Test MKH05 - Centrifuge Modeling of Cone Penetration Testing in Layered Soil

The effect of soil interlayering on the measured cone penetration resistance was examined in a layered soil model tested on a 9-m radius centrifuge. The soil profile consisted of a layer of sand between overlying and underlying layers of low plasticity clayey silt. The sand layer thickness varied from 0 to 240 mm (model scale) along the length of the model. The sand was loose with a relative density of 44% on one side of the model, and dense with a relative density of 88% on the other side. The clayey silt had a plasticity index (PI) of 6 and over-consolidation ratio (OCR) of about 1.5. Multiple cone penetration soundings were performed along the width and length of the model using cone penetrometers with diameters of 4, 6 and 10 mm.