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CPTU correlations for clays

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 CPTU Correlations for Clays
Corrélations CPTU pour les argiles
K. Karlsrud
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Norway
T. Lunne
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Norway
D.A. Kort
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Norway
S. Strandvik
The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Norway

ABSTRACT
New correlations between various CPTU factors, undrained shear strength and overconsolidation ratio have been developed for soft to
medium stiff clays. The correlations are based on comparing the CPTU results against undrained traxial compression strength and
preconsolidation pressure determined on block samples of very high quality taken with the Sherbrooke 250 mm block sampler. The
data base covers samples from 17 different sites ranging from soft to medium stiff clays with plasticity index from 10 to 50 % and
sensitivity from 3 to about 200. The data clearly show that the measured excess pore pressure gives the best and most consistent corre-
lation to the measured undrained strength. The cone resistance shows fairly large scatter, which may partly be an equip-
ment/measurement problem and partly reflect that the cone resistance is a more complex parameter than the pore pressure response
and which depends on more subtle clay characteristics. The cone factors also depend on the clay sensitivity and the plasticity index of
the clays tested and the type of cone used.

RÉSUMÉ
De nouvelles corrélations entre les facteurs du piézocône CPTU et la résistance au cisaillement non-drainée et le rapport de surcon-
solidation sont proposées pour les argiles molles à moyennement raides. Ces corrélations ont été obtenues en comparant les résultats
CPTU avec la résistance au cisaillement non-drainée en compression triaxiale et la pression de surconsolidation mesurées sur des
blocs de haute qualité obtenus avec l’échantillonneur bloc 250 mm de l’Université de Sherbrooke. La base de données compte 17 dif-
férents sites d’argile, avec indice de plasticité entre 10 et 50 % et sensibilité entre 3 et 200. Les résultats montrent clairement que la
pression interstitielle mesurée par le CPTU présente la corrélation la plus consistante avec la résistance au cisaillement non-drainée.
La résistance en pointe du cône apparaît plutôt variable, en partie dû à l’équipement et la mesure elle-même, en partie dû au fait que la
résistance en pointe est un paramètre plus complexe que la réponse des pressions interstitielles, et dépend de caractéristiques plus sub-
tiles de l’argile. Les facteurs du piézocône dépendent aussi de la sensibilité et plasticité de l’argile.

1 INTRODUCTION rameters determined exclusively by laboratory tests on very

high quality block samples.
The cone penetrometer with measurement of pore pressure,
called CPTU test, was developed in the late 1970’s. The first
publication on the CPTU was by Roy et al (1980). The CPTU 2 PROPERTIES OF CLAYS TESTED
test was initially a research tool which gradually came into
commercial use, and first in connection with site investigations In order to enable development of reliable correlations between
for offshore structures in the early 1980’s. In Norwegian on- CPTU-results and real in-situ soil parameters it is vital that such
shore commercial practice it took until around 1990 before it parameters are obtained by laboratory tests on high quality un-
found its place. It has by now (2004) gradually become the most disturbed soil specimens. Experience shows that it can be diffi-
common in-situ testing tool for determination of undrained cult to obtain samples of sufficiently good and indisputable
strength of clay deposits in Norwegian site investigations, and quality with conventional commercial piston sampling, or stan-
has to a large extent replaced in-situ vane borings. This is dard Shelby tube sampling. The sample quality normally re-
mainly a result of the introduction of the wireless cone pene- duces with decreasing plasticity index and increasing sample
trometers manufactured by the Swedish companies ENVI depth and clay sensitivity (Karlsrud, 1991; Lunne et al 1997a).
(stores data in memory in the cone) and Geotech (transmits sig- The effect of sample disturbance on measured undrained
nals acoustically), which have greatly enhanced the efficiency strength, pre-consolidation stress and stress-strain relations de-
of operations. In this context it may be mentioned that in Nor- pend on the clay type. For many years the Norwegian Geotech-
way the CPTU-tests are almost exclusively carried out with nical Institute (NGI) has used the change in volume a sample
one-manned advanced multi-purpose rigs. The production rate undergoes during re-consolidation to in-situ effective stresses as
typically lies in the range 80-100 m pr. day. an indicator of sample disturbance (Andresen and Kolstad,
The results of CPTU tests can in principal be used to derive 1979). Lunne et al (1997a) proposed a modified scale for sam-
a number of soil parameters related to stress history, shear ple quality equal to the change in void ratio normalised by the
strength and moduli values. Dissipation tests can also be used to initial void ratio.
assess the coefficient of consolidation and permeability. The To obtain high quality samples for establishment of more
derivation of such parameters in clays is generally based on reliable reference parameters for CPTU correlations, NGI has
semi-empirical correlations against parameters established since 1983 made use of the special Canadian Sherbrooke block
through conventional soil sampling and laboratory tests. This sampler, Lefebvre and Poulin (1979), at several sites in Norway,
paper deals only with CPTU tests in relatively soft to medium (Lacasse et al., 1985), also in parallel with CPTU testing at the
stiff clay deposits and the derivation of undrained shear strength same sites (Karlsrud et al.,1996). According to the classification
and pre-consolidation stress based on comparisons against pa- proposed by Lunne et al (1997a), the samples tested and in-
cluded in this correlation study can be classified as very good to Effective Axial Stress, σa' (kPa)
excellent.
The undrained strength determined by triaxial compression
tests on samples consolidated anisotropcally to the present in- 0 σv0' 400 800 1200
situ effective stresses, suCAUC (hereafter for simplicity defined as 0 20
suc), has been chosen as the main parameter for comparison
pc '
against the CPTU results, combined with the pre-consolidation

