Dynamic penetration tests – Dynamic Probing

Description

Software for the interpretation of dynamic penetration tests.

Processing the tests for the computation of bearing capacity of shallow foundations using numerous methods, for the calculation of various geometries (Strip Footings, Mat foundations, Spread footings, etc.) and related settlements, the verification of driven piles and the definition of the liquefaction potential of soils subject to seismic forces. The graphics of the stratigraphic columns can be exported in Slope, LoadCap, and MP (Piles and Micropiles); in particular, for the last two applications, are also exported the geotechnical parameters as results of the processing.

Data processing is instantaneous, deriving the values of NDP & Rd and immediately generating a graphic display. In addition, the software proposes discrete layer boundaries and enables bitmaps or colors to be assigned for lithologic coding.

EQUIPMENT
The software has a database of commonly used test equipment:

• • Borro;
  • DIN 4;
  • DPM (DL030 10) (Medium);
  • DPM (DL030 16) (Medium);
  • DPA;
  • DPL (Light);
  • DPSH (Dynamic Probing Super Heavy);
  • SCPT (Standard Cone Penetration Test);
  • SPT (Standard Penetration Test);
  • DPSH TG 63-X PAGANI;
  • SCPT TG 63-X PAGANI;
  • DPM (DL 030 SUNDA);
  • RAYMOND;
  • PENNY 30;
    
  • Geo Deep Drill (DPH50, DPSH63-73), GeoDeepDrill DM30;
  • Nordmeyer (LMSR-X model);
  • STITZ gmbh Germany: Pneumatic, lightweight penetrometer DPL; Pneumatic, lightweight penetrometer E-DPL. Pneumatic operated heavyweight penetrometer DPH; Pneumatic operated heavyweight penetrometer E-DPH;
  • GEOPC Comacchio SPT (Standard Penetration Test), DPH (Dynamic Heavy Probes), e DPSH-A (Dynamic Super Heavy Probes).

User equipment: Any type of custom equipment can be added *

The correlation coefficient is calculated automatically for each new piece of equipment added.

For the calculation of N60, N1,60 are required: CE (energy correction factor ), Cn (overburden correction factor),  Cr (rod length correction factor which depends on the total length of the drill rod), Cb (bore-hole diameter correction factor and its is set according to the selected diameter from the drop-down list), Cs (liner correction factor).

EXPORT EQUIPEMENT ARCHIVE

The equipment list can be exported in XML or txt format and imported into installation locations other than the local PC.

DATA INPUT AND LAYER MANAGEMENT

Dynamic Probing features clear and straightforward processing of readings obtained on site.

DATA ENTRY
As the user enters the number of blows for each penetration step, the sampler bit coefficient, reduced, and non-reduced, as well as dynamic resistance on the layer, are calculated; also, a bar diagram for the number of blows and a graphic representation of the progress of dynamic resistance is shown.

LAYER MANAGEMENT
Even more simple is the definition of the layers: the user can define the stratigraphy (layer depth and lithological characterization) numerically or graphically as the software allows the interactivity between the dialogue boxes.

READINGS PROCESSING

Dynamic Probing features clear and straightforward processing of readings obtained on-site.
New readings may be inserted at any point, assigning the cartesian position coordinates (X and Y), the initial depth (Z), the final depth, the groundwater table depth, if any, and the date. An indefinite number of readings may be recorded for each site, and the correlations suggested developed. Each reading is easily identified visually thanks to the legend and displays graphics of dynamic resistance and the number of blows.

