A study of Late-Pleistocene river deposits of the Rhine system based on static penetrometer soundings

Abstract

Penetration testing is basically aimed at the assessment of soil mechanical properties, especially the bearing capacity of the soil. It can, however, be applied to determine the dimensions and composition of lithological units as well. A short description of the method is given and a case study presented. This case concerns the survey of a horizon with fluviatile clay and silt and peat deposits overlain and underlain by sands. It was found that 85% of the sounding graphs could be adequately interpreted and that the geometry of the deposit could be established with reasonable accuracy. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the expenditure involved, showing the relatively low cost of soundings compared with bailer drillings.