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Evaluation of subsurface spatial variability in site characterization based on RCPTU data

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Abstract

The resistivity piezocone penetration test (RCPTU) does not only include a conventional piezocone penetration test, but also provides a continuous profile of electrical resistivity. Therefore, RCPTUs have the potential for wide application in environmental geotechnics. Electrical resistivity is a fundamental parameter characterizing soil conductivity, one of the inherent physical properties of soil. The objective of this study was to evaluate subsurface spatial variability using RCPTU data and laboratory tests. Normalized electrical resistivity was proposed for developing the relationships between electrical resistivity and soil behavior type index, relative density and cyclic resistance ratio. These relationships are used for evaluation of subsurface spatial variability. The soil behavior type index can be represented by the function of normalized electrical resistivity R and normalized cone tip resistance. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between relative density and normalized electrical resistivity. The evaluation of cyclic resistance ratio adopting the normalized electrical resistivity and normalized cone tip resistance was effective.

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Acknowledgments

The majority of the work presented in this paper was funded by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41330641, 41202203), the “Twelfth Five-Year” National Science and Technology Support Plan (Grant No. 2012BAJ01B02), the Foundation for the New Century Excellent Talents of China (NCET-13-0118), the Foundation of Jiangsu Province Outstanding Youth (Grant No. BK20140027), the Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of PR China (Grant No. 201353) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 2242013R30014). These financial supports are gratefully acknowledged. The authors would like to express appreciations to the editor and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, Jiangsu, China

    Guojun Cai, Ya Chu & Songyu Liu

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, 76019, USA

    Anand J. Puppala

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  1. Guojun Cai
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  2. Ya Chu
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  3. Songyu Liu
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Correspondence to Ya Chu.

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Cai, G., Chu, Y., Liu, S. et al. Evaluation of subsurface spatial variability in site characterization based on RCPTU data. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75, 401–412 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0727-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0727-8

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