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SPT, CPT and VPT

The document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several subsurface investigation techniques: standard penetration test (SPT), cone penetration test (CPT), and vane shear test (VST). It notes that CPT provides continuous data and can better delineate discrete layers compared to SPT. CPT is also faster with less operator influence. However, CPT does not collect samples. SPT allows visual inspection and sample collection but is slower. VST is quick but limited to saturated clay and cannot be used if clay contains other materials.

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Slasher Flores
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773 views4 pages

SPT, CPT and VPT

The document discusses the advantages and disadvantages of several subsurface investigation techniques: standard penetration test (SPT), cone penetration test (CPT), and vane shear test (VST). It notes that CPT provides continuous data and can better delineate discrete layers compared to SPT. CPT is also faster with less operator influence. However, CPT does not collect samples. SPT allows visual inspection and sample collection but is slower. VST is quick but limited to saturated clay and cannot be used if clay contains other materials.

Uploaded by

Slasher Flores
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What are the advantages and disadvantages on using: SPT, CPT and VPT?

Advantages of CPT: 
-Continuous data and three‐dimensional characterization capabilities 
-Rapid testing and more operator independent than SPT 
-Capable of delineating discrete low strength layers, easily missed by SPT 
-Useful for identifying stratigraphic horizons, discontinuous lenses, soft materials, organic materi
als, liquefaction potential, and landslide shear zones.
-Typically higher exploration production rate than conventional SPT drilling methods for 
-Sand and clay deposits.
-Smaller explorations resulting in less disturbance and no cuttings or spoils.
-CPT data allows classification of soil layers by undrained shear strength, tip resistance, and diff
erential pore pressure through widely used and accepted soil behavior correlations.
-Seismic cones provide downhole shear  wave velocity testing to assist with soil 
profiling, engineering elasticity  parameters, and shear wave profiling 
for International Building Code (IBC)  seismic site classification for design 

Disadvantages of CPT: 
-No samples collected during CPT push 
-Requires skilled operators to evaluate data and calibrations 
-Difficulty penetrating gravelly or rocky soil, intact rock, or other obstructions 

Advantages of SPT:
-Visual inspection of subgrade through sampling with split spoons 
-Generally accepted correlations of SPT‐N values to subgrade parameters 
-Collection of disturbed samples for laboratory index testing.
-Time consuming and slower production rates in sand or clay deposits due to raising and lowerin
g of drill rods for individual SPT spoon tests performed.
-Discrepancy in SPT‐N value between various drill rigs with varying hammer types and efficienc
y.
-Potential for SPTN value error due to caving or heaving sands, particularly when performed bel
ow groundwater. 

Disadvantages of SPT:
-Reports high blow counts when rocks are encountered, which may not be indicative of surround
ing soil.
-Penetration resistance increases with proximity to stiff layer or bedrock, despite actual resistanc
e of layer.

Advantages of Vane shear tests

 The test is simple and quick


 Vane shear test is mainly suited the calculation of the in-situ undrained shear strength of
non-fissured, fully saturated clay samples.
 Vane shear test can be used to determine the sensitivity of the soil conveniently, if there
is a need.
Disadvantages of Vane shear test
 The main disadvantage is that the test cannot be conducted on the fissured clay or the
clay containing sand or silt content
 The test will not give accurate results when the failure envelope in the soil is not
horizontal

Based on average blow counts per foot and can miss resistance of thin subgrade layer
Enumerate the potential factors in the possible construction of the ff: Dams, Tunnels, Buildings,
and Highways.

Dams

1. Dams can be both adverse and beneficial. Dams have intended and unintended impacts,
though positive impacts can be both intended and unintended.
2. Each of these types of impacts of dams can be inevitable in their entirety, reducible or totally
avoidable.
3. Most adverse social and environmental impacts of dams were, till recently, ignored. Even
now, such impacts are only partly reflected in the project’s financial and economic analyses.
4. Financial analysis might reflect the direct costs of reforestation, catchment area treatment or of
relocating and rehabilitating project affected persons (PAPs), many other costs remain
unacknowledged.

Tunnels

- The area where tunnel construction is located is often in harsh environmental conditions, and
most of the construction is carried out in caves or underground.
- Even if the operation is carried out in the same environmental space, the technical requirements
of each operation link will be different, including tunnel lining technology, support technology
and ventilation technology, etc., which must be selected according to the actual needs of the
construction to ensure that each construction
- The links are closely connected, which will inevitably make the construction environment
cramped, and different construction technologies will interfere with each other, which will
inevitably have risk factors
- The geological conditions of the tunnel construction area are changeable, and the lack of
stability will inevitably have risks, making the tunnel construction dangerous accidents at any
time.

Buildings

 fault in design

 lack of communication

 wrongful selection of designer, equipment and material

 financial misappropriation

 fault in project selection

 unskilled sub-contractors,

 poor planning

Highways

 1. Obligatory points
They are the control points through which alignment has to pass and not to pass. For
example, the road bridge across a river can be located only at a place where the river has
a straight and permanent path, away from the bends, where good foundation start is
available.
Alignment should pass along a hillside (if possible) so that a tunnel or heavy cutting is
unavoided.
 2. Traffic 
Origin and destination studies are conducted and desire lines are drawn.
 3. Geometric design
Gradient, Radius, Sight distance
 4. Economy
Balance in cutting and filling.
 5. Other considerations
Drainage, hydrology, political, topography, etc..
These are the factors affecting highway alignment during the construction of roads.

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