Development of electric static cone penetration testing in Great Britain from 1972–1992 : Erwig, H Ground EngngV26, N3, March 1993, P30–34

Abstract

This paper reviews the progress of electric static cone penetration testing (CPT) in the UK during the past 20 years. It describes in detail the reasons for its development and associated advances in equipment. The use of the electric cone penetrometer, which is an on-site testing device, has increased steadily in the UK. Both onshore and coastal marine penetrometers have been developed, together with a variety of CPT equipment for special conditions. Considerable improvements have been made to cone penetrometer tip design. A range of additional sensors have become commercially available, including the piezocone and conductivity, seismic and temperature cones. The thrust of CPT equipment can be used to push a variety of devices into the ground, of which soil samplers are currently most used. Relevant research has been conducted by the Building Research Establishment, Science & Engineering Research Council, and three British universities. Reasons for the increased use of CPT in the UK include: (1) profiling; (2) reliability; (3) speed; (4) cost effectiveness; (5) considerable improvements to correlation between CPT data and soil parameters. Operators will continue to try to improve equipment strength and durability. The cone pressuremeter and seismic cone are now commercially available. Cone penetrometer equipment can be used successfully for environmental site investigations.