7 Jul 2022

Validation of the Automatic Dynamic Cone Penetrometer

Abstract: The U.S. military requires a rapid means of measuring subsurface soil strength for construction and repair of expeditionary pavement surfaces. Traditionally, a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) has served this purpose, providing strength with depth profiles in natural and prepared pavement surfaces. To improve upon this device, the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) validated a new battery-powered automatic dynamic cone penetrometer (A-DCP) apparatus that automates the driving process by using a motor-driven hammering cap placed on top of a traditional DCP rod. The device improves upon a traditional DCP by applying three to four blows per second while digitally recording depth, blow count, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR). An integrated Global Positioning Sensor (GPS) and Bluetooth® connection allow for real-time data capture and stationing. Similarities were illustrated between the DCP and the A-DCP by generation of a new A-DCP calibration curve. This curve relates penetration rate to field CBR that nearly follows the DCP calibration with the exception of a slight offset. Field testing of the A-DCP showed less variability and more consistent strength measurement with depth at a speed five times greater than that of the DCP with minimal physical exertion by the operator.

9 Dec 2021

Field Jet Erosion Tests on Benbrook Dam, Texas

Abstract: This report summarizes the results of eight field Jet Erosion Tests (JETs) performed on Benbrook Dam, TX. The results from these tests will be used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, in assessments of the erosion resistance of the Benbrook Dam with regards to possible overtopping by extreme flooding. The JETs were performed at four different locations, i.e., two locations at the lowest crest elevation and two locations at the mid-slope face of the downstream embankment. Variations in estimated critical hydraulic shear stress and erosion rate values may have been caused by differences in soil composition, i.e., when the material changed from silt/sand to clay. The resulting values of the Erodibility Coefficient, Kd, and Critical Stress, τc, are very useful information in assessing the stability of Benbrook Dam during an overtopping event. Because of the observed natural variability of the materials, combining the erosion parameters presented in this report with the drilling logs and local geology will be imperative for assessing erosion-related failure modes of Benbrook Dam.

16 Sep 2021

An Investigation of the Feasibility of Assimilating COSMOS Soil Moisture into GeoWATCH

Abstract: This project objective evaluated the potential of improving linked weather-and-mobility model predictions by blending soil moisture observations from a Cosmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (COSMOS) sensor with weather-informed predictions of soil moisture and soil strength from the Geospatial Weather-Affected Terrain Conditions and Hazards (GeoWATCH). Assimilating vehicle-borne COSMOS observations that measure local effects model predictions of soil moisture offered potential to produce more accurate soil strength and vehicle mobility forecast was the hypothesis. This project compared soil moisture observations from a COSMOS mobile sensor driven around an area near Iowa Falls, IA, with both GeoWATCH soil moisture predictions and in situ probe observations. The evaluation of the COSMOS rover data finds that the soil moisture measurements contain a low measurement bias while the GeoWATCH estimates more closely matched the in situ data. The COSMOS rover captured a larger dynamic range of soil moisture conditions as compared to GeoWATCH, capturing both very wet and very dry soil conditions, which may better flag areas of high risk for mobility considerations. Overall, more study of the COSMOS rover is needed to better understand sensor performance in a variety of soil conditions to determine the feasibility of assimilating the COSMOS rover estimates into GeoWATCH.

29 Apr 2020

PUBLICATION NOTICE: Preliminary Assessment of Landform Soil Strength on Glaciated Terrain in New Hampshire

Abstract: Accurate terrain characterization is important for predicting off-road vehicle mobility. Soil strength is a significant terrain characteristic affecting vehicle mobility. Collecting soil strength measurements is laborious, making in-situ observations sparse. Research has focused on providing soil strength estimates using remote sensing techniques that can provide large spatial and temporal estimates, but the results are often inaccurate. Past attempts have quantified the soil properties of arid environments using landform assessments; yet many military operating environments occupy high latitude regions with landscapes dominated by glacial deposits. This study took preliminary strength measurements for glacial landforms deposited from the Laurentide Ice Sheet in New England. A range of common glacial landforms were sampled to assess shear strength, bearing capacity, and volumetric moisture content. Glacial outwash landforms had the highest average shear strengths, glacial deltas the lowest. There was a significant negative correlation between silt content and shear strength of the soil, a significant positive correlation between bearing capacity and clay content, and a significant negative correlation with sand content. Moisture content of soils was inversely correlated to the abundance of gravel in the deposit. This work provides initial insight to this approach on glaciated terrain, but continued sampling will provide more robust correlations.