Designation: D5778 – 07

Standard Test Method for

Electronic Friction Cone and Piezocone Penetration Testing
of Soils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5778; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope* NOTE 1—This test method does not include hydraulic or pneumatic
penetrometers. However, many of the procedural requirements herein
1.1 This test method covers the procedure for determining could apply to those penetrometers. Also, offshore/marine CPT systems
the point resistance during penetration of a conical-shaped may have procedural differences because of the difficulties of testing in
penetrometer as it is advanced into subsurface soils at a steady those environments (for example, tidal variations, salt water, waves).
rate. Mechanical CPT systems are covered under Test Method D3441.
1.2 This test method is also used to determine the frictional 1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
resistance of a cylindrical sleeve located behind the conical safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
point as it is advanced through subsurface soils at a steady rate. responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.3 This test method applies to friction-cone penetrometers priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of the electric and electronic type. Field tests using bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
mechanical-type penetrometers are covered elsewhere by Test
Method D3441. 2. Referenced Documents
1.4 This test method can be used to determine porewater 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
pressures developed during the penetration, thus termed piezo- D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
cone. Porewater pressure dissipation, after a push, can also be Fluids
monitored for correlation to time rate of consolidation and D3441 Test Method for Mechanical Cone Penetration Tests
permeability. of Soil
1.5 Additional sensors, such as inclinometer, seismic geo- D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
phones, resistivity, electrical conductivity, dielectric, and tem- Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
perature sensors, may be included in the penetrometer to Used in Engineering Design and Construction
provide useful information. The use of an inclinometer is E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
highly recommended since it will provide information on
potentially damaging situations during the sounding process. 3. Terminology
1.6 Cone penetration test data can be used to interpret 3.1 Definitions:
subsurface stratigraphy, and through use of site specific corre- 3.1.1 Definitions are in accordance with Terminology Con-
lations, they can provide data on engineering properties of soils vention (D653).
intended for use in design and construction of earthworks and 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
foundations for structures. 3.2.1 apparent load transfer—apparent resistance measured
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as on either the cone or friction sleeve of an electronic cone
standard. Within Section 13 on Calculations, SI units are penetrometer while that element is in a no-load condition but
considered the standard. Other commonly used units such as the other element is loaded. Apparent load transfer is the sum
the inch-pound system are shown in brackets. The various data of cross talk, subtraction error, and mechanical load transfer.
reported should be displayed in mutually compatible units as 3.2.2 baseline—a set of zero load readings, expressed in
agreed to by the client or user. Cone tip projected area is terms of apparent resistance, that are used as reference values
commonly referred to in square centimetres for convenience. during performance of testing and calibration.
The values stated in each system are not equivalents; therefore, 3.2.3 cone tip—the conical point of a cone penetrometer on
each system must be used independently of the other. which the end bearing component of penetration resistance is
developed. The cone has a 60° apex angle, a diameter of 35.7
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.02 on Sampling and
2
Related Field Testing for Soil Evaluations. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2007. Published December 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D5778 – 95 (2000). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5778-07. the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 D5778 – 07
mm, and a corresponding projected (horizontal plane) surface 3.2.17 friction sleeve—an isolated cylindrical sleeve section
area or cone base area of 10 cm2. Also, enlarged cones of 43.7 on a penetrometer tip upon which the friction component of
mm diameter (base area = 15 cm2) are utilized. penetration resistance develops. The friction sleeve has a
3.2.4 cone penetration test—a series of penetration readings surface area of 150 cm2 for 10-cm2 cone tips or 225 cm2 for
performed at one location over the entire vertical depth when 15-cm2 tips.
using a cone penetrometer. Also referred to as a cone sounding. 3.2.18 friction sleeve resistance, fs—the friction component
of penetration resistance developed on a friction sleeve, equal
3.2.5 cone penetrometer—a penetrometer in which the lead-
to the shear force applied to the friction sleeve divided by its
ing end of the penetrometer tip is a conical point designed for surface area.
penetrating soil and for measuring the end-bearing component 3.2.19 FSO—abbreviation for full-scale output. The output
of penetration resistance. of an electronic force transducer when loaded to 100 % rated
3.2.6 cone resistance, qc—the measured end-bearing com- capacity.
ponent of penetration resistance. The resistance to penetration 3.2.20 local side friction—same as friction sleeve resis-
developed on the cone is equal to the vertical force applied to tance, fs (see 3.2.18).
the cone divided by the cone base area. 3.2.21 penetration resistance measuring system—a measur-
3.2.7 corrected total cone resistance, qt—tip resistance ing system that provides the means for transmitting informa-
corrected for water pressure acting behind the tip (see 13.2.1). tion from the penetrometer tip and displaying the data at the
Correction for water pressure requires measuring water pres- surface where it can be seen or recorded.
sures with a piezocone element positioned behind the tip at 3.2.22 penetrometer—an apparatus consisting of a series of
location u2 (See section 3.2.26). The correction results in cylindrical push rods with a terminal body (end section), called
the penetrometer tip, and measuring devices for determination
estimated total tip resistance, qt.
of the components of penetration resistance.
3.2.8 cross talk—an apparent load transfer between the cone 3.2.23 penetrometer tip—the terminal body (end section) of
and the friction sleeve caused by interference between the the penetrometer which contains the active elements that sense
separate signal channels. the components of penetration resistance. The penetrometer tip
3.2.9 electronic cone penetrometer—a friction cone pen- may include additional electronic instrumentation for signal
etrometer that uses force transducers, such as strain gauge load conditioning and amplification.
cells, built into a non-telescoping penetrometer tip for measur- 3.2.24 piezocone—same as electronic piezocone penetrom-
ing, within the penetrometer tip, the components of penetration eter (see 3.2.10).
resistance. 3.2.25 piezocone porewater pressure, u—fluid pressure
3.2.10 electronic piezocone penetrometer—an electronic measured using the piezocone penetration test.
cone penetrometer equipped with a low volume fluid chamber, 3.2.26 piezocone porewater pressure measurement location:
porous element, and pressure transducer for determination of u1, u2, u3—fluid pressure measured by the piezocone pen-
etrometer at specific locations on the penetrometer as follows
porewater pressure at the porous element soil interface.
(1):3 u1—porous filter location on the midface or tip of the
3.2.11 end bearing resistance—same as cone resistance or cone, u2—porous filter location at the shoulder position behind
tip resistance, qc. the cone tip (standard location) and, u3—porous filter location
3.2.12 equilibrium pore water pressure, u0—at rest water behind the friction sleeve.
pressure at depth of interest. Same as hydrostatic pressure (see 3.2.27 porewater pressure—total porewater pressure mag-
Terminology D653). nitude measured during penetration (same as 3.2.25 above).
3.2.13 excess pore water pressure, Du—the difference be- 3.2.28 porewater pressure ratio parameter, Bq—the ratio of
tween porewater pressure measured as the penetration occurs excess porewater pressure at the standard measurement loca-
(u), and estimated equilibrium porewater pressure (u0), or: Du tion Du2, to corrected total cone resistance qt, minus the total
= (u – u0). Excess porewater pressure can either be positive or vertical overburden stress, svo (see Eq 10).
negative for shoulder position filters. 3.2.29 push rods—the thick-walled tubes or rods used to
advance the penetrometer tip.
3.2.14 friction cone penetrometer—a cone penetrometer 3.2.30 sleeve friction, sleeve, and friction resistance—same
with the capability of measuring the friction component of as friction sleeve resistance.
penetration resistance. 3.2.31 subtraction error—an apparent load transfer from
3.2.15 friction ratio, Rf—the ratio of friction sleeve resis- the cone to the friction sleeve of a subtraction type electronic
tance, fs, to cone resistance, qc, measured at where the middle cone penetrometer caused by minor voltage differences in
of the friction sleeve and cone point are at the same depth, response to load between the two strain element cells.
expressed as a percentage. 3.3 Abbreviations:
3.2.16 friction reducer—a narrow local protuberance on the 3.3.1 CPT—abbreviation for the cone penetration test.
outside of the push rod surface, placed at a certain distance
above the penetrometer tip, that is provided to reduce the total
side friction on the push rods and allow for greater penetration 3
The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at the
depths for a given push capacity. end of the text.

