ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Page Count: 9

A Micropenetrometer for Detecting Structural Strength Inside Soft Soils

Liu, Z
Research Staff, Discipline of Civil, Surveying and Environmental Engineering, The University of Newcastle, NSW

Shi, B
Professor, ACEI, Nanjing University, Nanjing,

Sheng, D
Associate Professor, Discipline of Civil, Surveying and Environmental Engineering, The University of Newcastle, NSW

(Received 20 May 2005; accepted 19 May 2006)

Abstract

A micropenetrometer is developed to measure structural strength inside soft soils. Different from the traditional detective technology for soil structure, the micropenetrometer is an intrusion technology to estimate the characteristics of soft soils. The work principle and main configuration of the micropenetrometer are introduced, followed by its calibration and some operation techniques. Finally, two application tests are carried out. Different soil textures such as sandy soil or clayey soil have different types of penetration curves. Through the end resistance variation, detailed description of the structural strength along penetration depth can be obtained. In addition, three-dimensional strength distribution on the vertical or transverse sections can be achieved from the penetration data evenly arranged on the grid nodes of the same surface through interpolation method. Such a technique is of significance for checking the effectiveness of soil improvement or monitoring the moisture movement in soil.

Keywords:
structural strength, soft soil, penetration resistance, micropenetrometer

Paper ID: GTJ100304
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ100304
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