EMPLOYER/CLIENT

PROJECT

Introduction to basic interpretation of Static Cone Penetration Tests

Soil type and geotechnical parameters can be estimated from Static Cone Penetration Tests (CPT).
Static cone penetration test interpretation using cone resistance qc and sleeve friction fs
Extensive research has indicated that the ratio of local sleeve friction to cone end resistance (friction ratio - Rf) can provide
a guide to the mechanical properties of soils which assists in identifying the soil behaviour type. The results of various
research studies collated by Meigh 1987(i) have been
produced in graphical form and a modified version for British
soils by Erwig, is presented in Figure 1 below. This is the
basis of the interpretation of estimated soil types.

Robertson 2012(ii) produced a Soil Behaviour Type (SBT)

chart in 1986 using basic CPT parameters of qc and Rf to
make reasonable soil type predictions.
However, the
estimation of soil properties varies with effective overburden
pressure and the measured parameters therefore benefit from
'normalisation' which requires knowledge of water depth, pwp
and soil density. In order to take these effects into account,
Robertson proposed an updated (normalised) SBTN chart in
1990 using the normalised parameters of Qn and Fr. The two
charts (1986 SBT for use with friction cone without pwp
recorded and 1990 SBTN for the piezocone with measured
pwp) are given on the final page of this keysheet. This sheet
also gives the SBT zone descriptions and the colour schemes
used to identify the zones.
Additional measurement of pwp by the piezocone therefore
assists in identifying the soil types. Variations in pwp and
particularly the occurrence of excess pwp also reflect changes
in stratification that cannot always be determined with qc or fs.
A typical Fugro piezocone interpreted data plot (Figure 2 given
on the third page of this keysheet) shows changes in pwp
response in the clay layers and indicates the variation in the
permeability of layers or lenses which can influence the
drainage characteristics of the stratum. The excess pwp ratio
(Bq) may give an indication of the stress history of the soil.

Cone Resistance (MPa)

Additional interpretation using pore water pressure (pwp)

readings from the piezocone (CPTu)

Friction Ratio (%)

Figure 1 - Estimating soil type from friction cone

Interpretation of estimated soil type

The interpreted soil types are estimated based on the applicable SBT zones and the density and shear strength descriptors
identified in Tables 1 and 2. The interpretations are determined by the general behaviour of the soil in relation to the cone.
In all cases a site-specific correlation between CPT result and soil type should be used with in situ inspection and laboratory
testing of the soils to confirm and prove the correlations and interpretations. It should also be noted that there will be
interlayers within a main soil layer which will be of a different Soil Behaviour Type (SBT) and so SBT Index values will not
be representative of all material throughout the soil mass.
The results of the CPT should not be considered entirely reliable in all soil types. Sensitive soils (SBT Zone 1) with a friction
ratio less than about 3% and a cone resistance of less than about 1MPa, and organic soils (SBT Zone 2) with a friction ratio
of greater than about 6% may be affected by pore pressures around the tip and against the friction sleeve. These effects
may be reduced by incorporating the measurement of pore pressures using the piezocone, however it should be recognised
that in some conditions the piezocone results may be unreliable due to de-saturation. Overconsolidated clay soils or
weathered weak rocks as well as consolidated or cemented clayey sands (SBT zones 11 and 12) should also be treated
with caution. The CPT interpretations are for normally occurring soil types. They will not apply to non siliceous soils, such
as calcareous or carbonaceous materials and they will be affected by semi saturated or gas containing materials. The SBT
system is not a soil classification system and the zone boundaries are gradational. Independent studies have shown the
normalised SBT system typically to be at least 80% reliable when compared with samples.

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Introduction to basic interpretation of Static Cone Penetration Tests

Cohesive soils - correlation of cone resistance qc with undrained shear strength cu
The undrained shear strength cu of a cohesive soil depends on a number of factors related to material composition,
anisotropy, strain rates and directions and stress history amongst others. Bearing capacity theory indicates that, for = 0o
conditions, the cone resistance qc should be related to overburden pressure (po) for the estimation of an average undrained
shear strength cu; the relationship is based on qc = cuNc + vo where Nc is a bearing capacity or cone" factor. If pore water
pressure is measured then a similar equation qn = cuNk is used. The cone factor is determined empirically, or known from
correlations based on previous investigations in the same clay. The value of the cone factor is frequently found to lie in the
range 15 to 20 with values varying from 4 to greater than 30, increasing with plasticity, fissuring and possibly consolidation.
The undrained shear strength terms (extremely low to extremely high - see Table 1 and as defined by EN14688-2) used on
the estimated soil type descriptions are based on the approximate equation qc = cuNc with an Nc value of 20 decreasing to
15 with increasing strength. Shear strength plots may be provided and are normally plotted for Nc/k factors of 15 and 20.
Table 1 Undrained shear strength cu terms.
Extremely Low cu=10 / q=0.2 Very Low 20 / 0.4 Low 40 / 0.7

