DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF SOME EMPIRICAL METHODS OF

CORRELATION BETWEEN THE CONE PENETRATION TEST (CPT)

AND STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT)

Abdul Karim M. Zein

ABSTRACT: The results of the in-situ static cone penetration test, CPT and dynamic standard
penetration test, SPT methods are widely used in the prediction of the bearing capacity and settlements
of the foundations of engineering structures. Correlation relationships were proposed between the cone
resistance qc of the CPT and the blow count N of the SPT by several previous authors to enable
estimating either property from the measured or available data of the other. This paper discusses the
reliability of some qc-N correlation methods established by different approaches of data analysis and
searches into the possibility of developing a sound qc-N correlation for Sudanese soils. A rigorous
statistical analysis was undertaken on appropriate data selected from three previous studies to evaluate
the degree of correlation in the differently developed empirical CPT-SPT relationships. The analysis
involved various forms of mathematical equations comprising the two main variables, qc and N, as well
as other soil parameters which are believed to affect the accuracy of the qc-N relationship. The study
revealed that the relationship between qc and N is not unique but depends on a number of factors which
influence the results of these tests. None of the approaches used for data analysis in this study succeeded
to produce a reliable correlation method suitable for all types and conditions , possibly because of the
inherent variablility in the test methods and the factors affecting the test results. Nevertheless, emphasis
was placed in the present study, as done in many previous ones, on the need for developing empirical qc-
N correlation methods which must be as accurate and simple as possible. Empirical relationships of
fairly high degree of accuracy have been proposed in this paper for the the qc-N correlation for local
soils. These relationships were based on analysis of test data from a previous investigation carried out at
sites of different soil types located in Khartoum and Jonglie states in cental and southern Sudan. The
proposed correlation relationships are recommended to be used by local engineers for estimating qc from
known values of N , or vice versa, for soils similar to those for which they have been developed.

1. INTRODUCTION with the interpretation of the results of either

The in-situ testing of soils is being more
frequently considered in the site
investigation programmes for civil
engineering purposes. Of the various
available in-situ testing techniques the
standard penetration test, SPT, and the cone
penetration test, CPT, are the most
commonly used methods. A great deal of
experience has been gained on the two tests
and on the interpretation of their results in
relation to the design of foundations and
earthworks for a variety of construction
projects. Methods of design based on the
SPT and the CPT data have been developed
to estimate the bearing capacity and
settlements of soils and to assess their
liquefaction potential. In many countries, the
soil engineers are familiar and experienced
the SPT or the CPT but know little about the
other. In such cases, the engineer cannot
apply the design methods based on the
results of both tests unless a correlation is
established to relate the penetration data
from two test methods for different soil
types and conditions. By establishing such a
relationship, the results from either test can
be converted to those likely to be obtained
from the other. Therefore, it is important to
define the relationship between the SPT and
the CPT data by means of correlation
methods which must be simple and fairly
accurate. In fact, this has been the subject in
many investigations carried out by
researchers in several countries since 1956.
The main findings of the relevant previous
studies is reviewed in the following section.

2 CPT-SPT CORRELATION ; A BRIEF

REVIEW
As has been indicated in several previous
investigations, the results of the SPT and CPT
are influenced by a number of factors which
mainly include the type of equipment used, the


