Aulia Fathurrahman - TS A - CJR - Mektan

CRITICAL JURNAL REVIEW
TITTLE
Application of Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Pavement Construction Control (Abu-

Farsakh, Nazzal, Alshibli, and Seyman)
INTRODUCTION
A comprehensive testing program was conducted to evaluate the potential use of the dynamic
cone penetrometer (DCP) in the quality control–quality assurance procedure during the
construction of pave ment layers and embankments. The laboratory tests were conducted on
different materials prepared inside two test boxes measuring 1.5 m × 0.9 m × 0.9 m (5 ft × 3
ft × 3 ft) located at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC). The field tests
were performed on different highway sections in Louisiana. In addition, nine test sections
were con structed and tested at the pavement research facility site of the LTRC. In all
laboratory and field tests, DCP tests were carried out in con junction with the plate load test
(PLT). Also, falling weight deflec tometer (FWD) tests were carried out on the field sections.
California bearing ratio (CBR) laboratory tests were performed on samples col lected from
the tested sections. Regression analysis was carried out on the collected data to correlate the
DCP penetration rate with the three reference tests used in this study (PLT, FWD, and CBR).
METHODS
1. Laboratory Test
The laboratory tests were conducted on various soil and base sections prepared inside two
boxes (1.5 m × 0.9 m × 0.9 m). Twenty-three sections were prepared and tested at different
compaction levels and moisture contents. The materials used for the laboratory tests included
typical Louisiana soils (silty clay and clayey silt) used in highway and embankment
construction. The silty clay soil has 37% silt, 28% clay, plasticity index (PI) = 15, and is
classified as A-6 and CL, according to the AASHTO and Unified Soil Classification System
(USCS), respectively. The clayey silt soil has 72% silt, 19% clay, PI = 15, and is classified as
A-4 and CL-ML, according to the AASHTO and USCS, respectively. Cement-treated soil
samples were prepared by mixing silty clay soil with cement at four different cement ratios
(2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% by weight).
2. Field Test Section
The field-testing program included testing several highway sections selected from different
construction projects throughout Louisiana. In addition, nine sections were constructed and
tested at the LTRCPRF site. Several DCP, PLT, and FWD tests were performed at each test
location. For each layer, the average PR was calculated from DCP test, and elastic moduli
were estimated from the PLT and FWD tests.
CORRELATION BETWEEN DCP AND OTHER IN SITU TESTS
Comprehensive regression analyses were performed on the collected data to determine the
best correlations between the DCP-PR and the measurements obtained by the other standard
tests (PLT, FWD, and CBR). The average DCP-PR values used in this analysis were
calculated over a depth of 300 mm (12 in.). In developing the regression models, the standard
test measurements were considered as the dependent variables, whereas the DCP-PR was
treated as the independent variable. SAS was used in this analysis.
1. Correlation Between DCP and PLT
Different elastic moduli can be obtained from the PLT. In this study, the initial tangent elastic
modulus [EPLT(i)] and the reloading elastic modulus [EPLT(R2)] were determined for all
PLTs and were used in the regression analysis. A regression analysis was first conducted on
the data collected from laboratory tests to investigate the possible correlations between the
average DCP-PR and the PLT initial and reloading moduli [EPLT(i)]
2. Correlation Between DCP and CBR
CBR samples were collected from laboratory and field sections and tested according to the
ASTM D1883 method. For each tested material, at least four samples with different
compaction levels were prepared at the required moisture content. The dry density was
measured for each CBR sample. Unsoaked CBR values were obtained for each compaction
level and were plotted versus the corresponding dry density values. The CBR value that
corresponds to the specific dry density, which was measured in the field or the laboratory
sections, was then obtained by interpolation.
3. Correlation Between DCP and FWD
FWD tests that were carried out on field test sections were used to backcalculate the FWD
resilient modulus (MFWD) using the ELMOD 4.0 program. Consequently, analysis was
conducted to find the best correlation between MFWD and the DCP-PR.
RESULTS
1. Laboratory test
2. Field test section
3. Correlation Between DCP and PLT
4. Correlation Between DCP and CBR

5. Correlation Between DCP and FWD
DISCUSSION
Further field tests were conducted at two highway sections to verify the models suggested in
this study. In these sections, DCP and FWD tests were conducted at each test location.
Laboratory CBR tests also were performed on samples collected from the field. The first
highway section was a 300-mm (12-in.) lime-treated subbase layer at US-964. The second
field test was conducted at US-171 during and after the construction of a 250-mm (10-in.)
Mexican limestone base course layer built on top of a cement-treated subbase layer. Tests
were conducted at three different stations. To verify the reliability of the suggested models,
the measured MFWD and CBR values were compared with the values predicted with the use
of the proposed models (Equations 10 and 13) and presented in Table 3. It can be seen that
the error in predicting the CBR values ranged from 5.6 to 13.7%, whereas it ranged from 0.43
to 8.7% for the FWD values. This suggests that the predicted CBR and MFWD values are
within acceptable accuracy for field tests.
CONCLUSION
The study establishes strong empirical correlations between Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
(DCP) penetration resistance (DCP-PR) and initial (EPLT(i)) and reloading (EPLT(R2))
elastic moduli of Pavement Loading Tester (PLT), with R2 values of 0.67 and 0.78,
respectively. These DCP-PLT relations align well with Konrad and Lachance's suggestions. A
robust correlation is identified between DCP-PR and backcalculated resilient modulus
(MFWD) from Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) measurements, yielding an impressive
R2 of 0.91.The study emphasizes a significant agreement between DCP-PR and California
Bearing Ratio (CBR) values (R2 = 0.84), indicating DCP-PR's utility in estimating resilient
modulus and profiling in situ CBR values across pavement layers. Field tests validate
regression models, demonstrating accurate predictions of FWD moduli and CBR values.DCP
proves effective in assessing compaction levels and providing insights into tested layer
thickness. Crushed limestone bases with DCP-PR < 5.5 mm/blow exhibit satisfactory FWD
and PLT stiffness moduli, suggesting acceptable compaction. A recommended limiting value
of 5.5 mm/blow is proposed for analyzing DCP results on crushed limestone bases.In
conclusion, the study underscores DCP's efficacy in evaluating pavement stiffness
characteristics and compaction levels, highlighting its versatility in pavement engineering and
quality control.
REFERENCES
(1.)Kleyn, E. G. The Use of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). Report 2/74. Transvaal
Roads Department, Pretoria, South Africa, 1975. (2.) Chen, D.-H., J.-N. Wang, and J. Bilyeu.
Application of Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Evaluation of Base and Subgrade Layers. In
Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1764,
TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 2001, pp. 1–10. (3.) Livneh, M.
Validation of Correlations Between a Number of Penetration Tests and In Situ California
Bearing Ratio Tests. Report 1219. Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL),
Berkshire, United Kingdom, 1989 (4.) Burnham, T. Application of the Dynamic Cone
Penetrometer to Mn/DOT’s Pavement Assessment Procedures. Final Report. Office of
Minnesota Road Research, St. Paul, 1997. (5.) Abu-Farsakh, M. Y., K. Alshibli, M. D.
Nazzal, and E. Seyman. Assessment of In Situ Test Technology for Construction Control of
Base Courses and Embankments. Report No. FHWA/LA.04/389. Louisiana Transportation
Research Center, Baton Rouge, 2003.

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CRITICAL JURNAL REVIEW

Application of Dynamic Cone Penetrometer in Pavement Construction Control (Abu-

3. Correlation Between DCP and PLT

4. Correlation Between DCP and CBR

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