cu value in kPa / qn or qc value in MPa

Medium

75 / 1.3

High 150 / 2.4 Very High 300 / 4.5

Ext. High

Granular soils - correlation of cone resistance qc with density index ID (relative density Dr) and effective angle of
shearing resistance '
Table 2 Cone resistance, density index, angle of shearing resistance and
SPT N for fine and medium sand
Cone
Density
Density Effective Angle SPT N
Resistance Index Term Index Value of Shearing Uncorrected
ID
ID (%)
(qc) (MPa)
Resistance ' BS5930(vi)
EN1997- EN14688(degrees)
Section
2(iv)
EN1997-2
2(v)
41.3.2
related to ID
Annex D
Annex D
Table 4
related to qc related to ID related to qc
term
value
value
term
< 2.5

SPT (NI)60
Normalised
EN1997-2
Annex F
related to ID
term and
value

Very Loose

0 - 15

29 - 32

<4

<3

2.5 - 5

Loose

15 - 35

32 - 35

4 - 10

3-8

5 - 10

Medium
Dense

35 - 65

35 - 37

10 - 30

8 - 25

10 - 20

Dense

65 - 85

37 - 40

30 - 50

25 - 42

> 20

Very Dense

85 - 100

40 - 42

> 50

42 - 58

The properties of granular soils are dependent on a number of factors including grading, composition, angularity, age,
consolidation state and effective overburden pressure. The Eurocode 7 Standards provide very general factors for
preliminary design purposes or classification of a number of parameters. These (ID, ' and SPT (N60) have been collated in
Table 2, and typically apply to fine or medium grained, unaged, uncemented sands at moderate depth.
The Eurocodes provide information on correlations for general design purposes. Alternatively a number of researchers
have issued specific correlations. Density Index (Relative Density) plots can be provided for the cone penetration tests
undertaken for the project using the Jamiolkowski 2003 (iii) relationship. Alternatively, a correlation between qc and ID taking
into account effective vertical stress of the kind discussed by Lunne (vii) and shown above may be used
Correlation of cone resistance with SPT N value
Table 3 Correlation of soil type and SPT N for non
cohesive soils (after Meigh 1987)
Silt, sandy silt, slightly cohesive silt
and sand mixtures

qc/N = 0.2 - 0.3

Fine and medium sand, slightly silty

sand and sand mixtures

qc/N = 0.4 - 0.5

Coarse sand, sand with some gravel

qc/N = 0.6 - 1.0

Sandy gravel and gravel

qc/N = 1.1 - 1.8

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Comparative studies have been carried out by various

researchers to correlate Standard Penetration Test
(SPT) N value and cone resistance qc. Generally the
relationship is standardised for an SPT energy ratio of
60% (N60), which is typically applicable to UK results.
In addition, Total Core Resistance (qt) should be used
but qt and qc are equivalent in sandy soils. Table 3
provides typical qc/N factors (approximately qt/ N60 for
non cohesive soils). The SPT N value can be
influenced by many factors such as the quality of the
equipment, the performance of the test, the
overburden pressure and the depth of the
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Introduction to basic interpretation of Static Cone Penetration Tests

groundwater, so the direct use of the more repeatable CPT results is preferred for design use.
As an alternative method, Robertson has proposed the use of the Soil Behaviour Type Index (Ic) based on the SBT zones
to provide estimates of SPT N60. The values are generally not applicable for sensitive, heavily overconsolidated or
cemented soils (SBT zones 1, 11 and 12). Robertson provides the following relationship:
Estimated equivalent SPT N60 profiles, where provided in this report,
qt / Pa
( 1.1268 0.2817Ic )
are based on the Robertson method.

