Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some relations among fall cone penetration, liquidity index and undrained shear strength of clays considering the sensitivity ratio

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This note describes some relations among fall cone penetration, d, liquidity index, LI, and undrained shear strength su, of clays. Fall cone tests are used to assess the liquidity index considering also the sensitivity ratio of undisturbed and remoulded soils, based on the cone penetration. Considering the British and the Swedish cones, it is possible to observe some differences between d values. Because the cone penetration amount is dependent on the undrained shear strength and that undrained strength of clays can be related to LI, a relation correlating LI based on the fall cone method and the cone penetration amount d for remoulded soils was obtained. It was observed that in remoulded soils, the LI−d relationship for each cone is unique irrespective of the soil type, testing equipment and operators. The correlation between liquidity index and undrained shear strength is provided considering new data and literature values taking into consideration the sensitivity ratio as well. From the LI−su−St relationship, it is possible to obtain a general overview about the strength characteristics of soils. Sensitivity ratio can also be extrapolated by liquidity index values considering a coefficient ‘a’ which might be related to the sedimentary environment (e.g. salt content), mineralogical composition and structure of clays, which however must be confirmed by further research. Finally, the predicted sensitivity ratio St* is evaluated against the measured one within a range of (0.5-2)St.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

a:

Experimental constant linking LI and St

C 0 :

Water content intersecting at d=1 mm

d :

Cone penetration (mm)

d r :

Cone penetration in remoulded soils (mm)

g :

Gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s2)

K :

Cone factor

LI:

Liquidity index

LL:

Liquid limit (%)

m :

Cone mass (g)

PL:

Plastic limit (%)

St :

Sensitivity ratio

St * :

Predicted sensitivity ratio

s u :

(Undisturbed) undrained shear strength (kPa)

s ur :

Remoulded undrained shear strength (kPa)

w :

Water content (%)

W :

Cone weight (N)

β :

Slope of the best-fitting line to the experimental points of d vs. w

References

  • AASHTO (2007) Standard method of test for determining the liquid limit of soils. AASHTO standard T89-07. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Washington, D.C.

  • Åhnberg (2006) Consolidation stress effects on the strength of stabilised Swedish soils. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Ground Improvement 10(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrade FA, Al-Qureshi HA, Hotza D (2011) Measuring the plasticity of clays: a review. Appl Clay Sci 51:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM (2005) Standard test method for laboratory miniature vane shear test for saturated fine-grained clayey soil. ASTM standard D4648-05. American Society for Testing and Materials. West Conshohocken, PA, USA

  • ASTM (2010) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM standard D4318-10. American Society for Testing and Materials. West Conshohocken, PA, USA

  • Atterberg A (1911) Die Plastizität der Tone. Mitteilungen für Bodenkunde 1:10–43 (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Azadi MRE, Monfared SR (2012) Fall cone test parameters and their effects on the liquid and plastic limits of homogeneous and non-homogeneous soil samples. Electron J Geotech Eng 17K:1615–1646

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker JE, Rogers CD, Boardman DI (2006) Physio-chemical changes in clay caused by ion migration from lime piles. J Mater Civ Eng 18(2):182–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes G (2000) Soil mechanics: principles and practice. Macmillan Publishers, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker A, Bucher F, Davenport CA, Flisch A (2004) Geotechnical characteristics of post-glacial organic sediments in Lake Bergsee, southern Black Forest, Germany. Eng Geol 74(1-2):91–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett MJ, Sneed M, Noce TE, Tinsley J (2009) Cone Penetration Test and Soil Boring at the Bayside Groundwater Project Site in San Lorenzo, Alameda County, California. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1050

  • Berilgen SA, Kilic H, Özaydın K (2007) Determination of undrained shear strength for dredged golden horn marine clay with laboratory tests. In: Proceedings of the Sri Lankan geotechnical society’s first international conference on soil and rock engineering, August 5-11, Colombo, Sri Lanka

  • Bjerrum L (1954) Geotechnical properties of Norwegian marine clays. Géotechnique 4:49–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowles JE (1978) Engineering properties of soils and their measurement. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown P, Huxley M (1996) The cone factor for a 30° cone. Ground Eng 29(10):34–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown PJ, Downing MC (2001) Discussion of “fall-cone penetration and water content relationships of clays” by T. W. Feng. Géotechnique 51(9):819–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BS 1377-2 (1990) Methods of test for Soils for Civil Engineering Purposes-Part 2: Classification Tests, British Standards

