Acoustic penetrometer for subsoil investigation

A quasi-static cone penetrometer for subsoil investigation by simultaneously generating three sets of data, namely cone tip penetration resistance, sleeve friction resistance, and acoustical information, all as a function of depth. The penetrometer has a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface terminating in a cone tip. The lower portion of the smooth cylindrical outer surface is provided by a friction sleeve immediately above the cone tip insulated from it by acoustic attenuation means. A microphone in the tip (or elsewhere in the penetrometer) is responsive to acoustical input generated, for example, by the tip moving through the soil, and sound barrier means holds said microphone firmly in place. The sound barrier means, the acoustic attenuation means, and the acoustical dampening means substantially isolate the microphone from the core ring and from the friction sleeve. A tip load cell is joined to the cone tip and insulated from it acoustically by acoustical-dampening means. A friction load cell has its upper end connected to the tip load cell and the remainder spaced away from it, while its lower end is secured to the friction sleeve.

This invention relates to a quasi-static cone penetrometer for subsoil 
investigation by simultaneously generating three sets of data which are 
continuously recorded with depth. These data are: (1) cone tip resistance, 
(2) friction sleeve resistance, and (3) acoustical information generated 
by interaction between the device and the soil. It also relates to soil 
investigative apparatus and method. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Quasi-static cone penetrometers of various types have heretofore been used 
extensively to determine the engineering properties of various soils, 
whether they be clays, sands, or loams. The principal measurement has been 
the resistance to penetration of the penetrometer into the soil at a 
constant velocity. The penetrometer has typically been a standard 
cone-tipped cylindrical shaft with apparatus for measuring tip resistance, 
such data being recorded against depth. A limitation of such penetrometers 
heretofore has been that the type of soil being penetrated was not always 
readily identified and that such identification is requisite for 
successful interpretation of the tip resistance data. 
It has been found that the amount of frictional resistance to penetration 
of a smooth cylindrical sleeve that is above and connected to the 
penetrometer cone tip is also useful in understanding the soil 
characteristics and thus for geotechnical design. This, too, can be 
measured by the same instrument when it is provided with additional 
apparatus. 
Until recently, a so-called friction ratio, obtained by dividing the 
measured frictional resistance by the measured tip resistance, has been 
the principal method by which attempts were made to distinguish different 
soil types from one another during penetration testing. Such distinction 
of soil type, however, is possible only between sands and clays, and is 
not considered to be reliable, even for those widely different grain 
sizes. For example, research has shown that four sands identical in all 
aspects except for differing in the important parameter of grain size, 
yielded essentially identical "friction ratios"; it would therefore not be 
possible to distinguish between the four sands on the basis of friction 
ratio. 
A device able to generate these two types of data may comprise a cone tip 
with a tip load cell, a friction sleeve above the tip with a friction load 
cell, and a common shaft above the tip threaded to the tip load cell and 
to the friction sleeve load cell. Leads from the load cells pass up 
through a hollow core of the common shaft to the upper end of the 
penetrometer and thence through penetrometer rods to the ground surface 
and to suitable recording apparatus. 
Frictional resistances are also required for the design of friction piles. 
The adhesion of soil to the smooth metal jacket of the friction sleeve, 
may not necessarily be identical to the adhesion of the soil to a 
concrete, wood or rough iron pile; the measured friction resistance on the 
smooth friction sleeve is, however, a very good indicator of what the 
magnitudes of such adhesion may be. 
It has been determined that as a rigid object, such as a penetrometer, is 
pushed into a soil, acoustic emissions are generated by soil grains 
sliding and rolling over one another, sliding and rolling over the 
penetrating object, and being crushed. Little use of such acoustic 
emissions has heretofore been made, and none, so far as we are aware, in a 
penetrometer which can transmit such acoustic emissions simultaneously 
with the measurement of cone tip penetration resistance and friction 
sleeve resistance. Such acoustical response is, in this invention, 
detected by an acoustical transducer located within the penetrometer and 
recorded on magnetic tape as well as being amplified for direct listening 
during the penetration tests. 
We have found that a greatly improved identification in situ of soil types 
and strata boundaries, can be obtained by simultaneously obtaining and 
recording all three types of data. 
In order to do this in an optimum manner one must solve the problem of 
preventing the noise generated by soil grains moving over the friction 
sleeve from interfering with and modifying the acoustical data generated 
by the grains moving over the conical tip. In other words, one must so 
isolate the acoustic tip that it does not receive acoustic information 
from the remainder of the penetrometer and its associated rods. 
Acoustical emissions generated by soil penetration 
In previous geotechnical engineering applications in which acoustic 
emissions in geologic deposits were monitored, the process could in most 
instances be considered passive, for the electromechanical transducers 
utilized for such monitoring responded to mostly subaudible elastic waves 
which were generated when the deposit was deformed as a result of ground 
movements induced by causes not related to the transducer. Once installed, 
the transducers were not the source of deformation, and consequently not 
of the acoustic emissions either; hence, the description of the monitoring 
process as passive. 
