KSE DCP K-100 User Manual
DYNAMIC CONE PENETROMETERS
USER’S
MANUAL
All rights reserved by
Kessler Soils Engineering Products, Inc.
17775 Running Colt Place, Leesburg, VA 20175
SALES: (703) 569-2583 or (800) 569-7303
www.kesslerdcp.com
Meets ASTM D6951
PATENT NO. 5,313,825
K-100 Models
WITH QUICK CONNECT PIN
KSE DCP
DO NOT
PUT HAND NEAR
THE ANVIL WHEN
HAMMER IS RAISED
KEEP ONE HAND ON
THE HANDLE WHILE
OPERATING
THE DCP
SAFETY NOTICE
ALWAYS SECURE THE HAMMER AND/OR
THE ASSEMBLED DCP INSTRUMENT
WHEN PLACING IT ON ANY FLAT ELEVATED SURFACE TO PREVENT
IT FROM ROLLING OFF AND CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY OR
DAMAGE TO THE INSTRUMENT.
Copyright ©2014 Kessler Soils Engineering Products, Inc.
All Rights Reserved, Printed in the USA
INDEX
Application 1
Description 3
Procedures 7
Correlations 14
Maintenance 28
References 28
Warranty 30
MANUAL FOR IN SITU STRENGTH OF SOILS
USING THE KESSLER DYNAMIC CONE PENETROMETER
PART I: DCP WITH VERTICAL SCALE
PART II: DCP WITHOUT VERTICAL SCALE
Application 18
Description 19
Procedures 20
Correlations 22
Parts List 31
PART III
PART I
DCP With Vertical Scale
1. APPLICATION
1.1 This application describes measurement of the
penetration rate of the KESSLER DCP (Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer) with a Single-Mass or Dual-Mass Hammer
and quick-connect Drive Rod in field soil testing using a
Vertical Scale.
1.2 The KESSLER DCP is driven into the soil by
dropping either a Single-Mass 17.6 lb (8kg) Hammer or a
Dual-Mass Hammer from a height of 22.6 in (575mm). To
convert the Dual-Mass Hammer from a 17.6 lb hammer to
a 10.1 lb Hammer, remove the hexagonal set screw and
the outer steel sleeve (as shown in Fig. 2). The outer steel
sleeve is designed to slide over the DCP handle for ease of
conversion during testing. The cone penetration caused by
one blow of the 17.6 lb (8 kg) hammer is essentially twice
that caused by one blow of the 10.1 lb (4.6 kg) hammer.
The 10.1 lb (4.6 kg) hammer is used in weaker soils having
a CBR value of 10 or less and can be used on soils up to CBR
80. The 17.6 lb (8 kg) hammer penetrates high strength
soils quicker. The depth of cone penetration is measured at
selected penetration or hammer drop intervals and the soil
shear strength is reported in terms of DCP index. The DCP
index is based on the average penetration depth resulting
from one blow of the 17.6 lb (8 kg) hammer. The average
penetration per hammer blow of the 10.1 lb (4.6 kg)
hammer must be multiplied by 2 in order to obtain the DCP
index value from the correlation equation in paragraph 4.
1.3 The KESSLER DCP can be used to estimate the
strength characteristics of fine and grained soils, granular
construction materials and weak stabilized or modified
materials.
APPLICATION
1
Thank you for your purchase of a Kessler DCP (Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer), licensed to Kessler Soils Engineering Products, Inc.
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Patent No. 5,313,825).
The Kessler DCP is a durable and reliable Penetrometer
designed for field soil testing and measuring.
2
APPLICATION
575 mm
22.6 in
Anvil with
Quick-Connect Pin
Ve
Upper Rod
Handle
Upper
Attachment
Foot
Variable
30, 37.75, 40 in
Drive Rod
5/8 in (16 mm) diameter
Single Mass OR Dual-Mass
Hammer
17.6 lb (8 kg) OR 10.1 lb (4.6 kg)
rtical Scale
Tip (Reusable
Hardened Point or
Disposable Cone)
Figure 1–Schematic of DCP Device
1
METHOD ST6 (1984) Measurement of the In Situ Strength of Soils by the Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer (DCP) (1984) Special Methods for Testing Roads, Draft TMH 6, Technical
Methods for Highways (TMH), Pretoria, South Africa. ISBN 0 7988 2289 9,Page 20.
Figure 2–Dual-Mass Hammer
1.4 The KESSLER DCP can be used to estimate the
strength of in situ materials underlying a bound or highly
stabilized layer by first drilling or coring an access hole.
NOTE: The DCP may be used to assess the density of a fairly uniform material by
relating to penetration rate on the same material. In this way under compacted
or ”soft spots“ can be identified, even though the DCP does not measure density
directly.
