Results from dynamic cone penetration testing of soils at hydrologic monitoring sites across Puerto Rico

A Smart Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) system allows for the partially automated collection of cone penetrometer data (CPT) to determine mechanical properties of soil along a vertical profile. A smart DCP system was used to collect soil penetration-with-depth values at 19 sites across the mountainous regions of Puerto Rico. The 19 sites were co-located at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Hazards Program and the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez hydrologic monitoring stations and labeled by the name identifier given to each monitoring station (Locations.csv).
 
Field testing and result calculation was conducted in accordance with ASTM standard D6951/D6951M-18, Standard Test Method for Use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Shallow Pavement Applications, in order to assess in situ strength of undisturbed soils (ASTM International, 2018). Upon selection of testing location and assembly of the DCP system, a penetrating rod was driven into the soil using a standard weight (4.6 kg) dropped from a consistent height (575 mm) (Applied Research Associates, 2022). Data were automatically captured and recorded on the Vertek Smart DCP application, including the number of blows, the change in depth per blow, and the total depth achieved, which are used to determine the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) percentages (Al-Refeai and Al-Suhaibani, 1997). Changes in CBR percentage can be used to identify thickness of soil horizons and depths of near surface contacts and estimate other material characteristics at specific depths.
 
The Results file (MonitoringSite_CPT_results.xlsx) includes columns which list the tested site’s name, the cumulative depth of penetration by the rod tip into the soil in millimeters, and the CBR (%) which is calculated during sampling internally by the Vertek Smart DCP application. Each row represents one blow of the hammer and the resulting values. If the equipment malfunctioned in the field, the error was described in the Notes column and the data was manually corrected during post-processing. The Locations file includes a name column, which corresponds to the testing site names within the Results file, the test date, and corresponding latitude and longitude columns.
 
Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
 
References:
 
Al-Refeai, T.O., and Al-Suhaibani, A.M., 1997, Prediction of CBR using Dynamic Cone Penetrometer: Journal of King Saud University: Engineering Sciences, v. 9, p. 191-203.
 
Applied Research Associates, 2022, SmartDCP User Guide (DOC-0073), Rev.3.0, October 2022: Vertek Division of Applied Research Associates Inc., Randolph, Vermont.
 
ASTM International, 2018, Standard Test Method for Use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Shallow Pavement Applications, ASTM D6951/D6951M-18: ASTM International, https://www.astm.org/d6951_d6951m-18.html.