Soil Testing

Bearing capacity 29
Bearing Capacity

The design of foundations is a prerequisite of economic

design and construction. In order to guard against shear
failure and unacceptable ground movements due to loading,
it is often necessary to determine the ground bearing
capacity.

Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

The TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer (DCP) is used for rapid in-situ measurement of the
structural properties of exsisting road pavement constructed with
unbound materials.The unit incorporates an 8 kg weight having a
drop of 575 mm, fitted to the end of the shaft is a 20 mm
diameter cone. With the standard DCP measurements can be
made down to a depth of approximately 850 mm.

Readings are usually taken after a set number of blows, changing

the number according to the strength of the layer being
penetrated. For good granular bases, readings every 5 – 10 blows
are satisfactory, but for weaker sub-base layers and subgrades,
readings every 1 – 2 blows may be appropriate.

The DCP requires three operators, one to hold the instrument in

a vertical position, one to raise the hammer and let it fall and one
to record the results. A typical test takes only a few minutes,
providing a very efficient method of obtaining information which
would otherwise require the excavation of test pits. Where
pavement layers have different strengths, boundaries can be
identified and layer thickness determined.

Ordering Information
EL29-3720 EL29-3729 ELE Pocket Penetrometer
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer supplied complete with all
necessary tools and assembly/ operating instructions. Assembled
height 1965 mm, assembled weight 20 kg.
Pocket Penetrometer
A lightweight device for determining the approximate unconfined
Spare compressive strength and the estimation of shear strength, it can
EL29-3720/10 Replacement Cone also be used to classify cohesive soils in terms of consistency.

EL29-3720 Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in use The stainless steel plunger is pushed into the soil until the
penetration mark is reached.The equivalent unconfined
compressive strength of the soil can be read in kgf/cm2 or tons/ft2
from the maximum load indicator provided.

Important: the readings obtained from the pocket penetrometer

do not replace laboratory test results due to the fact that a small
area penetration test is inherently liable to give misleading results.
The instrument should not be used for obtaining foundation design
data.

Specification
Dimensions 19 x 162 mm
Range 0.25 to 4.5 kg/cm2
Scale divisions 0.25 kg/cm2
Load piston 6 mm dia, stainless steel
Carrying case Canvas, belt-loop style
Weight 198 g

Ordering Information
EL29-3729
ELE Pocket Penetrometer Weight 80 g

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 29 Soil Testing
Bearing capacity

Proving Ring Penetrometer Pressure System

The 30º cone penetrometer is used to determine bearing capacity Specification
of subgrades, and as a rapid means of determining the penetration Loading jack 500 kN capacity with integral ball seating
resistance of soil in shallow exploration work.
Pump Hand operated, single speed with integral oil
reservoir
Specification Hose 3 m long. Maximum pressure 70 MPa with quick
Proving ring 1 kN capacity release couplings
Dial indicator Brake type Gauge 100 mm dia with quick release couplings and
graphs to convert readings to kN, kgf and lbf
Shaft 19 mm dia x 457 mm length
graduated at 150 mm Weights Loading jack 24 kg
Pressure system 12.5 kg
Extension rod 19 mm dia x 914 mm length
graduated at 150 mm
Cone 30º Ordering Information
Weight 5.4 kg EL29-3794
500 kN Hydraulic Jack
Ordering Information EL29-3808
EL29-3739 Hand-operated Pressure System
Proving Ring Penetrometer
Bearing Plates
Manufactured from machined steel plate with a finished thickness
exceeding 25 mm.The plate has concentric markings on one face.
All plates are supplied with 2 lifting eyes except for EL29-3826 and
EL29-3850.

Ordering Information
Model no. Description Weight
EL29-3826 150 mm dia Bearing Plate 3.6 kg
EL29-3830 253 mm dia Bearing Plate 10 kg
EL29-3834 305 mm dia Bearing Plate 3.6 kg
EL29-3838 455 mm dia Bearing Plate 33 kg
EL29-3842 610 mm dia Bearing Plate 56 kg
EL29-3846 760 mm dia Bearing Plate 56 kg
EL29-3850 1 ft2 area Bearing Plate, 1 inch thick 18.6 kg

EL29-3739 Proving Ring Penetrometer

Plate Bearing Test Equipment

BS1377; EN DD ENV 1997-3;ASTM D1194, D1195, D1196

Applications include the determination of bearing capacity of the

soil in situ, designing for static loads on spread footings, and
repetitive and non-repetitive plate loading tests of soils and flexible
pavements.
Important: The equipment is used in conjunction with a reaction
beam.This is not supplied with the equipment.

Ordering Information
EL29-3818
Datum Bar Assembly manufactured from steel, with steel feet Plate Bearing Test Equipment
and 4 dial gauge supports. Overall length 2.4 metres. Supplied
without dial gauges. Weight 9 kg
Note: to successfully perform the test, a reaction load is
EL29-3822 required.
Dial Gauge 50 mm travel x 0.01 mm divisions, complete with
adjustable clamp assembly. Four dial gauges required. Weight 1.4 kg

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