ABSTRACT
Cone penetration test (CPT) and piezocone penetration test (CPTU) are the dominant in situ testing techniques for soil investigations. CPT/CPTU data is used directly in design or used to derive geotechnical properties for design of infrastructure. Occasionally, acquired CPT/CPTU data exhibit anomalies which can cause uncertainties about use in geotechnical design. Consequently, it is very important to understand, and when possible, minimize the uncertainty associated to CPT/CPTU measurements so these can be considered in planning, design, and installation of infrastructure. The practical challenges associated to the quantification of uncertainty and the difficulties of its standardization are discussed. A comprehensive review of uncertainty contributors associated to CPT/CPTU measurements is provided. This document discusses and proposes a standardization approach that combines performance-based cone classification system based on calibration data, with a method-based approach to control and minimize the uncertainty contributions rising from execution of CPT/CPTU.
