ABSTRACT
This paper presents results from large deformation finite element analyses of cone penetration in sand, conducted using the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) technique within the commercial finite element software Abaqus/Explicit. The study focuses on identifying appropriate ALE analysis parameters, such as mass scaling, to obtain accurate cone resistance profiles for various penetration rates. Sand behavior was modeled using a hypoplastic constitutive model. The results indicate that instability in cone tip resistance profiles can be mitigated by applying appropriate levels of mass scaling, even at very low penetration rates. The accuracy of the numerical model was validated through comparisons with available centrifuge experimental results. Finally, a relationship between the well-known ‘state parameter’ of sand and stress-normalized cone tip resistance is established, providing a means to interpret sand state from cone tip resistance for similar sands.