N 60

= 10

Figure 2 - Example piezocone plots

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Introduction to basic interpretation of Static Cone Penetration Tests

Robertson (1986) CPT SBT Soil Classification

Soil Behaviour Type (SBT)

Sensitive, fine grained
Organic soils: peat, clay
CLAY
CLAY Clay to silty clay
SILT mixtures - Clayey silt to silty clay
SILT Sandy silt to clayey silt
Fine SAND mixtures Silty sand to sandy silt
SAND Sand to silty sand
SAND Coarse to medium sand
Gravel mixtures Gravel to gravelly sand
[Very compact sand to clayey sand]
[Very stiff fine grained/Hard clay silt weak rock]
[Heavily overconsolidated or cemented]

1990 Normalised
Zone
Legend
1
2
3
4
4
5
5
6
7
7
8
9

Normalised Cone Resistance

Qt = (qt - vo) / 'vo

1986 Basic
Legend
Zone
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12
11

Normalised Friction Ratio Fr [-]

Robertson (1990) CPT Normalised SBTN Soil Classification

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Introduction to basic interpretation of Static Cone Penetration Tests

EXPLANATORY NOTES
Caution should be exercised when using CPT results to derive parameters for design purposes. Such determinations test
only a small volume of soil. For instance, the permeability value of the soil mass as a whole may be significantly different
from the values derived from these tests. The soil types should always be considered and compared in relation to recent
borehole and other geotechnical information from the site, and treated with caution
For the calculation of various parameters, water level has been assumed to be at one metre below ground level; the
3
coefficient of earth pressure (K0) has been assumed to be 0.5 and 1.0 and a soil unit weight of 19kN/m has been used.
The estimated soil descriptions have not been amended for the specific results of any parameter classifications that may
have been undertaken.
In the case of Chalk CIRIA Report C574 Engineering in chalk 2002 points out the use that can be made of CPT once
correlation with boreholes has been made, and that this has proved valuable in identifying chalk beneath overlying strata
and at the base of dissolution features. The CIRIA report also states that CPT is unsuitable for classifying Chalk by density
and grade. It is Fugro's experience that it can be impossible to determine with confidence the chalk interface without the
use of the gamma cone. Fugro suggests that CPT is a more useful qualitative tool using site specific correlations and with
the gamma cone to confirm whether the material is Chalk / chalk based or is siliceous / clay.
The CPT friction cones used by Fugro are type TE1 and the piezocones are type TE2.. The friction cones may be used for
Application Classes 2 to 4 and the piezocones for applications 1 to 3.
The perceived applicability of the CPT and CPTu with pore water pressure measurement (piezocone) for direct design
requirements and deriving soil parameters is tabulated below (after Robertson 2012).
Type of soil

Pile Design

Bearing
Capacity

Settlement*

Compaction
Control

Liquefaction

Sand

12

12

23

12

12

Clay

12

12

23

34

12

Intermediate
soils

12

23

24

23

1 2

Soil
Type

ID

Ko

OCR

Sand

2-3

Clay

Sens

cu

'

E , G*

G0*

kh

ch

2-3

2-3

2-3

2-3

3-4

3-4

1-2

2-4

2-3

2-4

2-3

Where: ID - Density Index

Ko In situ stress ratio
OCR - Over consolidation ratio
Sens - Sensitivity
cu Undrained shear strength
' - Friction angle
E, G - Youngs and Shear moduli
M - Compressibility
G0 - Small strain shear moduli
ch - Coefficient of consolidation
kh - Permeability
Applicability / Reliability rating: 1 = high; 2 = high to moderate; 3 = moderate; 4 = moderate to low; 5 = low
* improves with CPTu data
References
(i) Meigh, A.C. (1987). CIRIA Ground Engineering Report: In situ Testing. Cone penetration testing methods and
interpretation.
(ii) Robertson P. K. & Cabal (Robertson) K.L., (2012) Guide to Cone Penetration Testing for Geotechnical Engineering,
Gregg Drilling & Testing, Inc. 5th Edition
(iii) Jamiolkowski, M., Lo Presti, D.C.F. and Manassero, M. (2003), "Evaluation of relative density and shear strength of
sands from CPT and DMT", Soil behaviour and soft ground construction: proc. Symp., October 5-6, 2001, Geotechnical
Special Publication, No. 119, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, pp. 201,238.
(iv) BS EN1997-2 :2007 Eurocode 7 Geotechnical design Part 2 : Ground investigation and testing. BSI.
(v) EN ISO 14688-2:2004, Geotechnical investigation and testing identification and classification of soil. Part 2:
Principles for a classification. BSI.
(vi) BS 5930:1999, Code of practice for site investigations. BSI.
(vii) Lunne, Robertson and Powell, 1997, Cone Penetration Testing in Geotechnical Practice Blackie.

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