  • Budhu M (2000) Soil mechanics and foundations. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter M, Bentley SP (1991) Correlation of soil properties. Pentech Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Casagrande A (1932) Research on the Atterberg limits of soils. Public Roads 13(3):121–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Casagrande A (1958) Notes of the design of the liquid limit device. Géotechnique 8(2):84–91. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1958.8.2.84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CEN ISO/TS 17892-12 (2004) Geotechnical investigation and testing-Laboratory testing of soil-Part 12: Determination of Atterberg limits. European Committee for Standardization

  • Clayton C, Kingston E, Priest J, Schultheiss, P, NGHP Expedition 01 Scientific Party (2008) Testing of pressurised cores containing gas hydrate from deep ocean sediments. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gas Hydrates (ICGH 2008), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

  • Craig RF (1978) Soil mechanics, 2nd edn. Spon Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Demers D, Leroueil S (2002) Evaluation of preconsolidation pressure and the overconsolidation ratio from piezocone tests of clay deposits in Quebec. Can Geotech J 39(1):174–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DIN 18122-1 (1997) Baugrund, Untersuchung von Bodenproben-Zustandsgrenzen (Konsistenzgrenzen)-Teil 1: Bestimmung der Fliess- und Ausrollgrenze. Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin

  • Eden WJ, Kubota JK (1962) Some observations on the measurement of sensitiviy of clays. Proc. American Society for Testing and Materials 61:1239–1249

  • Federico A (1983) Relationships (cu–w) and (cu–δ) for remolded clayey soils at high water content. Rivista Italiana di Geotecnica 17(1):38–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng TW (2004) Using small ring and a fall-cone to determine the plastic limit. J Geotech Geoenviron 130(6):630–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garneau R, LeBihan JP (1977) Estimation of some properties of Champlain clays with the Swedish fall cone. Can Geotech J 14(4):571–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghiabi H, Selvadurai APS (2007) Laboratory testing of a soft silty clay. In: Chan DH, Law T (eds) Soft Soil Engineering. Proc. of the 4th International Conference on Soft Soil Engineering, Vancouver, Canada. Taylor & Francis Group, London, p 447–456

  • Haigh SK (2012) Mechanics of the Casagrande liquid limit test. Can Geotech J 49(9):1015–1023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansbo S (1957) A new approach to the determination of the shear strength of clay by the fall cone test. Proc R Swed Geotech Inst 14:1–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Harison JA (1988) Using the BS cone penetrometer for the determination of the plastic limit of soils. Géotechnique 38(3):433–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Head KH (1985) Manual of soil laboratory testing. Pentech Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Houston WN, Mitchell JK (1969) Property interrelationships in sensitive clays. Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE 95(SM4):1037–1062

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang CJ (2005) Effect of Layout Patterns on Grout Pile Improved Bermed Excavation in Soft Clay. Master thesis. National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (in Chinese)

  • Ishibashi I, Choi JW (1994) Geotechnical engineering support for Craney Island project: phase II: laboratory determination of soil properties and levee stability analysis. Report on Contract No. DACW65-93-M-0390, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Norfolk, VA

  • Jacquet D (1990) Sensitivity to remoulding of some volcanic ash soils in New Zealand. Eng Geol 28(1-2):1–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JGS 0051 (2000) Japanese Geotechnical Society standards: engineering soil classification system of geomaterials. The Japanese Geotechnical Society, Tokyo (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • JGS 0142 (2000) Test method for liquid limits of soils by the fall cone. The Japanese Geotechnical Society, Tokyo (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • JIS A 1216 (1990) Japanese industrial standards: test method for unconfined compressive strength of soils. Japanese Standards Association, Tokyo (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jose BT, Sridharan A, Abraham BM (1988) A study of geotechnical properties of Cochin marine clays. Mar Georesour Geotechnol 7(3):189–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kayabali K, Tufenkci OO (2010) Shear strength of remolded soils at consistency limits. Can Geotech J 47(3):259–266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karlsson R, Hansbo S (1989) Soil classification and identification. Document D8:1989, Byggforskningsrådet, Stockholm

  • Kosche M (2004) A laboratory model study on the transition zone and the boundary layer around lime-cement columns in kaolin clay. Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm. Arbetsrapport 31

