- Reclamation
- R&D
- Research Projects
- Instrumented Standard Penetration Testing (ISPT) to increase accuracy and reliability in penetration and delivered energy data for geotechnical analysis and liquefaction evaluation.
Instrumented Standard Penetration Testing (ISPT) to increase accuracy and reliability in penetration and delivered energy data for geotechnical analysis and liquefaction evaluation.
Project ID: 21057
Principal Investigator: Christopher Haynes
Research Topic: Improving Geotechnical Infrastructure Reliability
Funded Fiscal Years:
2021,
2022 and
2023
Keywords: None
Research Question
This research looks to improve the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) analysis by digitally recording energy at the sampler and penetration per blow. According the Reclamation Geology Field Manual the SPT was first created in 1927 as an in-situ geotechnical test for foundation design. The test has many opportunities for error that can alter the results. This project proposes to take the lessons and technology developed in the Instrumented Becker Penetration Test (IBPT) program and transfer it to the SPT, with the end goal of developing an off-the-shelf Instrumented Standard Penetration Test (ISPT) tool.
Need and Benefit
The decision to modify a dam due to a liquefaction trigger analysis can hinge on the normalization of the SPT data. Typically normalize the data conservatively, which is likely leads to increased risk probability. The accuracy of the normalization value used during the analysis of SPT data has never been evaluated via direct measurements. This project looks to greatly improve the data collected, the analysis of the data, and give a full understanding of the variables that affect the SPT system.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Please contact research@usbr.gov about research products related to this project.
