Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some emprical equations for predicting standard penetration test blow counts in clayey soils: a case study in Mersin, Turkey

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The standard penetration test (SPT) is a widespread test used in situ. Soil mechanical properties such as grain-size content, moisture content, atterberg limits, activity of clay, and consistency of clay determine the SPT blow count. In addition, the SPT blow count reflects the soil mechanical and compressibility parameters. The purpose of this study is to determine the clayey soil states that determine the SPT blow count number; 220 data points derived from a foundation investigation of a sewerage project in Mersin City were used in the study. The Mersin sewerage project includes the sewerage station, central pumping station, and west pumping station in Mersin city, Turkey. The corrected SPT blow counts (N 60) and corresponding parameters (fine-grain size percent, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, moisture content, activity, and consistency) of the clayey soil from these locations were used in a series of simple and nonlinear multiple regression analyses. Based on the analyses, the acceptable results have been determined by a simple regression analyses between the corrected SPT blow counts and the following input parameters: activity, moisture content (in percent), fine-grained percent (in percent). The simple regression analyses for N 60-LL (in percent), N 60-PL (in percent), and N 60-PI (in percent) are considered unacceptable so these parameters are not evaluated as input parameters in the multiple regression analyses. Multiple regression analyses with two independent input parameters produces acceptable results. The optimal equation is determined with multiple regression analyses using activity and moisture content as the input parameters; this equation has a coefficient of determination of R 2 = 0.78. The prediction capability of the developed equations is also acceptable. However, the prediction equations proposed in this study are developed with a limited number of data points. For this reason, a cross-check should be performed before using these empirical equations for design purposes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akca N (2003) Correlation of SPT-CPT data from the United Arab Emirates. Eng Geol 67:219–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AlHomadhi Emad S (2014) New correlations of permeability and porosity versus confining pressure, cementation, and grain size and new quantitatively correlation relates permeability to porosity. Arab J Geosci 7:2871–2879. doi:10.1007/s12517-013-0928-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez Grima M, Babuska R (1999) Fuzzy model for the prediction of unconfined compressive strength of rock samples. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 36:339–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM (American society for testing and materials) (1994) Annual book of ASTM Standarts. Section 4, Construction, V. 0408 Soil and Rock; Building Stones. ASTM Publication, pp 978.

  • Ayolabi EA, Adegbolo RB (2014) Application of MASW in road failure investigation. Arab J Geosci 7:4335–4341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1978) Determining rock mass deformability: experience from case histories. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 15:237–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowles JE, (1988) Foundation analysis and design. 4th edition. Mc Graw-Hill International Editions

  • Bozbey I, Togrol E (2010) Correlation of standard penetration test and pressuremeter data: a case study from Istanbul, Turkey. Bull Eng Geol Environ 69:505–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • British Standard 1377 (1975) Method of test for soils for civil engineering purposes. British Standard Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • British Standart EN ISO 14688-2 (2013) Geotechnical investigation and testing. Identification and classification of soil. Principles for classification. British Standards Institution, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang MF (1988) In-situ testing of residual soils in Singapore. Proceedings 2nd International Conference Geomechanics in Tropical Soils (Singapore) 1:97-108

  • Chatterjee K, Deepankar C (2013) Variations in shear wave velocity and soil site class in Kolkata city using regression and sensitivity analysis. Nat Hazards 69:2057–2082. doi:10.1007/s11069-013-0795-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen-Chang L, Cheng-Haw L, Hsin-Fu Y, Hung-I L (2011) Modeling spatial fracture intensity as a control on flow in fractured rock. Environ Earth Sci 63:1199–1211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coduto DP (1994) Foundation design principles and practices. Prentice Hall, Englwood Cliffs

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagdelenler G, Sezer EA, Gokceoglu C (2011) Some non-linear models to predict the weathering degrees of a granitic rock from physical and mechanical parameters. Expert Syst Appl 38:7476–7485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dikmen U (2009) Statistical correlations of shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for soils. J Geophys Eng 6:61–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emrem C, Durgunoglu HT (2000) Türkiye CPT very tabanı ve mevcut amprik bağıntılar ile karşılaştırma. Zemin Mekanigi ve Temel Mühendisliği Sekizinci Ulusal. Kongresi, İstanbul (in Turkish)

    Google Scholar 

  • ENV (Eurocode 7) (1997) Geotechnical design-Part 3: Design assisted by field testing

  • Gibbs HJ, Holtz WG (1957) Research on determining the density of sands by spoon penetration testing. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Soil Mechanics, London, 1:35–39

