Technology showcase electronic penetrometer for field tests

The design and construction of a cone penetrometer for field use is described. The penetrometer is mounted on a frame to which two wheels are fitted for towing the device from one test site to the next. An electric motor drives the penetrometer during the test and simultaneous readings are performed of both cone depth and penetration resistance. The device weighs 70 kg and the maximum force on the cone typically exceeds 1.2 kN. The acquired data are transferred to a microcomputer and after each penetration the result is presented to the operator in graphic form. The microcomputer is equipped with a fairly large RAM memory which serves as storage medium for data during measuring work. Afterwards, data are easily moved to a mainframe computer for analysis.     

Evaluation of penetrometers for measuring soil strength

Cone index, as determined by a cone penetrometer, is frequently used as a measure of soil strength. The index is a compound parameter involving components of shear, compressive and tensile strength and soil metal friction. In order to assess the effect of soil type and condition on the relative contributions of these components to penetration resistance, the forces required to push blunt and sharp probes into two soils under a range of moisture contents and bulk densities were investigated. The maximum penetration force in homogeneous soil was not uniquely related to dry bulk density or cohesion, but varied with soil moisture content.At high and low moisture contents, the soil tended to interact with the shaft of the penetrometer thus increasing the resistance to penetration. At low moisture content, bodies of compressed soil formed in front of the probe, effectively changing the probe geometry.It was concluded that interpretation of cone index in typical layered field soils is difficult. Even in homogeneous soils, the proportion of shear, compressive and tensile components that the cone index reflects varies with soil condition.     

A static cone penetrometer for ocean sediments: T.J. Hirst, A.F. Richards and A.L. InderbitzenASTM Spec. Techn. Publ. No. STP 501, 69–80 (1972)

A static cone penetrometer for deep ocean exploration has been developed and successfully tested in soft sea floor sediments at an ocean depth in excess of 1200 m. The penetration resistance of a standard 60-deg cone is detected by appropriately insulated strain gauges whose output may be monitored remotely from the sensing unit. Initial deployment of the device was aboard the submersible Deep Quest in the San Diego Trough off the coast of southern California. Resistances as low as 7 N (1·6 lb) were measured near the surface of the sediment, generally increasing with depth. At the maximum depth of penetration of 1.1 m (restricted by the limited negative buoyancy of the submersible) tip resistance reached 80 N (18 lb). By means of a conventional bearing capacity analysis, the cone resistance was converted to in situ strength and compared to vane shear measurements taken in the immediate vicinity of the penetration tests. Reasonable agreement between vane shear and penetration strengths were obtained for an assumed bearing capacity factor N_c = 9.     

An overview of methods to convert cone index to bevameter parameters

This paper reviews experimental methods for the conversion of cone index measurements to bevameter parameters in support of vehicle soil/tire/track interactions for two general soil types, sand and lean clay. The accurate prediction of traction, motion resistance, and sinkage of tire/tracks off-road requires estimates of soil strength. Equipment used in the measurement of soil strength to support predictions of off-road mobility include the bevameter and the cone penetrometer. The portability of the cone penetrometer and rapid estimates of spatial/temporal variability in all terrain conditions make it an invaluable tool. The bevameter, a less portable tool, is used for the mechanical analysis of soils. The bevameter measures parameters defining soil strength in terms of cohesive modulus of soil deformation (k_c), frictional modulus of soil deformation (k_φ), exponent of soil sinkage (n), cohesion (c), angle of internal friction (φ), and the plate pressure at 1 in. (2.54 cm) of penetration (K) (Bekker, 1969). The field of terramechanics would greatly benefit from having the ability to convert cone penetrometer data in areas where bevameter parameters are difficult to collect. That ability to convert from cone index to bevameter parameters could be used for the large sets of existing cone index data to support determination of traction and motion resistance. This paper examines those methods for converting cone index to bevameter plate penetration parameters k_c, k_φ, and n.     

