Dynamic Cone Penetrometers, Single-Mass DCPs

Penetrometer, Dynamic Cone

The Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) was originally developed by George Sowers and is used to determine the penetration resistance relationship with the standard penetration resistance of virgin soils. As with all field tools used in foundation evaluations, this method should never be used as the sole means for determining foundation conditions. It should be used in conjunction with previously established field and laboratory data, which as the split-spoon standard penetration test, density, shear strength or consolidation data.

Humboldt's DCPs allow for on-site testing by using a 15 lb steel mass falling 20" to strike an anvil to penetrate a 1.5" diameter 45° (vertex angle) cone that has been seated in the bottom of a hand-augured hole.

Humboldt provides high quality penetrometer equipment and all the necessary components for accurate testing procedures.

DCP for Shallow Insitu Tests – Used extensively to evaluate foundations in nearly all types of soils to depths of 15 to 20 ft. (4.6 to 6.1m).

DCP Test Set with Sleeved Drive Hammer – Test set with sleeved drive hammer for safer operation.

Foundation, Single-Mass DP – Used to estimate shear strengths of very weak soils, DBRs less than 20 and psf less than 4000.

Smart DCP for Dual-Mass Penetrometers – The SmartDCP makes collecting soil data with your Dynamic Cone Penetrometer much easier by automatically counting blows and eliminating the need for tape, pencils, paper and at times a second operator. It also provides vastly improved accuracy and ease of collecting and transferring data from the field to the office.

Pocket Type Soil Penetrometer – For use by field personnel to check visual classification of soils. The hand penetrometer can be used to make quick estimates of unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils.

If you have questions or need help selecting equipment, please call us at 1.800.544.7220 or use our Ask Humboldt form.