2
 D5778 – 07
3.3.2 PCPT or CPTu—abbreviation for piezocone penetra- correlation purposes but prior information or experience may
tion test (note: symbol “u” added for porewater pressure preclude the need for borings.
measurements).
3.3.3 CPTù—abbreviation for the piezocone penetration 6. Interferences
test with dissipation phases of porewater pressures (ù). 6.1 Refusal, deflection, or damage to the penetrometer may
3.3.4 SCPTu—abbreviation for seismic piezocone test (in- occur in coarse grained soil deposits with maximum particle
cludes one or more geophones to allow downhole geophysical sizes that approach or exceed the diameter of the cone.
wave velocity measurements). 6.2 Partially lithified and lithified deposits may cause re-
3.3.5 RCPTu—abbreviation for resistivity piezocone (in- fusal, deflection, or damage to the penetrometer.
cludes electrical conductivity or resistivity module). 6.3 Standard push rods can be damaged or broken under
extreme loadings. The amount of force that push rods are able
4. Summary of Test Method to sustain is a function of the unrestrained length of the rods
and the weak links in the push rod-penetrometer tip string such
4.1 A penetrometer tip with a conical point having a 60°
as push rod joints and push rod-penetrometer tip connections.
apex angle and a cone base area of 10 or 15 cm2 is advanced
The force at which rods may break is a function of the
through the soil at a constant rate of 20 mm/s. The force on the
equipment configuration and ground conditions during pen-
conical point (cone) required to penetrate the soil is measured
etration. Excessive rod deflection is the most common cause
by electrical methods, at a minimum of every 50 mm of
for rod breakage.
penetration. Improved resolution may often be obtained at 20-
or 10-mm interval readings. Stress is calculated by dividing the 7. Apparatus
measured force (total cone force) by the cone base area to
7.1 Friction Cone Penetrometer—The penetrometer tip
obtain cone resistance, qc.
should meet requirements as given below and in 10.1. In a
4.2 A friction sleeve is present on the penetrometer imme- conventional friction-type cone penetrometer, the forces at the
diately behind the cone tip, and the force exerted on the friction cone tip and friction sleeve are measured by two load cells
sleeve is measured by electrical methods at a minimum of within the penetrometer. Either independent load cells or
every 50 mm of penetration. Stress is calculated by dividing subtraction-type penetrometers are acceptable for use (Fig. 1).
the measured axial force by the surface area of the friction 7.1.1 In the subtraction-type penetrometer, the cone and
sleeve to determine sleeve resistance, fs. sleeve both produce compressive forces on the load cells. The
4.3 Most modern penetrometers are capable of registering load cells are joined together in such a manner that the cell
pore water pressure induced during advancement of the pen- nearest the cone (the “C” cell in Fig. 1b) measures the
etrometer tip using an electronic pressure transducer. These compressive force on the cone while the second cell (the
penetrometers are called “piezocones.” The piezocone is ad- “C + S” cell in Fig. 1b) measures the sum of the compressive
vanced at a rate of 20 mm/s, and readings are taken at a forces on both the cone and friction sleeve. The compressive
minimum of every 50 mm of penetration. The dissipation of force from the friction sleeve portion is computed then by
either positive or negative excess porewater pressure can be subtraction. This cone design is common in industry because of
monitored by stopping penetration, unloading the push rod, and its rugged design. This design forms the basis for minimum
recording porewater pressure as a function of time. When performance requirements for electronic penetrometers.
porewater pressure becomes constant it is measuring the 7.1.1.1 Alternative designs have separate and non-
equilibrium value (designated u0) or piezometric level at that dependent load cells separate for tip and sleeve. For instance,
depth. in Fig. 1a, the cone penetrometer tip produces a compression
force on the cone load cell (the “C” cell in Fig. 1a) while the
5. Significance and Use friction sleeve produces a tensile force on the independent
5.1 Tests performed using this test method provide a de- friction sleeve load cell (the “S” cell). Designs are also
tailed record of cone resistance which is useful for evaluation available where both the tip and sleeve load cells are indepen-
of site stratigraphy, homogeneity and depth to firm layers, dent and operate in compression (2). These penetrometer
voids or cavities, and other discontinuities. The use of a friction designs result in a higher degree of accuracy in friction sleeve
sleeve and porewater pressure element can provide an estimate measurement, however, may be more susceptible to damage
of soil classification, and correlations with engineering prop- under extreme loading conditions.
erties of soils. When properly performed at suitable sites, the 7.1.1.2 Typical general purpose cone penetrometers are
test provides a rapid means for determining subsurface condi- manufactured to full scale outputs (FSO) equivalent to net
tions. loads of 10 to 20 tons. Often, weak soils are the most critical
5.2 This test method provides data used for estimating in an investigation program, and in some cases, very accurate
engineering properties of soil intended to help with the design friction sleeve data may be required. To gain better resolution,
and construction of earthworks, the foundations for structures, the FSO can be lowered or the independent type penetrometer
and the behavior of soils under static and dynamic loads. design can be selected. A low FSO subtraction cone may
5.3 This method tests the soil in-situ and soil samples are provide more accurate data than a standard FSO independent
not obtained. The interpretation of the results from this test type cone depending on such factors as system design and
method provides estimates of the types of soil penetrated. thermal compensation. If the FSO is lowered, this may place
Engineers may obtain soil samples from parallel borings for electrical components at risk if overloaded in stronger soils.

3
 D5778 – 07

FIG. 1 Common Configurations for Electric Friction-Cone Penetrometers (2) Showing: (a) Compression-type Tip and Sleeve Load Cells,
(b) Tension-type Sleeve Design, and (c) Subtraction-type Penetrometer

Expensive preboring efforts may be required to avoid damage NOTE 2—In some applications it may be desirable to scale the cone
in these cases. The selection of penetrometer type and resolu- diameter down to a smaller projected area. Cone penetrometers with 5 cm2
tion should consider such factors as practicality, availability, projected area find use in the field applications and even smaller sizes (1
cm2) are used in the laboratory for research purposes. These cones should
calibration requirements, cost, risk of damage, and preboring
be designed with dimensions scaled in direct proportion to standard
requirements. 10-cm2 penetrometers. In thinly layered soils, the diameter affects how
7.1.1.3 The user or client should select the cone design accurately the layers may be sensed. Smaller diameter cones may sense
requirements by consulting with experienced users or manu- thinner layers more accurately than larger cones. If there are questions as
facturers. The need for a specific cone design depends on the to the effect of scaling the penetrometer to either larger or smaller size,
design data requirements outlined in the exploration program. results can be compared in the field to the 10-cm2 penetrometer for soils
7.1.1.4 Regardless of penetrometer type, the friction sleeve under consideration. This is because the 10-cm2 cone is considered the
load cell system must operate in such a way that the system is reference penetrometer for field testing.
sensitive to only shear stresses applied to the friction sleeve 7.1.3 Friction Sleeve—The outside diameter of the manu-
and not to normal stresses. factured friction sleeve and the operating diameter are equal to
7.1.2 Cone—Nominal dimensions, with manufacturing and the diameter of the base of the cone with a tolerance of +0.35
operating tolerances, for the cone are shown on Fig. 2. The mm and −0.0 mm. The friction sleeve is made from high
cone has a diameter d = 35.7 mm, projected base area strength steel of a type and hardness to resist wear due to
Ac = 1000 mm2, + 2 %–5 % with an apex angle of 60°. A abrasion by soil. Chrome-plated steel is not recommended due
cylindrical extension, he, of 5 mm should be located behind the to differing frictional behavior. The surface area of the friction
base of the cone to protect the outer edges of the cone base sleeve is 150 cm2 6 2 %, for a 10-cm2 cone. If the cone base
from excessive wear. The 10 cm2 cone is considered the area is increased to 15 cm2, as provided for in 7.1.2.1, the
reference standard for which results of other penetrometers surface area of the friction sleeve should be adjusted propor-
with proportionally scaled dimensions can be compared. tionally, with the same length to diameter ratio as the 10-cm2
7.1.2.1 In certain cases, it may be desirable to increase the
cone. With the 15-cm2 tip, a sleeve area of 225 cm2 is similar
cone diameter in order to add room for sensors or increase
in scale.
ruggedness of the penetrometer. The standard increase is to a
base diameter of 43.7 mm which provides a projected cone 7.1.3.1 The top diameter of the sleeve must not be smaller
base area of 1500 mm2 while maintaining a 60° apex angle. than the bottom diameter or significantly lower sleeve resis-
Nominal dimensions, with manufacturing and operating toler- tance will occur. During testing, the top and bottom of the
ances for the 15 cm2 cone, are shown in Fig. 2, based on the sleeve should be periodically checked for wear with a mi-
international guides (3). crometer. Normally, the top of the sleeve will wear faster than
7.1.2.2 The cone is made of high strength steel of a type and the bottom.
hardness suitable to resist wear due to abrasion by soil. Cone 7.1.3.2 Friction sleeves must be designed with equal end
tips which have worn to the operating tolerance shown in Fig. areas which are exposed to water pressures (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This
2 should be replaced. Piezocone tips should be replaced when will remove the tendency for unbalanced end forces to act on
the tip has worn appreciably (as shown) and the height of the the sleeve. Sleeve design must be checked in accordance with
cylindrical extension has reduced considerably (as shown). A1.7 to ensure proper response.

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 D5778 – 07

FIG. 2 Manufacturing and Operating Tolerances of Cones (3)

7.1.4 Gap—The gap (annular space) between the cylindri- influence on tip and sleeve data. If there is question regarding
cal extension of the cone base and the other elements of the a specific design with diameter increases, comparison studies
penetrometer tip should be kept to the minimum necessary for can be made to a penetrometer with constant diameter. Infor-
operation of the sensing devices and should be designed and mation on diameters of the complete penetrometer body should
constructed in such a way to prevent the entry of soil particles. be reported.
Gap requirements apply to the gaps at either end of the friction NOTE 3—The effects caused by diameter changes of the penetrometer
sleeve and to other elements of the penetrometer tip. on tip and sleeve resistance are dependent on the magnitude of diameter
7.1.4.1 The gap between the cylindrical extension of the increase and location on the penetrometer body. Most practitioners feel
cone base and other elements of the penetrometer tip, ec, must that diameter increases equivalent to addition of a friction reducer with
not be larger than 5 mm for the friction cone penetrometer. area increases of 15 to 20 % should be restricted to a location at least eight
7.1.4.2 If a seal is placed in the gap, it should be properly to ten cone diameters behind the friction sleeve.
designed and manufactured to prevent entry of soil particles 7.1.6 The axis of the cone, the friction sleeve (if included),
into the penetrometer tip. It must have a deformability at least and the body of the penetrometer tip must be coincident.
two orders of magnitude greater than the material comprising 7.1.7 Force Sensing Devices—The typical force sensing
the load transferring components of the sensing devices in device is a strain gauge load cell that contains temperature
order to prevent load transfer from the tip to the sleeve. compensated bonded strain gages. The configuration and
7.1.4.3 Filter Element in the Gap—If a filter element for a location of strain gages should be such that measurements are
piezocone is placed in the gap between cone and sleeve the not influenced by possible eccentricity of loading.
sum of the height of cylindrical extension, he, plus element 7.1.8 Electronic Piezocone Penetrometer—A piezocone
thickness filling the gap, ec, can range from 8 to 20 mm (see penetrometer can contain porous filter element(s), pressure
7.1.8 for explanation). transducer(s), and fluid filled ports connecting the elements to
7.1.5 Diameter Requirements—The friction sleeve should the transducer to measure pore water pressure. Fig. 3 shows the
be situated within 5 to 15 mm behind the base of the cone tip. common design types used in practice including: 10-cm2
The annular spaces and seals between the friction sleeve and friction-type, type 1 and type 2 piezocone, and 15-cm2 size.
other portions of the penetrometer tip must conform to the The standard penetrometer should be the type 2 piezocone with
same specifications as described in 7.1.4. Changes in the filter located at the shoulder (both 10-cm2 and 15-cm2) to allow
diameter of the penetrometer body above the friction sleeve correction of tip resistances. The electric friction penetrometer
should be such that tip or sleeve measurements are not without porewater transducers can be used in soils with minor
influenced by increases in diameter. International reference test porewater pressure development, such as clean sands, granular
procedures require that the penetrometer body have the same soils, as well as soils and fills well above the groundwater
diameter as the cone for the complete length of the penetrom- table. The type 1 with face filter element finds use in fissured
eter body (3, 7, 8). geomaterials and materials prone to desaturation, as well as
7.1.5.1 For some penetrometer designs, it may be desirable dissipation readings. Numerous design and configuration as-
to increase the diameter of the penetrometer body to house pects can affect the measurement of dynamic water pressures.
additional sensors or reduce friction along push rods. These Variables such as the element location, design and volume of
diameter changes are acceptable if they do not have significant ports, and the type and degree of saturation of the fluids,

