made up of a Triaxial cell, universal testing machine and pressure control panel. For testing soil and other loose granular materials like sand and gravel, the material is placed in a cylindrical latex sleeve and submerged into a bath of water, or another liquid, which puts pressure on the sides of the cylinder. A circular metal plate at the top of the cylinder, called a platen, then squeezes the material. The distance the platen travels is measured, along with the net change in volume of the material. Like Cone Penetration Testing, Triaxial Testing is used to measure the properties of soils, but can also be used on more solid materials like rock. Typically, Triaxial Testing is used to solve problems of stability by: Determining the shear strength and stiffness of soil when retaining reservoirs of water Measuring stress/strain behavior Monitoring the internal response of the particulate medium It is also used for pore water pressure measurement and determining contractive behavior, which is common in sandy soil. As such, this soil testing method is well-suited to helping engineers improve their building designs while limiting structural/build failures by imparting a proper understanding of material behavior and an assessment of the characteristics of a build site. Primary benefits of Triaxial [...]

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What Can You Reveal Using Fluorescence Detection?

Even if you use CPT technology daily to test soil, you may not be aware of the further advantages CPT testing has to offer beyond its more commonly used or basic geotechnical functions. Take fluorescence detection, for example. Fluorescence detection records a fluorescent response to a specific excitation of automatic carbons in a chemical. This excitation is caused by an ultraviolet light source. But you're probably wondering how fluorescence detection can help you. Read on to find out! The Common Uses of Fluorescence Detection Before delving into scenarios in which fluorescence detection is useful, let's take a closer look at how it works in relation to CPT. One method of fluorescence detection is done using handheld UV lights to investigate above ground contamination. With CPT, the UV light source is placed in the cone, with fiber-optic cables transmitting resulting fluorescence to the surface where it can be measured in voltage responses. At Vertek CPT, we use LEDs and mercury lamps to generate UV light. Whether above ground or below, fluorescence detection reveals two ranges of fluorescent emissions: 280-450 nm wavelengths and wavelengths above 475 nm. The test is capable of detecting a variety of chemicals within these ranges, including: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Coal tars (DNAPL compounds) if mixed with compounds, like fuels Creosote sites that contain naphtalene, anthracene, BTEX and pyrene Total petroleum hydrocarbon values (TPH) as low as 100 ppm in sandy soil Fluorescence detection is also able to detect a number of contaminants, such as jet fuel, diesel, unleaded gasoline, home heating oil and motor oil. As you can imagine, this makes fluorescence detection extremely beneficial at fuel spill sites and sites with leaking storage tanks. However, if you already use CPT testing regularly, it's worth considering fluorescence detection in other scenarios to add capability and additional [...]

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Should you Use a Sand Cone Test in Construction?

It may seem at times that there are almost too many soil testing methods, but many are developed to fit certain scenarios or address issues with other testing methods. This is the case with the sand cone test, which is used to determine soil compaction and is an alternative to using a nuclear density gauge. But does this mean the sand cone test is worth using when working on construction sites? The Pros and Cons of the Sand Cone Test There are many benefits to performing a sand cone test, especially for those relying on a nuclear density gauge. With a sand cone test, you can get similar results at a much lower cost, without the need for radioactive material. The cost of the sand cone test apparatus is also fairly low, making sand cone testing relatively inexpensive. The apparatus consists of a plastic container, a metal cone with a valve and a high density base plate. Its also relatively small and portable, making testing possible pretty much anywhere. The sand cone test has its fair share of negatives as well, including: Easy to compromise samples during testing. Soil samples are sensitive to vibrations, shifting of particles, and any errors in set up of the test site Samples that contain mixed particles can be less accurate Samples that contain too much moisture content can be less accurate Long result time: 20 minutes (vs. nuclear gauge which only takes 1 minute for results) Technicians, of course, should be aware of the limitations of the sand cone test as many factors can skew its results. In other words, the sand cone test may not be worth using when working on construction sites, except to confirm observations and inform opinions about soil moisture and density. This is especially true when you consider that [...]

