Archives for July 2014

Your average Cone Penetration Testing Rig is a fairly complex piece of machinery, but it can’t do its job alone.

Indeed, every CPT Rig needs a DataPack, or data acquisition and analysis package (DAS), to properly measure and document soil information gathered from digital CPT cones and other sensors.

But what exactly is a DataPack?

Typically, CPT DataPacks like the VTK DataPack offer a simple “all-in-one” solution to commercial CPT service providers.

The DataPack is most often designed to be field-portable as it operates onsite during the CPT Testing process. As such, most DataPacks are best used with any commercial, off-the-shelf laptop for optimal portability.

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When you think of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) you may tend to focus on the soil being tested, which makes sense since soil testing and analysis is largely what CPT is all about. But let’s not forget another equally important aspect of soil testing: moisture.

While measuring soil moisture levels isn’t necessarily important in every investigation, it is often valuable information to have for your data set.

When designing underground electrical equipment or digging tunnels, for example, knowing soil moisture conditions at certain depths is crucial. 

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If so then you know the wealth of geotechnical expertise that was shared, and if not, then be sure to examine the scope of professional papers published from the event available for review now on their website.

FEATURED PAPERS

Whether you are a seasoned CPT veteran or just considering entering the cone penetration profession, the topics covered at CPT ’14 provide current geotechnical expertise that you can benefit from. 

Some of the topics covered include:

• The effect of sleeve diameter on fs measurements
• Axial and torsional axisymmetric laboratory interface shear tests for CPT attachment studies
• Geotechnical Offshore Seabed Tool (GOST): A new cone penetrometer
• Evaluating rolling dynamic compaction of fill using CPT
• Verification of compaction grouting program using CPT in liquefiable soils
• Use of CPT for stability and performance evaluation of Mississippi River Revetment slope in New Orleans
• Role of CPTu in the design of large Atlantic port terminal in Costa Rica
• Use of CPT for design, monitoring, and performance verification of compaction projects
• Using piezocone to assess strength gain of gold tailings in a semi-arid environment
• Interpretation of geotechnical parameters from seismic piezocone tests
• Novel applications of CPT for verification of ground improvement projects
• Fault study using CPT, drill, and trenching data
• Shear strength evaluation of preloaded stabilized dredged sediments using CPT

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While Vertek CPT is here when you’re ready to update your CPT equipment, we understand that geotechnical investigation is an evolving industry where knowledge is always paramount. This is why we work to consistently offer valuable resources and links to expertise here on our CPT U Blog.

When faced with the prospect of a major purchase, it’s common to look into the possibility of buying used. In most circumstances, this is a perfectly valid option with a number of upsides, the most obvious of which is a lower upfront investment.

However, when it comes to buying a used CPT Rig, you might be better off buying a new rig from a trusted vendor. Here’s why.

Used Means Used

First and foremost, Cone Penetration Testing is too important to leave up to chance. Sure, your used CPT Rig may appear in fine working order and you may have acquired it from a reputable seller. But there’s no getting around the simple fact that a used rig has a higher chance of failing than a brand new one. This point is further compounded when you consider the fact that even the best-used CPT Rig dealer can’t match the expertise of a CPT Rig manufacturer.

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A Cone Penetration Test is used to collect key subsurface information from the soil by pushing a hardened cone shape per ASTM International standards, deep into the ground with the help of steel rods, a hydraulic ram, and, in most cases, a very heavy truck.

CPT is typically used to determine the composition, distribution, and strength of soil, sediment, and other geological subsurface features like clay, sand, bedrock, and even contaminants.

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