In the present invention an active approach is used wherein the interaction 
between the monitoring equipment and a soil deposit is the source of 
acoustic emissions. As the penetrometer is pushed into the soil, acoustic 
emissions are generated by soil grains sliding and rolling over the 
penetrating object, sliding and rolling over one another, and being 
crushed. For a given penetrometer advancing at a steady rate, the nature 
of such emissions is determined by, at least: 
(1) The nature of the penetrating object. 
(2) The rate of advance of the penetrating object. 
(3) The nature of the soil, which includes: 
(a) Soil particle characteristics such as grain size, grain shape, grain 
hardness, grain surface texture or coating, grain strength. 
(b) Particle size distribution. 
(c) Grain arrangment (fabric). 
(d) Confining stress. 
(e) Density (void ratio). 
(4) The state of saturation of the soil. 
For a given penetrating object advancing at a given rate of penetration, 
the quality of the sound is determined by at least some of the factors 
stated in (3) and (4) above, which factors are important in determining 
the engineering properties of the soil. 
By supplementing the usual penetration resistance data with simultaneously 
obtained acoustical data, more certain soil identification and property 
interpretations become possible. 
In initial experiments the inventors investigated the potential usefulness 
of such acoustical emissions by amplifying and listening to the sounds 
produced when a miniature cone penetrometer was pushed into jars 
containing various soils. Distinct differences were audible not only 
between the sounds produced by sands and clays, but also among those 
sounds produced by sands of different grain sizes. 
A penetrometer embodying one form of the invention was then made using a 
guitar pick-up microphone within a penetrometer cone. The cone base 
cross-sectional area was 10 cm.sup.2, while the tip apex angle was 
60.degree.. This acoustic cone was pushed into containers filled with 
sands of various gradations. For each sand, tests were performed at 
various densities with penetration rates of 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 
centimeters per second. For some materials, a penetration rate of 4 
centimeters per second was also employed. The output of the microphone was 
recorded, plotted by means of an oscillograph, and analyzed with a 
spectrum analyzer. 
These analyses indicated that sufficient differences existed among the 
various signals to justify a systematic and detailed investigation that 
could culminate in the development of improved penetrometers incorporating 
acoustical data acquisition devices. Since then, the results of such an 
investigation have already demonstrated the usefulness of the method for 
its intended purpose. Studies of the acoustic noise associated with the 
shearing and straining of soils, have shown amplitudes and rates of the 
acoustic emissions to be dependent on grain size and state of saturation. 
Acoustic emissions during strain in sands, for instance, have amplitudes 
about 400 times higher than those in clays. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention comprises, first, a quasi-static cone penetrometer for 
subsoil investigation. Three sets of data are generated simultaneously, 
namely cone tip penetration resistance, friction sleeve resistance, and 
acoutical information, all as functions of depth of penetration. 
The penetrometer comprises a body assembly, preferably with a substantially 
smooth cylindrical outer surface which terminates in a cone at its lower 
end. The cone tip preferably has a 60.degree. vertex angle, its conical 
outer surface extending upwardly from the vertex to the smooth cylindrical 
outer surface. Above the cone tip is a friction sleeve having an outer 
surface forming part of the smooth cylindrical outer surface. Preferably, 
means for acoustic attenuation between the cone tip and the friction 
sleeve substantially insulates them acoustically from each other. 
Inside this shell is a core ring having an inner bore and a load cell 
portion where tip-responsive strain gauges are mounted. In the present 
invention, this core ring is preferably not connected directly to the cone 
tip. Instead, acoustical-dampening means is interposed between the cone 
tip and the core ring, insulating them acoustically from each other while 
yet transmitting to the strain gauges the resistance of the soil to the 
movement of the tip into the soil. 
The friction load cell is located in an intermediate sleeve around the core 
ring and inside the friction sleeve. The upper end of the friction load 
cell is connected to the core ring, the remainder being spaced away from 
it. The lower end of the friction load cell is secured to the friction 
sleeve. This intermediate sleeve has friction strain gauges responsive to 
the friction between the friction sleeve and the soil. 
In the present invention there is also a microphone. This microphone may be 
in the cone tip, responsive to the acoustical input generated by the tip 
moving through the soil. The microphone is held firmly in place in the 
cone tip. Sound barrier means is located between the microphone and the 
hollow core. The sound barrier means and the acoustic attenuation or 
dampening means substantially isolate the microphone from the core ring 
and the friction sleeve. Leads from each of the load cells and from the 
microphone extend up through the bore of the core ring to the upper end of 
the penetrometer. 
The body assembly typically includes additional shell portions or "rods" 
continuing the smooth cylindrical outer surface of the body upwardly from 
the friction sleeve. In this invention, an annular acoustical dampening 
member is interposed between those shell portions and the core ring. 
A data acquisition system is combined with this penetrometer. Tip 
resistance, friction sleeve resistance and the amplitude of the acoustic 
signal are thereby recorded versus depth of penetration. An oscilloscope 
gives visual depiction of the acoustic signal, which is amplified, 
listened to, and also recorded, preferably by a tape recorder, which may 
simultaneously record the data relevant to depth of penetration and the 
resistances of the tip and friction sleeve. 