Associate Professor
Building and road Research Institute – U. of kh.
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 16
test procedure followed and the type and
condition of the soil tested . The SPT N-
value is heavily dependent on the
magnitude of incident energy required to
drive the SPT tube into the soil. On the
other hand, the static CPT data is largely
dependent on the type of penetrometer
and the procedure of pushing the cone
into the soil. Schmertmann (1) and
Chameau (2) carried out comparison
studies on the cone resistance (qc)
measured by the intermittently advanced
mechanical cone and the continuously
advanced electrical cone. It was
concluded from these comparisons that
the ratio of qc measured by the mechanical
Delft type to that by the electrical Fugro
type may vary for the same soil from
about 0.7 to 2.0 . Even when the testing
techniques and procedures are
standardised, the SPT and CPT results
will depend on the condition of the soil
tested. For a given soil, the SPT and CPT
values are influenced by several factors
which include the void ratio, the effective
overburden pressure, the shape and
distribution of grains, the pore water
pressure and the soil structure. These
factors are not independent and it is
virtually impossible to quantify the
detailed interrelationships between them
and the penetration test data. However the
role of some soil properties in influencing
the SPT and CPT results was recognised
in previous investigations and was
indicated in a rather general manner.
The relationship between the CPT cone
resistance qc and the SPT blow count N
has been discussed in several previous
studies and a number of equations, tables
or charts have been proposed in published
literature to correlate the data of the two
different types of penetration tests. In
some studies, the cone resistance qc was
related to the N-value determined at the
same depth according to a linear equation
with the following general form :
qc = nN (1)
where n is a constant with numerical
values ranging between 2 and 18
depending on the type and condition of the
soil as reported in some previous
investigations (e.g. 3, 4, 5).
In several other studies, the qc and N sets of
data are related to each other through one or more
soil properties or parameters that are believed to
have a significant effect on their values. From a
review in the published literature, the mean grain
size D50, the friction ratio Rf and the fines content
FC were used by previous researchers as the
most important soil variables which may be
considered in developing the qc-N correlation as
briefly described below.
2.1. Mean Grain Size, D50.
The mean grain size D50, is determined from
the soil gradation curve and is defined as the
diameter which corresponds to 50% of the
cumulative percentage of the total dry mass of the
sample passing or finer than its value on the x-
axis of the grain size distribution chart.
Relationships between the qc/N ratio and the
mean grain size were proposed by a number of
researchers (3, 6,7). For example, the following
linear equation was suggested by Muromachi and
Kabayashi (7) for alluvial soils with D50 values in
the range of 0.0015 to 0.5 mm :
qc /N = 5.48 + 1.36 Log D50 (2)
However, the most popular relationship
between qc/N and D50 is the graphical method
proposed by Robertson et al (8) based on data
from sixteen different sources reported in
previous investigations for a variety of soil types.
In this correlation, the SPT N-values were
corrected to about 55-60 % of those measured in
the field.
2.2. Friction Ratio, Rf.
The friction ratio ,Rf, is defined as the ratio of
the local or side friction (fs) measured on a
special sleeve in the mechanical and the
electrical penetrometers to the cone resistance qc
in the CPT test ( i.e. fs /qc) and is normally
expressed as a percent. This property was used in
some investigations (9,10) as a soil parameter in
relating the qc and N data as ,for example,
proposed by Schmertmann (10) in the following
equation :
N(blows per 300 mm)= (A+ B* Rf ) qc (3)
where A and B are constants.
Using the above equation a graphical linear N-Rf
-qc relationships was proposed by the same
author for different levels of friction ratio. A
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 17
similar relationship was also proposed by
Ismael and Zein (11) for Sudanese soils.
2.3. Fines Content, FC
The fines content , FC, is the
percentage of the dry mass of the soil
fraction passing No. 200 standard test
sieve ( i.e. 75µm mesh opening) of the
total dry mass of soil which roughly
represents the summation of the clay and
silt constituents in the soil sample. A
correlation between the qc /N ratio and FC
was reported by Chin et al (12) in their
study on saturated cohesionless soils from
Taiwan as described by the following
simple relationship :
qc /N =4.7 - 0.05*FC (4)
In equation 4, the values of qc was
measured in kg/cm2, the SPT blow count
N was corrected to a 55% of the standard
maximum energy and the FC was
expressed in percent. This equation
indicates that the qc /N is linearly and
inversely related to the fines content of
the soil tested. An empirical equation
having the same form as equation 4 was
proposed by El Tahir (13) for silty and
sandy Sudanese soils tested by the
mechanical penetration machine with a
friction jacket type cone.
3. THE PRESENT STUDY
3.1. Objective and General Scope of
Study.
It may be concluded from the brief
review presented above that the SPT and