  • Gokceoglu C (2002) A fuzzy triangular chart to predict the uniaxial compressive strength of the Ankara agglomerates from their petrographic composition. Eng Geol 66(1–2):39–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasancebi N, Ulusay R (2007) Empirical correlations between shear wave velocity and penetration resistance for ground shaking assessments. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66:203–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoek E, Brown ET (1997) Practical estimates of rock mass strength. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 34(8):1165–1186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayabaşı A (2012) Prediction of pressuremeter modulus and limit pressure of clayey soils by simple and nonlinear multiple regression techniques: a case study from Mersin, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 66:2171–2183. doi:10.1007/s 12665-011-1439-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayabasi A, Gürsoy N (1995) Mersin municipality, Mersin sewerage project, sewerage station, geotechnical investigation report. EIEI Publication. No 95-4 (unpublished)

  • Kayabasi A, Gürsoy N (1995) Mersin municipality, Mersin sewerage project, west pumping station, geotechnical investigation report. EIEI Publication. No 95-43 (unpublished)

  • Kayabasi A, Gürsoy N (1995) Mersin municipality, Mersin Sewerage Project, Central Pumping Station, Geotechnical Investigation Report. EIEI Publication. No 95-44 (unpublished)

  • Kayabasi A, Gokceoglu C, Ercanoglu M (2003) Estimating the deformation modulus of rock masses: a comparative study. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 40(1):55–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lacroix Yves, Horn Harry (1973) Direct determination and indirect evaluation of relative density and its use on earthwork construction projects: in evaluation of relative density and its role in geotechnical projects involving cohesionless soils: ASTM Special Technical Publication 523: 251-280

  • Lee SHH (1990) Regression models of shear wave velocities. J Chin Inst Eng 13:519–532

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao SSC, Whitman RV (1986) Overburden correction factors for SPT in sand: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering. ASCE 112(3):373–377

    Google Scholar 

  • Minaeian B, Ahangari K (2013) Estimation of uniaxial compressive strength based on P-wave and Schmidt hammer rebound using statistical method. Arab J Geosci 6:1925–1931. doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0460-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell JK (1975) Fundamentals of soil behaviour. Wiley, Newyork, p 422

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck RB, Hanson WE, Thornburn TH (1953) Foundation Engineering John Wiley Sons, Newyor, p 410

  • Schmertmann JH (1970) Static cone to compute static settlement over sand. ASCE J Soil Mech Found Div 96(3):1011–1043

    Google Scholar 

  • Seed HB, Idriss IM (1981) Evaluation of liquefaction potentials and deposits based on observation of performance in previous earthquakes. Preprint 81–544, in situ testing to evaluate liquefaction susceptibility, ASCE National Convention, Missouri, pp 81–544

  • Seed HB, Woodward RJ, Lundgren R (1964) Fundamental aspects of the Atterberg limits. J Soil Mech Found Div ASCE 90(SM6):75–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Skempton AW (1953) The colloidal activity of clays. In: 3rd International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Switzerland 1: 57

  • Skempton AW (1986) Standard penetration test procedures and the effects in sands of overburden pressure, relative density, particle size, aging and over consolidation. Geotechnique 36(3):425–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SPSS (2002) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (v.11.5). SPSS Inc, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Stalin VK, Vurukan Arun BR (2014) Geographic information system for the development of soil suitability map in south Chennai, India. Arab J Geosci 4. Doi: 10.1007/s12517-014-1323-0

  • Terzaghi K, Peck RB (1948) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, 1st edn. John Wiley&Sons, New York, p 566

    Google Scholar 

  • Topsakal E, Topal T (2014) Slope stability assessment of a re-activated landslide on the Artvin-Savsat junction of a provincial road in Meydancik, Turkey. Arab J Geosci 4. Doi: 10.1007/s12517-013-1210-0

  • Türk Standartları Enstitüsü (TSE) 5744 (1988) In situ measurement methods of the properties of foundation soils in civil engineering (in Türkish)

  • Ulugerli EU, Uyanık O (2007) Statistical correlations between seismic wave velocities and SPT blow counts and the relative density of soils. J Test Eval 35(2):1–5

    Google Scholar 

  • USBR (United States Dep. Int. Bur. Reclamation) (1974) Earth Manual: a Water Resources Technical Publication. Denver, Colo, p 810

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S, Gokceoglu C (2010) Application of fuzzy inference system and nonlinear regression models for predicting rock brittleness. Expert Syst Appl 37:2265–2272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yagiz S, Akyol E, Sen G (2008) Relationship between the standard penetration test and the pressuremeter test on sandy silty clays: a case study from Denizli. Bull Eng Geol Environ 67:405–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The author express thanks to Geological Engineers Y. Alkılıç and N. Gürsoy for their field studies and to the General Directorate of Electrical Power Researches Survey and Development Administration for providing the data support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Engineering, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey

    Ali Kayabaşı

Authors
  1. Ali Kayabaşı
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Kayabaşı.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kayabaşı, A. Some emprical equations for predicting standard penetration test blow counts in clayey soils: a case study in Mersin, Turkey. Arab J Geosci 8, 7643–7654 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1694-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1694-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation