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Penetration Enhancement for the Cone Penetrometer Using Sonic Drilling Technology

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AR #1584
AR #2075

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Tech ID: 1686
Project Overview

The objective is to produce a vibratory system that would enhance the penetration capabilities of a standard cone penetrometer (CPT), thereby improving its suitability for dense nonaqueous phase liquid characterization and monitoring. Goals:

  • Develop and demonstrate a sonic-CPT system capable of enduring sonic penetrations by: (1) improving the thread design of conventional CPT rods thereby increasing their strength, (2) modifying the conventional CPT data acquisition system for use with the sonic drive system, and (3) determining optimal operational parameters for various geologies and developing software capable of recording the sonic-CPT data.

  • Design, fabricate, and test a shock isolated gamma probe sufficiently robust to survive the high accelerations delivered by the sonic-CPT.

  • Develop and test a technique to cut through extremely dense soils such as caliche, that prove resistant to penetration using conventional or sonic techniques.
Technology Description
The sonic enhancement to the Cone Penetrometer Technology (CPT) greatly enhances the penetration capability in unconsolidated soils allowing CPT to be used in more difficult soils for site characterization and monitor emplacement. CPT coupled with a sonic drive allows advancement of CPT probes through layers in which CPTs have previously encountered refusal (e.g., 120 ft depth at SRS M-basin, gravel layers at Hanford). Combining vibratory and hydraulic push methods, the integrated sonic CPT system will have static and dynamic push capacities of 30,000 lb. at 35-150 Hz. The enhanced penetration capability allows existing CPT trucks to be as effective as heavy weight trucks.

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