Soils - Determination of Undrained Shear Strength and Sensitivity of Cohesive Soils Using a Fall Cone Penetrometer

Standard CAN/BNQ 2501-110
Soils - Determination of Undrained Shear Strength and Sensitivity of Cohesive Soils Using a Fall Cone Penetrometer

This national standard deals with test methods for determining the sensitivity of cohesive soils based on the undrained shear strength of soils in their natural and remoulded states, as obtained by using a fall cone penetrometer. The CAN/BNQ 2501-110 standard applies to cohesive soils that are free of sand and other coarse aggregates, and the tests can be performed only on homogeneous layers of soil. The standard sets out requirements regarding four main elements:

• test apparatus (fall cone penetrometer, cones, bowl, cable saw, stainless steel container, spatula, jig and other apparatus);
• procedures (undrained shear strength of soil in natural state (Cu) and remoulded state (Cur));
• calculating and expressing the results (undrained shear strength of soil in natural and remoulded states, and sensitivity);
• test report.