运用轻便触探和静载荷试验研究黄土的湿陷性(英文)

黄土在应力作用下迂水时力学强度迅速下降 ,产生大范围的快速沉陷。这就是黄土的湿陷性 ,是黄土的诸多特性之一。鉴于对黄土湿陷性以往用各种实验室试验指标进行评价 ,这里提出运用动力触探和静载荷试验进行黄土湿陷性原位评价的一种简便的新方法。该方法的试验程序是 ,先用轻便可变动能触探仪在天然状态和饱水状态下进行触探试验 ,而后在触探孔完成静载荷压缩性试验。运用中国黄土高原黄土原位动力触探和静载荷试验测得的资料 ,详细分析了天然状态的黄土对探头阻力 qdnat,饱水状态的黄土对探头阻力 qdsat,实验室测得的湿陷性指数δs压缩曲线参数 (即触探极限压力 ppf,触探蠕变压力ppl 和触探载荷模量Epn)的关系。结果证明所提出的方法适用于原位判定黄土的湿陷性。     

Cone penetration resistance equation as a function of the clay ratio, soil moisture content and specific weight

The cone penetrometer is a simple versatile device which is widely used to monitor the strength of a soil in terms of its resistance to the penetration of a standard cone. The soil penetration resistance is a function of soil moisture content, soil specific weight and soil type. The soil type is characterised by means of a clay ratio which is the ratio of the clay content of the soil to the content of silt and sand.Based on the classical bearing capacity theories for strip foundations, a general cone penetration resistance equation is developed to represent the variability of cohesion and friction angle by means of soil type and moisture content. The empirical relationship is shown to give an accurate prediction of the cone penetration resistance for a wide range of soils from a loamy sand to a heavy clay (clay ratios 0.10–1.60) and over a wide spectrum of soil moisture contents from 10 to 65% w/w.     

Measuring yield stress: a new, practical, and precise technique derived from detailed penetrometry analysis

The displacement of an object through a yield stress is a complex process which involves the continuous deformation and transition of new regions from the solid to the liquid regime. We studied the force vs depth variations during the progressive penetration of a plate or a cylinder in a bath of simple yield stress fluids with negligible thixotropic character (Carbopol solutions, emulsions, and foams). Three regimes could be distinguished: elastic deformation, penetration (partially immersed object), and displacement through the fluid (fully immersed object). A detailed analysis of the force vs depth curves makes it possible to show that in the partially immersed regime the force is the sum of the critical force before penetration and a term associated with a uniform shear stress along the main plate surface, which is independent on the object geometry (plate dimensions and cylinder radius). This understanding can be used to precisely determine the yield stress as the critical shear stress along the plate at vanishing velocities. We also show that it is possible to measure accurately the yield stress from relaxation tests (stress vs time curve for motion stoppage): it indeed appears that the additional force term associated with penetration is negligible in that case so that the asymptotic average shear stress after stoppage is equal to the yield stress.     

Soil response to track and wheel tractor traffic

Experiments were conducted on a Eudora silt loam to determine the effect of tracked and wheeled tractor traffic on cone penetration resistance and soil bulk density at three different soil-water content levels. Treatment plots were ripped to a depth of 0.45 m and irrigated 5 days prior to the experiment. Significant differences in penetration resistance and bulk density were observed between the treatments within the plowing depth (0.30 m). After the tractor passes, the average penetration resistance recorded was about 7.5% higher and the soil bulk density was about 3% higher in the wheel treatment plots. However, at the soil-water content level close to Proctor optimum (15% w/w), no significant difference was observed in the average penetration resistance of the two treatments.     

