Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society ISSN:2508-2876(Print) 2287-9528(Online) 한국지반신소재학회 논문집

In this study, we conducted verification of key influencing factors during cone penetration testing using the developed Mini Cone Penetration Tester (Mini-CPT), and compared the experimental results with empirical formulas to validate the equipment. The Mini-CPT was designed to measure cone penetration resistance through a Strain Gauge, and the resistance values were calibrated using a Load Cell. Moreover, the influencing factors were verified using a model ground constituted in a soil box. The primary influencing factors examined were the boundary effect of the soil box, the distance between cone penetration points, and the cone penetration speed. For the verification of these factors, the experiment was conducted with the model ground having a relative density of 63.76% in the soil box. It was observed that the sidewall effect was considerably significant, and the cone penetration resistance measured at subsequent penetration points was higher due to the influence between penetration points. However, within the speed range considered, the effect of penetration speed was almost negligible. The measured cone penetration resistance was compared with predicted values obtained from literature research, and the results were found to be similar. It is anticipated that using the developed Mini-CPT for constructing model grounds in the laboratory will lead to more accurate geotechnical property data.