VOLUME 2 PART 15

GROUND INVESTIGATION AND ASPECTS OF GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN GUIDE

7.2.3.2 Direct Design Methods

Several direct design methods are used for SPT. The N value in these methods
(corrected as appropriate) is the input parameter, and the analysis gives the value to
be calculated. For example, the settlement of a foundation, without estimate of the
engineering parameters of the soil or rock. Direct design methods include:

• Estimating the settlements of shallow foundations on sands

• Designing piles for soils and weak rock
• Determining liquefaction potential in sands
• Estimating sheet pile drivability in granular soils

Direct design methods and their application are contained in CIRIA Report 143 (CIRIA,
1995), Load and Resistance Factored Design (LRFD) for Highway Bridge Substructures
(FHWA, 2001), Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations (FHWA, 2006), and
such geotechnical engineering design textbooks as Foundation Design and
Construction (Tomlinson, 2001).

7.3 Cone Penetration Testing

7.3.1 Introduction
The cone penetration test (CPT) and CPT with porewater pressure measurement
(CPTU, known as the “piezocone test”) are not widely used in Qatar, because there
are few superficial deposits (soils) and, therefore, shallow bedrock. However, CPTs are
often conducted within reclaimed areas and near the coastline, especially where the
overburden is of considerable thickness; for example, in the Mesaieed and Wakra
areas. Seismic or electrical sondes (probes) can be included in the CPT array to
provide information on sonic velocity or resistivity that can be correlated with
engineering properties. CPTU generally is the preferred method, because the data
obtained are more versatile for interpretation of the ground conditions at a site.
Piezocone tests, however, require additional drilling to avoid loss of saturation within
the piezofilter.

In the text below, CPT is a generic term covering both CPT and CPTU unless stated
otherwise. CPT can be very cost-effective and can provide continuous data on the
strata being tested with good repeatability of observations. CPT can be used for the
following:

• Profiling the soil stratigraphy and identifying the material encountered

• Determining engineering parameters of soils for use in design based on empirical
design rules (discussed further in Clause 7.3.5.1 in this Part)
• Direct design (discussed further in Clause 7.3.5.2 in this Part)

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