What does the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test determine?

What does the dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test determine?

• A. Indirect correlation between soil strength and moisture
• B. Direct correlation between soil strength and resistance to penetration
• C. Soil cohesion
• D. Soil density

Answer: (B)

The dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test is a field test used to assess the strength and stiffness of soil by measuring its resistance to penetration. It involves driving a cone-shaped penetrometer into the ground using a hammer that causes the cone to penetrate the soil material. The depth of penetration and the number of blows required to reach specific depths are recorded. A direct correlation exists between the resistance to penetration—indicated by the number of blows required to drive the cone a certain distance—and soil strength. Essentially, as the soil strength increases, it becomes more resistant to penetration, and more blows are necessary to achieve a given penetration depth. This relationship allows engineers to make inferences about the load-bearing capacity of the soil, which is crucial for designing foundations, pavements, and other civil engineering structures. While the other options mention related concepts, they do not accurately capture the primary purpose of the DCP test. For instance, the DCP is not primarily designed to measure soil cohesion or density directly, nor does it focus specifically on moisture content or its indirect correlation to soil strength. The test's utility lies in its ability to provide immediate, field-based measurements of soil strength through the resistance to penetration.

The dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test is a field test used to assess the strength and stiffness of soil by measuring its resistance to penetration. It involves driving a cone-shaped penetrometer into the ground using a hammer that causes the cone to penetrate the soil material. The depth of penetration and the number of blows required to reach specific depths are recorded.

A direct correlation exists between the resistance to penetration—indicated by the number of blows required to drive the cone a certain distance—and soil strength. Essentially, as the soil strength increases, it becomes more resistant to penetration, and more blows are necessary to achieve a given penetration depth. This relationship allows engineers to make inferences about the load-bearing capacity of the soil, which is crucial for designing foundations, pavements, and other civil engineering structures.

While the other options mention related concepts, they do not accurately capture the primary purpose of the DCP test. For instance, the DCP is not primarily designed to measure soil cohesion or density directly, nor does it focus specifically on moisture content or its indirect correlation to soil strength. The test's utility lies in its ability to provide immediate, field-based measurements of soil strength through the resistance to penetration.