Use of the dynamic cone penetrometer to verify and correlate with soil subgrade and aggregate base CBR values for the purposes of design of low volume traffic asphalt concete roadways

Abstract

The use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) has increased dramatically over the past several years. The primary reason for the increased use stems from improvements to the device and the development of correlation equations for many strength/deformation parameters. However, no correlations were available to relate DCP penetration index (PI) to resilient modulus , and there were no specific PI/CBR correlations for Oklahoma soils. This research was conducted to develop correlations between DCP penetration index values and soil strength parameters, including CBR and backcalculated resilient modulus. Correlations are presented for clay, silt, and sandy soil subgrades, and these correlations will facilitate the design, construction monitoring, and evaluation of lowvolume roadways. The results of the study can also be used in the preliminary design and evaluation of asphalt concrete and portland cement concrete pavements.