  • Koumoto T (1989) Dynamic analysis of the fall cone test. Trans JSIDRE 144:51–56 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koumoto T, Houlsby GT (2001) Theory and practice of the fall cone test. Géotechnique 51(8):701–712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyambadde BS, Stone KJL (2012) Index and strength properties of clay-gravel mixtures. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Geotechnical Engineering 165(2):13–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson S, Dahlström M, Nilsson B (2003) A complementary field study on the uniformity of lime-cement columns–Field tests at Strängnäs. Swedish Deep Stabilization Research Centre. Arbetsrapport 27

  • Larsson S, Dahlström M, Nilsson B (2005) Uniformity of lime-cement columns for deep mixing: a field study. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Ground Improvement 9(1):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson S, Rothhämel M, Jacks G (2009) A laboratory study on strength loss in kaolin surrounding lime–cement columns. Appl Clay Sci 44(1-2):116–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leroueil S, Le Bihan JP (1996) Liquid limits and fall cones. Can Geotech J 33(5):793–798

  • Leroueil S, Tavenas F, Le Bihan JP (1983) Proprietes caracteristiques des argiles de l’est du Canada. Can Geotech J 20(4):681–705. https://doi.org/10.1139/t83-076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leroueil S, Tavenas F, Locat J (1985) Discussion on "correlations between index tests and the properties of remoulded clays". Géotechnique 35(2):223–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li K (2004) A study of determining properties of fine-grained soil by fall cone test. Master thesis. Chung Yuan Christian University

  • Lo KY, Hinchberger SD (2006) Stability analysis accounting for macroscopic and microscopic structures in clays. In: Chan DH, Law T (eds) Soft Soil Engineering. Proc. of the 4th International Conference on Soft Soil Engineering, Vancouver, Canada. Taylor & Francis Group, London, p 3–34

  • Locat J (1982) Contribution à l’étude de l’origine de la structuration des argiles sensibles de l’Est du Canada. Ph. D. thesis, University of Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada

  • Locat J, Beauséjour N (1987) Correlations between dynamic and static mechanical-properties of intact and lime-treated clays. Can Geotech J 24(3):327–334

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Locat J, Demers D (1988) Viscosity, yield stress, remolded strength, and liquidity index relationships for sensitive clays. Can Geotech J 25(4):799–806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lunne T, Berre T, Andersen KH, Strandvik S, Sjursen M (2006) Effects of sample disturbance and consolidation procedures on measured shear strength of soft marine Norwegian clays. Can Geotech J 43(7):726–750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medhat F, Whyte IL (1986) An appraisal of soil index tests. In: Site investigation practice: assessing BS 5930 (ed. A. B. Hawkins). Engineering Geology Special Publication, 2, 317–323. London, UK: The Geological Society

  • Morin P, Dawe CR (1987) Geotechnical properties of two deep-sea marine soils from the Labrador Sea. Can Geotech J 24(4):536–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norwegian Standardisation System (1988) Falling cone tests. Standard NS 8015. Norwegian Standardisation System, Oslo, Norway

  • Ohtsubo M, Takayama M, Egashira K (1982) Marine quick clays from Ariake Bay area, Japan. Soils Found 22(4):71–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powrie W (1997) Soil mechanics. Spon Press, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rajasekaran G, Rao SN (2004) Falling cone method to measure the strength of marine clays. Ocean Eng 31(14-15):1915–1927

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao BM (1974) Geotechnical investigation of the marine deposits in the Mangalore harbour site. Indian Geotechnical Journal 4:78–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvestri V, Soulie M, Touchan Z, Fay B (1988) Triaxial relaxation tests on a soft clay. In: Donaghe, Chaney, Silver (eds) Advanced triaxial testing of soil and rock. STP 977. ASTM International, p 321–337

  • Shimobe S (2000) Correlations among liquidity index, undrained shear strength and fall cone penetration of fine-grained soils. Coastal Geotechnical Engineering in Practice, Balkema, Rotterdam (The Netherlands), p 141–146

  • Shimobe S (2010) Determination of index properties and undrained shear strength of soils using the fall cone test, Proc. of the 7th Int. Symp. on Lowland Technology (ISLT 2010), Institute of Lowland and Marine Research, Saga University, p 51–59

  • Shimobe S (2011) Correlation between normalized water content and liquid index of soils. Proceedings of 46th National Conference on Geotechnical Engineering. Kobe, Japan. p 287–288 (in Japanese)