Axial Strain, εa (%)

4 16

Modulus, M (MPa)
stress, pc’ determined by oedometer tests. All triaxial samples
were sheared at a rate of about 0.6% pr. hour. In contrast with
what can be the case for disturbed samples, all triaxial compres- 8 12
sion tests on the block samples showed a pronounced peak at
failure. The axial strain at failure tended to increase with OCR
from typically 0.3 to 1.2% for OCR less than 2 to 0.3 to 3.0% 12 8
for OCR of 5. Figure 1 show an example of stress-strain curve
for a block sample compared to piston samples.
The oedometer tests were in almost all cases constant rate of 16 4
strain (CRS) tests, loaded at an axial strain rate of 0.5-1%
pr.hour. For all samples tested the oedometer curves gave a very
20 1st loading 0
clear definition of the stress level at which the pre-consolidation
stress, pc’ (or yield stress as defined by some, e.g. Burland, reloading
1990), as illustrated by a typical example in Figure 2. The pre-
cise pre-consolidation stress was generally defined as an aver-
age from the Casagrande (1936) method and the Becker et al Figure 2. Example of oedometer test result. Lierstranda, z=12.3 m
(1987) method, but these methods gave nearly identical results.
It may be noted that the pre-consolidation pressure depends on
the rate of straining, similar to the undrained strength. Thus the The combination of CPTU-testing and block sampling has so
CRS tests used in this study normally give 5 to 20 % larger pre- far been carried out by NGI at 16 different locations in Norway.
consolidation pressures than conventional 24 hour incremental Table 1 presents typical range of index properties at the differ-
oedometer tests (Leroueil et al., 1983; Lunne, 2002). ent locations. NGI has also been involved with block sampling
and laboratory testing at the Bothkennar test site in the UK,
which has also been included in this study. At each location
60 block samples were taken from 2 to 5 different levels, giving a
total of 58 tests to compare against CPTU results at the same lo-
cations and levels.

Table 1: Index properties of clays tested

50 Location Depth in- Water Ip, % Particles < St
terval, m content, % 2 µm
75mm sample Leira 7.2–15.9 30–34 12-14 36–49 7-10
Hvalsda- 7.2-15.2 31-39 9-17 44-49 5-240
40 len 1
Shear stress, kPa

Hvalsda- 7.2-12.4 36-38 12 40-46 15-20

len 2
54mm sample Eidsvoll 1 5.7–14.7 25–33 13–19 37–48 2–5
30 Eidsvoll 2 10.4-13 25-26 13-14 38-42 2-4
Lier- 6.1–22.4 33–40 14–20 36–44 8–12
Block sample stranda
Bothken- 6.0–8.3 69–72 42–53 17–35 8–13
20 nar,UK
Emmer- 4.1–5.9 37–44 7–11 40 77
stad
Onsøy 1 3.1–9.1 59–72 28–44 21–35 7–12
10 Glava 5.6-6 33 17-18 29-34 7-10
Daneviks 7.9-16.6 36-53 18-29 36-41 4-8
gt.
Nykirke 6.0-10.1 25-37 4-9 27-35 100-180
0
Kvenild 7.1-8.5 31-37 10-14 31-47 22-63
0 4 8 12 16
Onsøy 2 7.2-14.7 63-64 36-42 49-65 ---
Axial strain, %
Buvika 1 7.1-15.1 29-31 6-7 29-30 55-160

Figure 1. Example of CAUC triaxial test result on block sample com- Buvika 2 7.6-17.1 31-33 8-13 28-33 10-105
pared to piston samples. Lierstranda z=12.3 m (from lunne et al 2002)
Kløfta- 6.1-18.2 32-39 8-18 33-46 7-135
Nybakk

It should be noted that the sensitivities in Table 1 were de-

termined from fall cone tests. The very high sensitivity of some
 samples is due to leaching of the original marine clay deposits. From Figure 3 it is apparent that these natural clays do not show
The sensitivity varies considerably with depth at some loca- such a unique relationship between undrained strength and OCR
tions. Note also that the plasticity index of clays is influenced as has been indicated by testing clays that have been pre-
by the sensitivity. Normally or lightly over consolidated leached consolidated artificially in the laboratory (e.g Ladd et al 1977).
clays with high sensitivity will in un-leached state have a plas- The reason may be that soil structure and possible local chemi-
ticity index which is typically a factor of 1.5 to 2.0 larger than cal bonding or cementation effects plays a role in-situ, which is
the leached high sensitive clay. lost when a sample is artificially pre-consolidated in the labora-
The mostly Norwegian marine clays tested were deposited in tory.
the sea after the last glaciation period about 10,000 years ago. On many of the block samples the undrained strength has
The clay mineral content of these Norwegian clays is dominated also been determined by triaxial extension tests (CAUE), sue,
by Chlorite and Illite/Muskovite (e.g. Kenney,1967), and they and direct simple shear tests (DSS), suDSS. Figure 4 compares
have a low organic content (less than 2%). At the Bothkennar these strengths to the triaxial compression strength. The data
site in the UK the clay was deposited in estuarine conditions, suggest somewhat larger anisotropy for the clays with high sen-
Hight et al. (2003), and the clay has a different mineralogy sitivity (here taken as St>15), and that the anisotropy decreases
compared to the Norwegian clays. with increasing plasticity index, Ip. No clear dependence of the
The clays tested showed undrained strength, suc, ranging anisotropy on the overconsolidation ratio has been observed.
from 15 to 150 kPa, and overconsolidation ratio, OCR, ranging
from 1.2 to 6.3. The highest OCR-values were due to removal
of overburden, otherwise it is generally due to secondary creep 3 CPTU RESULTS AND CORRELATIONS
and/or chemical weathering.
Figure 3 presents the undrained triaxial compression strength 3.1 Definitions and CPTU factors considered
determined on the various block samples in relation to the pre-
consolidation stress in a normalised form of suc/σv0’ versus In the years passed since the CPTU test was first introduced,
overconsolidation ratio OCR = pc’/σv0’, where σv0’ is the in-situ different cone factors have been used to relate the measured
vertical effective overburden stress. The measured data in Fig- values of cone resistance and excess pore pressure generated
ure 3 are also compared to a range of correlation functions during penetration of the probe to the undrained strength of clay
based on the SHANSHEP concept (Ladd et al, 1977), and de- deposits, e.g. Lunne et al. (1997b).
fined by the equation: In terms of measured pore pressures in CPTU tests the
undrained strength is generally correlated to the pore pressure
suc/ σv0’ = α·OCRm (1) factor
u2 −u0
where α= suc/ σv0’ for OCR=1.0, corresponding to a young truly N∆u = (2)
su
normally consolidated clay which has not had the opportunity to
develop any apparent pre-consolidation pressures due to secon-
dary consolidation (e.g. Bjerrum, 1972). where u2 = measured pore pressure at the location just behind
the neck of the cone and u0= in-situ pore pressure. If a cone
with pore pressure measurement in the tip is used, it may be
1.4 possible to make a fair estimate of the u2 pore pressure by
application of a correction factor as given in Lunne et al.
(1997b).

