DEM Analysis of Cone Penetration Test in Sand

Abstract

The cone penetration test has proved to be a very effective method for predicting pile capacity, evaluating soil properties, and delineating between layers of different soil types and states. However, few distinct element method (DEM) researches have been conducted to understand the effect of soil layering on penetrometer response. This paper presents a numerical investigation into the cone penetration test in two-layered sand using two-dimensional DEM. The effect of soil layering on the variation of penetration resistance with penetration depth are studied and compared with previous experimental data. In addition, the final displacement paths and mean stresses during penetration are also examined at the microscopic scale.