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Correlations of SPT, CPT and pressuremeter test data in alluvial soils. Case study: Tabriz Metro Line 2, Iran

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Abstract

The Menard pressuremeter modulus (Em), limit pressure (PL), shear modulus (G) and subgrade reaction modulus (Ks) can be obtained by using the pressuremeter test, and are needed as parameters to obtain the geotechnical parameters for foundation design and to determine the ultimate bearing capacity in engineering projects. In this article, correlations of Menard pressuremeter tests (PMTs) with standard penetration tests (SPTs) and cone penetration tests (CPTs) are obtained as a consequence of the extensive geotechnical investigation performed in alluvial soils of the Tabriz Metro Line 2, Iran. A total of 85 boreholes with depths of 20–40 m were drilled, and the three mentioned tests were performed at varying depths. Correlations were carried out separately for silty clay (CL), clayey silt (ML) and silty sand (SM) soils, respectively. Statistical correlations between Em, PL, G and Ks from the PMTs were performed with the corrected SPT numbers (Ncor). In addition, relationships between the limit pressure (PL) from PMTs and cone resistance (qc) from CPTs were determined for fine-grained and coarse-grained soils. Attempts were also made to correlate PL with Em, and Em/PL ratios. The results of this investigation indicated acceptable experimental regression relationships between these parameters. The comparisons between the measured and the predicted values of Em and PL obtained herein with those estimated from other equations that have been proposed by other researchers revealed that they are compatible. It can be concluded that the proposed relationships for fine-grained and coarse-grained soils can be utilized to determine Em, PL, G and Ks from the Ncor values and PL from the qc values.

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Abbreviations

TML2:

Tabriz Metro Line 2

USCS:

Unified Soil Classification System

CL:

Silty clay

ML:

Clayey silt

SM:

Silty sand

LL:

Liquid limit

PI:

Plasticity index

SPT:

Standard penetration test

CPT:

Cone penetration test

PMT:

Menard pressuremeter test

Ncor :

Corrected SPT number

N60 :

Corrected SPT for an efficiency of 60%

Em :

Menard pressuremeter modulus

ν :

Poisson’s ratio

V 0 :

Volume of the uninflated probe at the ground surface

ΔP :

Corrected pressure increase in the center part of the straight line portion of the pressure–volume curve

ΔV :

Corrected volume increase in the center part of the straight line portion of the pressure–volume curve, corresponding to a pressure increase of ΔP

V m :

Corrected volume reading in the center portion of the ΔV volume increase

G:

Shear modulus

PL :

Limit pressure

Ks :

Subgrade reaction modulus

α:

A coefficient in determining Ks from PMT

R:

Pile radius

R0 :

Initial pile radius

CB :

Borehole diameter correction

CS :

Sampler correction

CR :

Rod length correction

CN :

Effective overburden stress correction

\( {\sigma}_V^{\prime } \) :

In-situ vertical effective stress

qc :

Cone tip resistance in CPT

qt :

Total cone resistance in CPT

fs :

Sleeve friction in CPT

Rf :

Friction ratio in CPT

R2 :

Regression coefficient

μ:

Mean

σ:

Standard deviation

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Tabriz Urban Railway Organization (TURO) and Pazhoohesh Omran Rahvar (POR) Consulting Engineers Company for their collaboration in preparing the site investigation and test data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran

    Mahnaz Firuzi

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    Ebrahim Asghari-Kaljahi

  3. Geotechnology Unit, Department of Geological Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Haluk Akgün

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  1. Mahnaz Firuzi
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  2. Ebrahim Asghari-Kaljahi
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  3. Haluk Akgün
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Correspondence to Mahnaz Firuzi.

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Firuzi, M., Asghari-Kaljahi, E. & Akgün, H. Correlations of SPT, CPT and pressuremeter test data in alluvial soils. Case study: Tabriz Metro Line 2, Iran. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 5067–5086 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-01456-0

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