Preliminary validation of the dynamic probing methods used in estimation of the relative density of cohesionless soils

The dynamic probing methods are commonly used for the subsoil identification. For example, the relative density/density index (I-D) of cohesionless soils can be determined by using appropriate correlation relationships. The results obtained by various probing methods (DPL, DPH, DPM) may vary from one to another. Thus, the field tests were conducted in order to determine how important these discrepancies are. Each of the above mentioned methods were performed 10 times at one location. The effect of the influence of the penetrometer type on the relative density estimation results was determined. Based on the analysis, it can be concluded that the results obtained by the medium and heavy penetrometers are very close to each other. On the other hand, the discrepancies between the results obtained with the light penetrometer and the other two penetrometers are greater, both in terms of mean difference and scatter.