PUPR Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering CE-4203 Geotechnical Engineering I Laboratory Section 05- 11/FA Prof.

Alfredo Martinez

Laboratory Report Standard Penetration Test -SPT

Irrizary Estrella, David Martinez Melendez, Sandra Ramrez Arroyo, Alcides Ros Cabrera, David Torres Montalvo, Remi

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Test Date: Re-Submitted Date:

August 20, 2011. October 05, 2011.

I. INTRODUCTION: The Standard Penetration Tests aims to determine the SPT N value, which gives an indication of the soil stiffness and can be empirically related to many engineering properties. The test is conducted inside a borehole. A 'split spoon' sampler is attached to the bottom of a core barrel and lowered into position at the bottom of the borehole. The sampler is driven into the ground by a drop hammer weighing 68 kg falling through a height of 76 cm. The number of hammer blows is counted. The number required to drive the sampler three successive 150mm increments is recorded. The first increment (0150mm) is not included in the N value as it is assumed that the top of the test area has been disturbed by the drilling process. The SPT N is the number of blows required to achieve penetration from 150-450mm. The hammer weight, drop height, spoon diameter, rope diameter etc. are standard dimensions. After the test, the sample remaining inside the split spoon is preserved in an airtight container for inspection and description.

II. ASSESSMENT OF TEST ACCURACY: The data obtained in the Standard Penetration Test depends on the experience and exactitude of the technician. We expect to have a high accuracy.

III. EQUIPMENT: The equipment used with take a sampler of soil: Truck-mounted drilling equipment o Advancing augers o Rope o Hammer o Solid tube sampler (Spoon) Glass sample container Yard stick Personal safety gear o Safety toe footwear o Security helmets

IV. PROCEDURE: 1. Establish the area to perform the SPT. Mark the tube sampler every 6 inches and assemble it on the drilling tool. 2. Start the drilling equipment and take note of the number of blows that the hammer takes to get the tube sampler 6 inches into the soil. Continue to take note of the blows per 6 inches until the tube sampler is completely underground. 3. Remove the sample from the tube and discard the first 6 inches. Place the rest of the sample in the glass sample containers. 4. Assemble the 5ft augers in to the drilling tool and drill the soil. 5. Disengage the auger and mount another tube sampler. Repeat procedure until reach required depth.

V. EQUIPMENT LIMITATIONS: The soil sample taken in the (SPT) doesnt represent the real estate of the ground soil. VI. POSSIBLE SOURCES OF ERROR: Error made by the technician when counting blows from the hammer. Malfunction of the hammer, if its not dropped exactly from 30 inches will compromise the precision of the test. Truck-mounted drilling equipment is not 90 degree from the surface can also compromise the precision of the test.

VIII.

ANALISYS OF RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:

1. The boring made in the Standard Penetration Test was performed on the PUPR, Hato Rey Campus, on August 20, 2011. 2. Based on the visual description of the samples, at the first 76 of depth the soil is sandy clay. Also, while the drill goes deeper the soil has a gray color that represent the present of silt in the area. 3. Based on the N value the consistency of the soil varies from medium to hard, having a predominant consistency classification of very stiff. 4. The consistency of the soil determined in this test is the expected for the testing area.

IX. REFERENCES: ASTM International. (2004). ASTM Standards. D 1586 99: Standard Test Method for Penetration Test and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils . Martinez, P. J. (2010). Consistency Limits Class Handouts.