Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

Sand is one of the essential materials used for social infrastructure construction such as embankment, landfill and backfill. It was known that mechanical properties and shear strength of sand are closely related to relative density. Therefore it is very important to determine accurate relative density. In this study, Portable Cone Penetration Tester (PCPT) was used to estimate the relative density and the internal friction angle of sand. PCPT cone-tip resistance (qc) was measured changing the relative density of the two soil samples-Standard sand (JMJ) and Busan sand (BS). Also, a direct shear test was performed to investigate relationship between relative density and internal friction angle. The size and shape of soil particles were confirmed by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). As a result, the log value of qc was linearly correlated with relative density and internal friction angle. In particular, the internal friction angle of BS sample was greater than that of JMJ, which was due to difference of the shape and mean size of particles. This result shows that it is important to determine the shape and size of particles as well as relative density to define mechanical property of sand. Through this study, it can be more effectively and conveniently to investigate relative density and shear strength of sand by using PCPT in situ.