CPT results are influenced by several
factors and therefore it might not be
possible to establish a simple and
universally accepted correlation between
qc and N. However for practical reasons it
will be useful to develop such a
correlation even though there are some
limitations on its general applicability to
soils different from those used in
developing it. The usefulness and validity
of a certain correlation may be checked
for soils from other areas or different
testing techniques and a new correlation
between qc and N may be proposed in each
locality if necessary .
The present investigation was meant to
contribute in two main aspects related to the
correlation between CPT and SPT data namely :
(i) General evaluation of the accuracy of the qc-N
relationships developed by different data analysis
approaches which include direct qc-N (i.e.
between two variables) and indirect (i.e. between
three or more variables) relationships between the
qc /N ratio and some other soil parameters or
properties. In the latter type of correlation,. the
author is particularly interested in including the
mean grain size D50, the friction ratio Rf and the
fines content FC or their combinations in
describing the relationship between qc and N.
(ii)Development of a sound qc-N correlation for
some typical Sudanese soils using data from a
previous research carried out locally on such soils
taking into consideration the conclusions drawn
from the above-mentioned evaluation study.
3.2. Soils, Testing Techniques and Penetration
Data.
A comprehensive search was made in
published literature for data which appropriately
suit the purpose of this study and the relevant
information were found in the investigations
reported by Chin et al (12), Bennet et al (14) and
Bennetel al (15).The data in these investigations
included besides qc and N, the three soil
parameters ( i.e. D50, Rf and FC) required for the
evaluation of the qc-N correlation. Brief
information is given below on the types of soil
tested, the equipment used and the test
procedures followed in the three selected
investigations.
The investigation by Chin et al (12) was
carried out at the Hsinta power plant site in
Taiwan in a soil profile consisting mainly of
saturated sand deposits. The SPT was performed
using the rope and cathead assembly to raise and
drop a donut type hammer and the N values
obtained were corrected to an energy level of
55% of the maximum standard energy. The CPT
was performed by a Hogentogler type electric
cone penetrometer.
The studies by Bennet et al (14,15) were
carried out at different sites in the southern
Imperial Valley of California in the USA. The
soils in these sites were highly erratic but
generally consisting of uniform or interbedded
fluvial and lacustrine strata of micaceous, very
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 18
loose to dense fine sands or sand-silt
mixtures, loose to medium dense silts or
clayey silts and very stiff silty clay or clay
deposits. The water table was struck in all
sites at approximately 2m below the
ground surface. The SPT equipment used
and procedure generally followed the
recommendations of the ASTM Standard
D1586-67T(1978). The CPT was
performed in 1979 by a mechanical
penetrometer with a Begemann’s friction
jacket cone according to the test procedure
outlined in the ASTM Standard D3441-
75T(1978). In the 1984’s study (15), the
CPT was made by an electric cone
penetrometer following the test procedure
specified in the ASTM Standard D3441-
79(1979). A total of 105 SPT-CPT data
pairs representing a variety of soil types
were chosen from the two investigations
for this study.
The data from the three investigations
were analysed for evaluating the degree of
correlation in the relationships developed
between the qc/N ratio of the soil on one
hand and the mean grain size D50 , the
friction ratio Rf, and the fines content FC
and other combinations of these
parameters on the other hand.
Furthermore, the results of the study
carried out by the author (16) on a variety
of Sudanese soils was used for the
purpose of developing a sound correlation
between the CPT and SPT data for local
soils. During this study, the cone
penetration tests were carried out by a
Dutch 10-tons capacity deep penetration
machine. The type of cone regularly used
throughout the testing programme was the
adhesion jacket (Begemann’s tip) which
measures the cone resistance qc and the
local side friction fs. Two different areas,
each comprising a number of sites, were
chosen for the study, namely the capital
Khartoum and the Jonglie state in
southern Sudan. The SPT involved
driving a standard split-spoon sampling
tube into the soil at the bottom of borings
by a 63.5 kg mass falling from a height of
760 mm and counting the number of
blows required to drive the tube 305 mm
into the soil to obtain the N value.The
CPT and SPT were performed at the same
depths with a lateral distance of about 2m
between the locations. The soils in the sites
investigated covered a variety of types including
those of silty, clayey and sandy deposits located
above and below the ground water table at the
western bank of the Blue Nile river in the capital
Khartoum.
4. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF
RESULTS
4.1 Evaluation of CPT-SPT Correlation
Relationships
To investigate the relationships between the
qc/N ratio and the other soil variables, the
former was plotted against the mean grain size