1.2 1.0
0.32× OCR0.9

1.0
0.8
suDSS/suc and sue/suc

0.8
suc/σv0'

0.6

0.6
0.28× OCR0.6
0.4

0.4 suDSS/suc - Low St

suDSS/suc - High St
0.2
sue/suc - Low St
0.2
sue/suc - High St
St <= 15
St > 15
0.0
0.0 0 10 20 30 40 50
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Ip (%)
OCR
Figure 3. Normalized CAUC strength values,suc/ σv0’, for block sam- Figure 4. Measured anisotropic strength ratios sue/suc and suDSS/suc for
ples in relation to OCR the block samples
In relation to measured cone resistance it has become common Reliable measurement of penetration pore pressures depends
practice to relate the undrained strength to the corrected cone very much on good procedures for saturation of the pore pres-
resisitance, qt,, rather than the directly measured tip resistance, sure measurement system. Test results should be examined
qc, through the normalised expression: shortly after testing to identify possible errors.
However, even if the CPTUs are carried out following the
IRTP, experiences indicate that results can vary with the cone
qt −σ vo penetrometer made from one manufacturer to another, even
Nkt = (3)
su with present (2004) modern equipment.
NGI(2002) recently carried out a test programme at the On-
where σv0 = Total vertical overburden pressure søy2 soft clay test site to investigate the variability between dif-
ferent cone penetrometers produced by different manufacturers.
qt = qc + u2(1-a)
The Onsøy2 site has been used by NGI for many years and is a
and a= area ratio of the cone related to the area of the central very uniform site. Four to five cone penetrometer tests were
part of the cone as compared to the gross area. The area ratio is done with each of the 9 different cone penetrometers tested. Ta-
determined by calibration tests in the laboratory as described in ble 2 presents typical examples of variability in measured cone
Lunne et al. (1997b). This area correction reduces or eliminates resistance and pore pressure.
some of the observed difference in cone resistance obtained by
using cones from different manufacturers. Table 2 Typical results of comparative CPTUs at Onsøy2 test site
In previous studies it has also been attempted to relate the (Based on NGI, 2002)
undrained strength to a combination of the measured tip resis- Depth, Corrected cone resistance, qt Measured pore
tance and pore pressure through the expression m pressure, u2
Overall Range Total Overall Range Total
qt −u 2 average sensores range average sensores range
Nke = (4) (kPa) (%) 1) (%) 2) (kPa) (%) 1) (%) 2)
su
10 589 ±15.6 ±16.5 452 ±6.9 ±12.8
20 898 ±14.3 ±14.9 681 ±7.0 ±13.2
In some previous studies (Lunne et al.,1985; Karlsrud et al.,
1996) correlation plots between the corrected tip resistance fac-
tor Nkt on one axis against the pore pressure factor Bq on the 1) Range between average readings from 9 different cone
other axis have been shown. Bq is defined as: penetrometers
2) Total range including variability of all individual readings
from different cone penetrometers (45 different CPTU
Bq=
(u2 − uo ) (5) soundings).
(qt − σ vo )
The results in Table 2 illustrate that the total range in cone resis-
Bq is also equal to N∆u/ Nkt. A plot of Nkt against Bq= N∆u/ Nkt is tance, qt, is larger than the range in pore pressure, u2, and also
therefore misleading in the sense that it does not reflect the that the measured pore pressure is significantly less dependant
cone resistance factor Nkt at all because Nkt appears as a pa- on the type of cone penetrometer compared to the cone resis-
rameter on both axis. Such a plot actually only reflects how tance. The reason why there is larger variation in cone resis-
measured excess pore pressure vary with undrained strength. tance compared to the pore pressure is not fully understood, but
Correlation plots of Nkt and Bq are therefore, not included in this it is a fact that the measured pore pressure is generally a much
paper. higher percentage of the capacity of the pore pressure sensor
In previous studies (Lunne et al., 1989 and 1997b; Mayne, compared to the cone resistance and capacity of the load cell.
1991) the overconsolidation ratio, OCR, has been tried corre- For some of the sites listed in Table 1 the CPTUs were car-
lated to the pore pressure parameters Bq, and (u2-u0)/ u0 and the ried out more than 20 years ago. Since considerable equipment
parameter Qt defined as: improvement has taken place since then it is to be expected that
the inherent uncertainties associated with the CPTU measure-