5
 D5778 – 07

FIG. 3 Penetrometer Design Configurations: (a) Electronic Friction-type, (b) Type 1 Piezocone, (c) Standard 10-cm2 Type 2 Piezocone,
and (d) 15-cm2 Type 2 Version (5)

cavitation of the element fluid system and resaturation lag time, primarily the required correction of measured qc to total tip
depth and saturation of soil during testing all affect the stress, qt, as detailed extensively (1-6). Also, the element is less
dynamic porewater pressure measured during testing and subject to damage and abrasion, as well as fewer compress-
dissipation tests of dynamic pressures (1, 6). It is beyond the ibility effects (1, 6). Elements located in the u2 location may be
scope of the procedure to address all of these variables. As a subject to cavitation at shallow depths in dense sands because
minimum, complete information should be reported as to the the zone behind the height of cylindrical extension is a zone of
design, configuration, and the preparation of the piezocone dilation in drained soils. Similar response can occur in stiff
system that is used for the particular sounding. fissured clays and crusts (1). Porewater pressure measurements
7.1.8.1 Measurement of hydrostatic water pressures during obtained at the u1 face location are more effective for com-
pauses in testing are more straightforward. The presence of air pressibility determinations and layer detection, particularly in
entrained in the system only affects dynamic response. In high fissured soils, but are more subject to wear (9). At the u2
permeability soils (that is, clean sands), hydrostatic pressures location, a minimum 2-mm cylindrical extension of the cone
will equalize within seconds or minutes. In low permeability tip (he) should be maintained for protection of the cone. Typical
materials such as high plasticity clays, equalization can take filter element thickness at all locations in the horizontal plane
many hours. If the goal of the exploration program is only to ranges from 5 to 10 mm.
acquire hydrostatic pressures in sands, some of the preparation 7.1.8.4 The miniature diaphragm-type electronic pressure
procedures for dynamic pressure measuring can be relaxed, transducer is normally housed near the tip of the cone. For
such as deairing fluids. dynamic pressure measurements, the filter and ports are filled
7.1.8.2 The porewater pressure measurement locations of with deaired fluid to measure dynamic porewater pressure
the porous element are limited to the face or tip of the cone, u1, response. The volume of connecting ports to the transducer
directly behind the cylindrical extension of the base of the should be minimized to facilitate dynamic pressure response.
cone, u2, or behind the sleeve, u3. Some penetrometers used for These electronic transducers are normally very reliable, accu-
research purposes may have multiple measurement locations. rate, and linear in response. The transducer shall have a
7.1.8.3 There are several advantages to locating the porous precision of at least 614 kPa (62 psi). The porewater
element immediately behind the tip of the cone in location u2, pressure transducer must meet requirements given in 10.2.

6
 D5778 – 07
7.1.8.5 Element—The element is a fine porous filter made held to a minimum, especially in the push rods near the
from plastic, sintered steel or bronze, or ceramic. Typical pore penetrometer tip, to avoid excessive directional penetrometer
size is between 20 to 200 microns (6, 9). Different materials drift. Generally, when a 1-m long push rod is subjected to a
have different advantages. Smearing of metallic element open- permanent circular bending resulting in 1 to 2 mm of center
ings by hard soil grains may reduce dynamic response of the axis rod shortening, the push rod should be discarded. This
system, thus normally not used for face elements but best corresponds to a horizontal deflection of 2 to 3 mm at the
suited for shoulder filter positions. Ceramic elements are very center of bending. The locations of push rods in the string
brittle and may crack when loaded, but perform well on the should be varied periodically to avoid permanent curvature.
cone face as they reduce compressibility concerns. Polypropy- 7.3.1 For the 10-cm2 penetrometer, standard 20-metric ton
lene plastic elements are most commonly used in practice, high tensile strength steel push rods are 36-mm outside
particularly at the shoulder. Plastic filters (as high-density diameter, 16-mm inside diameter, and have a mass per unit
polyethylene, HDPE, or high-density polypropylene, HDPP) length of 6.65 kg/m. For 15-cm2 penetrometers, the test may be
may be inappropriate for environmental type CPTs where pushed with 44.5-mm outside diameter rods or with standard
contaminant detection is sought. Typically, the filter element is rods used for the 10-cm2 penetrometer.
wedged at the tip or midface (u1) location, or located at the 7.4 Friction Reducer—Friction reducers are normally used
shoulder in the gap immediately above the cone extension on the push rods to reduce rod friction. If a friction reducer is
(designated u2) location. At these locations, it is important to used, it should be located on the push rods no closer than 0.5
design the penetrometer such that compression of the filter m behind the base of the cone. Friction reducers, that increase
elements is minimized. push rod outside diameter by approximately 25 %, are typically
7.1.8.6 Fluids for Saturation—Glycerine, or alternatively used for 10-cm2 cones. If a 15-cm2 penetrometer is advanced
silicone oil, is most often used for deairing elements for with 36-mm push rods there may be no need for friction
dynamic response. These stiff viscous oils have less tendency reducers since the penetrometer itself will open a larger hole.
to cavitate, although cavitation may be controlled by the The type, size, amount, and location of friction reducer(s) used
effective pore size of the element mounting surfaces. Water can during testing must be reported.
be used for the fluid if the entire sounding will be submerged, 7.5 Thrust Machine and Reaction—The thrust machine will
or if dynamic response is not important. The fluids are deaired provide a continuous stroke, preferably over a distance greater
using procedures described in 11.2. than 1 m. The thrust machine should be capable of adjusting
7.2 Measuring System—The signals from the penetrometer push direction through the use of a leveling system such that
transducers are to be displayed at the surface during testing as push initiates in a vertical orientation. The machine must
a continuously updated plot against depth. The data are also to advance the penetrometer tip and push rods at a smooth,
be recorded electronically for subsequent processing. Elec- constant rate (see 12.1.2) while the magnitude of thrust can
tronic recording shall be digital and use at least twelve bit (one fluctuate. The thrust machine must be anchored or ballasted, or
part in 4096) resolution in the analog to digital conversion, both, so that it provides the necessary reaction for the pen-
although 16-bit resolution and higher may be preferable in very etrometer and does not move relative to the soil surface during
soft ground. Either magnetic (disk or tape) or optical (disk) thrust.
non-volatile storage may be used. In analog systems, the
temperature stability and accuracy of the A-to-D converter NOTE 5—Cone penetration soundings usually require thrust capabilities
shall be such that the overall cone-transmission-recording ranging from 100 to 200 kN (11 to 22 tons) for full capacity. High mass
system complies with calibration requirements set forth in the ballasted vehicles can cause soil surface deformations which may affect
penetrometer resistance(s) measured in near surface layers. Anchored or
annex. ballasted vehicles, or both, may induce changes in ground surface
7.2.1 Use of analog systems is acceptable but the system reference level. If these conditions are evident, they should be noted in
resolution may be lower than requirements in the annex and reports.
Section 10. Use of an analog recorder as a supplement to
7.6 Other Sensing Devices—Other sensing devices can be
digital system is advantageous because it can provide system
included in the penetrometer body to provide additional
backup.
information during the sounding. These instruments are nor-
NOTE 4—Depending upon the equipment, data stored digitally on mally read at the same continuous rate as tip, sleeve, and
magnetic drives, tapes, floppy disks, or other media are often used. The porewater pressure sensors, or alternatively, during pauses in
data files should include project, location, operator, and data format the push (often at 1-m rod breaks). Typical sensors are
information (for example, channel, units, corrected or uncorrected, etc.) so inclinometer, temperature, resistivity (or its reciprocal, electri-
that the data can be understood when reading the file with a text editor.
cal conductivity), or seismic sensors, such as geophones that
7.3 Push Rods—Steel rods are required having a cross can be used to obtain downhole shear wave velocity. These
sectional area adequate to sustain, without buckling, the thrust sensors should be calibrated if their use is critical to the
required to advance the penetrometer tip. For penetrometers investigation program. The use of an inclinometer is highly
using electrical cables, the cable is prestrung through the rods recommended since it will provide information on potentially
prior to testing. Push rods are supplied in 1-meter lengths. The damaging situations during the sounding process. An inclinom-
push rods must be secured together to bear against each other eter can provide a useful depth reliability check because it
at the joints and form a rigid-jointed string of push rods. The provides information on verticality. The configuration and
deviation of push rod alignment from a straight axis should be methods of operating such sensors should be reported.

