Soil Testing Instruments

Among the field sounding tests the static cone test is a valuable method of recording variation in the in situ penetration resistance of soils, in cases where the in situ density is disturbed by boring operations, thus making the standard penetration test unreliable especially under water. The results of the test are also useful in determining the bearing capacity of the soil at various depths below the ground level. In addition to bearing capacity values it is also possible to determine by this test the skin friction values used for the determination of the required lengths of piles in a given situation. The static cone test is most successful in soft o loose soils like silty sands, loose sands layered deposits of sands, silts and clays as well as in clayey deposits.

1. Static Cone Penetrometer, 30 KN (3000 kgf) capacity, Hand Operated
The drive is by means of a rack and pinion manually through a gearing arrangement. The gear box and pinion are fixed on two handles, sprockets and chain arrangement. The movement of the rack is guided by a bracket (attached to the rack) and two pillars. The penetration resistance i.e. the pressure, is indicated on hydraulic gauges through a hydraulic measuring head. Two pressure gauges of 15 cm dia dial and capacities 0-160 kg/cm2and 0-60 kg/ cm2are provided. An automatic cut-off valve, to protect the low capacity gauge from being overloaded, is provided. The valve can be adjusted and locked at desirable values between 20 to 60 kg/cm2. A provision is made to anchor the unit to the ground (with the help of four anchors supplied with the unit) and there is a provision for lateral movement of the unit, so that subsequent tests could be performed without shifting the entire anchorage. A 10-cm2-penetration cone with friction jacket is provided along with fifteen mantle tubes (non-uniform) having an effective length of 1 m each with sounding rods for finding out the cone (point) resistance or jacket friction.
Meets: - IS: 4968 (Part 3)-1976 (Reaffirmed in 1987)
It consists of:

2. Static Cone Penetrometer Capacity 98 kN (10,000 kgf) (Engine Driven) IS: 4968 (Part 3)-1976
For reaching greater depths and to facilitate easy and constant rate of penetration of 1 to 2.5 cm/sec of the cone, this engine-driven Static Cone Penetrometer of 100 kN (10,000 kgf) capacity is preferable. The equipment consists of a hydraulic pump driven by a Diesel Engine. The whole system is mounted on a towable trolley fitted with pneumatic wheels. The pumping unit and ram are connected by means of flexible pipes through a direction control valve. The hydraulic ram moves on a two-pillar stand mounted on a trolley. Complete with the following:

3. Static Cone Penetrometer, 200kN (20,000kgf) engine driven, self-start
The hydraulic ram moves on a two-pillar stand mounted on a trolley. Complete with the following