Estimation of the density state of anthropogenic soils using a dynamic heavy penetrometer (DPH)

Abstract

Abstract The loading of natural and anthropogenic soils can be determined in the field by using dynamic probing tests. This method is based on the measurement of the resistance, which the studied soil poses on the probe tip when it penetrates the soil. The most typical probe tips are cylindrical, conical and rarely cross-shaped. The penetrometer penetrates the soil by a hammer with a given mass freely falling from the height required in the test. The penetration resistance is defined by the numbers of blows required to drive the penetrometer over the defined distance (Nk), where k = 10, 15(20) or 30 cm. The paper presents the results of heavy dynamic probing tests DPH with a hammer mass of 50 kg and penetration depth up to 30 m, carried out in an anthropogenic made ground in order to determine the soil loading for the foundation of the designed building.