CORRELATIONS

The user may indicate the geotechnical parameters of particular significance for terrain characterization. The lithologic cases that originate the numerous correlations accompanying the program enable the user to characterize various terrains. The user is further provided with tools to select for use those correlations judged to most nearly reflect the lithotypes actually encountered. The parameters that are the outcome of the computation are:

Cohesive terrains

• • Undrained cohesion (Terzaghi-Peck, SUNDA (1983)-Benassi Vannelli, Sanglerat, TERZAGHI & PECK (1948), U.S.D.M.S.M., Schmertmann (1975), Fletcher (1965), Houston (1960), Shioi – Fukui (1982), Begemann, De Beer, Robertson (1983));
  • Edometric modulus (Stroud e Butler (1975), Vesic (1970), Trofimenkov (1974), Mitchell e Gardner, Buisman-Sanglerat);
  • Young’s modulus (Schultze-Menzenbach, D’Appollonia ed al1983);
  • Unit volume weight (Meyerhof ed al);
  • The new empirical formula based on a dynamic probing test in fine cohesive soil (M. Khodaparast1,*, A.M. Rajabi2, M. Mohammadi3):  Cu, undrained shear strength, MR is the resilient modulus, CBR, California bearing ratio for Soft Clay, Hard Clay, Clay, Fine soil;
  • Others…

Cohesionless soils

• • Relative density (Gibbs & Holtz (1957), Meyerhof (1957), Skempton (1986), Schultze & Menzenbach (1961));
  • Friction angle (Peck-Hanson-Thornburn-Meyerhof (1956), Meyerhof (1956), Sowers (1961), Malcev (1964), Meyerhof (1965), Schmertmann (1977), Mitchell & Katti (1981), Shioi-Fukuni (1982), Japanese National Railway, De Mello, Owasaki & Iwasaki);
  • Oedometric modulus (Buisman-Sanglerat, Begemann (1974), Farrent (1963), Menzenbach e Malcev);
  • Young’s modulus (Terzaghi, Schmertmann (1978), Schultze-Menzenbach, D’Appollonia ed al (1970), Bowles (1982));
  • Poisson’s modulus (A.G.I.);
  • Shear deformation modulus (Ohsaki & Iwasaki, Robertson and Campanella (1983));
  • Weight by unit volume (Meyerhof ed al);
  • Classification (A.G.I.);
  • Shear wave velocity;
  • Liquefactive potential (Seed (1979));
  • Ko modulus (Navfac (1971-1982));
  • Others…

New correlations for: N60, N160,  Modulus oedometric stress-dipendent in according: EC7, DIN 4094-3

COMPUTATION

For each sampling, based on the user-selected soil type (Cohesive or Non-cohesive), computation is performed layer by layer. Thereafter for each layer, the parameters of all the proposed correlation parameters are calculated, particularly highlighting the ones favoured by the user.
The number of blows, depth, the correlation applied, and the calculated geotechnical parameter value may be exported for each layer.

EXPORT OF RESULTS

The results are exported in tabular and graphical format. For each test is created a table where are inserted the results of the tests chosen previously by the user preceded by the identification data of the test (order number, date, etc.) and by the characteristics of the equipment used, as well as the data related to the site (project title, location, engineer, etc.). The tables can be associated with graphs of the number of blows and the dynamic resistance. It is also possible to build the stratigraphic column corresponding to each test.

BEARING CAPACITY AND LIQUEFACTION

Dynamic Probing calculates the bearing capacity and settlement of surface foundations utilizing several methods and additionally calculates the liquefaction potential of non-coherent layers.

SECTIONS IN DYNAMIC PROBING

Dynamic Probing enables the automatic generation of sections from test data using the ‘Sections’ module. A command enables the selection of those tests on which the generation of the sections is based and opens the new application. (The same procedure can be used from the GeoStru program ‘Static Probing’, the counterpart of Dynamic Probing for Static penetrometers).
The Sections module is actually a stand-alone section editor within, which sections can be created. Further, it enables an import of stratigraphic columns originating from the GeoStru programs ‘Stratigrapher’.
‘Sections’ is interfaced with GeoStru program Slope, so the sections generated can be read as input by this program to analyse their stability.

3D SECTIONS

For a minimum of three tests, Dynamic Probing can perform the three-dimensional reconstruction of the stratigraphy.