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 D5778 – 07
8. Reagents and Materials placed when necessary. If very accurate sleeve resistance data
8.1 O-Ring Compound—A petroleum or silicon compound is required, it is recommended to clean all seals after each
for facilitating seals with O-rings. Use of silicon compounds sounding.
may impede repair of strain gages if the strain gauge surface is 9.2.3 Electronic cone penetrometer tips should be tempera-
exposed to the compound. ture compensated. If extreme temperatures outside of the range
established in A1.3.3 are to be encountered, the penetrometer
8.2 Glycerine, or CHOH(CH2OH)2, for use in porewater
should be checked for the required temperature range to
pressure measurement systems. Approximately 95 % pure
establish they can meet the calibration requirements. Also,
glycerine can be procured from most drug stores.
harsh environments may severely affect the data acquisition
8.3 Silicone Oil (or fluid), for use in porewater pressure system of power supplies, notebook or field computers, and
measurement systems. This material is available in varying other electronics.
viscosities ranging from 1400 to 10 000 CP. 9.2.4 If the shift in baseline reading after extracting the
NOTE 6—Detailed comparisons and discussions on the use of these penetrometer tip from the soil is so large that the conditions of
fluids can be found elsewhere (6, 9). accuracy as defined in 10.1.2.1 are no longer met, penetration
resistance data should be noted as unreliable. If baseline
9. Hazards readings do not conform to allowable limits established by
9.1 Technical Precautions—General: accuracy requirements in 10.1.2.1, the penetrometer tip must
be repaired, and recalibrated or replaced.
9.1.1 Use of penetrometer components that do not meet
9.2.5 Electronic friction cone penetrometers having unequal
required tolerances or show visible signs of non-symmetric
end areas on their friction sleeves can yield erroneous fs
wear can result in erroneous penetration resistance data.
readings because of dynamic porewater pressures acting un-
9.1.2 The application of thrust in excess of rated capacity of evenly on the sleeve (2, 3, 4, 6). Friction sleeve design should
the equipment can result in damage to equipment (see Section be checked in accordance with A1.7 to ensure balanced
6). response. The response is also dependent on location of water
9.1.3 A cone sounding must not be performed any closer seals. If O-ring water seals are damaged during testing, and
than 25 borehole diameters from any existing unbackfilled or sleeve data appear affected, the sounding data should be noted
uncased bore hole. as unreliable and the seals should be repaired.
9.1.4 When performing cone penetration testing in prebored 9.3 Piezocone Penetrometer—The electronic piezocone
holes, an estimate of the depth below the prebored depth which penetrometer tip measures pore water pressures on the exterior
is disturbed by drilling, should be made and penetration of the penetrometer tip by transferring the pressure through a
resistance data obtained in this zone should be noted. Usually, de-aired fluid system to a pressure transducer in the interior of
this depth of disturbance is assumed to be equal to at least three the tip. For proper dynamic response, the measurement system
borehole diameters. (consisting of fluid ports and porous element) must be com-
9.1.5 Significant bending of the push rods can influence pletely saturated prior to testing. Entrained air must be re-
penetration resistance data. The use of a tubular rod guide is moved from the fluid-filled system or porewater pressure
recommended at the base of the thrust machine and also in fluctuation during penetrometer tip advancement will be incor-
prebored holes to help prevent push rod bending. rect due to response lag from compression of air bubbles (see
9.1.6 Push rods not meeting requirements of 7.3 may result 11.2, 12.3.2, and 12.3.3). For soundings where dynamic
in excessive directional penetrometer drift and possibly unre- response is important, the prepared filter elements should be
liable penetration resistance values. replaced after every sounding.
9.1.7 Passing through or alongside obstructions may deflect 10. Calibration and Standardization
the penetrometer and induce directional drift. Note any indi-
10.1 Electronic Friction Cone Penetrometers:
cations of encountering such obstructions, such as gravels, and
10.1.1 The requirements for newly manufactured or re-
be alert for possible subsequent improper penetrometer tip
paired cone penetrometers are of importance. Newly manufac-
operation.
tured or repaired electronic cone penetrometers are to be
9.1.8 If the proper rate of advance of the penetrometer is not checked to meet the minimum calibration requirements de-
maintained for the entire stroke through the measurement scribed in the annex. These calibrations include load tests,
interval, penetration resistance data will be erroneous. thermal tests, and mechanical tests for effects of imbalanced
9.2 Technical Precautions—Electronic Friction Cone Pen- hydrostatic forces. Calibration procedures and requirements
etrometer: given in the annex are for subtraction-type cone penetrometers.
9.2.1 Failure of O-ring seals can result in damage to or Calibration requirements for independent-type cone penetrom-
inaccurate readings from electronic transducers. The O-ring eters should equal or exceed those requirements. The calibra-
seals should be inspected regularly, after each sounding, for tion records must be certified as correct by a registered
overall condition, cleanliness and watertightness. professional engineer or other responsible engineer with
9.2.2 Soil ingress between different elements of a penetrom- knowledge and experience in materials testing for quality
eter tip can result in unreliable data. Specifically, soil ingress assurance. Applied forces or masses must be traceable to
will detrimentally affect sleeve resistance data. Seals should be calibration standard forces or masses retained by the National
inspected after each sounding, maintained regularly, and re- Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the

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 D5778 – 07
National Bureau of Standards. For description of calibration ings. If field load range equipment is not available, the
terms and methods for calibrating, refer to the annex. penetrometer may be checked in the laboratory at the end of a
10.1.2 Baseline Readings—Baseline or zero-load readings project.
for both cone and friction sleeve load cells and porewater 10.1.3.2 For penetrometers that are used infrequently, a
pressure transducers must be taken before and after each periodic check may be based on time period, such as once
sounding. The baseline reading is a reliable indicator of output every year. If a penetrometer has not been used for a long
stability, temperature-induced apparent load, soil ingress, in- period of time, checking it before use is advisable.
ternal friction, threshold sensitivity, and unknown loading 10.1.3.3 For projects requiring a high level of quality
during zero setting. Take the initial baseline reading after assurance, it may be required to do load range checks before
warming electrical circuits according to the manufacturer’s and after the project.
instructions, generally for 15 to 30 min, and in a temperature 10.1.3.4 Load range calibrations are required if the initial
environment as close as possible to that of the material to be and final baselines for a sounding do not meet requirements
sounded. If temperature is of concern, immerse the penetrom- given in 10.1.2.1.
eter tip in a bucket of fresh tap water, or insert the penetrometer 10.1.3.5 Records documenting the history of an individual
tip in the ground while electrically warming circuits to stabilize penetrometer should be maintained for evaluation of perfor-
mance.
its temperature and then extracted for rapid determination of
initial baseline. After a sounding is completed, take a final 10.2 Porewater Pressure Transducer—Calibrate newly
manufactured or repaired transducers in accordance with
baseline. The change in initial and final baseline values should
requirements in the annex. During production, the transducer
not exceed 2 % FSO for the cone tip, sleeve, and pressure
should be calibrated at regularly scheduled intervals and
transducer.
whenever linear performance is suspect. The reference gauge
10.1.2.1 Maintain a continuous record of initial and final can be a Bourdon tube pressure gauge, or electronic pressure
baselines during production testing. After each sounding, transducer that is calibrated annually to NIST traceable loading
compare the final baseline to the initial baseline for agreement device (dead weight testing apparatus).
within the tolerances noted above. In some cases during heavy 10.2.1 Prior to testing, baseline values or initial zeroing of
production testing where the cone is not disassembled and the transducer is performed on the porewater pressure trans-
cleaned after each sounding, the initial baseline for the next ducer at ambient air pressures at the surface. Maintain records
sounding can serve as the final baseline to the previous as to the baseline values for the transducer in similar fashion to
sounding as long as agreement is within allowable limits. those for tip and sleeve resistance. If significant changes in
10.1.2.2 If the post sounding baseline shift exceeds above baseline values occur, normally 1 to 2 % FSO, perform load
criteria, inspect the cone for damage by inspecting the tip and range tests to check for possible damage and nonlinear
checking to see that the sleeve can be rotated by hand. If there response.
is apparent damage, replace parts as required. Clean the cone 10.3 Calibrations of Other Sensing Devices—Calibration
and allow temperatures to equalize to presounding conditions, data for other sensors in the penetrometer body may require
and obtain a new baseline. If this value agrees with the initial calibrations using procedures similar to those given in the
baseline within the above criteria, a load range calibration annex for load cells and pressure transducers. The need for
check is not required. If the pre and post baselines are still not calibration depends on the requirements of the individual
within the above criteria then it is likely that the shift was investigation program. For noncritical programs, the occur-
caused by an obstacle or obstruction and linearity should be rence of reasonable readings may be sufficient. In critical
checked with a load range calibration. programs, it may be necessary to load the sensor through the
range of interest with reference standards to ensure accurate
10.1.2.3 If the baseline shift still exceeds the above criteria,
readings.
perform a load range calibration as described in 10.1.2.1. If the
cone load cell baseline shift exceeds 2 % FSO, the cone is
11. Conditioning
likely damaged and will not meet load range criteria in
10.1.2.2. Sleeve load cell baseline shifts for subtraction-type 11.1 Power electronic cone penetrometer and data acquisi-
penetrometers usually can exceed 2 % FSO and still meet load tion systems for a minimum time period to stabilize electric
range criteria. circuits before performing soundings. Power the system to
manufacturer’s recommendations prior to obtaining reference
10.1.2.4 Report data for the sounding where unacceptable
baselines. For most electronic systems this time period is 15 to
baseline shift occurs as unreliable. In some cases it may be
30 min.
obvious where the damage occurred and data prior to that point
11.2 Electronic piezocone penetrometer soundings require
may be considered reliable. The location where obvious
special preparation of the transmitting fluid and porous ele-
damage occurred should be clearly noted in reports.
ments such that entrained air is removed from the system. For
10.1.3 Penetrometer Wear and Usage soundings where dynamic response is important, replace the
10.1.3.1 For penetrometers used regularly during produc- prepared filter elements and the ports flushed after every
tion, periodic load range checks should be performed. The sounding. Some of the techniques discussed below have been
inspection period can be based on production footage such as successful for preparation of elements. Regardless of the
once every lineal 3000 m (approx. 104 linear feet) of sound- techniques used, report the equipment and methods.

