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Dynamic Cone Penetration Test

Introduction:
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) is an instrument
(Figure1), which can be used for the rapid measurement of the in situ strength of existing flexible
pavements constructed with unbound materials. Continuous measurements can be made down to
a depth of approximately 850 mm or, when extension shafts are used (Figure 2 - Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer A2467, Extension Shaft Set) to a recommended maximum depth of 2 meters. The
design of the DCP is similar to that described by Kleyn, Maree and Savage (1982) in that it uses
an 8 kg weight dropping through a height of 575 mm and a 600 cone having a diameter of 20mm.
Using this test, where pavement layers have different strengths the boundaries can be identified
and accordingly the thickness of the layers can be determined.
Correlations have been established in the earlier work (Van Vuuren 1969, Kleyn and Van
Heerden 1983, Smith and Pratt 1983) between measurements with the DCP and CBR (California
Bearing Ratio) so that results can be interpreted and compared with CBR specifications for
pavement design (Annex 1). A typical test takes only a few minutes and therefore the instrument
provides a very efficient method of obtaining information which would normally require the
digging of test pits.
Objectives:

Objective of this test is to determine the rapid measurement of the in situ strength of
existing flexible pavements constructed with unbound materials.

Also to identify the boundaries of pavement layers have different strengths and
accordingly determine the thickness of the layers.

Apparatus:
The following apparatus are required (Annex 2).
1. A Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (Figure 1), consists of a replacement tips (tip angle
measurement of 60 degrees), two 25 cm spanner wrenches, a 10 mm x 250 mm breaking
rod and one 6 mm allan wrench.
2. A stool or sturdy box for the person responsible for holding the instrument perpendicular
to the surface. The end gate of a vehicle may be used instead.
3. Data Recording form.
4. A jack designed to retrieve the rod after the test (Optional).
5. If testing paved sections, a coring machine, a bar and a tamping tool for removal and
replacement of asphalt and/ or base coarse material.

Figure 1 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer.

Figure 2 - Dynamic Cone Penetrometer A2467, Extension Shaft Set.

Procedure:
1. All the screwed joints were secured with wrenches before beginning the test in order to
kept tight the joints during testing.
2. The equipment was held by the handle by one person while the drop weight was lifted by
the second person.
3. The readings were observed and recorded them on the appropriate form by the third
person.
4. The steel rule attached to the guide foot was placed through the slot in the hand guard.
5. The foot was placed on the surface to be tested and the cone tip was passed through the
guide hole.
6. The entire apparatus was then held by the handle perpendicular to the surface. The
assembled equipment was shown in Figure 1.
7. The reading on the rule at the top of the hand guard was recorded as the Zero Reading of
DCP by the person who observes the readings.
8. The drop weight was then raised to its maximum height and released to fall it freely
(without lowering it by hand). It was extremely important to gain maximum height for
each drop but care has been taken not to strike the weight against the handle. Doing so
would cause the instrument to withdraw and results would be in question.
9. The readings were taken with each blow of the weight.
10. Penetration depth less than 1 mm and exceeding 20 blows was considered as refusal.
11. During the test, if the DCP left the vertical, no attempt was made to correct this as contact
between the bottom shaft and the sides of the hole will give rise to erroneous results.
12. The test depth was determined by the engineer. Readings were taken to 1.0 m below the
contact with the subgrade.
13. Upon reaching the desired depth or refusal, the instrument was withdrawn.
14. After completing the test, the DCP was removed by gently tapping the weight upwards
against the handle.
Observation:

Two test were carried out in two different places. Observations are given in Annex 3 & 5.

Calculations and result:

The field data was reduced in terms of penetration versus corresponding number of
blows. The number of blows was then plotted horizontally along the x-axis and the
penetration readings plotted vertically along the y-axis as shown in Annex 4 & 6.

Depending on the pavement structure and environmental conditions the plot is divided
into best fit straight lines. The slope values are then calculated by the change in
penetration versus the change in the number of blows observed over the range for that
particular straight line section expressed as mm/blow (Annex 4 & 6).

Determine the relationship between DCP slope and CBR using the model derived by
Kleyn and Van Harden (Annex 1). The soil layer DCP value is converted to CBR by
projecting the corresponding soil layer DCP slope value from its location on the x-axis
vertically up to Line No 1 and then horizontally over the y-axis. This is a slow process
and can be eliminated using a spreadsheet program and the following equation:

Log CBR = 2.628 1.273 log (DCP)


where DCP = penetration mm/blow.
Specimen Calculation
Consider Test 1

Discussion:

1) Briefly discuss the advantages of using Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) test in the
field.
Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) test is an in situ pavement evaluation technique for
evaluating pavement layer strength. It is used in South Africa, the United Kingdom, the
United States, Australia, and many other countries including Sri Lanka, because of its
portability, simplicity, cost effectiveness, and the ability to provide rapid measurement of
in situ strength of pavement layers and subgrades. The DCP has also been proven to be
useful during pavement design, construction and quality control program.
The device is relatively simple in design and operation, and operator variability is reduced
and thus correlations with strength parameters are more accurate. Only three persons are
required to carryout this test. The DCP evaluations may be conducted and the results
analyzed by personnel with limited training.
The DCP is an instrument which can be used for rapid measurement of the in situ strength
of existing pavements constructed with unbound materials. Measurement can be made
down to a depth of approximately 850 mm or, when extension shafts are used to a
recommended maximum depth of 2 meters.
DCP can also be used effectively to determine the thickness of pavement layers and the
boundaries between them, where pavement layers have different strengths.
DCP tests are particularly useful for identifying the cause of road deterioration when it is
associated with one of the unbound pavement layer, eg. Shear failure of the road-base or
sub-base. A comparison between DCP test results from subsections that are failing and
those that are sound will quickly identify the pavement layer which is the cause of the
problem.
DCP has a wide variety of applications including estimations of CBR, resilient modulus,
unconfined compressive strength, and shear strengths, as well as its use in performance
evaluation of the pavement layers. Other potential application of the DCP includes its use
in the quality control of granular base layer compaction.

2) The CBR values taken from DCP test and standard CBR test are not same always.

Discuss the differences between DCP test and standard CBR test by considering
above fact and other relevant facts. Also comment how moisture content affects to
the results of the two tests.

This test method covers the determination of the CBR (California Bearing Ratio) of pavement
subgrade, subbase, and base/course materials from laboratory compacted specimens. The test
method is primarily intended for but not limited to, evaluating the strength of cohesive materials
having maximum particle sizes less than in. (19 mm).

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