D50, the friction ratio Rf and the fines content
FC as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively. In
these figures, different symbols were used for
the data reported by Chin et al (12) and Bennet
et al (14,15).
The degree of data scatter in Figs. 1.2 and 3
is significant but it becomes more pronounced
as D50 increases or the Rf and FC decrease i.e.
in more sandy soils. This data scatter may be
attributed to the fact that qc/N ratio is
influenced by several factors such as the testing
method and the type and condition of the soil
tested.
Despite the marked scatter of data noticeable
in all figures, some general trends may be
identified from the relationships between qc/N
and each of the soil parameters considered. The
qc/N ratio tends to increase as the mean grain size
D50 increases (Fig. 1) but to decrease with
increases in the friction ratio Rf and the fines
content FC values (Figs. 2 and 3). The
relationship trends indicated in Figs. 1,2 and 3
are in general agreement with those reported in
some previous investigations ( e.g. 9,10,12).
A rigorous statistical regression analysis of
data was undertaken to evaluate the degrees of qc
and N correlation equations developed according
to the following three types of relationships
a) Direct relationships between the two main
variables i.e. qc vs. N.
b) Relationships between three variables, the qc/N
ratio and a single soil parameter i.e. qc/N vs.
Rf ,
qc/N vs. D50 or qc/N vs. FC, and
c) Relationships between qc/N ratio and
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 19
 combinations of Rf, D50 and FC i.e
qc/N vs. D50/Rf,
qc/N vs. D50/FC, qc/N vs. 1/Rf*FC and
qc/N vs. D50/Rf*FC
The choice of these four combinations
were based on the general trends
indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 which
suggest that the ratio qc/N varies directly
with D50 and inversely with Rf and FC.
The well known and widely used
statistical regression analysis method of
the least square was employed for
computing and fitting the best linear
(straight) or non-linear (curved) trend
lines which approximate the relationship
between qc and N and between qc/N and
the other variables.
The following five general forms of
mathematical equations were assumed to
define the relationships which may be
established for each set of data analysed :
(i) Linear function : y = ax +b
(ii) Logarithmic function: y = a ln(x) +b
(iii) Polynomial function : y = ax2 +bx+ c
(iv) Power function : y = xa
(v) Exponential function : y = e x
where x and y are variables and a, b and c
are constants.
The method of least squares was also
used to calculate the coefficient of
correlation R for each of the five
relationships for the same set of data in
each investigation. This coefficient of
correlation R was adopted as the criterion
of comparison in the evaluation of the
various qc-N relationships developed
because it measures the strength of the
relationship between two or more
variables. From knowledge of the R value
for a correlation between two or more
variables, one can tell whether a good or a
poor relationship exists between such
variables. A value of R close to zero
indicates a poor fit and a weak or non-
existing correlation; whereas a value of R
close to unity indicates a good fit and a
strong correlation. The penetration data
for the fine grained (silty and clayey) and
coarse grained (sandy) soil groups were,
firstly , considered separately in the
analysis and were then combined together
to make three different sets of data in each
investigation, except for Chin et al (12) in which
only coarse grained soils were tested.
A concise summary of the statistical analysis
results is given in Table 1 for the correlation
coefficient values obtained for different qc-N
correlation equations, including those for fine
grained, coarse grained and all soils in all
investigations. This table includes also the R
values for some data from the study by Zein (16).
Some conclusions may be drawn from the results
of analysis listed in Table 1 as briefly discussed
below .
A simple relationship does not seem to exist
between qc and N or between the qc/N ratio and
any of the three soil parameters Rf, D50 and FC or
the combinations of the variables considered in
the analysis. This is clearly indicated by the
significant degree of data scatter in Figs. 1, 2 and
3 and also inferred from the relatively low values
of the coefficient R in most of the data sets
analysed. The non-existence of a unique qc /N
correlation may be attributed to the variability of
the testing methods and techniques and the
several factors influencing the CPT and SPT.
It may also be noted from the R values in
Table 1 that the simple direct qc-N relationship
seems to give a better correlation than all other
types of qc /N ratio relationships for the soil data
reported by Bennet et al (14) and Zein (16). The
CPT was measured in both studies by the
mechanical cone penetrometers fitted with a
Begemann’s type friction jacket cone. In contrast,
the qc/N – Rf relationship gave a degree of
correlation higher than the direct qc-N
relationship for the data of Bennet et al (15) in
which the qc and Rf were measured by an electric
penetrometer. Therefore, the incorporation of a
soil type indicative or a physical property such as
Rf , D50, FC or any of their combinations in
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 20
 Table 1 Summary of Correlation Coefficient R Vaues
Developed from Statistical Analysis of some P

