• Journal of the Korean Geosynthetics Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.83-92
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• 2023

In this study, we conducted verification of key influencing factors during cone penetration testing using the developed Mini Cone Penetration Tester (Mini-CPT), and compared the experimental results with empirical formulas to validate the equipment. The Mini-CPT was designed to measure cone penetration resistance through a Strain Gauge, and the resistance values were calibrated using a Load Cell. Moreover, the influencing factors were verified using a model ground constituted in a soil box. The primary influencing factors examined were the boundary effect of the soil box, the distance between cone penetration points, and the cone penetration speed. For the verification of these factors, the experiment was conducted with the model ground having a relative density of 63.76% in the soil box. It was observed that the sidewall effect was considerably significant, and the cone penetration resistance measured at subsequent penetration points was higher due to the influence between penetration points. However, within the speed range considered, the effect of penetration speed was almost negligible. The measured cone penetration resistance was compared with predicted values obtained from literature research, and the results were found to be similar. It is anticipated that using the developed Mini-CPT for constructing model grounds in the laboratory will lead to more accurate geotechnical property data.

• Proceedings of the KSR Conference
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• 2011.10a
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• pp.261-267
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• 2011

The test fit has commonly used for the evaluation of the railbed condition, and indirect methods by using the compressional wave are also studied. the direct evaluation method by penetration test has not been studied. For the measurement of in-situ cone tip resistance of the railbed with minimizing the disturbance of the upper railbed. the cone penetrometer with the helical type outer rod(CPH) was developed. The outer rod, which has helical screw, is penetrated through the gravel layer and provides the reaction force for cone penetration testing. the cone tip resistances are measured by the mini cone penetrometer, where diameter is 15mm. For the developing the mini cone, strain gauge installation, circuit configuration, penetration rates and calibration process are considered. For the easy penetration of the screw rod in the field, the reaction force stepping plate and guide column are arranged. The screw rod are penetrated through the gravel layer. And the mini cone was pushed into the subgrade railbed at the penetration rate of 1mm/sec. The penetration test shows that the cone tip resistance increases along the depth. In addition, the subgrade condition is evaluated. This study demonstrates that the CPH may be effectively used for the evaluation of subgrade method any damage of the gravel layer.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1085-1101
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• 2015

Changes in substructure conditions, such as ballast fouling and subgrade settlement may cause the railway quality deterioration, including the differential geometry of the rails. The objective of this study is to develop and apply a hybrid cone penetrometer (HCP) to characterize the railway substructure. The HCP consists of an outer rod and an inner mini cone, which can dynamically and statically penetrate the ballast and the subgrade, respectively. An accelerometer and four strain gauges are installed at the head of the outer rod and four strain gauges are attached at the tip of the inner mini cone. In the ballast, the outer rod provides a dynamic cone penetration index (DCPI) and the corrected DCPI (CDCPI) with the energy transferred into the rod head. Then, the inner mini cone is pushed to estimate the strength of the subgrade from the cone tip resistance. Laboratory application tests are performed on the specimen, which is prepared with gravel and sandy soil. In addition, the HCP is applied in the field and compared with the standard dynamic cone penetration test. The results from the laboratory and the field tests show that the cone tip resistance is inversely proportional to the CDCPI. Furthermore, in the subgrade, the HCP produces a high-resolution profile of the cone tip resistance and a profile of the CDCPI in the ballast. This study suggests that the dynamic and static penetration tests using the HCP may be useful for characterizing the railway substructure.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.1C
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• pp.29-38
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• 2011

The smaller diameter cone penetrometer has been widely used to estimate the characteristics of local area due to high vertical resolution. The half-bridge cirucits have been adopted to measure the mechnical strength of soil through the smaller diameter cone penetrometer due to the limitation of the areas for configuring the full-bridge circuit. The half-bridge circuit, however, is known as being easily affected to the temperature variation. The objective of this study suggests the temperature-compensated method in mini-cones. The diameter and length of the mini-cone is designed to 15mm and 56mm. The load cell of the mini-cone is extended about 54mm on the behind of the mini-cone to reflect the only temperature variation. The full-bridge circuit is installed to measure the temperature-compensated values in the mini-cone and the half-bridge circuit is also organized to compare the temperature compensated values with uncompensated values. The seasonal variation tests are performed to define the effect of temperature variation under summer and winter temperature condition. The densification tests are also carried out to investigate temperature effects during penetration. The measured mechanical resistances with temperature-compensated method show more reliable and reasonable values than those measured by thermal uncompensated system. This study suggests that the temperature-compensated method of the mini-cone may be a useful technique to obtain the more reliable resistances with minimizing the temperature effect.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2022

In order to efficiently analysis the stability of a slope, measuring the shear strength of soil is needed. The Standard Penetration Test (SPT) is not appropriate for a slope inspection due to cost and weights. One of the ways to effectively measure the N-value is the Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCPT). This study was performed to develop a minimized multi-function sensors that can easily estimate CPT values and Volumetric Water Content. N value with multi-fuction sensor DCPT showed -2.5 ~ +3.9% error compared with the SPT N value (reference value) in the field tests. Also, the developed multi-fuction sensor system was tested the correlation between the CPT test and the portable tester with indoor test. The test result showed 0.85 R2 value in soil, 0.83 in weathered soil, and 0.98 in mixed soil. As a result of the field test, the multi-function sensor shows the excellent field applicability of the proposed sensor system. After further research, it is expected that the portable multi-function sensor will be useful for general slope inspection.