Cone Penetration Test
Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) uses a cylindrical instrumented cone pushed vertically into the ground at a constant rate of penetration to identify subsurface conditions down to 40m or more, depending on the pushing equipment and soil conditions. The collected data allows reliable interpretation of soil strength and stiffness parameters, and the soil type.
To obtain detailed and accurate geotechnical properties of soils, A.P. van den Berg developed the Icone, a digital CPT piezocone, and Icontrol, a digital data logger. The Icone measures the four standard CPT parameters:
- cone tip resistance (qc)
- sleeve friction (fs)
- pore water pressure (u)
- inclination (Ix/y)
Using click-on plug & play modules, additional parameters can be collected:
Icone Vane (downhole electric shear vane)
- soil investigation in soft soils, like clay, silt and mine tailings
- allows in-situ measurement of the peak, residual and remoulded undrained shear strength
Icone Conductivity Module
- detection of sand/clay layers
- tracking of saltwater carrying layers
- detection of contamination
Icone Seismic Module
- for determining the stability of the ground by measuring the propagation speed of sound
- allows calculation of: o small strain shear modulus & constrained modulus o elasticity modulus o Poisson’s ratio
Icone Magneto Module
- 3-dimensional detection of the magnetic field
- detection of sheet piling, ground anchors and Unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Almost undisturbed soil samples can be rapidly collected with the use of A.P. van den Berg’s MOSTAP thick-walled piston sampler.
Cone Penetration Test (CPT) uses hydraulic rams to push 36 mm diameter rods into the soil from a ballasted truck, ballasted track-truck, ballasted or anchored crawler, anchored trailer or anchored portable skids.
We have different pushing systems available:
Here is the range of CPT rigs for soil investigations on land or over shallow water on which the pushing systems are mounted.
| Model | Image | Pushing Force | Pulling Force | Ground Pressure | Speed | Weight | Dimensions | Anchoring System | Anchor Drive |
HYSON 100 kN-LW Light Weight CPT system |
 |
100kN |
127kN |
85kg |
0.6 x 0.6 x 1m |
4x Helical Soil Anchors |
Manual or Hygand hydraulic anchor setting |
||
Mini CPT Crawler |
 |
100kN |
127kN |
32 kPa |
3 km/hr |
1.6 tonnes |
Width 0.78m |
2x Helical Soil Anchors |
Hydraulic |
CPT Morooka Crawler |
 |
150kN |
190kN |
28 kPa |
12 km/hr |
15 tonnes |
|||
CPT Skid |
 |
200kN |
260kN |
470 to 625kg |
|||||
CPT Trailer |
 |
200kN |
260kN |
Highway speeds |
2.5 to 3.5 tonnes |
Width 1.9m |
4x or 8x Helical Soil Anchors |
Manual or Hygand hydraulic anchor setting |
|
Midi CPT Crawler |
 |
150kN |
170kN |
37 kPa |
4 km/hr |
3.5 tonnes |
Width 1.2m |
4x Helical Soil Anchors |
Hydraulic |
CPT Crawler |
 |
200kN |
260kN |
31 to 44 kPa |
5 km/hr |
10 to 22 tonnes |
Width 2.2 - 2.5m |
||
CPT Truck |
 |
200kN |
260kN |
Highway speeds |
15 to 21 tonnes |
||||
CPT Track-Truck |
 |
200kN |
260kN |
Track system reduces wheel load by 60 - 70% |
Highway speeds |
18 to 21 tonnes |
A CPT conducted to a depth of 25 m will take about 2 hours. This is much quicker, and therefore cheaper, than drilling, which may take a day or more and would not provide the same level of detailed useful subsurface information.
In situations where the CPT is unsuitable (e.g. course gravels up to 150mm), the GRIZZLY® Dynamic Probing Super Heavy (DPSH) is a suitable alternative, benefitting from dynamic energy to penetrate stiff and very stiff materials.
Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) is a sophisticated Dutch soil investigation technique. For more than 50 years, A.P. van den Berg has designed and manufactured advanced CPT equipment and is well-known for its innovative strength and robust high quality equipment. A.P. van den Berg supplies complete or partial systems including the pushing equipment, tools and data acquisition systems.
To find out more. Contact Us.
