Determination of Stratigraphy—Soil Types—Using Cone Penetration Test in Sedimentary Deposits in North-East of Argentina

Dante René Bosch,Rubén Rafael Sotelo

doi:10.4236/gep.2015.36019

Abstract

One of the main uses of the cone penetration test (CPT) is to determinate the underground stratigraphy identifying the soils types present. Diverse researchers intended to identify the soils in function of results of CPT by means of the use of classification graphics based on empiric correlations. Also, they stand out the necessity to continue getting into these studies and they emphasize that local experiences could differ from the studies carried out. The experience in the NEA region of our country regarding the use of the CPT is recent; it was incorporated by the middle of the 90s. However, its continuous and systematic use in geotechnical studies makes that today it has a big database enough to verify the application of international correlations to the soils of the region. The objective of the work consists of verifying the application of the method of identification of soils to the sedimentary soils of the NEA, by means of the analysis of tests of CPT made in different points of the states of Chaco and Corrientes. The results of the study reveal that a good agreement exists among the stratigraphy obtained from CPT tests and those obtained by traditional methods. Although the analyzed universe of data is not of great magnitude and it should be enlarged, it is concluded in a preliminary way that for the soils of the region a good correlation exists between the classification chart with base in CPT and the traditional Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).

Highlights

Cone Penetration Test—cone penetration test (CPT) The conepenetration test or CPT consists in thedriving a conepieceintothesoil, linked to a load cell which measures, in a continuousway, soilresistance to penetration of theconetip
The graph on the right represents the soil type as a result of employing [8] classification chart. It may be observed the high degree of detail obtained in the subsoil stratigraphy
Over hundred per cent of samples belonging to a determinate type of soil according the CPT, sizes of circles represents percentage of results of a determinate kind of soil according Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)

Summary

Introduction

Cone Penetration Test—CPT The conepenetration test or CPT consists in thedriving a conepieceintothesoil, linked to a load cell which measures, in a continuousway, soilresistance to penetration of theconetip (qc) It measures simultaneously resistance of lateral friction (fs) that presents the soil when passing a cylinder piece placed immediately over the cone tip. In 60’s, the electric CPT emerged in which resistance of tip (qc) and sleeve friction (fs) are electrically measured through two load cells mounted with “strains gauges” From the beginning this test began to be used as a habitual tool in geotechnical researches in field, as [1] expresses, especially to establish the subsoil profile quickly and economically

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Conclusion