Co-relations of N-Value

and Relative Density Dr

Relationship between
Relative Density and
Standard Penetration
Resistance by Gibbs and
Holtz

By knowing the value of

vertical effective stress and
relative density we can find
the SPT N value.
 Meyerhof 1957

Where
N = Standard Penetration Resistance
Dr = Relative Density
= Vertical Effective Over-Burden Stress
Skempton Where
N
Dr
= Standard Penetration Resistance
= Relative Density
1986 a+b
= Vertical Effective Over-Burden Stress
= Perimeter
Generalized Equation by Meyerhof
where

CN is a function of σ'v
σ’v is Vertical effective overburden stress
CD is a parameter representing the grain-size effects
Empirical Co-
Relation
 Cubrinovski &
Ishihara (1999)
 Empirical Co-
relation
For given value of relative density
and type of soil we can find the
value of N1, where
N1=Cn*N
 CK is a
function of the lateral stress defined
as

K0
represents the K value for a
normally consolidated soil while
m
is an exponent which increases
with Dr

Salgado et
Salgado, R., Boulanger, R.W. & Mitchell, J.K. 1997. Lateral stress effects on CPT liquefaction resistance
correlations. ASCE Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering 123(8): 726-735.
al. (1997)
 Co-relation
constructed by
Gibbs and Holtz
1957

Gibbs KJ and Holtz WG (1957) Research on determining the density

of sands by spoon enetration testing. Proceedings of the 4th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering, London, 35–39
 Gibbs and
Holtz
research

Gibbs KJ and Holtz WG (1957) Research on determining the density of sands by spoon enetration testing. Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering, London, 35–39
Haldar and Tang (1979)

Haldar A and Tang WH (1979) Uncertainty analysis of relative density. Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE
107(7): 899–904.
 Peck and
Bazaraa
(1969)

Peck RB and Bazaraa AR (1969) Discussion of settlement of spread footings

on sand. Journal of Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE 95(3):
905–909.
 Skempton
(1986)

Skempton AW (1986) Standard penetration test procedure and the effects in sands of overburden
pressure, relative density, particle size, ageing and overconsolidation. Ge´otechnique 36(3):
425–447.
 Skempton
(1986)

Skempton AW (1986) Standard penetration test

procedure and the effects in sands of
overburden pressure, relative density, particle
size, ageing and overconsolidation.
 Tokimatsu and Yoshimi
(1983)
Where
Nf is the correction term
Dd is the relative density

Tokimatsu K and Yoshimi Y (1983) Empirical correlation of soil liquefaction based on SPT-N value and fines
content. Soils and Foundations, Japanese Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering 23(4):
56–74.
Cubrinovski and Ishihara (1999)

Where
Dd is the relative density
Emax is maxi void ratio
Emin is min. void ratio
N78 is the SPT blow count corresponding to an energy rod ratio of
about 78% from the theoretical free-fall energy.
Cubrinovski M and Ishihara K (1999) Empirical correlation between SPT N-value and relative
density for sandy soils. Soils and Foundations, Japanese Society of Soil Mechanics and
Foundation Engineering 39(5): 61–71.
 Gibbs and
Holtz (1957), Meyerhof (1957)

Gibbs, H. J., and Holtz, W. G. (1957), Research on Determining the Density of Sands by Penetration Testing, Proc., 4th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering, London, Vol. 1, pp. 35-39.
 Zolkov and
Wiseman,
1965

Zolkov, E., and Wiseman, G. (1965), Engineering Properties of Dune and Beach Sands and the Influence of Stress History, Proc., Sixth International Conference on Soil mechanics and
Foundation Engineering, Canada, Vol. 1, pp. 134-138.
R. W. Prellwitz, Th. E. Koler, J. E. Steward, August 1994. “Slope Stability Reference Guide for National Forests”. EM7170-13, Volume II, 4B Page 357.
 Relationships among vertical effective stress (d,),relative density Dr, and standard
penetration test blow counts (N) for cohesionless soils (from U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1981).

R. W. Prellwitz, Th. E. Koler, J. E. Steward, August 1994. “Slope Stability Reference Guide for National Forests”. EM7170-13, Volume II, 4B Page 358.
 Table 4C.3.-Consistency versus standard penetration test blow counts ( N ) , relative
density, and friction angle for non-cohesive soils (after Peck et al., 1974)

R. W. Prellwitz, Th. E. Koler, J. E. Steward, August 1994. “Slope Stability Reference Guide for National Forests”. EM7170-13, Volume II, 4C Page 381.
Clean sand strength from SPT Taylor, Francis, 2007. “Handbook of Geotech
data investigation and design table.” Table 5.4, page
55
Fine and coarse sand strength Taylor, Francis, 2007. “Handbook of Geotech
from SPT data investigation and design table.” Table 5.5, page
55
 Skempton 1988

Where
(No) is the corrected N value
Dr is the relative density.
Effect of aging
(Skempton, 1988) Taylor, Francis, 2007. “Handbook of Geotech investigation and design
table.” Table 5.6, page 56
Relative Density and N-stress
Relation for several Sands Marcuson and Bieganousky (30), page. 1301.
 Marcuson and Bieganousky Relation

Where
N is SPT resistance
Dr is relative density
OCR is Over consolidated ratio
Sigma is over burden pressure

Marcuson and Bieganousky (30), page. 1301.

 Particle size
effect on
blow count
for sand

No Author, August 1990. “Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation

Design.” Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Page 2-24
 Particle size effect on blow count for
sand

Where
D50 is diameter of 50% particles
N1 is the SPT resistance
Dr is the relative density

No Author, August 1990. “Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation

Design.” Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Page 2-25
 Aging Effect
on Blow
Count for
Sand

No Author, August 1990. “Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation

Design.” Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Page 2-25
Aging Effect Where Cp, CA and Cocr are correction factors given in table 2-11.

on Blow
Count for
Sand
(Equation)

No Author, August 1990. “Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation

Design.” Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Page 2-26
Final Expression for Aging Effect

No Author, August 1990. “Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation

Design.” Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Page 2-26
SPT-N and Friction Angle