Application of Dynamic Cone Penetrometer test for assessment of liquefaction potential

Abstract

This paper presents a new method for the assessment of liquefaction potential, using the in-situ Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test. The DCP is a lightweight and portable penetrometer that is considerably faster and cheaper than the boring equipment such as the Standard Penetration Test (SPT). In the present study, the liquefaction potential of liquefiable soils of six different sites was investigated using both the in-situ DCP test and the SPT. Following assessment of the liquefaction potential, the liquefaction potential index (LPI) was calculated for all six sites, again using both of these tests. Finally, the DCP test's capacity to assess liquefaction potential was evaluated by comparing the LPI values obtained from this test, as a new method, with the LPI values obtained from the SPT, as an index and popular method. The results showed that the DCP is equally as capable as the SPT in evaluating liquefaction potential. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.