FFP在黏土中贯入过程的CFD模拟

圆锥静力触探法(Cone penetration test, CPT)广泛应用于土的抗剪强度测试中。在此基础上发展的自由落体式贯入仪(Free fall penetrometer, FFP),依靠自由下落获得的动能和自身重力势能贯入土中,不需要借助外部加载装置,提高其使用的便捷性。但在动力贯入过程中FFP与土的相互作用更为复杂,涉及到土体的率效应和拖曳阻力等的影响。因此,对FFP各项受力和相关参数的准确分析有助于提高其实用性以及测量的准确性。作者采用基于计算流体动力学(computational fluid dynamics, CFD)的分析软件ANSYS CFX 17.0模拟FFP在均质黏土中的贯入过程,借助动网格的大变形分析方法来模拟FFP贯入过程中的运动边界问题。提出了薄层单元法模拟FFP与土体的界面摩擦接触行为。在CFD模拟中,土体材料采用非牛顿流体来模拟,其剪切强度受土体切应变率的影响(即土体的率效应)。通过模拟贯入仪在黏土中以不同的速度贯入的过程,研究FFP的端部阻力和侧壁阻力与贯入速率、土体强度和密度、界面摩擦系数以及率效应参数之间的关系,建立了端部承载力系数、端部和侧壁率效应参数及拖曳系数的表达式,并提出了土体不排水抗剪强度的预测方法,为FFP测试数据的解析提供依据。      

Determination of the soil pressure distribution around a cone penetrometer

The objective of this paper was to investigate the pressure distribution around a cone penetrometer using a pressure sensing mat under laboratory conditions. The investigation was conducted under (1) constrained conditions using cylindrical split pipe molds and (2) unconstrained conditions using a soil box. These tests were conducted in Capay clay and Yolo loam soil containing two different moisture conditions and two compaction levels.In the constrained tests, a maximum radial pressure of 111 kPa was observed in the Capay clay soil with 3.4–4.3% d.b. moisture content and three blows of compaction (cone index value of 2040 kPa) when using the 41 mm diameter split pipe mold. These pressure levels decreased to 82 and 22 kPa, respectively, when 65 and 88 mm diameter molds were used. In both the Capay clay and Yolo loam tests, the average radial pressure and average cone index values showed similar trends.In the unconstrained tests, a maximum pressure of 9.0 kPa was observed in the Capay clay with 4.5% d.b. moisture content and three blows of compaction (cone index value of 550 kPa) at a horizontal distance of 25.4 mm from the vertical axis of the cone penetrometer and minimum pressure levels in the range of 0.2–0.3 kPa when the horizontal distance of the penetrometer was in the range of 56.8–66 mm. The pressure levels are much smaller than the ones obtained in the constrained tests and may suggest that the pressure distribution under field conditions is small at a distance of 25.4 mm or higher from the tip of the cone.The experimental data were statistically analyzed to identify significant factors. The results of the analysis for the constrained test indicated that the mold diameter and number of blows significantly increased the pressure readings within the soil mass. Increasing the mold diameter led to a decrease in the average radial pressure and increasing the number of blows contributed to an increase in the average radial pressure. In the unconstrained test, the average radial pressure distribution at a given point were significantly influenced by the horizontal distance of the point from the vertical axis passing through the center of the penetrometer shaft, soil type, and soil moisture content. Higher pressure values were obtained in the Capay clay tests compared to the Yolo loam tests. In all cases, the pressure levels were greater for the drier soil than for the moist soil.     

Modeling and testing of snow penetration

Penetration by a cone into snow is commonly used to characterize snow properties. However, the effects of the diameter and half-angle of the cone on the mechanical properties of snow have not been systematically studied. In addition, no estimation of material parameters in a physically-based model has been made such that the results from penetration provide only an index of snow properties. In this paper, modeling and experimental methods are used to examine the effects of cone geometry on the maximum penetration force and associated hardness, with penetrometers ranging from 2.5 to 4 mm in diameter, 15° to 45° in cone half-angle, and testing both fine-grained and coarse-grained snows. The material point method, in conjunction with the Drucker–Prager cap plasticity model, was used to obtain the theoretical penetration force-distance relationship. Global sensitivity studies were conducted that indicate that the cohesion accounts for 86% of the penetration force, followed distantly by friction angle which accounts for 27%. A general trend, for the simulation results was established: for a given half-angle, the penetration force increases with the increase of diameter which holds for most of the test data as well; for a given diameter, the penetration force decreases with the increase of half-angle, which holds for some of the test data. In addition, for a given half-angle, the hardness decreases with the increase of diameter; for a given diameter, the hardness decreases with the increase of half-angle. To take into consideration the uncertainty of test data, a simple interval-based metric was used to compare test data with simulation results; the comparison was satisfactory. The material parameters from the simulations can thus be considered as calibrated ones for the snow studied.     