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How to Interpret Soil Test Results from CPT Testing

Even if you already have a solid grasp of what Cone Penetration Testing is and how CPT rigs test soils, understanding soil test results is a bigger task. You likely already know that CPT rigs are equipped with automated interpretation programs, but that doesn't mean test results are easily readable right away. Fortunately, even if you aren't a technician, it is possible to gain some understanding into soil test results. Read on to find out how. The basics of soil test results At the most basic level, the results of CPT testing are based on the relationship between cone bearing, sleeve friction and pore water pressure. With these three measurements, you can learn quite a bit about soil composition and conditions. For example, friction ratio measured by the sleeve is used to determine soil type. Soil is then classified according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). CPT can also measure: Soil parameters Computer calculations of interpreted soil behavior types (SBT) Additional geotechnical parameters It's also possible to determine temperature shifts and zero load offset through the use of baseline readings. This essentially means comparing test results to those generated from initial testing before work begins on a site. With careful observation, it's possible to determine even more about the soil tested. Some examples include noting trends in water content to determine the type of soil (ie, sand does not retain water as well as clay) and knowing that larger values of cone resistance and sleeve friction usually indicate coarser soils, while lower values tend to indicate fine-grained soils. Although they won't put you on the level of a trained technician, these basics should make soil test results much easier to understand. More importantly, with this information in mind, you should have a much greater understanding of CPT testing as [...]

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Grow your Business by Increasing your Geotechnical Services

If you're looking for ways to help grow your business, consider expanding your geotechnical services. By increasing the geotechnical services your company offers, you'll be able to expand your current client base and increase your workload. To realize these benefits, you'll first have to decide which geotechnical services you can offer, which you could offer more in-depth, how it would affect your current workload, and how it can increase your revenue. What Geotechnical Services Can your Business Offer? Rental and sales of equipment Field exploration (soil and rock sampling, test boring, core drilling, electro-magnetic surveying, etc.) Site evaluation (for pavement/ sub grades, alternative site and route studies, definition of critical geotechnical parameters) Engineering analysis and design (slope stability evaluation, hillside grading recommendations, earth retaining structure design, earthquake damage analysis) Laboratory testing services (soil classification, shear strength, permeability, consolidation characteristics, resistivity) Some of these services may be a more natural fit for your current business than others. However, it's worth considering the environment your business is located in, as well as the environmental factors that have an affect on construction. This will help you to hone in on the services that are in demand. Also research any potential competition in your area to see what they do or do not offer, and consider filling any void you discover. For example, if you notice a void in your area's laboratory testing services, consider hiring an expert internally. Between the equipment and manpower you already hold, adding an additional employee may prove profitable. If you're not sure how to gauge demand in your area, consider who you could be marketing your geotechnical services to. Potential customers include: Developers Realtors Architects Engineers Construction companies Utilities Manufacturing companies Financial institutions Federal, state and municipal organizations With a little research and a keen eye, you may [...]

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Is a Sieve Analysis Accurate?

If you regularly use Cone Penetration Testing on the job, you probably already know that there are a number of alternative soil testing methods out there. Some of the more common procedures include the Standard Penetration Test, which has been covered before in this blog, and the sieve analysis, also known as the gradation test. Most commonly used in civil engineering, this basic soil testing method is used to assess the particle size distribution of soil and other granular material. But is sieve analysis accurate? As is the case with Standard Penetration Testing, sieve analysis can provide accurate results, but only in the right conditions or scenarios. In fact, sieve analysis can achieve optimal accuracy only if certain conditions are met. First off, sieve analysis needs a proper representative example of soil from the building site, meaning particles must be mixed well within the testing sample. The sample must also be of the right size, so it does not overload the sieve and skew the results. In terms of equipment, sieve analysis requires: Test sieves that conform to relevant standards Reliable sieve shaker and analytical balance Error-free evaluation and documentation Proper cleaning and care of equipment, especially sieves When these conditions are met, it is possible to get accurate and consistent results from sieve analysis, but only with coarse materials larger than #100 mesh. When it comes to finer materials smaller than #100 mesh, sieve analysis becomes less accurate. The reason for this is the mechanical energy used to move particles through the dry sieve can compromise particle size. Fortunately, this can be offset somewhat with wet sieve analysis as long as the testing particles aren't changed by the addition of water. Sieve testing is also less accurate for non-spherical particles as they may have trouble fitting through the mesh. [...]

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