The method of the insertion involves penetrating the soil while listening, 
recording, and observing the resultant signals in order to obtain 
information about the characteristics of the subsoil. 
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will appear from 
the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PENETROMETER (FIG. 1-6) 
The invention may be embodied in a quasi-static cone penetrometer 20 which 
simultaneously generates three sets of data, namely, cone penetration 
resistance, friction sleeve resistance, and acoustical information, all as 
a function of depth. The penetrometer 20 has a substantially smooth 
cylindrical outer surface 21 and terminates in a cone 22 at its lower end. 
In its preferred construction, the penetrometer 20 has at its lower end a 
cone tip member 23 having a 60.degree. cone with a vertex 24 at the 
bottom end. The tip 23 is preferably of stainless steel. A conical outer 
surface 25 extends upwardly from the vertex 24 and joins a short smooth 
cylindrical outer surface 26. The surface 26 may have a diameter of 3.568 
cm., so that the cross-sectional area is 10 cm.sup.2. An annular portion 
27 is inset from the cylindrical outer surface 26 by a shoulder 28 and 
extends above the shoulder 28 to an upper end 29. The portion 27 has a 
generally cylindrical outer surface 30 with a series of annular grooves 
31, 32, 33 and 34 therein. A cylindrical inner surface 35 leads down from 
the upper end 29 to an annular shelf 36 just above the height where the 
short cylindrical outer surface 26 begins, and a central inner well 37 
extends down from the shelf 36 to a dead end 38. 
Above the cone tip 23 is a friction sleeve 40 preferably of stainless 
steel, having a smooth cylindrical outer surface 41 of diameter equal to 
that of the short smooth cylindrical outer surface 26 of the cone tip 23. 
From a lower end 42 of the sleeve 40, a lower smooth cylindrical inner 
surface 43 extends up to a guide portion 44 extending inwardly. From an 
upper end 45 of the friction sleeve 40, an upper smooth cylindrical 
surface 46 extends down to an interiorly threaded portion 47 and an 
inwardly projecting shoulder 48 atop the cylindrical guide portion 44. 
An elastomeric quad ring 50 is supported by the cone tip 23 in the groove 
31 and is compressed between the shoulder 28 of the tip 23 and the lower 
end 42 of the friction sleeve 40. A pair of Teflon guide rings 51 and 52, 
seated respectively in the grooves 32 and 34, and an elastomeric O-ring 53 
in the groove 33 engage the inner surface 43 of the friction sleeve 40. 
These rings function as physical separation between the tip 23 and the 
friction sleeve 40 substantially insulating the tip 23 from the sleeve 40. 
Above the friction sleeve 40 is an adjustment sleeve or ring 55, preferably 
of stainless steel, having a smooth cylindrical outer surface 56 of the 
same diameter as that of said friction sleeve 40 and cone tip section 26. 
The ring 55 has a threaded inner surface 57, a lower end 58 and an upper 
end 59. A second elastomeric quad ring 59a is compressed between the upper 
end 45 of the friction sleeve 40 and the lower end 58 of the adjustment 
ring 55. 
Above the adjustment ring 55 is an annular adapter rod 60, preferably of 
stainless steel, having a smooth cylindrical outer surface 61 extending 
from a lower end 62 up to an upper outer shoulder 63. The rod 60 has an 
externally threaded upper inset portion 64 above the shoulder 63 
terminating in an upper end 65. The rod 60 has an inner threaded portion 
66 the same diameter as the inner threaded surface 57 of the adjustment 
ring 55. This threaded portion 66 extends up from the lower end 62 of the 
rod 60 to an inner shoulder 67 lying below the outer shoulder 63. This 
inner shoulder 67 extends inwardly to an inner cylindrical bore 68 that 
extends up to the top 65 of the rod 60. 
A third elastomeric quad ring 70 is compressed between the upper end 59 of 
the adapter ring 55 and the lower end 62 of the rod 60. 
A sounding rod adapter 71, preferably of stainless steel and having a 
smooth cylindrical surface 72 of the same diameter as that of the rod 60, 
is connected by an internally threaded portion 73 to the externally 
threaded portion 64 of the rod 60. The adapter 71 has a smooth bore 74 
aligned with the bore 68 of the rod 60. It also has a conically threaded 
portion 75 at its upper end 76, to which a typical Dutch sounding rod may 
be fitted. As depths increase beyond the length of the penetrometer, 
additional Dutch sounding rods are added, using conically threaded joints. 
A cable compressing ring 77, preferably of stainless steel, is compressed 
between a shoulder 78 of the adapter 71 and the upper end 65 of the rod 
60. The ring 77 may support a cable compression fitting 79, preferably of 
stainless steel, with O-rings and rubber seal. The fitting 79 prevents 
pullout of the cable and wires lying within the penetrometer 20 and coming 
from the load cells and microphone; it also serves as a primary 
waterproofing seal for the interior of the penetrometer 20. 
