Interpretation of the seismic cone test in granular soils

This paper presents a simple theoretical approach to the interpretation of the seismic cone test in granular soils. In particular it is demonstrated that there is a theoretical justification for using the ratio of elastic stiffness (estimated from the measured shear wave velocity) to the cone resistance to derive fundamental mechanical soil properties. Using the cavity expansion-based correlation for cone resistance and a well-established correlation between the elastic stiffness and soil void ratio and stress level, theoretical correlations are established between the ratio of elastic stiffness to cone resistance and in situ state parameter and soil friction angle. Application to data obtained from field, calibration chamber and centrifuge tests in various granular soils generally confirms the validity of the proposed theoretical approach. Scatter in predicted values is significant, and further validation is required.