What does this research mean for the field?

Existing global CPT-Vs correlations systematically underpredict shear wave velocities in Budapest soils due to local microstructural factors, but regionally recalibrated models significantly improve prediction accuracy for seismic site characterization. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate and recalibrate cone penetration test (CPT) correlations for estimating small-strain shear wave velocity (Vs) in Budapest soils.

August 22, 2026Geotechnical and Geological EngineeringOpen Access

Regional Calibration of CPT Correlations for Shear Wave Velocity in Budapest Soils

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Authors

AMAndrás MahlerBudapest University of Technology and Economics AAAhmad Al-AzazmehBudapest University of Technology and Economics YSYasser SaadBudapest University of Technology and Economics

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Implication

Empirical calibration reveals significant underprediction of shear wave velocity by global models in urban soils, highlighting the necessity of region-specific geotechnical frameworks.

Key Points

To evaluate and recalibrate cone penetration test (CPT) correlations for estimating small-strain shear wave velocity (Vs) in Budapest soils.
Analyzed a regional dataset containing 1,304 paired CPT and in situ seismic measurements across 15 urban sites.
Evaluated 42 published CPT-Vs correlations and conducted in-depth statistical testing on the 25 best-performing relationships.
Recalibrated the Robertson (2009) framework for regional geological units and validated model generalizability using leave-one-site-out cross-validation.
Standard global correlations consistently underpredicted measured velocities, with mean bias ratios dropping to 0.72–0.91 for velocities exceeding 400 m/s.
The recalibrated all-soils correlation reduced the root mean square error (RMSE) from 64.1 m/s to 56.7 m/s and improved the mean bias ratio from 0.92 to 1.02, with out-of-sample RMSE increasing by only 2.2–6.3%.
The newly proposed regional correlations correctly reproduced the Eurocode 8 ground classification at 13 of the 15 investigated sites.

Cite This Study

Mahler et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f0dca7ade938187d580 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-026-03863-7

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Implication

Empirical calibration reveals significant underprediction of shear wave velocity by global models in urban soils, highlighting the necessity of region-specific geotechnical frameworks.

Regional Calibration of CPT Correlations for Shear Wave Velocity in Budapest Soils

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Cite This Study

Regional Calibration of CPT Correlations for Shear Wave Velocity in Budapest Soils

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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