An annular dampening member 80 of material such as Delrin has both its 
inner and outer generally cylindrical surfaces 81 and 82 threaded, except 
for an inset upper portion 83 with a smooth inner bore 84, a shoulder 85 
leading out from the bore 84 to the inner threaded surface 81. The outer 
surface 82 is threaded to the inner threaded portion 66 of the rod 60 and 
to the inner threaded surface 57 of the adjustment ring 55. This dampening 
member 80 has an upper end 86 adjacent to the inner shoulder 67 of the rod 
60, and an elastomeric sealing O-ring 87 is compressed between the upper 
end 86 and the inner shoulder 67. Near the lower end 88 of the member 80 
may be a groove 89 supporting the second quad ring 59a. An annular recess 
89a similarly supports the third quad ring 70. 
An annular core 90 may be made from aluminum and has a smooth inner bore 91 
extending through the core. An upper end 92 compresses a sealing O-ring 93 
against the shoulder 85 of the dampening member 80 and terminates at its 
lower end at a radially outwardly extending upper shoulder 96 against 
which the lower end 88 of the dampening member 80 rests. A short generally 
cylindrical portion 97 extends down from the shoulder 96 and has annular 
recesses 98 and 99 in which are an elastomeric sealing O-ring 100 and a 
Teflon guide ring 101, both bearing against the upper smooth inner 
cylindrical surface 46 of the friction sleeve 40. A second shoulder 102 
therebelow leads into a second outwardly threaded generally cylindrical 
portion 103. A smooth cylindrical wall 104 therebelow leads down to an 
inset smooth load cell portion 105, and, below the portion 105, a bottom 
threaded portion 106 terminates in a lower end 107 of the core 90. The 
core 90 also has first and second spaced-apart through passages 108 and 
109 connecting its inner surface 91 to its outer surface 104. 
Tip-responsive strain gauges 110 (four or more to form a load cell) are 
mounted on the outer surface of the inset portion 105 of said core 90. 
Their leads 115 pass through the first through passage 108 into the hollow 
core 91. 
A non-metallic acoustical-dampening ring 111 (preferably of Delrin) having 
a lower inwardly flanged end 112 rests on the shelf 36 of the cone tip 23, 
preferably partially covering the well 37. The lower end 107 of the core 
90 rests on the flange 112. An inner threaded surface 113 of the ring 111 
is threaded to the core's bottom threaded portion 106. A smooth outer 
surface 114 is fixed to the cylindrical inner surface 35 of the tip 23 by 
means of a suitable adhesive. 
A microphone 120 in the well 37 of the tip 23 rests the dead end 38 and has 
leads 121 extending up through the hollow core 90. The microphone 120 may 
be of an electret condenser type. Sound barrier material 122 is inserted 
above the microphone 120. For example, modeling clay may be used. A spring 
123 may be used to hold the microphone firmly in place, the spring 123 
bearing against the flange 112. 
An intermediate sleeve 130 with a lower end 131 resting on the upper end or 
shoulder 48 of the friction sleeve's guide portion 44 and has a lower 
outer portion 132 threaded to the threaded portion 47 of the friction 
sleeve 40. The intermediate sleeve 130 is preferably made from aluminum. 
An inset load-cell portion 133 lies above the threaded portion 132, and a 
smooth outer wall 134 above that is spaced radially inwardly from the 
friction sleeve 40 and leads to an upper end 135 abutting the second 
shoulder 102 of the core 90. The interior surface of the intermediate 
sleeve 130 has an upper threaded portion 136 threaded to the second 
threaded portion 103 of the core 90, and a smooth walled portion 137. A 
third passage 138 connects the load cell portion 133 to the second passage 
109 through the core 90. The interior surface 137 is radially spaced from 
the core 90 except at the threads 103, 136. 
Friction strain gauges 140 (four or more) for friction sleeve measurements 
are supported on the inset load cell portion 133 of the intermediate 
sleeve 130, and their leads 141 extend through the third passages 138 and 
109 into the hollow core 90. 
A guide member 145 of suitable acoustical dampening material, such as 
Delrin, is interposed between the guide portion 44 of the friction sleeve 
40 and the core 90. As a result of the acoustical insulating members 80, 
112, 122, and 145, the acoustical system of the microphone 120 is 
effectively isolated from effects (noise) due to the sleeve 40 as distinct 
from the acoustical effect at the tip 23. 
To retain the parts together, once adjustments have been made, a set screw 
150 may be used to lock the intermediate sleeve 130 to the core 90. A 
setscrew 151 may be used to lock the dampening ring 80 to the core 90, and 
a set screw 152 may be used to lock the rod 60 to the dampening ring 80. 
The cone tip 23 may be provided with a filler screw 153 for use with a 
spanner wrench. 
Data Acquisition System (FIG. 1) 
Above ground, a linear potentiometer 180 is used to produce a 
depth-of-penetration signal 181. The acoustic signal from the lead 121 is 
preamplified (e.g. with a gain of ten times, i.e. 20 dB or fifty times, 
i.e. 34 dB), by a preamplifier 185 to produce a preamplified signal 186. 