Qt =
(qt − σ vo ) (6)
ments may be larger than illustrated in Table 2. This also ap-
plies to the ENVI cone used in most of this study.
σ 'vo
These OCR correlations are also used and discussed later in this
3.3 Undrained strength correlations
paper.
At the majority of the locations in this study the CPTU tests
The data from this study clearly show that the pore pressure re-
were carried out with the wireless ENVI 5t cone which has an
sponse gives the most consistent and best correlations to the
area ratio of a= 0.69 (Elmgren, 1995).
undrained suc strength determined on the block samples. Figure
5 shows the derived values of N∆u versus measured overcon-
solidation ratio, OCR, on the block samples. These data have
3.2 Note on reliability of measured CPTU parameters
been grouped into two ranges of sensitivity of St smaller or lar-
ger than 15, which has a systematic impact on the excess pore
It is very important that the CPTU data are as reliable as possi-
pressure and N∆u . This is seen more clearly in figure 6 which
ble. The best way to achieve this is to carry out the tests follow-
shows N∆u directly against sensitivity for different ranges of
ing the requirements and guidelines given in the International
OCR. Figure 7 shows that N∆u also to some extent depend on
Reference Test Procedure (IRTP) published by the International
the plasticity index, Ip. As discussed in Section 2 of this paper Ip
Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering
is a parameter that can be misleading for clays with high sensi-
(ISSMGE, 1999).
tivity. Figure 7 also suggest that the plasticity index is a secon-
Most equipment used for commercial soil investigations fol-
dary parameter for the sensitive clays. On basis of a detailed
low the above guidelines, but it is particularly important that the
study of the combined impact of OCR, St and Ip on the results, it
schemes for calibration of sensors and the procedures for re-
is proposed typical average correlations accounting for their
cording zero readings before and after each test are adhered to.
combined effects as follows:
For low sensitive clays (St<15) 10
N∆u= 6.9 – 4.0logOCR+0.07(Ip) Ip in % (7a)

For high sensitive clays (St>15) OCR 1-2

N∆u = 9.8- 4.5logOCR (7b) 8
These correlations are illustrated in fig.5 for an average Ip-value
of 22.4% for low-sensitive clays. Typical curves based on eq’s OCR 2-4 ( )
7a) and 7b) are also shown in Figs. 6 and 7 for ranges of OCR ( )
OCR > 4; St <= 15
values, and using an overall average Ip=22.4 for St<15. The ex- 6
act average OCR value corresponding to the different ranges in

N∆u
the data base are as follows:
Range OCR Average OCR
4 OCR 1-2 St <= 15
1-2 1.57 OCR 2-4 St <= 15
2-4 2.92
>4 4.90 OCR > 4 St <= 15
2 OCR 1-2 St > 15
10 OCR 2-4 St > 15
OCR > 4 St > 15