Bennet et
Zein (1980)
Data Source and al (1979)
(138 data
Size ( 47 data
points)
points )
Function Function
Type of Soil
Type Type
Correlation Type Linear Log. Polyn. Power Expn. Linear Log. Polyn. Pow

Fine grained 0.77 0.74 0.77 0.71 0.63 0.82 0.79 0.83 0.7
Coarse
qc vs. N 0.90 0.87 0.90 0.92 0.81 0.55 0.52 0.55 0.5
grained
All soils 0.89 0.86 0.90 0.86 0.74 0.63 0.60 0.63 0.6
Fine grained 0.21 0.31 0.57 0.39 0.29 0.14 0.17 0.15 0.1
Coarse
qc/N vs. Rf 0.03 0.12 0.34 0.13 0.06 0.53 0.55 0.56 0.5
grained
All soils 0.18 0.21 0.21 0.17 0.15 0.58 0.62 0.63 0.6
Fine grained 0.55 0.37 0.67 0.25 0.34
Coarse
qc/N vs. D50 0.17 0.16 0.17 0.14 0.16
grained
All soils 0.24 0.28 0.25 0.37 0.36
Fine grained 0.48 0.5 0.67 0.25 0.34
Coarse
qc/N vs. FC 0.14 0.04 0.16 0.08 0.14
grained
All soils 0.31 0.15 0.34 0.25 0.44
Fine grained 0.63 0.40 0.78 0.27 0.40
Coarse
qc/N vs. D50/Rf 0.29 0.26 0.29 0.26 0.30
grained
All soils 0.30 0.32 0.31 0.41 0.42
Fine grained 0.37 0.39 0.38 0.32 0.34
Coarse
qc/N vs. D50/FC 0.19 0.25 0.38 0.21 0.18
grained
All soils 0.16 0.28 0.28 0.39 0.21
Fine grained 0.96 0.91 0.97 0.93 0.80
Coarse
qc/N vs. 1/Rf*FC 0.30 0.30 0.36 0.27 0.27
grained
All soils 0.28 0.35 0.34 0.46 0.33
Fine grained 0.43 0.41 0.49 0.28 0.33
Coarse
qc/N vs. D50/Rf*FC 0.14 0.33 0.39 0.37 0.20
grained
All soils 0.18 0.43 0.33 0.58 0.29

