Numerical Analysis of Texas Cone Penetration Test
Nutan Palla, Suresh Gudavalli, Liang Chao, Mien Jao, M. C. Wang

Abstract
The Texas Cone Penetration Test (TCP) is the most common field test method used by Texas DOT (TxDOT) for determination of in-situ shear strength parameters of soils. In an attempt to improve the current TxDOT’s design manual involving TCP, a study was conducted to determine the relationship between blow count (NTCP) and undrained cohesion (cu). In the study, a finite difference computer program FLAC was adopted for numerical analysis. The results of numerical analysis provided the stresses and yielding pattern of soil underlying the TCP as well as the displacement of the TCP. Based on the results of analysis together with available field and laboratory TCP data, statistical regression analyses were performed to obtain mathematical relations between NTCP and cu with due consideration of depth effect. Results of the study provided the NTCP vs. cu relations which indicate that the current relations used by TxDOT appear to be depth dependent and can be effectively used mainly for a depth less than 25-ft.

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