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SPT Energy Measurements: Manual vs. Automatic Hammer Release

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Abstract

The results of SPT measurements performed at five locations in Greece with varying stratigraphy, using manual or automatic hammer release along with ~900 recordings of the impact energy transmitted to the string of rods, are presented. The measured values of energy ratio (ER) and associated uncertainty (standard deviation, σ, and coefficient of variation, COV) are the first to be reported regarding the Greek practice of test. The results were analyzed in terms of hammer release technique, depth, soil type and blow count (NSPT) and they were compared to pertinent published results. It was found that the ER and related uncertainty values depend mainly on the hammer release technique, and the following values are proposed for practical use under soil conditions similar to the ones encountered in the present study: ERman. = 46 ± 3.8% and ERauto = 77 ± 4.6%.

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Abbreviations

A:

Cross-sectional area of drill rod at sensor location

CE :

Correction for hammer energy ratio (ER)

COV:

Coefficient of variation

CR :

Correction factor for rod length

E:

Modulus of elasticity of drill rod at the sensor location

E(t):

Transferred energy

EActual :

Maximum transferred energy

EFV:

Force velocity method

EPotential :

Theoretical maximum potential energy (=0.48 kNm)

ER:

Energy ratio (%)

ER auto :

Energy ratio (%) for automatic hammer release

ERm :

Mean energy ratio (%)

ER man. :

Energy ratio (%) for manual hammer release

F(t) :

Calculated force at time t

NSPT :

Blow count of SPT

σ :

Standard deviation

SPT :

Standard Penetration Test

V(t) :

Calculated velocity at time t

α:

Measured drill rod acceleration

ε:

Measured drill rod strain

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially funded by «ARCHIMIDIS III: Research Teams Reinforcement in ASPETE (MIS: 383576) of the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” co-funded by European Union and national funds. The authors are grateful to the geotechnical firm GEOTECHNIKI THEMELIOSSEON Ltd. for financing the drilling of borehole EM-2 and the performance of pertinent field and laboratory testing which were utilized in the present study. Thanks are also extended to Prof. George Mylonakis for critically reviewing the manuscript of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece

    A. V. Batilas & G. A. Athanasopoulos

  2. Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), 14121, N. Heraklion, Athens, Greece

    P. C. Pelekis

  3. Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), 25 Ag Anargyron St., 14343, Athens, Greece

    P. G. Roussos

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  1. A. V. Batilas
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  2. P. C. Pelekis
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  3. P. G. Roussos
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  4. G. A. Athanasopoulos
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Correspondence to A. V. Batilas.

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Batilas, A.V., Pelekis, P.C., Roussos, P.G. et al. SPT Energy Measurements: Manual vs. Automatic Hammer Release. Geotech Geol Eng 35, 879–888 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0138-z

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