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 D5778 – 07
11.2.1 Field or laboratory tests can be performed to evaluate tronic cone penetrometer tips and friction sleeves after each
assembled system response, if desired. Place the cone tip and sounding to clean and lubricate as required. If damage is found
element in a pressurized chamber and subject to rapid pressure after a sounding, note and record this information on the
change. Compare the response of the system to the applied sounding data record or report.
pressure changes and if responses match, the system is prop- 12.2 Friction Cone Penetrometers:
erly prepared. 12.2.1 Power up the penetrometer tip and data acquisition
11.2.2 Place elements in a pure glycerine or silicone oil bath system according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,
under a vacuum of at least 90 % of one atmosphere (–90 kPa). typically 15 to 30 min, prior to use.
Maintain vacuum until air bubble generation is reduced to a 12.2.2 Obtain an initial baseline reading for the penetrom-
minimum. Application of ultrasonic vibration and low heat (T eter in an unloaded condition at a temperature as close as
< 50°C) will assist in removal of air. Generally with use of possible to ground conditions. Obtain baseline readings with
combined vacuum, ultrasonic vibration, and low heat, filter the penetrometer tip hanging freely in air or in water, out of
elements can be deaired in about 4 h, although it is best to direct sunlight. Compare baseline readings with the previous
allow for 24 h to ensure best performance. Results will depend baseline reading for the requirements given in 10.1.2.1. If
upon the viscosity of the fluid and pore size of the filter thermal stability needs to be assured, immerse the penetrom-
element. eter tip in water at temperature close to ground; or perform an
11.2.3 Elements can be prepared in water by boiling the initial short penetration test hole, stop penetration and allow
elements while submerged in water for at least 4 h, although the penetrometer tip to reach soil temperature, and withdraw
damage may result from prolongued exposure in this approach the penetrometer.
(1). 12.2.3 Measure the depth at which readings were taken with
11.2.4 Other Suitable Means—Report other techniques, an accuracy of at least 6100 mm from the ground surface.
such as commercially-purchased pre-saturated filter elements 12.2.4 Determine the cone resistance and friction sleeve
that are available, or grease-filled slot (2, 5). resistance, continuously with depth, and record the data at
11.2.5 Storage—Store prepared elements submerged in the intervals of depth not exceeding 50 mm.
prepared fluid until ready for use. Fill the containers and
12.2.5 During the progress of sounding, monitor tip and
evacuate during storage. Allowable storage length depends on
sleeve forces continuously for signs of proper operations. It is
the fluid. If elements are prepared in water they must be
helpful to monitor other indicators such as ram pressure or
deaired again one day after containers are opened and exposed
inclination to ensure that damage may not occur if highly
to air. Elements stored in glycerine or silicone may be stored
resistant layers or obstructions are encountered. Inclination is a
for longer periods, up to several months, after storage contain-
particularly useful indicator of imminent danger to the system
ers have been exposed to air.
(see 12.4).
12. Procedure 12.2.6 At the end of a sounding, extract the penetrometer
12.1 General Requirements: tip, obtain a final set of baseline readings with the penetrometer
12.1.1 Prior to beginning a sounding, perform site surveys tip hanging freely in air or in water, and check them against the
to ensure hazards such as overhead and underground utilities initial baseline. Record initial and final baselines on all
will not be encountered. Position the thrust machine over the documents related to the sounding.
location of the sounding, and lower leveling jacks to raise the 12.3 Electronic Piezocone Penetrometers:
machine mass off the suspension system. Set the hydraulic 12.3.1 Power up the penetrometer tip and data acquisition
rams of the penetrometer thrust system to as near vertical as system according to the manufacturer’s recommendations,
possible. The axis of the push rods must coincide with the typically 15 to 30 min, prior to use.
thrust direction. 12.3.2 Assemble the piezo elements with all fluid chambers
12.1.2 Set the hydraulic ram feed rate to advance the submerged in the de-aired medium used to prepare the ele-
penetrometer at a rate of 20 6 5 mm/s for all electronic cone ments. Flush all confined areas with fluid to remove air
penetrometers. This rate must be maintained during the entire bubbles. Tighten the cone tip to effectively seal the flat
stroke during downward advance of the rods while taking surfaces. For water fluid systems, protect the assembled system
readings. from evaporation by enclosing the porous element inside a
12.1.3 Check push rods for straightness and permanent fluid-filled plastic bag or cap sealed to the penetrometer tip.
bending (See Section 7.3). Push rods are assembled and 12.3.3 If unsaturated soil is first penetrated and it is desired
tightened by hand, but care must be taken and threads may to obtain accurate dynamic porewater pressure response once
need cleaning to ensure that the shoulders are tightly butted to below the ground water, it may be necessary to prebore or
prevent damage to the push rods. For electronic cone pen- sound a pilot hole to the water table. In many cases, the
etrometers using cables, the cable is prestrung through the push piezocone fluid system may cavitate during penetration
rods. Add friction reducer to the string of push rods as required, through unsaturated soil or in dilating sand layers below the
usually the first push rod behind the penetrometer tip and other water table and this can adversely affect dynamic response. As
rods as required. the cone is advanced deeper, the saturation levels may recover
12.1.4 Inspect penetrometer tips before and after soundings as air bubbles are driven back into solution according to Boyles
for damage, soil ingress, and wear. In very soft and sensitive Law. Evaluation of proper interpretation of dynamic response
soils where accurate sleeve data is required, dismantle elec- requires experience (1, 6). Pre-punching or pre-boring with a

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 D5778 – 07
two-level phase approach to soundings may help alleviate inclination over 1 m of penetration can impose detrimental
desaturation problems. push rod bending. Total drift of over 12° in 10 m of penetration
12.3.4 Record baseline readings with the penetrometer tip imposes non-symetric loading and possible unreliable penetra-
hanging freely in air, or in water, out of direct sunlight. tion resistance data.
Compare baseline readings with reference baseline readings for 12.4.2 Push Rod Addition Interruptions—Short duration
requirements given in 10.1.2.1 and 10.2. A baseline for the interruptions in the penetration rate during addition of each
porewater pressure transducer is obtained immediately after new push rod can affect initial cone and friction sleeve readings
assembly to avoid evaporation effects. If evaporation is a at the beginning of the next push. If necessary, note and record
problem, temporarily immerse the penetrometer in a bucket of the depths at which push rods are added and where long pauses
water until ready for baseline. Do not obtain transducer may have affected initial startup resistances.
baselines with protective caps or covers in place as these may 12.4.3 Piezocone Porewater Pressure Dissipation
induce pressure in the system. Note the pressure from the Interruptions—Porewater pressure dissipation studies, for
pressure transducer to see if it is a reasonable value for the which soundings are stopped and rod load is released for
equipment and assembly technique used. varying time durations, can affect the initial cone, friction
12.3.5 Follow procedures similar to electric friction cone in sleeve, and dynamic porewater pressure readings at resump-
12.2.4-12.2.6 with the addition of recording porewater pressure tions of cone penetration. If dissipation tests are performed, be
readings. aware of possible rebound effects on initial excess porewater
12.3.6 Dissipation Tests—If dissipation tests are to be pressures. Note and record the depth and duration for which
conducted during progress of the sounding, penetration is dissipation values are taken.
temporarily stopped at the location of interest. If porewater 12.4.4 Interruptions Due to Obstructions—If obstructions
pressures are measured at the u2 or u3 locations, it is common are encountered and normal advance of the sounding is stopped
practice to release the force on the push rods. If porewater to bore through the obstructions, obtain further penetration
pressures are measured at the midface location u1, maintain the resistance data only after the penetrometer tip has passed
force on the push rods. Record porewater pressure versus time through the estimated zone of disturbance due to drilling. As an
during conduct of the dissipation test. Monitor pressures until alternative, readings may be continued without first making the
equilibrium porewater pressure is reached or 50 % of the initial additional penetration and the disturbed zone evaluated from
excess porewater pressure has dissipated. In fine grained soils these data. Note and record the depth and thickness of
of very low conductivity, very long times may be required to obstructions and disturbed zones in areas where obstructions
reach the 50 % dissipation. Depending on the requirements of are drilled through.
the program, and any concern of friction buildup on the push 12.4.5 Excessive Thrust Capacity—If excessive thrust pres-
rods, dissipation testing may be terminated prior to reaching sure begins to impede the progress of the sounding, it may be
the 50 % level. Report dissipation test data as a record of necessary to withdraw and change friction reducers. Alter-
porewater pressure versus time, or more commonly, u versus nately, sometimes friction may be reduced by withdrawing the
logarithm of time. penetrometer and rods up to one third to one half of the
12.3.7 Hydrostatic Porewater Condition: penetration depth and then repushing to depth at which the
If full dissipations are carried out, then the porewater friction caused stopping. Continue collection of sounding data
transducer will eventually record the hydrostatic condition, from the point of stopping. Note and record the delay time and
thus providing an evaluation of the position of the groundwater depths to which the penetrometer was moved. Long delays and
table or phreatic surface. pauses may cause buildup of friction on the rods. Hold delays
12.4 Penetrometer Operation and Data Interpretation- to the minimum required to perform dissipation tests or
Guidelines: equipment repairs.
12.4.1 Directional Drift of Penetrometer: 12.4.5.1 If a high resistance layer is encountered, and the
12.4.1.1 The penetrometer may drift directionally from hydraulic thrust machine is physically moved during penetra-
vertical alignment. Large deviations in inclination can create tion, terminate the sounding. Another indicator of reaching
nonuniform loading and result in unreliable penetration resis- thrust capacity is the rebound of rods after they are released.
tance data. Reduce drift by accurately setting thrust alignment The magnitude of rebound depends on the flexibility of the
and using push rods which meet tolerances given in 7.3. thrust machine and the push rods. An operator must become
12.4.1.2 Passing through or alongside obstructions such as familiar with the safe deflection of the system and decide when
boulders, cobbles, coarse gravel, soil concretions, thin rock excessive deflections are being reached.
layers, or inclined dense layers will deflect the penetrometer tip 12.4.6 Unusual Occurrences—As data are recorded, it is
and induce drifting. Note and record any indication of encoun- important to note unusual occurrences in testing. When pen-
tering such obstructions, and be alert for possible subsequent etrating gravels, it is important to note “crunching” sounds that
improper penetrometer tip operations as a sign of serious may occur when particle size and percentage of coarse particles
directional drift. begin to influence penetration. Note and report all occurrences
12.4.1.3 Penetrometer inclination is typically monitored in of coarse gravels.
cone penetrometers. Impose limitations on inclination in the 12.5 Withdrawal:
system to prevent damage to push rods and non-symmetric 12.5.1 Withdraw the push rods and penetrometer tip as soon
loading of the penetrometer tip. Generally, a 5° change in as possible after attaining complete sounding depth.

