What Is Dynamic Cone Penetration Testing

What is Dynamic Cone Penetration ?

The Dynamic Cone Penetration test involves using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) to measure in-situ soil strength as well as to determine the thickness and vertical location of subsurface soil layers of higher or lower density.

What is the difference between Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) testing  and Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) ?

CPT is more elaborate than dynamic cone penetration testing. The soil behavior is continuously measured by vertically driving a cone into the ground. Dynamic Cone Penetration testing, as opposed to Cone Penetration Testing, uses a standardized amount of force from a mechanical hammer to drive the cone into the ground at a constant rate.

Dynamic Cone Penetration testing | Portable & Affordable

Dynamic Cone Penetration testing is performed with an efficient, very effective, less expensive and much smaller system than CPT. Basic DCP equipment is portable and permits soil testing to depths of several feet – this makes it a good choice for soil testing prior to slab lifting and polyjacking applications.

Dynamic Cone Penetration testing (DCP) | Equipment

This portable and affordable penetrometer features a 30 kg (66 pound) hammer with a 200 mm (7.87 inch) stroke, operated by a hydraulic motor. A motor-pump unit either uses electricity or gas to drive it. Extraction of rods, tubes, and samplers is done with hydraulic extractors. A pedal operates the penetrometer.

In order to measure soil density, the operator counts how many blows it takes to drive the steel cone ten centimeters. A hammer blow per centimeter is usually required to drive a cone 10 centimeters deeper in soil with sufficient density.

Before polymer lifting can begin, multiple soil tests should be carried out, up to a predetermined depth or until no movement is observed after hammer blows.  Based on test results, soil stabilization procedures can be performed to address weaker soil layers.