A data acquisition system 200, may be housed in a single nineteen inch 
electronic rack. Preferably, it includes an X-XY recorder 201, used for 
plotting the tip resistance and the friction sleeve resistance (coming 
from the penetrometer 20 via the respective leads 115 and 141) versus the 
depth of penetration signal 181. The system 200 also has a single beam, 
dual display oscilloscope 202 with a dual display tube 203 to which the 
preamplified acoustic signal 186 is connected. The signal 186 also goes to 
a pair of headphone 204 for direct listening to the preamplified acoustic 
signal 186. 
The signal 186 is also sent as one input to a four-channel tape recorder 
206, preferably capable of recording both a-c and d-c signals, and the 
output of the recorded signal may also be sent by lead 207 for display by 
the oscilloscope 202, in order that the operator may monitor that all is 
well with the recording process. The four channels of the recorder 206 are 
utilized respectively, for recording the acoustic signal 186, the depth of 
penetration information 181, the tip resistance signal 115, and the 
friction sleeve resistance signal 141. One channel can be temporarily 
interrupted for voice annotation. The recorder 206 preferably can be 
slowed down durng playback while retaining full fidelity of the recorded 
signal. Reducing the tape speed results in a proportional shift in 
frequency while retaining the true amplitude of the signal. There are two 
advantages inherent to slowing the tape down during playback: (1) the 
operator can return to very exact locations on the tape, and (2) view a 
short period's worth of data over a longer period of time. This provides 
the opportunity to detect variations in the displayed signal which may be 
missed in real time. 
In addition to the units described above, the rack may contain a patch bay 
for routing the signals, as well as various power supplies required for 
operating the load cells. It also may have a bandpass filter with 
selectable cut-off points, a digital multimeter, and earphones 204 for 
monitoring the acoustic emissions. 
As the penetrometer is advanced into the soil, the grains roll and slide 
not only over the tip, but also along the friction sleeve and all trailing 
rods behind the cone--these rods being used for advancing the cone. This 
in effect means that sound is generated along the entire length of the 
penetrometer and its associated rods. 
If the acoustic sound is to be used to identify thinner layers of soils, 
then it is important that the sound only be sensed, amplified, listened 
to, and recorded along a short section of the penetrometer, or even, say a 
short section of the trailing rods. 
There are very definite advantages to having the sound sensitive section 
within the length of the penetrometer rather than within the rods; 
penetrometers are frequently advanced until soil resistances reach a value 
that prohibits further advance. Should the sound sensitive section be 
within the penetrometer, then it is possible to identify soil layers up to 
the depth penetrated. If, however, the sound sensitive section is within 
the rods, then there will exist not only length of rod, but also the 
penetrometer below the sound sensitive section. For the zone of soil below 
the sound sensitive section acoustic records will not be available, 
consequently the usefulness of the measured tip and friction sleeve 
resistance will be diminished. 
The general acoustic penetrometer 220 is shown in FIG. 14. The acoustic 
penetrometer 220 contains a portion 221 that is exposed to the surface. 
Within the penetrometer there is an acoustic transducer attached to 
portion 221 that detects sound caused by soil grains moving over that 
portion 221. The portion 221 is acoustically isolated from the rest of the 
penetrometer 220 by acoustic dampening material 222. The penetrometer 220 
has a conical tip 223 that has a short section 224 of constant diameter. 
The tip 223 is conneced to a cone-to-rod adaptor 225 by an internal load 
measuring means (not shown). The penetrometer 220 also has a friction 
sleeve 226. This friction sleeve 226 is attached to the cone-to-rod 
adaptor 225, by an internal load measuring means (not shown). There are 
sealing rings 227 and 228 between the tip 223 and the friction sleeve 226, 
and between the friction sleeve 226 and the cone-to-rod adaptor 225 
respectively. 
The portion 221 sensitive to sound may be located anywhere within the 
penetrometer 220, i.e. within the tip 223 or within the smooth cylindrical 
section 229 of the penetrometer 220. If it is within the tip 223, the 
associated advantages are that tip resistances are measured and acoustic 
response detected at the same point. If it is elsewhere then the device is 
easier to fabricate and the sound sensitive portion 221 can be made very 
small, i.e., it will be possible to resolve very thin layers of soil. 
Penetration tests 
Penetration tests have been performed on both wet and dry fabricated soil 
samples in a controlled environment provided by a large pressure chamber. 
The chamber was designed to hold a large sample, 800 mm (32 in) in height 
and 760 mm (30 in) in diameter. The chamber provided independently 
variable maximum vertical and horizontal stresses--up to 1400 kPa (200 
psi) and up to 700 kPa (100 psi) respectively--more than sufficient to 
simulate stresses at the maximum depths to which static cone penetration 
tests are performed in the field. The above stresses are equivalent to 
those existing at a depth of approximately 140 m (460 ft) in a normally 
consolidated soil with the water table at the ground surface. 
