An analytical study of the cone penetration test in clay

Abstract

Describes an analysis of the quasi-static penetration of a cone penetrometer into clay. The clay is idealized as a homogeneous elastic-perfectly plastic material obeying the von Mises yield criterion. The analysis is based on the strain path method, with an additional equilibrium correction provided by large strain finite element analysis. The dissipation of excess pore water pressure is analyszed using uncoupled Terzaghi-Rendulic consolidation theory. The primary importance of the rigidity index and of the horizontal stress in influencing the cone factor Nkt, is emphasized and an equation relating Nkt to soil parameters and cone roughness is proposed. Based on finite difference analysis of the pore pressure dissipation around the cone, a new interpretation method for consolidation data from a piezocone is suggested. -Authors