March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 21

developing empirical qc/N correlation correlation equations developed, the best relations
relationships may not necessarily improve were of the polynomial type, followed by those of
their accuracy in all instances. This remark the power (29%) and the exponential (13%) forms.
is, in particular, true for the fine grained The linear and logarithmic equations were found to
Sudanese soils (16) in which a good be the least suitable for the mathematical
correlation (R=0.83) was obtained from expression of the CPT-SPT relationship.
the qc-N compared to a very poor one (R= All the relationships developed from analysis
0.17) from the qc /N-Rf relationship. The of the Chin et al’s data (12), indicated very low
findings of the independent study of El degrees of correlation between the qc/N ratio and
Tahir (13) on fine grained soils consisting the individual or combinations of the Rf, D50
mainly of silty and clayey soil deposits at and FC soil variables with the highest R values
some sites in Khartoum area confirm that varying fro, 0.22 to 0.40. These poor degrees of
the qc and N may be directly related by a correlation put into question the accuracy and
simple equation of fairly high degree of validity of the linear qc/N-FC relationship in
accuracy (R=0.83). equation 4 claimed by these authors for saturated
On the basis of degrees of correlation , sandy soils.
qc /N-Rf relationship seems to be superior Finally, the effect of the soil degree of
to the qc/N-D50 and the qc/N-FC saturation on the qc-N relationship was
relationships for all sets of data included considered by analysing the data of the soils
in Table 1. In the ten CPT-SPT data sets located above and below of the ground water
analysed (including 3 for fine soils, 4 for table (GWT) separately. It was concluded that
coarse soils and 3 for combined soils), the the degrees of correlation were higher in the qc-N
best degrees of correlation were noted in relationships developed for unsaturated soils (i.e.
four qc/N-Rf equations, two qc/N-FC those located above the GWT) than those of the
equations and one qc/N-D50 equation . saturated and submerged soils. This may be
Similar degrees of correlation were attributed to the development of pore water
indicated by the three different pressures in fully saturated soils and their effects
relationships for the remaining sets of on the accuracy of the measured CPT and SPT
data. data.
Table 2 shows the number of equations
of best correlation corresponding to the 4.2. Proposed CPT-SPT Correlation for
five different mathematical forms used in Sudanese Soils
describing the various CPT-SPT It appears from the results of the evaluation
relationships for the various data sets study discussed in section 4.1, that there is no
included in the analysis (see in Table 1 the particular method of analysis which may be used
R values printed in bold): for developing a reliable qc-N correlation as none
of the relationships in Table 1 proved to be
Table 2: Number of Correlation Equations satisfactory for all soil types and conditions.
Describing the q N Relationship Best: Nevertheless, the need for establishing such
Relationship Linear Logarith Polyn Power Expo
/ mic omial nentia relationships has been emphasized by many
Function l geotechnical researchers and engineers and it is
qc vs. N 3 0 6 3 1
qc/N therefore recommended to develop them
Vs R1 0 1 7 2 2 whenever and wheresoever the required data are
Vs D50 1 0 3 3 1
Vs FC 0 0 4 0 3 made available. As stated previouslly , the qc-N
qc/N vs correlation is needed for the application of some
D50/R1 0 0 2 3 2
D50/FC 0 1 4 3 0 theoretical and empirical solutions of
1R1*FC 0 1 3 3 0 geotechnical engineering problems based on the
D50/R1*FC 0 2 2 3 0
Total 4 5 31 20 9 CPT and SPT results in the absence of the data
from either test.
It may be concluded from interpretation The CPT and SPT data reported by Zein (16)
of information Table 2 and the R values in for Sudanese soils were analysed in different
Table 1, that the CPT-SPT relationship can ways so as to develop a practically useful and
best be described by a non-linear equation of sound correlation which can be used to estimate
polynomial function. In about 45% of the N values from the available or measured qc data

