Enhancing the CPT correlation with the small strain shear stiffness of sands

Abstract

The cone penetration test (CPT) is a valuable geotechnical insitu test. Yet, the CPT correlations with the small strain shear modulus and seismic shear wave velocity still need more research to enhance their accuracy. In this study, the stress normalizations for the net cone tip resistance and the small strain shear modulus are scrutinized. Subsequently, enhanced CPT correlations with the small strain shear modulus and the seismic shear wave velocity for sands are presented. The proposed approach utilizes published databases of CPT in sands and recent researches that quantify the small strain shear modulus using sand gradation parameters. Four case histories are analyzed using the suggested correlation and the results confirm that the presented approach is a promising enhancement to the CPT correlations with the small strain shear modulus and seismic shear wave velocity in sands.