A field DCP measurement results in a field or in situ CBR and will not
normally correlate with the laboratory or soaked CBR of the same material. The
test is thus intended to evaluate the in situ strength of a material under existing
field conditions.
1
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 The KESSLER DCP in Fig.1 consists of an upper
assembly with a Single Mass or Dual-Mass Hammer (Fig. 2),
a Drive Rod and a tip. The Drive Rod is held in place with a
Quick-Connect Pin (Fig. 3) through the anvil. The tip consists
of an Adapter and Disposable Cone (Fig. 4) or reusable
Hardened Point (Fig. 5). The DCP is constructed of stainless
steel, with the exception of the tip. The Hardened Points
and the Adapters for the Disposable Cones are heat treated
steel. The Disposable Cones are plated steel.
DESCRIPTION
3
17.6 lb (8kg) Hammer 10.1 lb (4.6kg) Lower Hammer
DESCRIPTION
4
Upper rod
Anvil
Quick connect pin
Drive rod
End cap
Figure 3–Quick Connect Assembly
(Patent Pending)
Figure 4–Adapter with two Disposable Cones
Figure 5– Reusable Hardened Point
2.2 The instrument is manufactured to the following
specifications:
(1) Hammer weight measurement of 17.6 lb (8kg)
tolerance is 0.022 lb(0.010kg).
(2) Hammer weight measurement of 10.1 lb
(4.6kg) tolerance is 0.022 lb (0.010kg).
(3) Drop of hammer measurement of 22.6 in (575
mm) tolerance is 0.039 in (1.0 mm)
(4) Tip included angle measurement of 60
degrees; tolerance is 1 degree.
(5) Tip base diameter measurement of 0.790 in
(20 mm); tolerance is 0.010 in (0.25mm)
DESCRIPTION
5
NOTE: The Disposable Cone tip shown in Figure 4 is held in place with an
o-ring. Use Disposable Cone tips in hard and cohesive soils to allow easy
extraction of the instrument. The Disposable Cone tip is designed to slide off
the Adapter when the Drive Rod is pulled upward after completion of the test.
DESCRIPTION
6
DESCRIPTION
6
DESCRIPTION
6
2.3 Replacement and Optional DCP equipment can be
found at www.kesslerdcp.com, including:
- 12”, 30” and 37.5” Drive Rods
- 48” Drive Rod
- 12” and 24” Extension Rods
- Magnetic Ruler
- Magnetic Ruler Printer
2.4 Other equipment used to make an access hole
through a bound layer may include:
- a rotary hammer drill or coring appartus capable of
drilling a minimum diameter hold of 1 inch (25mm).
A larger hold make be required depending on the
underlying material or the need for additional tests
or sampling.
- a wet/dry vacuum or suitable alternative to
remove loose material and fluid if an access
hole is made before testing.
- a field power supply to power above items.
3. PROCEDURES
3.1 Equipment Check
3.1.1 Before beginning a test, check to ensure the
Drive Rod is straight by rolling the rod on a flat surface.
Note: The Drive Rod may bend if driven beyond refusal
(see para 3.3.3).
3.1.2 The Hardened Point must be checked to ensure
the 3 mm flat is discernible. The flat area will become
rounded after about 250 tests and the tip should be
replaced. Rarely, if ever, does the Hardened Point wear to
the extent that the diameter fails to meet specifications
(see para 2.2).
3.1.3 The Adapter o-ring should be should be clean and
free of cuts or nicks. Each pack of 25 Disposable Cones contains a replacement o-ring.
3.2 Assembling
3.2.1 Vertical Scale- Secure the black delrin Upper
Attachment by tightening the screw just below the end
cap. Next, place the foot over the end of the Drive Rod.
Slide the Vertical Scale through the square hole in Upper
Attachment and into the foot.
3.2.2 Tip- Tighten the tip securely with the wrenches.
3.2.2.1 The reusable Hardened Point is used in soft, non-
cohesive material, i.e. where the DCP advances more than
1/2” per blow (CBR <18%).
3.2.2.2 The Adapter and Disposable Cones should be
used for cohesive material and material where the DCP
advances less than 1/2” per blow (CBR >18%). Attach the
disposable cone to the adapter by applying pressure and
rotating the cone. This will ensure proper seating and
extend the life of the o-ring.
3.2.3 Drive Rod (30”, 37 3/4”, or 48”)- Slide the Drive
Rod into the anvil, insert the Quick-Connect Pin and
retainer clip. Treat the drive rod with a light film of oil
to minimize skin friction. This is especially important in
cohesive soils.
7
PROCEDURES
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