Cone Penetration Testing CPT

High-resolution subsurface profiling for geotechnical and environmental investigations—fast mobilization, dependable data, and expert interpretation support.

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Overview: What CPT Testing Measures

GEOTILL offers a complete suite of geotechnical and environmental Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) and integrated geophysical/in-situ tools. CPT is performed by pushing an instrumented cone penetrometer into the subsurface to measure soil response continuously with depth. The resulting dataset provides rapid, reliable insight into soil stratigraphy, relative density, and strength behavior.

Depending on the module selected, CPT can also provide pore pressure response (static and dynamic), indicators of hydraulic conductivity, and seismic response information used in liquefaction screening and site response evaluations. Our experienced operators collect high-quality data efficiently—even under challenging access and ground conditions—reducing time on site and overall project cost.

In addition to field operations, GEOTILL supports your team with practical guidance on test program planning and the technical support needed to interpret CPT results and integrate findings into your site investigation strategy.

How Cone Penetration Testing Works

Continuous, Depth-Resolved Measurements
CPT pushes a cone at a controlled rate while recording sensor measurements continuously. This creates a near-continuous log of subsurface conditions that can reveal thin layers and subtle transitions that may be missed by widely spaced sampling intervals.
Actionable Engineering Parameters
CPT data can be used to infer soil behavior type, estimate density/strength trends, and support decisions on foundations, earthwork, dewatering strategy, and ground improvement—especially where soil variability is a project risk driver.
Note: Actual achievable production rates depend on site access, subsurface density, obstructions, and required module configuration. CPT is commonly selected because it can provide high-resolution profiles efficiently.

Modules & Specialty Samplers

GEOTILL supports specialized CPT tooling and custom configurations to capture additional data relevant to your geotechnical and environmental objectives. Available modules and services include:

Piezocone Penetrometer (CPTu): adds pore pressure measurements for improved soil behavior interpretation.
Seismic Cone Penetrometer (SCPT/SCPTu): measures shear-wave velocity for liquefaction screening and dynamic response.
UVOST Screening: in-situ hydrocarbon screening using ultraviolet optical screening tools.
In-situ Resistivity & Hydraulic Conductivity: support hydrogeologic profiling and conceptual site models.
Seismic Analysis Support: shear-wave velocity datasets used in liquefaction and site class assessments.
SPT Energy Calibration: field calibration support to improve SPT data quality on drilling programs.
Soil Remediation Injection Support: ORC/HRC injection services when CPT-based placement or confirmation is appropriate.
Membrane Interface Probe (MIP) with CPT: integrated screening for volatile and semi-volatile compounds (project-dependent).
If your project requires a tailored instrumentation package, we can help match the module selection to your goals (stratigraphy resolution, liquefaction screening, groundwater characterization, or environmental screening).

Advantages of CPT

CPT is widely used because it delivers fast, consistent subsurface characterization—often providing the level of detail needed to reduce uncertainty in foundation and earthwork decisions.

Rapid, cost-effective profiling: detailed hydrogeologic and geotechnical profiling can be achieved efficiently.
Near-continuous lithology log: high-resolution insight into stratigraphy and layer transitions.
Real-time field data: supports informed, on-site decisions regarding additional tests or program adjustments.
Excellent performance in many soil types: particularly effective in sands, silts, clays, soft soils, and mine tailings.
Pore pressure and piezometric response: enhances interpretation beyond strength/density trends alone.
Expandable data packages: seismic, resistivity, UVOST, and other modules provide additional lines of evidence.

CPT Works Well In

CPT is frequently selected for sites where continuous profiling improves confidence in design parameters and subsurface variability. Common soil conditions where CPT performs well include:

Sensitive fine-grained soils
Organic soils
Clays
Silt mixtures
Sand mixtures
Sands
Gravelly sand to sand (project-dependent)
Very stiff sand to clayey sand
Very stiff fine-grained soils (project-dependent)
Note: In very gravelly/cobbly soils or where obstructions are common, CPT feasibility should be evaluated during planning. GEOTILL can help confirm the best mix of CPT and drilling methods for your site.

Common Applications

Geotechnical Design
Foundation type selection and bearing/settlement parameter development
Liquefaction screening and dynamic site characterization
Ground improvement planning and verification support
Embankment, roadway, and earthwork characterization
Hydrogeology & Environmental
Hydrostratigraphic profiling and conceptual site model support
Screening-level contaminant investigations with CPT-based tools (project-dependent)
In-situ parameter development to refine sampling strategy and reduce uncertainty
Targeted confirmation to optimize drilling and monitoring well placement

What You Receive

Deliverables can be tailored to your project needs, and typically include:

CPT logs/plots and depth-correlated measurements
Interpreted stratigraphy and soil behavior classification
Optional seismic shear-wave velocity profiles for liquefaction/site response evaluations
Recommendations on integrating CPT results into your overall subsurface investigation plan
Data packages formatted for design teams and reporting requirements

Other In-Situ Services

CPT is often part of a broader subsurface investigation program. GEOTILL also provides additional in-situ services to help match testing to site conditions and design needs:

SPT Energy Calibration
Pressuremeter Testing
Vane Shear Testing
Dilatometer Testing
Goodman Jack Testing
Instrumentation Installation
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CPT Equipment & Field Capabilities
GEOTILL maintains CPT equipment and field procedures designed to support consistent data quality. Our team can deploy appropriate reaction systems and module configurations based on your subsurface profile, access constraints, and data objectives.

For complex sites, we can help combine CPT with drilling, sampling, and in-situ testing to build a complete geotechnical or environmental picture—without over-testing or missing critical stratigraphic features.
CPT Services Across the United States
GEOTILL supports CPT testing on projects nationwide. Availability, scheduling, and mobilization are coordinated to meet project timelines across all regions.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Resources
Looking for deeper technical background? Explore presentations, technical notes, and in-situ reference materials to help plan your next investigation program.

Geotechnical Library
Drilling & In-Situ Testing Services
Contact GEOTILL
Request a CPT Proposal
Tell us your site location, target depth, and project goals. We’ll recommend the right CPT configuration (piezocone, seismic CPT, resistivity, MIP/UVOST screening, and more) and help you plan a cost-effective investigation program.