The determination of plough draught—Part II the measurement and prediction of plough draught for two mouldboard shapes in three soil series

The draught of a 3-furrow reversible plough fitted with two types of bodies was measured at five separate test sites. Each site was ploughed on four different days to provide a range of soil moisture contents. The plough was operated at three different speeds in sequence for each type of body. The horizontal and vertical forces transmitted to the tractor were measured on a three-point linkage dynamometer. Tachogenerators monitored tractor wheel speed and fifth wheel ground speed. Cone index and soil specific weight were recorded at 30 mm intervals throughout the top-soil profile. Cone index at median plough depth was found to be a satisfactory measure of soil strength for the prediction of plough draught. Characterising specific plough draught by soil cone index, specific weight, moisture content, plough mouldboard tail angle and ploughing speed provided predicted values in closer agreement with measured draught compared with earlier equations. The sensitivity of cone index to soil moisture content supports the use of the cone penetrometer as a practical monitor of soil conditions in the field and as a management tool for judging the opportune times for agricultural tillage operations.     

静力触探锥头阻力的近似理论与实验研究进展

锥头阻力在静力触探试验中扮演着十分重要的角色.从不同角度,对触探中锥头阻力的研究进行简要阐述,对承载力理论、空洞膨胀理论、应变路径法及运动点位错法等几种理论分析方法进行了回顾.另外,对数值分析和实验研究的进展情况进行了叙述.并对各种方法的适用性进行了比较.承载力理论虽然简单,但忽略了土的压缩性和探杆周围初始应力的增加,所以不能精确地模拟锥头的深层贯入.空洞膨胀理论提供了一个分析锥头阻力的简单而较精确的方法,它考虑了土的压缩性(或膨胀性)和锥头贯入过程中锥杆周围应力增加的影响.但这种方法是将锥头贯入与空洞膨胀之间做了一个等效模拟,所以不同的模拟方法,得到的结果差别较大.应变路径法能够有效解决饱和粘土中的不排水贯入,但不适用于砂土.运动点位错法因为考虑了部分排水,所以能较好地预测固结系数,但采用了线弹性分析,故位错法在其他方面的应用还需要大量的试验验证.有限元法在处理锥头贯入这类慢侵彻问题时缺乏一种很好的处理技术,导致它在进行破坏荷载计算时有显著的误差和数值计算困难.标定槽试验将在验证和建立锥头阻力与土的性能关系方面继续起到一个重要作用,但其结果需经过校正后才可应用到现场.最后对该领域的研究趋势进行了讨论.      

不同典型形状落石冲击砂垫层试验与量纲分析

开展了球形、锥形和平头3种典型形状落石撞击垫层的冲击力及侵入深度的试验研究。结果表明,落石形状对冲击试验结果有显著影响:相同条件下,平头落石的冲击力最大,侵入深度和冲击力峰值时间最短,锥形落石反之,而球形落石介于两者之间。采用无量纲化分析方法,将落石的质量、速度、形状、特征尺寸,垫层的强度、密度转换为无量纲强度冲击因子I、密度冲击因子λ和形状冲击因子ψ,并对冲击因子与侵入深度的试验数据进行了相关性分析,结果表明:（1）冲击因子I和λ在决定最终侵深z_m/d 中所起到的作用比较相近;（2）冲击因子I和λ对侵入深度的影响分析表明,I和λ的相对独立性较强,相互影响较小,在不同的λ值下,I对侵入深度的影响规律基本一致。     

药型罩锥角对射孔枪射流冲击过程的影响

采用ALE方法对射孔弹射流形成的过程及聚能射流对混凝土靶板的侵彻进行了数值模拟,对比了锥形药型罩的不同锥角对聚能射流形成和侵彻的影响.研究结果表明药型罩的锥角大小对聚能射流的速度和形状、射流头部和杵体的质量、侵彻的宽度和深度有着明显显著的影响.小锥角射流头部比重较小且杵体速度未达到侵彻临界值而无法起到很好的侵彻效果,大...     