0
8 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Ip (%)
Figure 7. Influence of plasticity index on N∆u
6
Assessment of scatter in the data suggests that there is a varia-
N∆u

tion in strength of about ±10-15% when the correlations above

are applied. Some of this variation is believed to be equipment
4 and procedure related, and can depend on the cone penetrometer
used and workmanship as discussed in section 3.2 above. Some
of the scatter in the correlations may also be due to changes in
St <= 15 design and improved accuracy of the cones used over this 20
2 St > 15 year time period.
A special comment is made to the two points put in bracket
eq. (7a)
in Fig.7. These represent the Bothkennar UK site. Hight et al.
eq. (7b) (2003) have suggested that the plasticity index as measured by
0 standard test procedures could be much too high, because it has
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 high organic content. These points were therefore given no
OCR weight when the effect of Ip was assessed. Finally, it is also
quite possible that other and more subtle soil parameters in real-
Figure 5. Relationship between N∆u and OCR ity influence the results and contributes to some of the scatter.
This could for instance be the detailed stress-strain relation for
10 the clay, including the large strain post-peak behaviour, and the
anisotropic nature of the undrained shear strength. Even for the
OCR = 1-2 block samples there may also be some scatter due to disturbance
effects, but this is believed to be less than ±5%.
8 It is a bit unfortunate that the cone factor N∆u depends of the
OCR = 2-4
overconsolidation ratio, which requires good sample quality to
determine precisely. The dependency is however, not so strong.
OCR > 4
A fair estimate of OCR based on geologic history can be made
in some cases. An alternative is to first tentatively estimate
6
OCR, then use the first estimated N∆u and calculated suc value to
estimate a new OCR on basis of Figure 3, and use that OCR as
N∆u

St = 15 new basis for assessing a revised N∆u and undrained shear

strength. One or two iterations may be needed to define the final
4 value. The first estimate of OCR can also be made on basis of
the CPTU correlations described later in the paper.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show similar relationships between the
cone factor Nkt, OCR, St and Ip. It is readily observed that these
2 OCR 1-2 relationships show far more scatter than the N∆u relationships in
OCR 2-4 Figs. 5 to 7. This could either be due to less accuracy of the sen-
OCR > 4 sors measuring cone resistance, or that the cone resistance even
more than the pore pressure depends on other and more subtle
0 soil parameters than OCR, St and Ip. Tentative best fit correla-
1 10 100 1000 tions are as follows:
St
Figure 6. Influence of sensitivity on N∆u
For low sensitive clays (St<15) Figure 11 compares shear strengths calculated from a series of
Nkt= 7.8+2.5logOCR+0.082Ip (8a) 35 different CPTU-tests carried out in the Oslo harbour basin in
a clay deposit that in geologic terms should be essentially nor-
For high sensitive clays (St>15) mally consolidated. The CPTU tests cover an area of about 100
Nkt = 8.5 +2.5logOCR (8b) by 250 m. The water depth is typically 8-10 m, and the clay is
rather homogenous with a water content in the range 35-45 %,
Figures 8-10 also show typical correlation functions according generally decreasing with depth. The strengths were computed
to eq’s 8a) and 8b). The variation in calculated undrained on basis of equations 7a) and 8a) accounting for a decrease in
strength based on these correlations typically lie around ±15 % plasticity index from about 25% in the top to 15 % in the bot-
for the high sensitive clays and ± 30% for the low sensitive tom and taking OCR=1.3 and constant with depth. Figure 11
clays. confirms the larger scatter in strength from Nkt than from N∆u
that was also suggested by Table 2, with a variation of typically
±20% and ±10% respectively. It may however, be noted that the
16 absolute variation is close to constant with depth. Another inter-
esting observation that can be made from figure 11 is that the
undrained shear strengths, suc, based on N∆u increase essentially
14 linearly with depth, as was expected for this normally consoli-
dated deposit. The suc values based on Nkt does not show the
same linear trend and is higher than based N∆u in the top, but
12 then fall off with depth relative to the N∆u strength profile. This
suggests a depth influence on Nkt. Figure 12 compares the
strength ratios directly. Herein is also included a depth correc-
10 tion factor Iz applied to the strength arrived at from Nkt to try to
match the strength from N∆u. Iz is defined by the expression:
Nkt

8 (suc)Nkt = Iz (suc)N∆u (9)

Iz=(1-a(z-zref)/z)b with zref=16m, a=0.45, b=0.75 as best fit

6

16
4
St <= 15
St > 15
2 eq. (8a)
14
eq. (8b)