Horizontal stresses on the enclosed soil sample were hydraulically applied, 
while vertical stresses were imposed by eight load transfer rods. In order 
to prevent vertical stress relaxation as a result of reduction in sample 
height--which reduction may be caused by compression, consolidation, or 
creep of the sample--tension on the rods was applied by air pressure. 
Sand samples were pluviated so as to maintain selected sample density to 
within .+-.8 kg/m.sup.3 (1/2 pcf), corresponding about .+-.21/2 percentage 
points of relative density for the sand tested. Higher densities are 
obtained by reducing flow rate or increasing drop height. 
The penetration process requires two pieces of equipment; the penetrometer 
20 and a drive system for advancing it. A laboratory drive system has been 
designed to be silent during actual penetration. Due to acoustic 
attenuation afforded by saturated soils, this precaution is not normally 
required in the field, where conventional drive systems can consequently 
be used. 
The tone tip 23 used for these tests, having a cross-sectional area of 10 
cm.sup.2 and a base apex of 60.degree., contained a miniature elecret 
condenser microphone 120. The friction sleeve 40, located behind the tip 
23 has a surface area of 150 cm.sup.2. A penetrometer of this invention 
has been utilized for a series of penetration tests in a tailings dam. The 
tip 23, as described above, is acoustically isolated from the trailing 
friction sleeve 40 and pushrods. 
Experimental Procedure 
Once a sand sample was consolidated, the penetration tests were performed 
as follows: 
(1) The cone was advanced into the sample at a penetration rate of 1 
cm/sec. (0.4 ips) until the tip resistance remained constant. Test results 
up to this point are ignored. 
(2) Five seconds of acoustic data were then recorded at a penetration rate 
of 1 cm/sec. 
(3) Penetration rate was increased to 2 cm/sec (0.8 ips) and a further five 
seconds of acoustic data were recorded at that rate. 
(4) The penetration rate was increased to 4 cm/sec (1.6 ips) and a final 4 
seconds worth of acoustic data were recorded. 
Analysis of Results 
The following results were obtained for each test: 
(1) The sample parameters, such as soil type, soil grain characteristics, 
grain size distribution, void ratio (or relative density), stress state, 
stress history, and state of saturation. 
(2) The cone penetration rate. 
(3) The recorded acoustic signal--together with information regarding total 
gain from the microphone output to tape recorder output. 
(4) The tip and friction sleeve resistance data. 
These laboratory penetration tests were performed on various gradations of 
a commercially available windblown dune sand known as Lone Star Lapis 
Lustre. 
Typical tip and friction sleeve resistance data are shown in FIG. 7. 
The upper curve is tip resistance, the lower curve, friction sleeve 
resistance. The rather small variations in tip resistance with penetration 
depth (from about 130 to 145 kg/cm.sup.2) are indicative of a high degree 
of sample uniformity from top to bottom. 
The portions of the above test that were used for the analysis of acoustic 
results are, for 1, 2 and 4 cm/s respectively; 
(1) From a depth of 15.5 to 20 cm. 
(2) From 20 to 33.5 cm. 
(3) From 33.5 to 50.3 cm. 
Subsequent to the conclusion of a test, the acoustic signals were evaluated 
and analayzed by: 
(1) Display on the oscilloscope. 
(2) Determination of the rms voltage of the recorded signal. 
(3) Frequency distribution analysis. 
(4) Listening to the recorded signal. 
The primary reason for displaying the signal on the oscilloscope was to 
ensure that peak-to-peak amplitude did not vary with time, as such 
variation would have rendered meaningless the averaging during the 
frequency distribution analyses. 
In the laboratory, rms voltage was determined by means of a digital 
multimeter. In the field, where rms voltage of the acoustic signal varies 
with geologic layering, this method is not practical. In that environment, 
either peak-to-peak, or rms, voltage can be plotted (in real time) as a 
function of depth of penetration by means of either a peak, or true rms, 
voltage detector. 
The frequency distribution analysis was performed by means of a digital, 
real time, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyzer. 
The recorded signal was played back into the analyzer. A short segment of 
the signal, referred to as a time window or sample, was digitized and 
cosine tapered. By means of Fast Fourier analysis, the amplitude versus 
frequency distribution of that sample (time window) was determined. The 
amplitude was divided by the preselected number of time windows to be 
analyzed, and the resultant frequency distribution curve was stored in a 
memory. The process was repeated with a next time window, with the 
resultant curve beng added to the one already in the memory. When the 
selected number of time windows had been analyzed, the final frequency 
distribution curve, in the memory, was displayed on a cathode ray tube and 
plotted. An example of the resulting frequency distribution curve is shown 
in FIG. 8. The curve shows rms voltage as a function of frequency from 0 
Hz to 20 kHz. 
Note that the amplitude is referred to as amplitude at the microphone. As a 
result of the limited dynamic range of electronic instruments, 
amplification of the acoustic signal varies from test to test, and even 
for the various penetration rates within a given test. Such amplification 
was controlled at two points: the gain-setting of the preamplifier, and 
the sensitivity setting of the tape recorder. In order for the results of 
various tests to be comparable, all data were converted to the amplitude 
at the microphone. This was accomplished by dividing the amplitude of the 
recorded signal by the total gain in the recording chain. 
