Correlation of CBR and dynamic cone penetrometer strength measurement of soils

Abstract

The dynamic cone penetrometer (dcp) has been widely used for estimating the strength of soils. The purpose of the laboratory based research described in this note was to establish if any correlation existed between CBR and penetration depth of the dcp for clay like soils, well graded sand, and gravel. The results indicate that a correlation between CBR and penetration depth of the dcp exists for each type of material tested and that for all of them a general correlation of acceptable accuracy exists. The correlation between CBR and penetration depth was found to be better represented by a log log model than by an inverse model. It was also found that moisture content, dry density and soaking processes do not affect the relationship between these two parameters (a).