An evaluation of the utility of four in situ test methods for transmission line foundation design

Miscellaneous · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6030227

Mullen, Jr, W G

This research examines four existing in-situ soil strength testing methods; standard penetration test (SPT), the cone penetrometer (CPT), the flat plate dilatometer (DMT), and the pressuremeter (PMT). Soils data were collected at eight separate sites using each of the devices. The test sites were chosen to mirror soil conditions encountered within the service territory of Virginia Power, the project sponsor. A total of 19 standard soil borings, 30 cone penetrometer soundings, 26 dilatometer soundings, and 33 pressuremeter tests were undertaken in residual, alluvial and marine clay soil conditions. The testing program was conducted with five areas of concern: (1) comparison of the penetration/stiffness data from the four tests, (2) comparison of values of undrained shear strength and angle of internal friction developed from each of the test methods, (3) determination if pressuremeter data can be correlated to and thereby developed from one of the more rapid tests, (4) comparison of indirect soil type identifications from the standard borings, (5) development of information on the relative effort required for each test. Comparison of the penetration resistance stiffness data produced useful correlations among the CPT and DMT, with the SPT data yielding more erratic results. Shear strength data was most consistent for the marine clay sites, while the CPT and DMT returned useful friction angle data in the alluvial sands. PMT data correlated well to both the CPT and DMT test results. Correlation of PMT results to the SPT was more erratic. Indirect soil identification from the CPT and DMT was fully adequate for transmission line foundation design purposes, and finally, useful comparative data on the relative testing time required for the four in-situ tests was developed.

• Research Organization: Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6030227
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Thesis (Ph.D)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
FOUNDATIONS
DESIGN
POWER TRANSMISSION TOWERS
SOIL MECHANICS
MEASURING METHODS
CLAYS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
INTERNAL FRICTION
MECHANICAL TESTS
SHEAR PROPERTIES
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SITE SURVEYS
VIRGINIA
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
EVALUATION
FEDERAL REGION III
FRICTION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MECHANICS
NORTH AMERICA
SUPPORTS
TESTING
TOWERS
USA
240303* - Power Transmission Lines & Cables- Overhead Lines- (1990-)