Soil Compaction Density Tester

Machine Applications:

• The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer is very useful for the testing of soil compaction and testing of soil strength attributes of penetrability.
• The DCP test is used on-site for soil density tests; no samples need to be taken to a laboratory.
• The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer finds its application in geotechnical investigations to obtain information on the physical properties of soil and rock around a site to design earthworks and foundations for proposed structures and for repair of distress to earthworks and structures caused by subsurface conditions.
• The DCP test is used to measure the resistivity of soils or back-fill materials required for underground transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines.
• The DCP is an in-situ tester to determine CBR of soil; it is a yardstick for the cell-tower site preparation as well as for trenching and laying of fiber optical cables.
The DCP test finds use in a large variety of commercial applications, such as:
• Cell Tower Site Preparation and Construction – DCP is used for soil compaction testing.
• Trenching, Laying & Installation of Fiber Optical Cables – DCP is used for in situ density tests.
• Cable Trenching, Pipe-Laying – DCP is used in Quality Control of soil compaction.
• Trench Reinstatement – Use of DCP to control compaction of granular fill.
In Roads design the DCP is a practical test used for onsite measuring of road material strength. The test provides an indication of a material’s in-situ resistance to penetration. It is often used to determine sub-grade strength. In road building the DCP test indicates that the material will be able to withstand higher wheel and axle loads before penetration into the surface occurs. If the cone penetrates quickly into the soil, it indicates that the material has poor strength or insufficient compaction has been achieved. Either thicker pavement layers might be necessary or compaction needs to be improved. The test results can be correlated with the California Bearing Ration (CBR) by applying a formula. It can save much time and money later by ensuring that the road is designed properly.

Machine Description:

The hammer is 8 kilograms, fall distance is 575 mm and the tip/cone is 60°.
The DCP Dynamic Cone Penetrometer tester has four unit parts:
The long steel rod with a standard sized hardened steel cone is at the penetrating end. Its length is approximately one metre, but it can be extended by one metre extension rods. At the upper end of the steel bar is a captive weight surrounding the rod, this weight is able to fall freely through a given drop height to achieve a standard amount of penetrative effort at every drop. By measuring the penetration of the cone against the number of drops of the weight it is possible to plot resistance to penetration and indirectly the strength / compaction of the layer being tested.

Machine Specifications:

• 8 kg Hammer
• Upper Rod
• 1100 mm Ruler
• Bottom Rod.

Consumables sold and other equipment normally on hire with this:

Pick or hand auger
Spade
Measuring tape, 2m long
Traffic cones, warning signs and flags as required.