LIQUEFACTION POTENTIAL OF DAMS AND FOUNDATIONS; REPORT 1, LABORATORY STANDARD PENETRATION TESTS ON REID BEDFORD MODEL AND OTTAWA SANDS

The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is critically examined with respect to its ability to estimate relative density in situ. A review of the literature tracing the development of the SPT is presented. Twenty-six (26) test specimens, 4 ft in diameter by 6 ft high, were constructed using Reid Bedford Model sand and Ottawa sand. A variety of placement techniques were incorporated in the test program. The problems encountered in constructing large homogeneous test specimens are discussed. Using field drilling equipment, the SPT was performed at three overburden pressures on test specimens built to various densities. The results are presented as a family of curves correlating relative density with the SPT N-values at the testing pressures. This correlation is compared with correlations prepared by Gibbs and Holtz at the Bureau of Reclamation and Bazaraa at the University of Illinois. It is concluded that the SPT is fairly repeatable in homogeneous deposits; however, variations in density, structure, or lateral stress within the test medium will produce widely scattered N-values. Thus, estimates of in situ relative densities from N-values should be considered gross values or trends and should not be interpreted as accurate determinations for any specific case. /Author/

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

  3909 Halls Ferry Road
  Vicksburg, MS  United States  39180-6199
• Authors:
  • Bieganousky, W A
  • Marcuson III, W F
• Publication Date: 0

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 156 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Dams; Field tests; Foundations; Liquefaction; Sand; Soil penetration test; Specific gravity
• Old TRIS Terms: Insitu methods; Liquefaction (Soil)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00145187
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Research Rpt S-76-2
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 1977 12:00AM