March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 22

or vice versa. As a result of many trials,
the empirical equations given in the
following sections were established and
proposed to be used for the correlation
between qc and N in local soils.
4.2.1. The Direct qc-N Relationships.
It is important in establishing this type
of relationship to consider each soil group
and even each soil type, if possible,
separately because the qc/N ratio varies
considerably for different soil types. It is
normally difficult for the practicing
engineers to determine accurately the type
of soil in-situ without testing. Therefore,
for the convenience of users, only the two
main soil groups, i.e. the fine grained and
the coarse grained soils were considered
here for developing the following two
direct qc-N relation ships.
qc = 0.0344 N2 + 0.998N + 10.871 (5)
for fine grained soils (FC > 50%)with a
correlation coefficient R = 0.84 and
qc = - 0.0351 N2 + 4.1288N + 21.246 (6)
For coarse grained soils (FC < 50%).with
a correlation coefficient R = 0.57.
The qc is expressed in kg/cm2 units and
the N in blow count/300mm in equations
5 and 6. It may be noted that the degree of
correlation is fairly high for fine grained
silty and clayey soils (equation 5) but the
correlation for the coarse grained sandy
soils is not satisfactory because of
relatively low R value. A further analysis
of data was made for searching a more
general and more accurate relationship
between qc and N and as a result a
correlation which is applicable to various
soil types was produced as described
below.
4.2.2. The General qc-Rf-N Relationship
As previously indicated, the friction
ratio Rf may be considered as a useful soil
index which accounts for soil variability
in describing the CPT- SPT correlation .
The Rf was therefore selected and
incorporated in the general qc-N
relationships developed for local soils.
From statistical analysis of data using
many assumed mathematical forms, the
best correlation was obtained by relating qc to the
N/ Rf ratio as expressed in the following
polynomial equation :
qc = -0.0038(N/ Rf)2+1.5975(N/Rf)+10.292 (7)
with a correlation coefficient R = 0.80
Equation 7 is applicable to fine and coarse
grained Sudanese soils regardless of their
location with respect to the ground water
table(GWT). When the unsaturated and the
saturated soils were analysed separately, the
following two equations were obtained :
qc=-0.2402 (N/ Rf)2 +12.814 (N/ Rf)-7.7965 (8)
for the soils located above the GWT with a
correlation coefficient R = 0.85, and
qc=-0.0674(N/ Rf)2+6.7937(N/ Rf) +17.028 (9)
for the soils located below the GWT with a
correlation coefficient R = 0.78.
The degree of the qc- N correlation are
slightly better for the soils located above the
GWT consisting mainly of the sandy soils.
Equations 8 and 9 may be used in the areas of
known GWT level, otherwise equation 7 should
be applied.
The suitability of the form in which the soil
variables are presented as shown in equation 7
was examined by establishing similar CPT–SPT
relation -ships using the data in the two studies
reported by Bennet et al (14,15) for American
soils. As a result , the following two correlation
equations were obtained by following the same
method of data analysis :
qc =- 0.0865(N/ Rf)2+11.557(N/ Rf)-1.231 (10)
for the CPT data measured by a mechanical
penetrometer (14) with R = 0.87, and
qc = - 0.1266 (N/ Rf)2 + 6.145 (N/ Rf) + 5.1233 (11)
for the CPT data measured by an electrical
penetrometer (15) with R = 0.79.
Equations 10 and 11 indicated similar ,or
slightly better, degrees of correlation than those
obtained for the Sudanese soils. This implies the
suitability of the mathematical form and the
variables used in equation 7 for describing the qc-
N relationships for soils from different sources.
Further research is recommended to be carried
out in the same manner using CPT and SPT data
for soils from other countries to confirm the
usefulness of this type of equation.
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 23
 A graphical solution of equation 7 was
produced as shown in Fig. 4 to enable
estimating N directly from known qc
values, or vice versa, for arbitrarily
assumed values of Rf ranging from 1.0 to
8.0% with an interval of 0.5%. The chart
in Fig. 4 can readily be used to estimate
the SPT’s N values from the qc and Rf
values which are normally measured in
the CPT methods with a friction jacket
cone similar to the one that employed by
Zein (16).
However, if it is required to predict qc
values from measured N values using the
same chart, a value of Rf must be
assumed for the soil type under
consideration. In a previous research work
by Ismail and Zein (11), on Sudanese soils
similar to those considered in this study, it
was concluded that the Rf may be used to
predict the main type of soil tested as
given below :
Soil Group Aver. Rf(%)
Clays of high plasticity 5.8
Silty and sandy clays 4.5
Clayey sands and silts 3.5
Clean sands 1.7
The engineer can use his judgment and
experience to identify the type of soil
penetrated from the visual inspection of
the soil sample recovered inside the SPT
split-spoon tube. Appropriate Rf value
may be assumed for the different soil
types from the above table and
concequently used in conjunction with the
qc-N correlation chart shown in Fig. 4. In
this way, the qc of a given soil type may
be estimated from the measured N value
and therefore it would be possible to
apply the theoretical and empirical
solutions of the geotechnical engineering
problems based on the results of the CPT
and the SPT.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions may be drawn
from the results of the present study :
(1) There is no theoretically sound
method which can be used at
present to describe accurately the
relationship between the cone
resistance qc measured in the CPT and
blow count N measured in the SPT and
any relationship of this type has to be of
empirical nature. Many qc-N correlation
