Application of Two Techniques Used for Measuring the Soil Strength : A Review

This paper reviews the application of two techniques are used for the measurement of soil strength. The two techniques (cone penetrometer and bevameter) enable measurements to be made in situ. However, the penetrometer is the only equipment that can evaluate soil resistance variation with depth. Neither the cone index nor the gradient that belongs to it concerning the depth is uniquely associated with density or soil cohesion but varies with structural state and moisture content. Moreover, the formation of compaction zones and soil bodies ahead of the cone efficiently alters its geometry, thus the penetration no longer reveals the original characteristics of the soil. Furthermore, the bevameter technique only identifies surface soil properties. Nonetheless, among all the presently available techniques, the bevameter gives the closest imitation of vehicle-terrain interaction.