11
 D5778 – 07
12.5.2 Upon complete withdrawal of the penetrometer, NOTE 7—In all cases, the total value qt should be used, substituted for
inspect the penetrometer tip for proper operation. The friction (or both) qc, wherever possible. In no cases should qc be backdetermined
sleeve should be able to be rotated through 360° by hand from qt for use in equations, charts, formulae, or other purposes. It is
always a forward procedure with corrected total qt to be preferred.
without detectable binding.
12.5.3 Record baseline readings with the penetrometer tip 13.2.1.2 Empirical adjustment factors based on select soil
hanging freely in air, or in water, out of direct sunlight. types have been developed for some pressure elements in the
Compare baseline readings with initial baseline reading for u1 position, however these are not reliable. On a site-by-site
requirements given in 10.1.2.1. basis, a relationship between u1 and u2 may be possible.
12.6 Hole Closure—In certain cases, it may be prudent or 13.3 Friction Sleeve Resistance, fs—Required:
required by state law or specificiations, that the cone hole be fs 5 Qs/As (3)
filled, sealed, or grouted and closed after the sounding is
completed. For example, in complex groundwater regimes, where:
hole closure should be made to protect the water aquifer. fs = friction sleeve resistance kPa (ton/ft2, kgf/cm 2, bar, or
Details on various methods for hole closure are provided suitable units for stress),
Qs = force on friction sleeve kN (ton, kgf, or suitable units
elsewhere (10).
for force), and
As = area of friction sleeve, typically 150 cm2 for 10-cm2
13. Calculation tip, or 200 to 300 cm2 for larger 15-cm2 cones.
13.1 Friction Cone Penetrometers—Most electronic cone
NOTE 8—A corrected sleeve friction resistance may also be obtained
penetrometers in use at the present time measure a change in
(ft), yet this requires both u2 and u3 measurements simulaneously (2, 3, 4,
voltage across a strain gauge element to determine change in 6). Thus, the raw fs has been accepted for practical reasons. A simplified
length of the strain element. Using known constitutive rela- correction has been adopted by selected organizations (for example, (6)).
tionships between stress and strain for the strain element, the 13.4 Friction Ratio, Rf—(Optional):
applied force may be determined for the cone or friction sleeve.
The applied force may then be converted to stresses using the Rf 5 ~f s/qc!·100 (4)
basic equations given in 13.2 and 13.3. Since there are a wide where:
variety of additional, optional measurements currently being Rf = friction ratio, %,
obtained with electronic cone penetrometers and new ones fs = friction sleeve resistance kPa (ton/ft2, kgf/cm2, bar,
being continually developed, it is beyond the scope of this or suitable units for stress),
procedure to detail the makeup, adjustments, and calculations qc = cone resistance kPa (ton/ft2, kgf/cm2, bar, or suitable
for these optional measurements. units for stress), and
13.2 Cone Resistance, qc—Required: 100 = conversion from decimal to percent.
qc 5 Q c/Ac (1) 13.4.1 Determination of the friction ratio requires obtaining
a cone resistance and friction sleeve resistance at the same
where: point in the soil mass. The point of the cone is taken as the
qc = cone resistance MPa (for example, ton/ft2, kgf/cm2, or reference depth. Typically, a previous cone tip resistance
bar), reading at friction sleeve midpoint depth is used for the
Qc = force on cone kN (for example, ton, or kgf), and calculations. For the 10-cm2 penetrometer, the standard offset
Ac = cone base area, typically 10 cm2, or 15 cm2. is 100 mm. If an offset other than midheight is used it must be
13.2.1 Corrected Total Cone Resistance (Required)— reported.
Calculation of corrected total cone resistance requires measure-
ment of porewater pressures measured at the shoulder in the u2 NOTE 9—In some cases, if readings are compared at the same point in
a soil mass which has alternating layers of soft and hard materials erratic
position.
friction ratio data will be generated. This is because cone resistance is
qt 5 q c 1 u 2 ~ 1 2 a n ! (2) sensed, to varying degrees, ahead of the cone. The erratic data may not be
representative of soils actually present.
where: NOTE 10—The friction sleeve resistance and friction ratio obtained
qt = corrected total cone resistance, MPa (ton/ft2, kgf/cm2, from the mechanical friction cone penetrometers will differ considerably
bar, or suitable units for stress), from values obtained from electronic friction cone penetrometers. When
u2 = porewater pressure generated immediately behind the using soil classification charts that use Rf and qc, it is important to use
cone tip, kPa (for example, tsf, kgf/cm2, bar, or charts based on correlations for the type of penetrometer being used.
suitable units for pressure), and 13.5 Porewater Pressure Data:
an = net area ratio (see A1.7). 13.5.1 SI metric units for reporting porewater pressure data
13.2.1.1 The correction to total cone resistance is particu- are kPa.
larly important when porewater pressures are generated during 13.5.2 Conversion of Measured Porewater Pressures to
penetration (for example, saturated clays, silts, and soils with Equivalent Height of Water—Optional—If it is desired to
appreciable fines). Generally, the correction is not so signifi- display porewater pressure in equivalent height of water,
cant for CPTs in clean sands, dense to hard geomaterials, and convert the dynamic or static water pressures to height by
dry soils. The correction is due to porewater pressures acting dividing pressure by the unit weight of freshwater, gw= 9.8
on opposing sides of both the face and joint annulus of the cone kN/m3(62.4 lbf/ft3). For salt water, use gw= 10.0 kN/m3(64.0
tip (1, 2, 4, 6). lbf/ft3).

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 D5778 – 07
13.5.3 Estimate of Equilibrium Porewater Pressure (Hydro- 14.1.1.2 Project information,
static Porewater Pressure)—Excess porewater pressure can 14.1.1.3 Feature notes,
only be calculated by knowing equilibrium pore water pres- 14.1.1.4 Ground surface elevation and water surface eleva-
sure, uo (see 3.2.14). The equilibrium water pressure can be tion (if available),
measured by dissipation test or estimated by calculation as 14.1.1.5 Sounding location, including coordinates
follows (see Terminology D653): 14.1.1.6 Sounding number, and
uo 5 estimated equilibrium water pressure 5 hw · gw (5) 14.1.1.7 Sounding date.
In saturated soils below the groundwater level, the hydro- 14.1.2 Reports should contain information concerning:
static case is obtained from: 14.1.2.1 Equipment Used—Design drawings and data on all
sensors,
uo 5 ~ z – z w ! g w (6) 14.1.2.2 Graphical data,
For soils above the groundwater table that are saturated due 14.1.2.3 Electronic digital data or tabular data (optional),
to full capillarity, Eq 6 is also applicable. For dry soils above 14.1.2.4 Procedures followed, and
the groundwater table, it is commonly adopted that uo= 0. In 14.1.2.5 Calibration Information—For all sensors, informa-
partially-saturated soils (vadose zone), there can be great tion required in Section 10.
transient variations and variability in the uo profile. 14.1.3 The report should contain a text that discusses items
required in 14.2 and 14.3. Each sounding should be docu-
where: mented with:
hw = height of water, m (or feet), evaluate from site
14.1.3.1 Sounding plot.
conditions,
gw = unit weight of (fresh) water = 9.8 kN/m3(or 62.4 14.1.3.2 Accompanying Tabular Output—Tabular output is
lbs/ft3), considered optional due to its bulk. It is optional as long as
z = depth of interest (m or feet), computer data files are preserved and archived for later use.
zw = depth to the groundwater table (phreatic surface). 14.1.3.3 Computer Data Files—Provide in ASCII format,
In layered soils with multiple perched aquifers the assump- spreadsheet file, or text, or other common file format. Com-
tion of a single height of water may be in error. puter data files must contain header as required in 14.1,
13.6 Normalized CPT Measurments In the latest soil behav- sounding log information. Certain interpretation programs
ioral classification charts and CPT interpretation methods, require data to be in a particular format. It is the responsibility
normalized readings for cone tip resistance, sleeve friction, and of the user to determine acceptable formats.
porewater pressure are utilized (2, 4, 11, ), as defined below. 14.1.3.4 The comments should contain notes on equipment
13.6.1 Normalized cone tip resistance: and procedures, particular to the individual sounding.
14.2 Equipment—The report should include notes concern-
Q 5 ~qt – svo! / svo8 (7)
ing:
13.6.2 Normalized Porewater Pressure Parameter, Bq— 14.2.1 Penetrometer manufacturer,
This parameter is normally calculated with the shoulder 14.2.2 Types of penetrometer tips used,
porewater pressure measurement (location immediately behind 14.2.3 Penetrometer details such as net area ratio, friction
the cone tip), designated u2. sleeve end areas, location and types of sensors, location and
Bq 5 D2/~q 2 svo! (8) type of friction reducers,
13.6.3 Normalized friction ratio: 14.2.4 Offset between tip and sleeve resistance used for
friction ratio determination,
F 5 fs /~qt – svo! (9) 14.2.5 Serial numbers of penetrometer tips,
where: 14.2.6 Type of thrust machine,
Du = excess pore water pressure (u2 − uo) (see 3.2.13), 14.2.7 Method used to provide reaction force—with notes
uo = estimated equilibrium water pressure, or hydrostatic as to possible surface deformations,
porewater (see 13.5.3), 14.2.8 Location and type of friction reduction system (if
svo = total vertical overburden stress, and any),
svo8 = effective overburden stress = svo– uo 14.2.9 Method of recording data,
The total overburden stress is calculated: 14.2.10 Condition of push rods and penetrometer tip after
svo 5 ( ~gti Dzi! (10) withdrawal,
14.2.11 Any special difficulties or other observations con-
where: cerning performance of the equipment,
Dzi = layer thickness, and 14.2.12 Details on piezocone design, filter elements, and
gti = total soil unit weight for layer. fluid conditioning procedures, and
14.2.13 Information on other sensing devices used during
14. Report the sounding.
14.1 Report the following information: 14.3 Calibration Certifications—For each project the report
14.1.1 General—Each sounding log should provide as a should include the load range calibrations of the cones used
minimum: that were performed in accordance with Section 10. The report
14.1.1.1 Operator name, should include the initial and final baseline readings for each