The acoustic signal was also listened to. The human ear is known to be a 
very discriminating "instrument" with a frequency response from 20 Hz to 
20 kHz and a relatively large dynamic range of 130 dB from the threshold 
of hearing to the threshold of pain. 
Each complete test yielded three frequency distribution curves, one for 
each of the selected penetration rates. FIG. 9 shows the frequency 
distribution curves obtained in one such test, at penetration rates of 1, 
2, and 4 cm/sec. 
Note that the vertical scales for the three curves in FIG. 9 are not 
identical, but have been expanded to illustrate the general shape of each 
curve. Other than amplitude variations, the patterns of the curves 
obtained at the three penetration rates are remarkably similar. A major 
peak exists around 6 kHz, with secondary peaks shown at 2.5 and 4.5. The 
peak at 0.5 kHz has been found to be due to electric and mechanical noise 
in the testing environment. 
The results of the tests described above showed that: 
(1) By means of a simple root mean square voltage measurement of the 
amplitude of the acoustic signal it is possible to predict the average 
grain size, D.sub.50, of the tested sands with a certainty of plus or 
minus 5 percent. 
(2) The tip resistance measured in this study, in conjunction with tip 
resistance measured by other researchers, have indicated that a unique 
relationship among tip resistance, relative density and confining stress, 
valid for all sands does not exist. The results do, however, show that it 
is possible to develop such relationships for any sand if sand type is 
taken into account, either directly by measurement of its friction angle, 
or indirectly by grain size and gradation. 
(3) The grain size information required to interpret static cone 
penetration tests satisfactorily can be provided by the analysis of the 
acoustic emissions generated during the static cone penetration of sands, 
as shown for penetration rates of 1, 2 and 4 cm/sec. in FIGS. 10, 11 and 
12. 
The effects of sress history on (1) the acoustic signal and (2) the 
measured resistances were evaluated by testing overconsolidated sand 
samples. 
Well graded sand was tested under saturated normally consolidated 
conditions. 
The ratio of horizontal to vertical stress for nearly all normally 
consolidated samples was 0.5. In the expanded test series for the medium 
uniform gradation, a few samples were tested where the ratio was 0.33. For 
overconsolidated samples, the ratio varied between0.75 and 1.0. 
Penetration tests were performed on the fabricated samples by initially 
advancing the cone into the sample at a rate of 1 cm/s. Once the tip 
resistance reached a plateau value, the cone was stopped. Results up to 
this point were ignored. The cone was then advanced for 5 cm at a a 
penetration rate of 1 cm/s. Penetration rate increased to 2 cm/s, and an 
additional 10 cm of the sample penetrated. A final 16 cm section of the 
sample was penetrated at 4 cm/s. 
The recorded acoustic signals were analyzed by: (1) measuring their root 
means square voltage, and (2) frequency distribution analysis. 
The frequency distribution curves obtained in the various gradations, at 
penetration rates of 1, 2 and 4 cm/s are remarkably similar in general 
shape, with dominant peaks in the 6 to 8 kHz range, for all tests where 
the cone tip was not filled with hydraulic fluid. There are, however, very 
pronounced differences in amplitudes, as indicated by both rms voltage 
measurements and the frequency distribution curves. 
Rms voltages of the acoustic signal were measured with frequencies below 1 
kHz filtered out of the signal, as penetration tests in air, and 
subsequent frequency distribution analysis showed the energy below 1 kHz 
to be mainly electrical and mechanical noise. 
The rms voltages and frequency distribution curves show the following 
trends: 
(1) In a given sample, the amplitude of the acoustic signal increases 
linearly with penetration rate for the rates used (1 to 4 cm/s). 
(2) For a given sand of a given relative density, and at a given confining 
stress, amplitudes are higher in dry than in saturated samples by at least 
a factor of two. 
(3) For a given sand, at a given penetration rate, amplitude decreases with 
increasing penetration resistance. This trend diminishes as grain size 
decreases, and was nearly nonexistent for the finest uniform gradation. 
(4) The trend mentioned in (3) above is, however, small in comparison to 
the increase in amplitude, at a given penetration rate, with increasing 
grain size. The rms voltages measured at a given penetration rate in the 
medium sand are all higher than those measured in the fine sand, while the 
voltages measured in the coarse sand are higher than those measured in the 
medium sand. 
(5) If rms voltage at a given penetration rate is plotted against tip 
resistance, it is possible to construct contours of average grain size. 
Such contours should enable the prediction of average grain sizes in the 
field on the basis of rms voltages of the acoustic signal and measured tip 
resistances. 
These contours of grain size do not seem to be sensitive to eigher 
variations in gradation uniformity or to stress history. Although the 
contours were constructed with the voltages and tip resistances measured 
in the uniformly graded samples, when the voltages and tip resistances 
measured in the mixed, less uniform sand were plotted, the known average 
grain size of the mixture (0.46 mm) was within 5 percent of the values 
indicated by the grain size contours. 