0 12 OCR > 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OCR
OCR 1-2; St >= 15
Figure 8. Relationship between Nkt and OCR 10
( ) ( )
OCR 2-4
16
Nkt

8
14

OCR = 2-4 6
12 OCR 1-2 St <= 15

OCR > 4
OCR 2-4 St <= 15
4
10 OCR > 4 St <= 15
OCR = 1-2
OCR 1-2 St > 15
Nkt

8 2 OCR 2-4 St > 15

St = 15 OCR > 4 St > 15
6
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
4 Ip (%)
OCR 1-2 Figure 10. Influence of plasticity index on Nkt
2 OCR 2-4
OCR > 4

0
1 10 100 1000
St
Figure 9. Influence of sensitivity on Nkt
 Undrained strength, suc, (kPa) 10

0 20 40 60 80
0
8
-5 Based on N∆u
-10 Based on Nkt
Elevation (m)

-15 6

Nke
-20

-25
4
-30

-35
2
-40
St <= 15
St > 15
Figure 11. Comparison between strengths from cone resistance and pore
pressure in Bjørvika, Oslo harbour 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Depth factor Iz OCR
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Figure 13. Relationship Nke and OCR
0

5 These correlations should be used with caution for values of Bq

less than about 0.6, as there is little data in that range, and the
10 data also suggest a non-linear trend for low Bq values. It may
also be noted that the variation in Nke around the average line is
about ±1.0 at all levels of Bq. This means as an illustration, that
Depth (m)

15
the variation in strength increase from ± 15% at Bq =0.6 to ±
20 33% at Bq =0.9. This variation or uncertainty in calculated
strength is larger than when using the pore pressure response
25 alone, but is generally better than when using the cone resis-
tance alone when Bq is less than about 0.7-0.8.
30 Curve fit: zref = 16 m; In engineering practice the authors recommend that all three
a = 0.4; b = 0.75 cone factor correlations (based N∆u, Nkt, and Nke) are used to de-
35 Measured Bjørvika
termine the undrained strength, but that most weight is given to
strengths arrived at from N∆u. A comparison between these
40 strengths may also help to reveal apparent inconsistencies or
problems with the individual CPTU tests. For instance will low
suc values based on N∆u, compared to the other two often give an
Figure12. Depth factor on Iz suggested by data from Bjørvika in indication of poor saturation of the piezometer system.
It is also important to bear in mind that the undrained
The block sampling data presented in this paper has not made it strength determined on high quality block samples can be con-
possible to sort out if this is a general depth effect, and if the siderably larger than on samples taken with conventional piston
expression (9) is representative for other clay profiles or other sampling, and that the block samples also show far more pro-
cone penetrometer types. Further comparative and statistical nounced strain softening beyond peak than poorer quality sam-
studies at different sites and with different cone penetrometers ples. A designer must keep that in mind when using the
are needed to get a better grasp on this potential depth influence. strengths derived from the CPTU correlations proposed herein.
The cone factor Nke contains both corrected cone resistance If the correlations are to be applied to distinctly different
and excess pore pressure, equation (4). Figure 13 shows that this clays from the mostly Norwegian marine clays covered in this
cone factor gives very large scatter when plotted against OCR. study, it is recommended to verify the applicability of the pro-
Figure 14 shows on the other hand that Nke is better related to posed correlations by similar block sampling and testing as de-
the pore pressure factor Bq The advantage of this correlation is scribed herein. The cone factors have also to some extent been
that it does not require any independent estimate of OCR. It has found to depend on the cone penetrometer used (e.g. Table 2
not been possible to identify any significant dependency of this and NGI,2002), which may also warrant some independent veri-
correlation on plasticity index of the clay, but it depends some- fication of the applicability of the correlations. Even for large
what on sensitivity. The typical average lines in Figure 14 are and important projects in Norway it is the authors’ recommen-
represented by the following equations: dation to carry out block sampling and verify the applicability
of the correlations for specific CPTU equipment used. Good ex-
For low sensitive clays (St<15) ample of this, and the significant positive impact on the econ-
Nke = 11.5 – 9.05Bq with Nke=2.0 as a lower limit (10a) omy of projects of obtaining reliable undrained design strength-
s, are given by examples presented by Karlsrud (1999) and Jen-
For high sensitive clays (St>15) sen (2001). These examples showed that the undrained strengths
Nke = 12.5 – 11.0Bq with Nke=2.0 as a lower limit (10b) could be upgraded by 20-30% as a result of block sampling
 10 1.2