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 D5778 – 07
sounding. Calibration records for the porewater pressure trans- comparative studies. Judging from observed repeatability in
ducers are required as given in 10.2. If the project requires approximate uniform deposits, persons familiar with this test
calibrations of other sensors they should also be submitted in estimate its precision as follows:
final reports. 15.1.1 Cone Resistance—Provided that compensation is
14.4 Graphs—Every report of friction cone penetration made for unequal area effects as described in 13.2.1, a standard
sounding is to include a cone tip resistance plot, qc MPa, or deviation of approximately 2 % FSO (that is, comparable to the
preferably total cone tip resistance, qt MPa (or ton/ft2, kgf/cm2, basic electromechanical combined accuracy, nonlinearity, and
bar, or other acceptable unit of stress) with depth below ground hysteresis).
surface m (ft), friction sleeve resistance, fs, kPa (ton/ft2, 15.1.2 Sleeve Friction—Subtraction Cones—Standard de-
kgf/cm2, bar, or other acceptable units of stress), and friction viation of 15 % FSO.
ratio, Rf (%), on the same plot. (See Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 for 15.1.3 Sleeve Friction—Independent Cones—Standard de-
example plots.) As a minimum, the plot should provide general viation of 5 % FSO.
information as outlined in 14.1. Electronic piezocone pen- 15.1.4 Dynamic Porewater Pressure—Strongly dependent
etrometer soundings should provide an additional plot of upon operational procedures and adequacy of saturation as
porewater pressure kPa (or lbf/in.2, kgf/cm2, bar, or other described in 11.2. When carefully carried out a standard
acceptable units of pressure) versus depth, m (ft). Porewater deviation of 2 % FSO can be obtained.
readings can be plotted as pressures, or alternatively, the 15.2 Bias—This test method has no bias because the values
pressure may be converted to equivalent heights of water (that determined can be defined only in terms of this test method.
is, hw= u2/gw).
NOTE 11—Jefferies and Davies (11) report qt repeatability of the two
14.4.1 Symbols qt and fs for tip and sleeve resistance are
different soundings in compact clean sand using two different cones by the
accepted by the International Society for Soil Mechanics and same manufacturer. Approximately 50 % of the data lay within 8 % of the
Geotechnical Engineering (1, 2, 3, 7). average of the two tests, and 90 % of the data lay within 15 % of the
14.4.2 For uniform presentation of data, the vertical axis average. In this trial the transducers (that conformed to the requirements
(ordinate) should display depth and the horizontal axis (ab- in A1.5) were loaded to between one tenth and one fifth of their rated FSO,
scissa) should display the test values. There are many prefer- so confirming a standard deviation of better than 2 % FSO.
ences in plotting such that uniform plotting scales and presen-
tation will not be required. 16. Keywords
16.1 cone penetration test; cone penetrometer; explorations;
15. Precision and Bias field test; friction resistance; geotechnical test; in-situ testing;
15.1 Precision—There are little direct data on the precision penetration tests; penetrometer; piezocone; point resistance;
of this test method, in particular because of the natural porewater pressures; resistance; sleeve friction; soil
variability of the ground. Committee D-18 is actively seeking investigations

FIG. 4 Example Graph Presentation Results from a Conventional Piezocone Penetration Test

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 D5778 – 07

FIG. 5 Illustrative Piezocone Graph Showing Tip Resistance, Sleeve Friction, Penetration Porewater Pressure, and Friction Ratio

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. CALIBRATION REQUIREMENTS ON NEWLY MANUFACTURED OR REPAIRED ELECTRONIC FRICTION CONE AND
PIEZOCONE PENETROMETERS

A1.1 Introduction: penetrometer, however, has less precision due to the subtrac-
A1.1.1 This annex describes procedures and requirements tion process (3, 9). As a result, calibration tolerances given here
for calibrating electronic cone penetrometers. The evaluation are considered maximum values and requirements for more
of cone penetrometer calibration as described in this annex is sensitive cone penetrometers imply smaller tolerances having
a quality assurance standard for newly manufactured and greater precision. The calibration process consists of loading
repaired penetrometer tips. Many of the standards may be the penetrometer tip with reference forces and pressures and
impractical to evaluate under field operating conditions. There- then comparing measured output to the reference.
fore, determination of these calibration errors for any indi- A1.1.4 Calibrations in the laboratory environment should be
vidual penetrometer tip should be performed in a laboratory performed with the complete penetrometer system to be used in
environment under ideal conditions by the manufacturer or the field. The same make and model computer, cable, signal
other qualified personnel with necessary knowledge, experi- conditioning system, and penetrometer to be used in the field
ence, and facilities. shall be calibrated in the laboratory. Depending on the com-
A1.1.2 The electronic cone penetrometer is a delicate in- ponents of the system some components may be substituted
strument subjected to severe field conditions. Proper use of with acceptable replacements. Each individual penetrometer
such an instrument requires detailed calibration after manufac- must be tested over a range of loads to assure adequate
ture and continuous field calibrations. Years of cone penetrom- performance.
eter design and performance experience have resulted in
refined cone designs and calibration procedures which make A1.2 Terms Related to Force Transducer Calibrations:
the electronic cone penetrometer a highly reliable instrument.
Reports of these experiences form the basis for requirements in A1.2.1 Fig. A1.1 is a graphical depiction of terms related to
this annex (1, 2, 3, 9). transducer calibrations and defines the concepts of zero-load
A1.1.3 The required calibration tolerances developed in this error, nonlinearity, hysteresis, and calibration error (2, 8).
annex are based on subtraction type electronic cone penetrom- A1.2.2 To evaluate several of these values, the FSO (full
eters. These penetrometers are more robust than electronic scale output) of the penetrometer tip is needed. The manufac-
cone penetrometers with independent tip and sleeve load cells turer shall provide full scale output information for the system.
and are the most widely used design. The subtraction type Cone penetrometer tips usually are available in nominal

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 D5778 – 07
A1.3.3 Thermal Stability—For ensurance of thermal stabil-
ity, evaluate a particular design of a newly manufactured cone
under a range of temperature conditions. Newly manufactured
penetrometer tips are first cycled to a minimum of 80 % of
FSO five times at room temperature, to remove any residual
nonlinearity. After cycling, establish an initial reference base-
line value at room temperature after the cone has been
electrically powered for about 30 min. To evaluate thermal
stability, stabilize the penetrometer tip at temperatures of 10
and 30°C and new baseline values are obtained. The change in
baseline values must be # 1.0 % FSO of either cone or friction
sleeve resistances.
A1.4 Load Range Calibration:
A1.4.1 Calibrate newly manufactured or repaired cone pen-
etrometers over a range of loads after production or repair.
Load test the cone penetrometer system in a universal testing
machine or specially designed cone penetrometer calibration
device capable of independently loading the cone and friction
sleeve. If a universal testing machine is used, a calibration
certificate (current within the last year) in accordance with
FIG. A1.1 Definition of Calibration Terms for Load Cells and
Practice E4 must be available. If a cone calibration apparatus is
Transducers (2, 8) used, it should also have a calibration document current within
the last year. The calibration document shows that applied
capacities of 2, 5, 10, and 15 metric tons. Typical full-scale forces or masses are traceable to standard forces or masses
outputs for these penetrometer tip ranges as follows: retained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Nominal Full-Scale Output Full-Scale Output The universal testing machine or cone calibration devices must
Capacity of Cone, qc of be capable of loading the penetrometer tip to 100 % FSO.
Friction Sleeve, fs
metric tons ton/ MPa ton/ft2 kPa
A1.4.2 Selection of loading steps and maximum loading
ft2 varies depending on need and application. Select the load steps
2 200 20 2 200 and maximum load to cover the range of interest and not
5 500 50 5 500
10 1000 100 10 1000
necessarily the maximum capacity of the cone. Some calibra-
15 1000 100 10 1000 tions stress more frequent load steps at lower loads to evaluate
weaker materials. Selection of more frequent lower load steps
A1.2.3 may result in higher levels of calibration error since the best fit
It is important to check with the manufacturer on the full line is more influenced by the low range data.
scale output of electronic cone penetrometer tips to avoid A1.4.3 Perform the loading after the cone is subjected to
overloading and damaging penetrometer tips. five cycles of compressive loading and reference baselines, or
internal zeroing, have been obtained at room temperature. The
A1.3 Zero Load Baseline Values: penetrometer is loaded in a minimum of six increments at
A1.3.1 Zero-load output variation of the cone penetrometer forces equivalent to 0, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 75 % FSO. At each
during testing and calibration is a reliable indicator of output increment of force, record both cone and sleeve resistances.
stability, internal O-ring friction, and temperature-induced Compute the actual cone tip resistance by dividing the applied
apparent load. The variation in zero load output is affected by force by the cone base area. The friction sleeve resistance is
temperature fluctuation because temperature compensated taken as the corresponding axial force over the sleeve area.
strain gages do not compensate for material effects and system Determine the “best fit straight line” by linear regression of
component effects (1, 2, 3, 8). applied force and measured output. The linearity is the differ-
A1.3.2 Systems with microprocessors provide “reference ence between measured cone resistance and best-straight line
baseline” values for the transducers that are not equal to zero cone resistance divided by the cone FSO. Evaluate hysteresis
but are measured positive or negative values depending on the by comparing the difference between cone resistance at the
electronics of the system. For the particular penetrometer and same level of applied force in loading and unloading and
penetrometer system used, the baseline values should remain dividing by cone FSO. Calculate calibration error by taking the
relatively constant through the life of the penetrometer. As difference between the best-fit-straight line cone resistance and
testing is performed in the field, the baseline resistances are actual cone resistance and dividing by the actual cone resis-
monitored for changes. If large changes are noted the pen- tance. Calibration error can become larger with smaller mea-
etrometer should be loaded to check for linearity and possible sured outputs and, therefore, it is not evaluated at loadings
damage. Evaluate the zero-load error during load range cali- equivalent to less than 20 % of cone FSO.
bration by taking the difference between initial and final A1.4.3.1 When calibrating the penetrometer, monitor the
baseline values. friction sleeve resistance to evaluate apparent load transfer.

