Geotechnical Engineering 2
Presented by: Dr. M. C. Khahledi
Department: Civil Engineering and Geomatics
DCP
Calculations
Example: Question
In geotechnical and foundation engineering in-situ penetration tests have been widely used for site
investigation in support of analysis and design. The standard penetration test (SPT) and the cone
penetration test (CPT) are the two in-situ penetration tests often used in practice.
A Dynamic Cone Penetrometer was used on a road showing signs of severe stress. The data from the DCP
test is displayed below.
You are required to complete the following:
1.1 Examine the data below and plot the penetration curve on the graph provided in Annexure A. (2)
1.2 Determine the various thicknesses of the layer works and its relationship to in-situ bearing strength,
based on the DCP vs CBR relationship formula, Log CBR = 2.628 – 1.273*logDN. Record this detail on
the graph and provide clear evidence of the in-situ CBR bearing capacity. (6)
1.3 Determine whether any material in the road’s layer works are useful for further construction of new
road pavement. (2)
1.4 Basecourse is available with a CBR of 80%. Suggest a road construction profile using the CBR
design chart provided and incorporate the in-situ material as well. Show clearly which existing layer
materials are being used. Provide all layer thicknesses. (4)
Question: Table 1 DCP Data
DCP blows Depth (mm) DN (mm/blow)
1 50 50
5 70 14
10 100 10
15 130 9
20 220 11
25 350 14
30 420 14
35 450 13
40 480 12
45 490 11
50 500 10
55 550 10
60 650 11
65 790 12
70 900 13
75 1000 13
Question
Question
DCP Penetration Record
Number of Blows
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
0
100
200
Penetration Depth (mm)
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Solution:
1.1 Examine the data below and plot the penetration curve on the graph provided in
Annexure A. (2)
Solution:
1.2 Determine the various thicknesses of the layer works and its relationship to in-situ
bearing strength, based on the DCP vs CBR relationship formula, Log CBR = 2.628 –
1.273*logDN. Record this detail on the graph and provide clear evidence of the in-
situ CBR bearing capacity. (6)
Draw the
tangents lines at
every soil profile
change
Solution:
1.2 Determine the various thicknesses of the layer works and its relationship to in-situ
bearing strength, based on the DCP vs CBR relationship formula, Log CBR = 2.628 –
1.273*logDN. Record this detail on the graph and provide clear evidence of the in-
situ CBR bearing capacity. (6)
Identify the soil
layers and record
the depths. 1 2 3 4
Layer 1
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 4
Solution:
1.2 Determine the various thicknesses of the layer works and its relationship to in-situ
bearing strength, based on the DCP vs CBR relationship formula, Log CBR = 2.628 –
1.273*logDN. Record this detail on the graph and provide clear evidence of the in-
situ CBR bearing capacity. (6)
2. Calculate CBR Use the table given
1.Identify the soil using the in the next slide
layers and record equation given and in pg. 6.25 of
the depths. above. OR your notes
Layer Start End Layer Start End No. DN In-Situ If you decide to
depth depth depth No. No. Blows (mm/ CBR
(mm) (mm) (mm) Blows Blows Blow) (%)
use the table you
1 0 130 130 0 18 18 =130/ 35.66 will need to
18=7 interpolate to get
2 130 440 310 18 28 10 31 5.36 some CBR values
3 440 500 60 28 55 27 2 175.71
4 500 1000 500 55 75 20 25 7.05
DN (mm/Blow) and in-situ CBR
Solution:
1.3 Determine whether any material in the road’s layer works are useful for further
construction of new road pavement.
Use the spec. to
determine if there
is any material
that can be used.
Layer Start End Layer Start End No. DN In-Situ
depth depth depth No. No. Blows (mm/ CBR
Layer 4 has CBR of 7%
(mm) (mm) (mm) Blows Blows Blow) (%) and it can be used for
1 0 130 130 0 18 18 =130/ 35.66 Bottom selected subgrade.
18=7
2 130 440 310 18 28 10 31 5.36
3 440 500 60 28 55 27 2 175.71
4 500 1000 500 55 75 20 25 7.05
Solution:
1.4 Basecourse is available with a CBR of 80%. Suggest a road construction profile using the
CBR design chart provided and incorporate the in-situ material as well. Show clearly
which existing layer materials are being used. Provide all layer thicknesses. (4)
The design will
differ depending
on the choice of
7%. 45%. the layers used.
130 Surfacing (HMA) = 30mm
130 mm
mm
380 mm
Basecourse (CBR 80%) = 100mm
380 Subbase (CBR45%) = 250mm
mm In-situ subgrade CBR 7%