relation-ships have been developed in
different countries but their general world-
wide application is limited due to the
inherent variability of the test techniques
and the nature and condition of the soils
tested.
(2)The incorporation of certain soil variables
such as the friction ratio Rf, the mean grain
size D50 and the fines content FC in
developing empirical qc-N correlation
should, in theory, improve the accuracy
and hence the general applicability of such
relationships. However the results of the
present study indicate that this might not
be always the case. Based on the degrees
of correlation given in Table 1, the simple
and direct relationships between qc and N
may in some cases be more reliable than
those including one or more of the above
variables. This was ,in particular, the case
with the fine grained soils in which the
CPT was performed by mechanical
penetration machines equipped with a
friction jacket cone.
(3)Of the soil variables included in the
evaluation and development of qc-N
correlation, the friction ratio Rf may be
considered as the best soil parameter
which accounts for soil type variability as
compared to the mean grain size D50 and
the fines content FC. It proved to be a
useful tool in classifying soils (10,11) and
it can readily be measured in-situ by the
CPT machines equipped with a friction
jacket cone.
(4)The relationship between qc and N is non-
linear and can best be described by means
of mathematical equations of polynomial
function similar to those in equations 5
through 11. Power and exponential forms
of equations produced less accurate qc-N
correlation whereas the linear and
logarithmic forms were found to be
March 2002 BRRJ Vol. 24
 unsuitable for establishing good qc-
N relationships.
(5)Generally the values of the
coefficient R which measures the
degree of correlation between qc
and N were noted to be higher for
fine grained and unsaturated soils
i.e. the clayey and silty soils
located above the GWT than for the
coarse grained and submerged soils
i.e. sandy soils located below the
GWT.
(6)Empirical CPT-SPT relationships
of fairly high degree of correlation
have been proposed from analysis
of data from a previous study
carried out by the author on
Sudanese soils as described
mathematically by equations 5 to 9.
The direct qc-N relationship may be
used for fine grained soils only (i.e.
equation 5) but not for coarse
grained soils because of its
relatively poor degree of correlation
(equation 6). The more general qc-
Rf-N relationship in equation 7 is
preferred because it is applicable
for fine and coarse grained soil
types with different degrees of
saturation. For a convenient use of
the proposed qc-Rf-N correlation, a
graphical solution of equation 7
was made to obtain the correlation
charts shown in Fig. 4 by plotting
qc against N for a wide range of
assumed Rf values.
(7)The polynomial form of the qc-Rf-
N equation in which qc is related to
the N/Rf ratio proved to be suitable
for developing fairly accurate
correlation relationships for soils
from the USA (equations 10 and
11) using the Bennet et al’s data
(14,15). It would be very interesting
to confirm the usefulness of the
same type of equation in
developing correlation for soils
from other parts of the world.
6. REFERENCES
1. Schmertmann, J.H. (1978). “Guidelines for
cone penetration test, performance and design”.
Report No. TS 78-209 of the FHWA ,Federal
Highway Administration, Washington DC, 145p.
2. Chameau J.L., Clough G.W., Reyna F. and
Frost J.D. (1990). “Liquifaction response of San
Francisco Bayshore Fills”. Bulletin of
Seismilogical Society of America.
3. Sanglerat G. (1972). “The Penetrometer and
Soil Exploration”. Elsevier Publ. Co., New York.
4. Schmertmann, J.H. (1970). “Static Cone to
Compute Static Settlement On Sands”. Amer.
JSMFE, ASCE, Vol. 96:SM3, pp 1011-1043.
5. Clayton C.R.I., Hababa M.S. and Simons,
(1985). “Dynamic Penetration Resistance of a
Fine Grained Sand, a Laboratory Study”.
Geotechnique Vol. 35 No. 1, pp 19-31.
6. Meyerhof G.G. (1956). “Penetration Testing
and Bearing Capacity of Cohesionless Soils”.
Amer. JSMFE, ASCE, Vol. 82:SM1, pp 1-19.
7. Muromachi T. and Kabayashi S. (1982).
“Comparative Study of Static and Dynamic
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Proc. 2nd ESOPT, Amsterdam, p 279.
8. Robertson P.K., Campanella R.G. and
Wightman A. (1983). “SPT-CPT Correlations.”
Amer. J. Geotech. Engng., ASCE, Vol. 109:No.
11, pp 1449-1459.
9. Robertson P.K. (1986). “In-situ Testing And
Its Application to Foundation Engineering.”
Canadian Geotech. J., Vol. 23, No. 4, pp 573-
594.
10. Schmertmann, J.H. (1971). “The Importance
Of Side Friction And Lateral Stresses to the SPT
N-Value”. 4th. Pan-Am. Conf. on SMFE, Puerto
Rico.
11. Ismail H.A.E. and Zein A.K.M. (1987).
“Prediction of the Undrained Shear Strength and
Standard Penetration Test Using the Static Cone
Penetration Test Data”. Proc. 9th Regional Conf.
for Africa on SMFE, Lagos, pp 185-192.
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12. Chin C.T., Duan S.W. and Kao T.C.
(1988). “SPT - CPT Correlations for
Granular Soils”. Proc. ISOPT-1,
Rotterdam, pp 35-339.
13.El Tahir M.M. (1994). “Use of the
Static Cone Penetration Test Data for the
Prediction of Compressibility
Characteristics for Some Local Soils”.
M.Sc. Thesis, BRRI, Univ. of Khartoum.
14. Bennett M.J., Youd T.L., Harp E.L.
and Wieczorek G.F. (1979). “Subsurface
Investigation of Liquefaction, Imperial
Valley Earthquake”, Calif. US Geological
Survey, Report 81-502.
15. Bennett M.J., Mclaughlin P.V., Sarmeinto
J.S. and Youd T.L (1984). “Geotechnical
Investigation of Liquefaction Sites”, Imperial
Valley, Calif., US Geological Survey, Report 84-
252.
16. Zein A.K.M. (1980). “Correlation Between
Static Cone Penetration And Recognised
Standard Test Results for Some Local Soil
Types”. M.Sc. Thesis, Civil Engng., Dept. Univ.
of Khartoum.
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