Use of seismic piezocone for the assessment of the propagation velocity of body waves

Since its early appearance, Seismic Cone Penetration Test (SCPT) has been used for the assessment of the propagation velocity of shear waves (Vs). Many papers and reports compared the Vs, as inferred from SCPT, with those obtained by means of other geophysical tests. On the other hand, the assessment of the propagation velocity of compression waves (Vp) by means of SCPT is not so well documented. This paper mainly deals with the assessment of both Vs and Vp by means of seismic piezocone (SCPTu). Data from three different test sites are shown. The results from SCPTu were compared to those obtained from both in hole (Cross Hole- CH and Down Hole-DH tests) and non-invasive tests. Non-invasive tests are less expensive and less time-consuming. In particular, seismic reflection tests were performed for the purpose of comparison. Interpretation of seismic reflection tests was carried out by introducing some simplifications. Such a simplified approach was denoted as MARW (Multichannel Analysis of Reflection Waves). Indeed, the same simplifications, as for the MASW, were adopted. The paper does not consider the relevance and meaning of measured Vp in shallow saturated layers of soil deposits but is mainly devoted to the improvement of measurements quality and to the development of an on-site quick approach for the interpretation of the measurements.