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 D5778 – 07
With a subtraction-type electronic cone penetrometer tip, the Calibration
apparent friction sleeve resistance is caused by electrical Parameter Element Requirement
Zero-load error Tip and sleeve # 6 0.5 % FSO
subtraction error, crosstalk, and any load transferred mechani- Zero-load thermal Cone tip and sleeve # 6 1.0 % FSO
cally to the sleeve. With a cone, that provides for independent stability
cone and sleeve measurements, apparent friction sleeve resis- Nonlinearity Cone tip # 6 0.5 % FSO
Sleeve # 6 1.0 % FSO
tances are caused by electrical crosstalk and mechanical load Hysteresis Tip and sleeve # 6 1.0 % FSO
transfer. Apparent load transfer must be less than 1.5 % of FSO Calibration error Cone tip # 6 1.5 % MO at >20 %
of the friction sleeve (1000 kPa). FSO
Sleeve # 6 1.0 % MO at >20 %
A1.4.3.2 Maximum nonlinearity should be 0.2 %, maxi- FSO
mum calibration error should be 0.5 %, and maximum apparent Apparent load While loading cone # 6 1.5 % FSO of sleeve
load transfer should be 1.2 %. For this calibration, the zero load tip transfer
While loading sleeve # 6 0.5 % FSO of cone
error was zero. Hysteresis was not evaluated in this example tip
because the testing machine was incapable of producing the
exact same force on the loading and unloading steps. A1.6 Pressure Transducer Calibrations:
A1.4.4 For calibration of the friction sleeve element, apply A1.6.1 Newly manufactured or repaired pressure transduc-
the forces in seven increments at 0, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 75 % ers shall be supplied with a load range calibration provided by
of FSO. Nonlinearity, hysteresis, and calibration error are the manufacturer. The load range calibration shall consist of a
evaluated in the same manner as calibrations for the cone tip minimum of six points of loading to at least 75 % of FSO. The
reading. During friction sleeve calibration, monitor cone tip applied pressures shall be traceable to reference forces main-
resistance to evaluate apparent load transfer that was not tained by NIST. The calibration shall meet the manufacturer’s
apparent in this calibration. stated tolerances. Minimum requirements are linearity better
than 1 % of FSO and zero load error less than 67 kPa (61.0
A1.5 Force Transducer Calibration Requirements: lb/in.2).
A1.5.1 Calibration requirements developed for electronic A1.6.2 The transducer shall be subjected to regular periodic
cone penetrometers are based on past experience with inspection meeting requirements in A1.6.1.
subtraction-type electronic cone penetrometers and, as a result
of this experience, represent the minimum precision require- A1.7 Correction of Tip and Sleeve Areas:
ment of electronic cone penetrometers. In cases where a higher A1.7.1 The conceptual regions where water pressures can
level of precision is required, stricter calibration requirements act on the cone tip and sleeve elements are shown in Fig. A1.2.
would be required. Newly manufactured or repaired electronic Water pressure that acts behind the cone tip will reduce
cone penetrometers are required to meet the following require- measured cone resistance, qc, by the magnitude of water
ments: pressure acting on unequal areas of the tip geometry. It is

FIG. A1.2 Determination of Net Area Ratio (an) for Corrections of

Cone Tip Resistances (4)

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 D5778 – 07
therefore advantageous to use a penetrometer having a net area requirements of the investigation. Perform such calibrations
ratio an = 0.80 in order to minimize the effect of the correction using similar techniques given in this annex or by other
(1, 2). Water pressure may also act on both ends of the sleeve, reference procedures. Report such calibrations when required.
resulting in an imbalance of forces if the sleeve is not designed
with equal effective end areas. The water pressures acting on A1.9 Documentation of Calibrations:
the ends of the sleeve are not just a function of geometry, they A1.9.1 Laboratory calibration documents consisting of a
are also a function of the location of water seals. Water short report on the equipment and methods of testing, along
pressures during penetration are not often measured at both with tables and figures similar to those in this annex, are
ends of the sleeve (that is, simultaneous u2 and u3) so a required for the following occurrences:
correction is not normally made for fs (3).
A1.9.1.1 When new penetrometer tips are received, and
A1.7.2 Equal end area friction sleeves should be required
for use and should be designed by the manufacturer. The best A1.9.1.2 When damaged penetrometer tips are repaired.
method for evaluating sleeve imbalance is to seal the pen- A1.9.2 The report must be certified by a registered profes-
etrometer in a pressure chamber and apply forces to measure sional engineer or other responsible engineer with knowledge
the sleeve resistance after zeroing the system. Manufacturers and experience in materials testing for quality assurance.
should perform this check for a particular design to assure Calibration documents are retained on file by the offices
minimal imbalance. responsible for performing soundings and should be updated at
A1.7.3 In order to calculate the corrected total cone resis- required intervals. For contract soundings, calibration docu-
tance, qt, as shown in 13.2.1, it will be necessary to determine ments should be obtained prior to contract acceptance and after
the area ratio of the cone. The penetrometer can be enclosed in testing on unaltered equipment.
a sealed pressure vessel (for example, triaxial cell) and water A1.9.3 If the electronic cone penetrometer meets the field
pressures should be applied as shown in the example in Fig. calibration requirements given in 10.1.3, it is only necessary to
A1.3. The net area ratio is then used in computing the corrected adjust the penetrometer tip to the laboratory requirements on a
total tip resistance. yearly basis. Cone penetrometers should be calibrated using
laboratory procedures prior to use on each new project, but
A1.8 Other Calibrations—Other sensors such as inclination, they do not need to meet calibration tolerances as required for
temperature, etc. may require calibration depending on the newly manufactured cones.

FIG. A1.3 Illustrative Example Determination of Unequal End Area for Correction of Tip Resistances Using Pressurized Triaxial Cell
Calibration

18
 D5778 – 07

REFERENCES

(1) Campanella, R. G., and Robertson, P. K. (1988), “Current status of the the equipment,” SGI Varia No. 270, Swedish Geotechnical Insitute,
piezocone test,” Penetration Testing 1988 (Proceedings, ISOPT-1, Linköping, 62 p.
Orlando), Vol. 1, Balkema, Rotterdam, 93–116. (7) DeBeer, E.E., Goelen, E., Heynen, W.J. and Joustra, K. (1988). “Cone
(2) Lunne, T., Robertson, P.K. and Powell, J.J.M. (1997), Cone Penetra- penetration test: International reference test procedure,” Penetration
tion Testing in Geotechnical Practice, Blackie Academic/Routledge Testing 1988, (Proceedings, ISOPT-1, Orlando), Vol. 1, Balkema,
Publishing, New York, 312 pages. Rotterdam, 27–52.
(3) International Reference Standard for the Cone Penetration Test (8) Schaap, L. H. J., and Zuidberg, H. M. (1982), “Mechanical and
(1999), Technical Committee TC 16, ISSMGE, Proceedings, 121th electrical aspects of the electric cone penetrometer tip,” Proceedings
European Conf. on Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering of the Second European Symposium on Penetration Testing, Vol. 2,
(Copenhagen), Vol. 3, Balkema, Rotterdam, 2195–2222. Amsterdam, 841–851.
(4) Jamiolkowski, M., Ladd, C.C., Germaine, J.T. and Lancelotta, R. (9) DeJong, J.T, Yafrate, N.J., and DeGroot, D.J. (2007), “Design of a
(1985), “New developments in field and lab testing of soils,” Proceed- miniature piezoprobe for high resolution stratigraphic profiling,”
ings, 11th International Conference on Soil Mechanics & Foundation ASTM Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol. 30 (4), 11 p.
Engineering, Vol. 1, San Francisco, 57–154. (10) Lutenegger, A.J. and DeGroot, D.J. (1995), “Techniques for sealing
(5) Mayne, P.W. (2007), Synthesis 368 on Cone Penetration Testing, cone penetrometer holes,” Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Vol. 32
NCHRP 20-05 (Task 37-14), National Academy Press, Washington, (5), 880–891.
D.C., 162 p. (11) Jefferies, M. G., and Davies, M. P. (1993), “Use of the CPTu to
(6) Mulabdić, M., Eskilson, S., and Larsson, R. (1990), “Calibration of Estimate Equivalent SPT N60,” Geotechnical Testing Journal, Vol.
piezocones for investigations in soft soils and demands for accuracy of 16, No. 4, ASTM, 458–468.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (D5778 – 95
(2000)) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved November 1, 2007.)

(1) New references added. figures to show the pressurization calibration.

(2) Excess porewater pressure definition corrected in 3.2.13. (9) Section 12.6 on hole closure has been added.
(3) Fig. 2 reference citation updated. (10) Use of capital U for porewater pressures is replaced with
(4) Revised Fig. 3. small lowercase u in 7.1.8.5.
(5) Normalized cone tip resistance added to 13.
(11) Penetrometer gap has now been labeled as ec in 7.1.4.3.
(6) Generally overall improvement in many graphs with newer
figures that show better detailing and annotation. (12) Added reference to Practice D3740.
(7) Fig. 1 includes three basic cone penetrometer designs (13) Common stress and pressure values have been men-
(rather than older figure showing only two designs), that is, tioned.
compression-, tension-, and subtraction-types. (14) Numerous general cleanup and correction of grammatical
(8) Fig. A1.1 and Fig. A1.1 have been replaced with newer and spelling errors, too numerous to mention here.

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