Force and flow characteristics of an intruder immersed in 3D dense granular matter

The motion of a projectile impact onto a granular target results in both the resistance force exerted on the projectile and rheology of granular media. A horizontal arrangement of cylinder quasistatically and dynamically intruding into granular media under different velocities and angles is simulated using discrete element method. Three distinguished drag force regimes are exhibited, including hydrostatic-like force independent of velocity, viscous force related to velocity, and inertial drag force proportional to the square of velocity. Meanwhile, the influence of penetration angles on drag force is examined for these three regimes, and a force model, which is related to penetration depth and angle, is proposed for quasi-static penetration. Then, flow characteristics of the granular media, such as velocity field, pressure field, packing fraction etc., are traced, and a rheology model of packing fraction and inertial number is established.     

An empirical model to predict soil bulk density profiles in field conditions using penetration resistance, moisture content and soil depth

Cylindrical soil probes measuring 300 mm in diameter by 300 mm in height were prepared in the laboratory using samples extracted from a well drained loamy soil (FAO classification: Vertic Luvisol). These probes were compacted at different moisture contents [3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 (% w/w)] and using different compaction energies (9.81, 49.05, 98.1 and 981 J). The soil penetration resistance was determined by means of the ASAE 129 mm² base area cone and seven other different cones with base sizes of 175, 144, 124, 98, 74, 39 and 26 mm². The variability of the penetration resistance measurements increased as the size of the cone decreased. Nevertheless, the penetration resistance values proved to be independent of the cone used, as long as the size of the latter was equal to or greater than 98 mm². This confirms the possibility of using cones with areas smaller than the ASAE standard when measurements are to be carried out in dry soils with high levels of mechanical resistance. The experimental data were used to develop an empirical model, a linear additive model on a log–log plane, capable of estimating soil bulk density depending on soil penetration resistance, soil moisture content and depth. This model has provided good results under field conditions and has allowed soil bulk density profiles and accumulated water profiles to be accurately estimated.     

The measurement of the yield stress of liquids

An analysis has been made of different methods of measuring the yield stress of liquids. In the experimental program, a comparison is made of measurements of the yield stress using an Instron 3250 Rheometer in several geometries (cone-plate, parallel plate and eccentric disk) in shear flow and stress relaxation, a laboratory vane and a cone penetrometer. Good agreement has been obtained between the shear flow data and the laboratory vane, while stress relaxation appears to underestimate the yield stress.     

聚能装药对混凝土靶板的侵彻研究

系统开展了不同药型罩材料、不同锥角、不同壁厚的聚能装药在不同炸高下侵彻混凝土试验, 研究了罩材料、锥角、壁厚、炸高等结构参数对漏斗坑直径、侵彻孔洞直径、漏斗坑深度以及侵彻深度等参数的影响规律;应用空腔膨胀理论计算了混凝土靶体阻力, 采用改进的伯努利方程和两阶段空腔膨胀理论获得了混凝土靶板在侵彻体作用下的侵彻深度和孔洞直径, 理论结果与试验结果基本吻合;基于AUTODYN 软件平台, 采用与试验一致的聚能装药结构, 开展了57 种工况下侵彻体成形过程的数值模拟研究, 并对其中典型工况的侵彻混凝土过程进行了数值模拟, 计算所得孔洞直径和侵彻深度与试验结果吻合较好, 在此基础上深入探讨了聚能装药作用下混凝土漏斗坑的形成机理, 分析表明, 铝药型罩的开坑机理不同于钢和铜药型罩.      

Relationship between bearing capacity and depth of soft layer of paddy fields in South China

The bearing capacity of paddy field in South China was measured with a kind of penetrometer. A straight line relationship is valuable in summarizing the dependence of bearing capacity on depth of soft soil layer.