St > 15
1.15 - 0.67 log OCR
8 1.0

6 0.8
Nke

Bq
4 0.6

St <= 15 St <= 15
0.88 - 0.51 log OCR
2 St > 15
0.4
eq. (10a)
eq. (10b)

0 0.2 St <= 15
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
St > 15
Bq
Figure 14. Relationship Nke and Bq 0.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
combined with CPTU testing, which led to very substantial cost OCR
savings for the projects in question.
Figure 15. Relationship Bq and OCR

3.4 Correlations for overconsolidation ratio, OCR 10.0

Figure 15 shows that there is a correlation between the cone fac- St > 15:
tor Bq (eq. 5) and OCR, but the scatter is fairly large, which also St <= 15 2.5 + 6 log OCR
agrees with data presented in Fig.5.14 of Lunne et al. (1997b). St > 15
A similar and slightly better correlation was found between the 8.0
normalised excess pore pressure (u2-u0)/σ’vo and OCR, Figure
16, but the best correlation was found between the cone factor
Qt (eq. (6)) and OCR, Figure 17. The typical average value of
OCR according to Fig.17 corresponds to: 6.0
(u2-u0)/σ'v0

For low sensitive clays (St<15)

OCR = (Qt/3)1.20 (11a)

For high sensitive clays (St>15) 4.0

OCR = (Qt/2)1.11 (11b)
St <= 15:
Even use of Figure 17 will give significant uncertainty in esti- 2.4 + 8 log OCR
mated OCR, and relatively speaking much larger than for the 2.0
correlations between CPTU results and the undrained shear
strength. One reason for that may be the inherent variability in
the actual relation between in-situ undrained strength and OCR,
as shown by Figure 3. As for the undrained shear strength it is
recommended to use all correlations on specific projects. 0.0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OCR

Figure 16. Relationship normalised excess pore pressure (u2-u0)/σ’v0 and

OCR
 18.0 A designer must keep that in mind when using the strengths de-
rived from the proposed CPTU correlations herein, that the
St <= 15 undrained strengths represent the peak undrained triaxial com-
16.0 pression strength on high quality samples.
St > 15
The data suggest that the best estimate of overconsolidation
ratio can be made from the normalized cone resistance factor Qt,
but the correlation is not nearly as good as for predicting the
14.0 1.2 undrained strength.
St <= 15: OCR = (Qt/3) It should finally be noted that the correlations herein have
been developed from a data base mainly containing results for
12.0 Norwegian marine clays, and mainly using the cone penetrome-
ter by ENVI. If applied to distinctly different clays and/or using
different CPTU equipment it is encouraged to verify the appli-
cability of the proposed correlations by similar comparisons be-
10.0 tween results of block sampling and CPTU results as described
herein. Even for large and important projects in Norway it is the
Qt

authors recommendation to verify the applicability of the corre-

8.0 lations in such a manner.
It can finally be mentioned that it is NGI’s and the authors’
intention to regularly update the database, also including data
6.0 that in the future may become available through others.

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
4.0 1.11
St > 15: OCR = (Qt/2) A large number of colleagues at NGI have contributed to the
work presented herein. A special thanks go to NGI’s crews in-
2.0 volved in the CPTU testing and block sampling, and the staff in
NGI’s laboratory, who with their professional skills have en-
sured the good quality of the data presented in this paper.
Thanks also goes to the Norwegian Research Council who
0.0 have provided funding for this specific study, and to clients of
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NGI that have financed some of the site inv
investigations
estigations and labo-
OCR ratory testing though their construction projects, and allowed
NGI to include the data in this study.
Figure 17. Relationship Qt and OCR
6 REFERENCES

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