(6) The frequency distribution curves show that there is a slight tendency 
for dominant frequency to decrease with increasing penetration resistance. 
The frequency distribution curves seem to indicate different failure modes 
at different tip resistances, as indicated by the changes in the curves 
with increasing tip resistance. 
An important conclusion that can be drawn from the above trends is that the 
evaluation of the acoustic signal enables the accurate determination of 
grain size on the basis of a relatively simple measurement of rms voltage. 
If the method can (as has been shown) distinguish reliably between sands 
with average grain sizes differing as little as 0.30, 0.39 and 0.46 mm, 
then it will be a very reliable indicator of soil type. Other conclusions 
relating to the acoustic response include: (1) In a given soil layer the 
amplitude of the acoutic signal will decrease as the water table is 
crossed, thus enabling the location of the water table. (2) The stong 
dependence of amplitude on penetration rate suggests that penetration rate 
has to be very exactly controlled, or measured, if amplitudes are to be 
meaningfully interpreted in quasistatic cone penetration tests. It appears 
that the amplitude of the acoustic signal in a given soil layer can be 
used as a means for measuring variations in penetrometer velocity. This is 
relevant to the analysis associated with free falling penetrometers, such 
as used in the offshore environment, and also to the analysis of the 
results obtained with dynamic impact penetrometers such as used in the 
standard penetration test (SPT). 
The tip resistances measured in this study were relatively constant in a 
given sample irrespective of penetration rate. Tip resistance increased 
with relative density and with confining stress. At a given relative 
density and confining stress, tip resistances measured in the finer and 
medium uniform gradations, as well as in the mixed sand, were 
approximately the same. Tip resistances measured in the coarser sand, at 
the same relative density and confining stress, were higher than for the 
other sands, 
The tip resistance, relative density, confining stress relationships 
established in this study showed trends similar to some previously 
published. At a given stress and relative density, tip resistances 
measured in this study were, however, substantially higher than previously 
published relationships would indicate. These differences were as large as 
a factor of two. 
This research also showed that the relationships among tip resistance, 
stress, and relative density could be predicted provided that sand types 
were taken into account, either directly by measurement of their friction 
angles or indirectly from information pertaining to grain size. 
It appears that the evaluation of the acoustic signal generated during the 
static penetration of soils can yield the required information, and thus 
greatly enhance the certainty with which penetration records can be 
interpreted. 
Field tests 
Series of field tests were performed on a tailings dam in British Columbia 
and at four geologically different sites in California. 
Data obtained at a penetration rate of 4 cm/sec. in one of the field tests 
in British Columbia are shown in FIG. 13. Tip resistance, as well as 
peak-to-peak voltage of the generated acoustic signal, are plotted as a 
function of depth of penetration. 
Both tip resistance and the peak-to-peak voltage clearly indicate layering; 
below a depth of 1.7 m the higher amplitude acoustic signals can be seen 
to correspond to zones of higher tip resistance. At a depth of about seven 
meters a high amplitude acoustic signal was generated, although tip 
resistance remained low. 
Sand particle sizes 
FIGS. 10 to 12 show how well actual grain size of sands corresponds with 
the correlation between tip resistance and acoustical amplitude. 
For these tests, four uniform gradations of Monterey Sand--a soil composed 
of subrounded to subangular quartz and feldspar grains--were tested. 
Sand 1 had a grain size of 1.0 mm, Sand 2 a grain size of 0.46 mm, Sand 3 a 
grain size of 0.39 mm, and Sand 4 a size of 0.30 mm. In each case they 
correspond clearly to the contour of grain size on the plot of acoustical 
amplitude versus tip resistance. Another gradation was obtained by mixing 
the first, second and fourth sands in equal mass proportions. The 
relationship holds for penetration rates of 1 cm/sec. (FIG. 10), 2cm/sec. 
(FIG. 11), and 3 cm/sec. (FIG. 12). 
Thus the acoustical information can, by the penetrometer of this invention, 
give the grain sizes of materials well down in the subsoil. 
The data for these charts were obtained by static cone penetration tests 
performed in a large triaxial cell with an acoustic cone penetrometer of 
this invention. The triaxial cell had independently variable horizontal 
and vertical stresses with maximum possible values of 700 kPa and 1400 kPa 
respectively. Sample dimensions were 800 mm in height and 760 mm in 
diameter. The samples were reproducible, being performed by pluviation. 
Saturated samples of the uniform gradations were tested under the stress 
and relative density conditions shown in Table A. At least one dry sample 
of each uniform gradation was also tested at one of the Table A matrix 
points. 
TABLE A 
______________________________________ 
Idealized test conditions for each sand. 
Relative Density 
Vertical Stress During 
in % Testing in kPa 
______________________________________ 
25 70 140 280 
50 70 140 280 
75 70 140 280 
______________________________________ 
The medium uniform gradation was extensively tested under additional stress 
and relative density conditions. 
To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes 
in construction and widely differing embodiments and application of the 
invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and 
scope of the invention. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are 
purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.