CPT equipment: Recent advances and future perspectives

White, D. J. (2022) CPT equipment: Recent advances and future perspectives. Gottardi, Guido and Tonni, Laura (eds.) In Cone Penetration Testing 2022 - Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Cone Penetration Testing, CPT 2022. CRC Press / Balkema. pp. 66-80 . (doi:10.1201/9781003308829-5).

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

The basic configuration of the cone penetrometer test (CPT) has remained constant for half a century since the electric piezocone became widespread in the 1970s and the dimensions and test protocols were standardized soon after. The results of a conventional CPT performed today might be indistinguishable from a test conducted at the same location in 1972, aside from improved data logging and presentation. This discussion reflects on advances in CPT and other penetrometer equipment presented at this conference and in the recent literature, and presents discussion points to be considered during the event. Two general observations emerge: (i) advances in instrumentation, sensing and mechanical engineering have created a vast range of variations on the conventional CPT, providing excitement for technologists, researchers and a small subset of users; (ii) the conventional CPT is heavily standardized, commoditized and automated, and is progressively replacing the SPT in onshore practice. The result is a dispersion of practice: the majority of civil engineers base their ground characterization on a durable 1970s technology, updated with automation and improved data quality, while a minority are enjoying exploration of non-standard innovations – with mixed levels of impact. This conference provides a chance for us to (i) reflect where our activities sit in this spectrum, (ii) enjoy learning about recent advances, and (iii) debate how we will characterize the ground in another 50 years.

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Published date: 2022

Additional Information: Funding Information: I am grateful for the kind invitation by the CPT’22 organising committee to present this discussion paper. In relation to the shallow penetrometer research, I acknowledge the support for that work from the RIGSS JIP (Fugro, Total, Woodside and Shell), as well as the collaboration with Dr Sam Stanier, Dr Henning Mohr, Prof. Mark Randolph and Dr Mark Schneider. This review has also been supported by the EPSRC Offshore Renewable Energy Supergen Hub (grant EP/S000747/1) and by the EPSRC grant EP/ W006235/1 (ROBOCONE – intelligent robotics for next generation ground investigation and design – PI Dr Andrea Diambra). All opinions and any mistakes or misrepresentations are my own. Funding Information: This review has also been supported by the EPSRC Offshore Renewable Energy Supergen Hub (grant EP/S000747/1) and by the EPSRC grant EP/ W006235/1 (ROBOCONE – intelligent robotics for next generation ground investigation and design – PI Dr Andrea Diambra). All opinions and any mistakes or misrepresentations are my own. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 the Author(s).

Venue - Dates: 5th International Symposium on Cone Penetration Testing, CPT 2022, , Bologna, Italy, 2022-06-08 - 2022-06-10