  • Shimobe S (2012) Engineering properties of fine-grained soils: viewpoint from the previously published data collected and its consideration. Proceedings of 57th Symposium on Geotechnical Engineering. Tokyo, Japan. p 11–18 (in Japanese)

  • Skempton AW, Northey RD (1952) The sensitivity of clays. Géotechnique 3(1):30–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spagnoli G (2012) Comparison between Casagrande and drop-cone methods to calculate liquid limit for pure clay. Can J Soil Sci 92:859–864. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjss2012-011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sridharan A, Miura N (2000) Physico chemical and engineering behaviour of Ariake clay and its comparison with other marine clays. In: Proc. Int. Symposium, IS Yokohama 2000, Vol. 2, pp. 203-213

  • SS 02 71 25 (1991) Geotekniska provningsmetoder – Skjuvhållfasthet – Fallkonförsök – Kohesionsjord [Geotechnical tests — shear strength — fall-cone test — cohesive soil], Swedish Standard SS 027125, Swedish Building Standards Institution, Stockholm

  • Stone KJ, Kyambadde BS (2007) Determination of strength and index properties of fine-grained soils using a soil minipenetrometer. J Geotech Geoenviron 133(6):667–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sukolrat J, Nash DFT, Ling ML, Benahmed N (2007) The assessment of destructuration of Bothkennar clay using bender elements. In: Chan DH, Law T (eds) Soft Soil Engineering. Proc. of the 4th International Conference on Soft Soil Engineering, Vancouver, Canada. Taylor & Francis Group, London, UK, p 471-480

  • Japanese Geotechnical Society (1991) Training text for soil test. 2nd revised edition (in Japanese)

  • Japanese Society for Civil Engineers (2000) Soil Test - Fundamentals and Guidelines (in Japanese)

  • Tsz Kin M, Higashi T, Ohtsubo M, Hiyama H (2003) Applications of fall cone test to Ariake clays. In: Proc. of the JSIDRE Annual Meeting (in Japanese)

  • Vardanega PJ, Haigh SK (2014) The undrained strength – liquidity index relationship. Can Geotech J 51(9):1073–1086. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Zentar R, Abriak NE, Xu W (2012) Experimental investigation on consistency limits of cement and lime-stabilized marine sediments. Environ Technol 33(10):1197–1205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasti Y, Bezirci MH (1986) Determination of the consistency limits of soils by the fall cone test. Can Geotech J 23(2):241–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe S, et al (1981) In: Recent soft ground handbook for civil and architectural engineers. Kensetsu-sangyo-chosakai, Tokyo (in Japanese)

  • Whyte IL (1982) Soil plasticity and strength: a new approach using extrusion. Ground Eng 15(1):16–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Winters WJ (2000) Stress history and geotechnical properties of sediment from the Cape Fear Diapir, Blake Ridge Diapir and Blake Ridge. Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results 164:421–429

  • Wood DM (1985) Some fall-cone tests. Géotechnique 35(19):64–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood DM (1990) Soil behaviour and critical state soil mechanics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Wroth CP, Wood DM (1978) The correlation of index properties with some basic engineering properties of soils. Can Geotech J 15(2):137–145. https://doi.org/10.1139/t78-014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yafrate NJ, DeJong JT (2005) Detection of stratigraphic interfaces and thin layering using a miniature piezoprobe. In: Site Characterization and Modeling, p 1–11

  • Yafrate NJ, DeJong JT (2007) Influence of penetration rate on measured resistance with full flow penetrometers in soft clay. In: Advances in Measurement and Modeling of Soil Behavior, p 1–10

  • Yudhbir SR (1991) Water content – cone penetration behaviour of fine grained soils. Proc. of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering for Coastal Development (Geo-Coast ‘91) 1:141-146

  • Zentar R, Abriak NE, Dubois V (2009) Fall cone test to characterize shear strength of organic sediments. J Geotech Geoenviron 135(1):153–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Funabashi, 274-8501, Japan

    Satoru Shimobe

  2. BASF Construction Solutions GmbH, Dr.-Albert-Frank-Straße 32, 83308, Trostberg, Germany

    Giovanni Spagnoli

Authors
  1. Satoru Shimobe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Giovanni Spagnoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giovanni Spagnoli.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shimobe, S., Spagnoli, G. Some relations among fall cone penetration, liquidity index and undrained shear strength of clays considering the sensitivity ratio. Bull Eng Geol Environ 78, 5029–5038 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01478-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-019-01478-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation